This is the second book in the Tokyo Ever After series, beginning not long after the end of the first book. Like the first book, the language of Tokyo Dreaming is both witty and clever, even as it explores some emotional and hard moments. At it’s heart, it’s a story about sacrifice and love, about the consequences of losing yourself in the process.
Izumi is still in Tokyo, and her mother has come for an extended visit. On the surface, it seems like everything is coming up roses for her. Not only has she finally met her father, but she discovers that she is an Imperial Princess. But the transition hasn’t been easy. It becomes even more difficult when Izumi discovers that Imperial Household Council intends to vote against her parents’ wedding. It’s clear that the council doesn’t approve of her mother, nor of her. So Izumi realizes that, in order to help her parents, she needs to become everything the council wants.
The culture and traditions of Japan are woven throughout the story, and it added so much to the storylines. It was mind-boggling to consider just how much of life for the imperial family is regulated by others, from consent for marriage to education pathways. The rules and regulations they needed to follow were often fully intrusive.
The series has The Princess Diary vibes, but it’s definitely modernized in its dilemmas and situations.