I generally enjoyed THE SCARLET KIMONO, both the plot and characters were interesting. However, the characters could have been much more complex and fleshed out than they were. The book started off pretty strongly and Hannah's delimma is one that many found themselves in during the time. Her decision to run was rash and her rescuer is a nice twist. Without him, her life would have taken a much different turn. However, the entire journey to Japan is skimmed over much too quickly. I would have liked to have had more detail. Wanting more detail was the running theme for me with this one. I wanted more detail about Kumashiro and his world, the delicate maneuvering that needed to be done in order for the English to get approval for trade, and especially Hannah's unique and difficult position that she found herself in.
I liked that Hannah is so fiercely loyal to the people who help her and treat her well. Hannah often has to fight her initial reaction to what is unfamiliar and she doesn't understand. That was a nice touch of realism. Hannah didn't just wholeheartedly embrace everything that she was exposed to and had to adjust her instinct to recoil from some of the very different ways of life that are part of Japanese life. Kumashiro is torn between his duty and his attraction to this foreign, strange, but intriguing young woman who shakes up his world. The story felt, for me, that there was so much more to be told that was just left out. All in all, a good read, I just wish that there had been more to it.
Happy Reading!
Monica
Synopsis
Abducted by a Samurai warlord in 17th-century Japan – what happens when fear turns to love?
England, 1611, and young Hannah Marston envies her brother’s adventurous life. But when she stows away on a merchant ship, her powers of endurance are stretched to their limit. Then they reach Japan and all her suffering seems worthwhile – until she is abducted by Taro Kumashiro’s warriors.
In the far north of the country, samurai warlord Kumashiro is intrigued to learn more about the girl who he has been warned about by a seer. There’s a clash of cultures and wills, but they’re also fighting an instant attraction to each other.
With her brother desperate to find her and the jealous Lady Reiko equally desperate to kill her, Hannah faces the greatest adventure of her life. And Kumashiro has to choose between love and compromising his honour …
No comments:
Post a Comment