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dozylocal's review against another edition
4.0
Well written, dramatized account of the period in Japanese history leading up to the eventual demise of the Shogun dynasty. Follows the story of Atsu and her carefully choreographed rise in rank to eventually become the wife of the shogun. Seems to be well researched, and provides a Japamese perspective on life and civilization - also contrasted against western "civilization" - which I found particularly interesting. At first I thought it would bore me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this in the end.
writingwwolves's review against another edition
4.0
I have wanted to read this book for so long, & I am so glad that I've finally been able to. The Shogun's Queen is an incredible story of female strength that taught me about a period of history I previously knew nothing about. Atsu was an incredible protagonist & I'm desperate to learn more about her & what she went through during her time at the palace. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happened next in Japan's history.
You can read my extended review here: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/the-shoguns-queen-by-lesley-downer/
You can read my extended review here: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/the-shoguns-queen-by-lesley-downer/
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Visit Japan via the Booktrail Literary Travel Agency: link: The Shogun's Queen set in Japan
Lesley speaks here and shares her photos of Japan -link: Lesley on location in Japan
This is a stunning novel. I was captivated from page one – by the writing, the emotion and the fact it was so vividly evoked in every sense of the word. I could see everything Lesley wrote as the pictures got stronger and stronger before engulfing me completely. I swear Lesley must have a time machine and has travelled back to this time and place and everything is just so vivid and enchanting that I was at the heart of the palace and sitting beside Atsu as she was sold from one man to another.
What a remarkably brave and fascinating women. I had no idea this was a true story so many congratulations to Lesley for taking this on and making it not only accessible but endlessly fascinating. I do love history and Japanese history in particular but can’t say I know much about it – if you aren’t even a history fan, this book will enchant you for the story it illustrates of an amazing lady who once played a very special and powerful role in an all male environment. The insights into Japanese history seen through the eyes of those who usually live on the sidelines of history are here, very firmly in their rightful place.
I feared for Atsu, I wanted to try and warn her -(she’s quite capable of what she does however) that’s how powerful this novel is. The ending was remarkable and I was left in awe at both her and Lesley for having taken me on such a wonderful journey. Absolutely spellbinding. Highly recommended !
Lesley speaks here and shares her photos of Japan -link: Lesley on location in Japan
This is a stunning novel. I was captivated from page one – by the writing, the emotion and the fact it was so vividly evoked in every sense of the word. I could see everything Lesley wrote as the pictures got stronger and stronger before engulfing me completely. I swear Lesley must have a time machine and has travelled back to this time and place and everything is just so vivid and enchanting that I was at the heart of the palace and sitting beside Atsu as she was sold from one man to another.
What a remarkably brave and fascinating women. I had no idea this was a true story so many congratulations to Lesley for taking this on and making it not only accessible but endlessly fascinating. I do love history and Japanese history in particular but can’t say I know much about it – if you aren’t even a history fan, this book will enchant you for the story it illustrates of an amazing lady who once played a very special and powerful role in an all male environment. The insights into Japanese history seen through the eyes of those who usually live on the sidelines of history are here, very firmly in their rightful place.
I feared for Atsu, I wanted to try and warn her -(she’s quite capable of what she does however) that’s how powerful this novel is. The ending was remarkable and I was left in awe at both her and Lesley for having taken me on such a wonderful journey. Absolutely spellbinding. Highly recommended !
littlelynn's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
missha's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Ik was vergeten hoe makkelijk het soms is om een boek in het Nederlands te lezen.
Het is een baksteen van een boek, 560 pagina's, en de moed zonk me in de schoenen toen ik al een personage lijst als eerste zag. Ik dacht dat ik er nooit doorheen zou komen, helemaal omdat ik zo weinig achtergrond kennis van oud Japan heb.
Ik had het compleet verkeerd. Ik ben nog nooit zo snel door een boek heen gevlogen. Er waren tijden dat ik dacht dat ik niet echt gehecht was aan de personages, maar ik merkte uiteindelijk dat ik echt wel een mening had over ze.
De hoofdpersoon was alles waar ik behoefte aan had en ik merkte dat ik echt met haar te doen had.
Het verhaal is enorm goed geschreven en hoewel het hier en daar mogelijk wat te veel veranderd was voor een westerse audience, ben ik blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
Het boek komt echter wel met TW's die niet benoemd worden maar wat te verwachten waren met een roman over deze tijd periode:
- attempted SA
- death (off and on screen)
- threats of suicide
- (explicit) sex
Het is een baksteen van een boek, 560 pagina's, en de moed zonk me in de schoenen toen ik al een personage lijst als eerste zag. Ik dacht dat ik er nooit doorheen zou komen, helemaal omdat ik zo weinig achtergrond kennis van oud Japan heb.
Ik had het compleet verkeerd. Ik ben nog nooit zo snel door een boek heen gevlogen. Er waren tijden dat ik dacht dat ik niet echt gehecht was aan de personages, maar ik merkte uiteindelijk dat ik echt wel een mening had over ze.
De hoofdpersoon was alles waar ik behoefte aan had en ik merkte dat ik echt met haar te doen had.
Het verhaal is enorm goed geschreven en hoewel het hier en daar mogelijk wat te veel veranderd was voor een westerse audience, ben ik blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
Het boek komt echter wel met TW's die niet benoemd worden maar wat te verwachten waren met een roman over deze tijd periode:
- attempted SA
- death (off and on screen)
- threats of suicide
- (explicit) sex
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kittyw's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
hollyfromthebigsky's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable read. I felt the author did a pretty decent job of making the character somewhat believable in the context in which she lived. (so many "girl saves the world" books like this ask their heroines to do things completely out of the possible context of their lives...) I learned a lot of extra history along the way.
Will see if I can pick up additional books in this series...
Will see if I can pick up additional books in this series...
squigglycrunch's review against another edition
5.0
This book is wonderful! The accuracy of Japanese history woven into this fictional novel is spot on. Highly recommend it to anyone who has a love of Japanese culture and history as much as I do.