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The Shogun's Daughter (2013)

by Laura Joh Rowland(Favorite Author)
3.69 of 5 Votes: 5
ISBN
1250028612 (ISBN13: 9781250028617)
languge
English
publisher
Minotaur Books
series
Sano Ichiro
review 1: I have enjoyed all Rowland's Sano Ichiro books, set in feudal Japan, and this one was no exception. It captures the rebuilding period after an earthquake devestates Edo, and uses it as the setting in which Sano investigates the death of the Shogun's daughter, surrounded by the intrigues of the Imperial court. My only quibble was the subplot around Sano's assistant and friend, Hirata, which seems to be rather pointless and adds little to the story.
review 2: Listen, I appreciate an ARC as much as any person; a beautifully-appointed hardcover ARC is relatively unseen, so I eagerly cracked open Rowland’s The Shogun’s Daughter. Some background: I have a B.A. in English literature and I also began my Masters in English Literature with an emphasis on the Japanes
... moree short story; I was and still am fascinated with the mystic realism inherent in Japanese literature.[return]Rowland writes well, in the sense that her syntax flows naturally, her imagery is rich, and she wraps up all of her plots points. However, this novel of feudal Japan left much to be desired. It is, essentially, a murder mystery, but given Japan’s loose definition of the word “justice,” many will be frustrated by the so-called “plot twists.” Also, there really is no “mystery”—it’s quite easy to discover who is responsible for what in this story.[return]Probably the most frustrating plot line is that of Hirata; everything about the mystic warrior is just so ridiculous and contrived, I found myself eventually skipping over anything having to do with him and his “ghost.” less
Reviews (see all)
mhiggins
Japan, 1704. Sano Ichiro mystery series. Mystery solved, but ending very odd.
Heddo
Excellent! Love this series and now I cannot wait for the next one!
clarclar
Couldn't keep going.
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