Reviewed by Leigha on
This incredibly well-written novel, the first in a fantasy series, focuses on the atrocities of war. It's a brutal and multi-layered depiction of a nation and a people torn apart. Descriptions from real-world tragedies, including the Nanking Massacre and the atomic bombings over Japan, weave together effortlessly. I have no doubt this novel will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
The main character, Rin, is scrappy and resilient. Her journey from war orphan to solder to shaman is full of daunting tasks and horrific violence. One of the things I like most about Rin is her ability to accept responsibility for her actions. She makes some tough decisions as her journey unfolds, and not all of them are positive. Secondary characters are less defined than Rin, but no less impactful. Enemies become friends and friends become enemies as loyalties are tested. Essentially, this novel is about choices - the choices you make and the choices made by others. It analyzes the effects of choices from a single person to nations. It's beautiful and brilliant. It's awful and horrific. It's a war story.
While I'm definitely interested in the sequel, I'm so glad it will not be coming out anytime soon. It's going to take me some time to decompress from this novel. I don't recommend reading this book if you are dealing with mental health issues or if you trigger easily. Read this when you're emotionally able to handle graphic descriptions of violence.
tl;dr A well-written fantasy novel about one woman coming to terms with herself and her country. Trigger warnings everywhere.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 6 June, 2018: Finished reading
- 6 June, 2018: Reviewed