Rating (Out of 5): ~3
Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Volumes: 12+
Spoilers?: No.
Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.
Goodreads Synopsis:
In Edo period Japan, a
strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the
country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male
population has fallen by seventy-five percent. Women have taken on all
the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the shogun. The
men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected. And the most
beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the shogun's Inner Chamber...
Tokugawa Harusada connived for years to place her son in the shogun’s seat, and now she’s enjoying holding all the reins of power while Ienari is relegated to breeding duties. But while his mother sees him as nothing but a mindless stud horse, Ienari has been reading The Chronicle of a Dying Day and dreaming of a better future for his country—one free of his mother’s increasingly cruel control.
Tokugawa Harusada connived for years to place her son in the shogun’s seat, and now she’s enjoying holding all the reins of power while Ienari is relegated to breeding duties. But while his mother sees him as nothing but a mindless stud horse, Ienari has been reading The Chronicle of a Dying Day and dreaming of a better future for his country—one free of his mother’s increasingly cruel control.
Review:
I have not read any
of the previous volumes in this series, and this is typically not something I
would pick up.
I’ve read a few
other books by Yoshinaga, and I do like her artwork and storytelling. It’s
pretty and realistic, very expressive and subtle, with some nice humor mixed in
when needed.
I’m not a
historical fan, so I will say that I didn’t fully enjoy the story line. Not
having read the previous books, I was also a little lost in the story line, and
had a hard time following a few times. There wasn’t any catch-up at the
beginning, though.
I did like some of
the humor, and the way that women are seen as the powerful, strong ones in
society. That’s such a different vision than most have. I also liked how the
fathers doted on their children, even if some of the sexual relations I didn’t
like, what with some of the guys sleeping with a lot of women. I was also intrigued,
and rather horrified, with Harusada’s character and underhanded scheming.
This was an
interesting volume. I can see why a lot of people like it, especially fans of
historic fiction, even if it’s not really for me.
A review copy was
provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so
much!
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