l'ultima luna (2004)

I was even less satisfied with this book than I was with the other two in the series. I am upset with a lot of things, such as the resolution and the character "development," but what upset me the most was probably Kaede's treatment as a character. It was evident in the other books, but it really came to a head here.

Despite the previous two books alternating frequently between Kaede and Takeo, this one gives Kaede only two chapters. We don't get anything from her perspective until 150 pages in. And when we do, it's because she's bemoaning the absence of Takeo. The formerly powerful, fiery girl who was taking her life into her own hands is reduced to something small, lonely, petty and jealous. Her character has completely changed, and not at all for the better. A woman whose main concerns were formerly for the well-being of her people, her sisters and her domain becomes obsessed with nothing more than being a "good wife," which she defines as being able to bear children.

Just overall I felt that the series had an interesting story idea, but the execution was ultimately inadequate. The story was smothered in romance and then hacked off rudely at the end with an unsatisfying conclusion.


Also, it should tell you something that death I grieved about most, rather than just being angry and confused at the writing, was that of Raku. I was far more excited to meet his foals at the end than I was concerned with the sappy reunion of Takeo and Kaede.

And can we talk about that earthquake? Okay no, I don't want to talk about it. I understand that deus ex machina is a legitimate literary device but that doesn't mean I can't regard this use of it as lazy. Oh, what's that? An entire army bothering you? Here let me swallow them up in a single paragraph. There, all better.
( )

The third book in this cycle of the Otori picks up where the second ended seamlessly, continuing the ongoing romance... and subsequent tragedies (yes, plural) that befall them.

Mostly Kaede, I think. She and all women have it the hardest in these books.

But that's kinda the point. Feudal Shogunate-ish as this is, with a sprinkling of fantasy clan magic makes it feel more like ninja action than anything else. But unlike Naruto, this doesn't have that many happy moments to balance out the dark and sad.

Let's hear it for realism!

This is a tragedy. We know it is a romantic tragedy. So why is it so hard to keep going with this?

Perhaps because I've gotten to love these characters.

I kinda loved to see a lot of these other people die. Bunch of thugs. The politics is only barely better than the outright bloodshed. Are all men this evil? Or is it just how I feel after reading this book?

Anyway. A delightful read, if difficult and disturbing. The author does have a way with words. ( )

Ugh.
I don't think there's a whole lot I can say about this book. I really liked the first one, the second one was nice, just a bit on the boring side, but this one...

I don't quite know what happened, I just couldn't get past the first 100 pages. I tried. I honestly tried, but the characters were being terribly stupid and the pacing terribly slow, and every time I picked it up, I didn't find the heart to read more than one or two paragraphs before being bored to death and thinking I shouldn't bother, they were going to do something stupid for sure and ruin it further.

No motivation whatsoever to finish it, sorry! I gave up even trying. ( )

Tales of the Otori

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90 points, 4 ¾ stars

Quote:
"You often act like an idiot, but fate seems to be using you for some purpose, and our lives are bound together in some way."
Review:
I'm struggling a bit with this review right now. I'm not exactly certain what to talk about. What I can talk about, it is difficult to talk coherently without going pretty deep into explaining too much. But the majority is just completely spoilers.

This was a good book, a good read. It successfully did what it set out to do. It fits the world the author set up perfectly. I just didn't particularly like the book. It kept going places I didn't want it to go. It kept doing things I didn't want it to do. It made sense for the story, I just didn't care for it. And the ending felt a bit contrived. I didn't enjoy it and I still struggle to accept it. It just didn't feel like a "win".

So I guess my conclusion is that I wanted to like this, and it was well done, I just didn't care for it. Also I'm scared to read the next book, because I don't want what is going to happen to happen.

Brilliance of the Moon is the conclusion to the trilogy that started in Across the Nightingale Floor, but it isn't the end of the story. This book ends on the high note, but leaves room for a sequel. The prophecy isn't completed, and there is more to the story. ( )