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tmaluck's review against another edition
2.0
I don't like giving a Shikamaru-centric book two stars. He's one of my favorite characters in the Naruto series, and the opening chapters where he struggles to find his place as a pseudo-leader in Konoha had me hooked. If this book gave Shikamaru the same treatment as Kakashi in his light novel, peppering character moments and "where are they now?" spotlights into some action setpieces, I would be satisfied.
Instead, the Land of Silence is the Land of Tameness. The villain starting his own army to correct society's mistakes blah blah blah... the fights where limb position and move-by-move reactions are spelled out in detail... it became a slog. This is a short book, but I had to keep putting it down and delaying finishing because everything in Silence was so boring. Newcomers Ro and Soku aren't worth being tacked into the cast, serving as walking superpowers instead of fleshed out characters. Shikamaru's moments of "adulthood" near the end read like fanfiction. Maybe I'm too old to appreciate what happened there, or maybe Shikamaru should've had something more original/insightful to say about his growth across the series.
And that's without getting into
Instead, the Land of Silence is the Land of Tameness. The villain starting his own army to correct society's mistakes blah blah blah... the fights where limb position and move-by-move reactions are spelled out in detail... it became a slog. This is a short book, but I had to keep putting it down and delaying finishing because everything in Silence was so boring. Newcomers Ro and Soku aren't worth being tacked into the cast, serving as walking superpowers instead of fleshed out characters. Shikamaru's moments of "adulthood" near the end read like fanfiction. Maybe I'm too old to appreciate what happened there, or maybe Shikamaru should've had something more original/insightful to say about his growth across the series.
And that's without getting into
Spoiler
the rushed romance and flash-forward marriage/parenthood with Temari.dedi_timmons's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this short novel a lot. I loved having the chance to be pulled back into a world I love with characters that I always wanted more of in the series.
I enjoyed this short novel a lot. I loved having the chance to be pulled back into a world I love with characters that I always wanted more of in the series.
onetrooluff's review against another edition
4.0
Hooraaaaaaay!!! Shikamaru is right up there as one of my all-time favorite Naruto characters - always has been - and I've always loved what Kishimoto has done with him. He has evolved and matured so much over the course of the series, and that is still going on in this novel. The plot isn't earth-shattering, but just getting to spend more time with one of my favorite characters makes it worth reading. And OH MY GOODNESS there is finally payoff for all the pairings that have been super obvious for a long time. And even some new ones I wouldn't have guessed. :D
rotelle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
httponyo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
They should've animated this story , it would've been nice to see others stories being highlighted besides the main couples.
taelajoon's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
immortalfireboy's review
4.0
Set two years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shikamaru sets off to the Land of Silence to rescue Sai. Great read, as Shikamaru tries to figure out what it means to be an adult. A good amount of Shikamaru & Temari, and a taste of Sai & Ino. Plus a very sweet Gaara moment.
phily_g_123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
asymdoll13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my favorite of the three Hiden series that I've read so far. Shikamaru translates to prose rather well, and the book was so funny. I laughed quite a lot, and I even had to read passages out loud to my best friend. It was fun.
docka's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75