This book is a fun and emotional adventure. I love the main character, Yukiko, and how badass she is. I really enjoy the development between her and Buruu. I also like how her opinions about loyalty and honor are really challenged throughout the novel. I feel like her character development is natural and it feels very significant. However, her relationship with Hiro is weird and forced and not fleshed out at all. She knows he's the enemy right off the bat, yet she falls for him... why? Just because of his dreamy eyes? Or is it just purely lust? That entire relationship is unnecessary and confusing, to me. Another thing I'm unsure about is the author's writing style. It's written very cinematically, with pacing an action much like an anime show (which I definitely believe was intentional). At some points it worked--I feel like jumping between POVs during action, especially the climax, helped to build tension. But at some points it was a little awkward and felt kind of cheesy.

Another thing I noticed is that I don't think this book would pass the Bechdel test (is there more than one female character; do they talk to each other; do they discuss things other than men). While there are many strong women in this book, and I love that because they are total badasses, they don't discuss anything except the men in the novel. When Yukiko talks to Kasumi it's about her father. When she talks to Aisha or Michi it's about the Shogun. I wish I could have seen more development in the relationships between the female characters.

While this book was a slow start I did end up really enjoying it. I think it was a really fun and at times heartwrenching adventure. I look forward to reading more by this author.

it deserves all the stars!

P.S ... the writing was just so captivating, I loved every second of it.

Closer to 4.5

I really enjoyed this book, but I do want to give a concise review of everything that I thought.

So, when I began reading this book I constantly kept flipping to the glossary. Though most terms are explained in the text, I, as an old anime fan, wanted to be ahead of the curve. I sank completely into the word at about...50 pages in.

The world was pretty cool, and a huge part of the draw for me. Finally, a fantasy book that isn't based completely in Medieval England or Victorian England of Regency England. Don't get me wrong, I love those books too, but I appreciate a change of pace.

Next, the characters. They were pretty great. My favorite is Yukiko, the main character. The cast has a lot of side characters and supporting cast to love. Falling in love with a lot of them, and getting my heart torn was one of the best parts of this book.

The antagonist is...interesting. I have a lot of thoughts on them, spoiler ones, but all in all I can say that the threats in the novel are formidable and varied.

Finally, the plot. To be honest, something was off about the plot. It reads like a myth at times, and it makes one feel completely sucked in...and yet... There were times that I disengaged. I still cannot pinpoint why. Pacing? Writing? Foreshadowing? My own stress?

All I can really say is that even though I had weird disconnect relating to the plot for about 20% of the book...I still really liked it. It did a lot of things right for me. Part One and Part Three were damn near flawless. Also, this novel is fast-paced and it never drags or lingers. Maybe that was part of my quibble. I quite enjoy lingers, so long as they don't overstay their welcome.

All in all, I need to read the next book. For reasons.

Japanese steam-punk/future meets mythology/heroine does her own damn thing while the real love interest is the clever but ineffectual one. And by "love interest," I mean the the awkwardly tacked-on bits about crushes and kisses that the author seems to have only begrudgingly and angrily added after an editor or someone insist it be included. Great female lead, lush and exotic setting, refreshing take on steam punk.

Better then "Eragon" by far, but no where near as good as CJ Cherryh's "Paladin". About on par with "City of Glass" though that has slightly better characterization. Probablymore at a 2.5

Excellent fantasy. I ended up liking it more than I thought I would.

What a refreshing change, a fantasy novel that isn't afraid of doing something a bit different! Set in a world that has been elegantly created down to the smallest of details and peopled by characters who silently ninja leap off the pages this is novel that sets the bar very high for following books in the series. Gritty, action-packed, romantic and incredibly originally I would urge anyone who's bored of the current cookie cutter fantasies to pick this up and give it a go. Anyone for Steampunk Samurais?

Kinda racist in a creepy way, kinda misogynistic. Interesting premise and world but not enough to rescue the attitude.

I read this on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed.