Cruel Crown - Victoria Aveyard (Supplementary Novella to Red Queen)

Until I saw this on goodreads I didn't even know that it existed.

A supplement to Red Queen (meant to be read after it but before Glass Sword - second in the series) it is 2 short stories.  The first is about the current prince's mother and her rise to queen.  The second is about Farely, the rebel we meet in Red Queen.

Very, very short read but well worth it as it helps to flush out the silver world and gives you A LOT of background and understanding into Farely.

I quite enjoyed it.  And if you are already into the Red Queen then this is a must read.

47 Ronin - John Allyn

I looked forward to this book as I enjoy stories on Japanese history and this is certainly one of the most famous, but also I liked the movie with Keanu Reeves ><  But I also wanted to read the true story and not the Hollywood-ized version.

The book is nothing like the movie and quite frankly I would think the Japanese people would be a little incensed that a Keanu would insinuate himself into a story like this.

The story is about 18th century historical event.  When samurai were bound to houses for life, the shogun ruled militarily and if your lord died you would become a ronin (leaderless samurai).  When daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was compelled to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official, his samurai avenged their master's honor, after waiting and planning for a year.  In turn they were granted the honor of committing seppuku.

It's a very thorough retelling of the story and it is told very well.  It's not like a historical telling but it's more like reading a novel (if that makes sense).  Their sense of honor and right in that time is far different than what we know in today's world.  And this book takes you back to that time, plants you firmly beside Oishi (Asano's principal counsellor) and makes you begin to understand their way of that honor.

It is a shorter read and because of it's nature (and history) it is violent.

Still, if reading historical books is your thing then this book is for you.

Again, it's NOTHING like the movie. 

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Ok I've read this book, um let's see about a million times?  LOL ok maybe not that many but I have read it more than 5 times and this latest still reminded me how much I love this book.

Chiyo and her sister are plucked from their little fishing village and taken to the city (Kyoto).  Separated there, Chiyo finds herself in a geisha house.  With her startling grey eyes it is deemed she would make a fine geisha.  Thus sets her on the path that will be full of sorrow, learning, rivals and beauty.

I love this book.  Despite what people say, Arthur sucks you into the world of becoming a geisha.  While not all of it is based on truth there is still some that is and the harsh beauty of a world of these women.  He creates a unique perspective and if you aren't a history buff, read this book with an open mind and lose yourself in the world he creates you will enjoy it.

I loved the movie as well (same title).  First time I think I can say that about a book turned into a movie.  There certainly are things that are left out that makes reading the book over again worth it, but the movie is so worth it too.

I would (and do!) recommend this book.

Empress, A Novel - Shan Sa

Once again one in my collection.

I came to the realization that I don't believe I have actually read this one.  It's been sitting on my shelf for a long time.

One of China's most controversial figures in history - its first and only female emperor, Empress Wu - Shan Sa tells the story completely through Empress Wu's eyes - right from her time in the womb to after her death as a "ghost". 

I started to understand why I hadn't read this one.  While Shan Sa wrote about the period very well, especially things that were recorded as historical events, I feel that she went into TOO much detail.  She could have referenced the incest within the royal family without having to go into detail about the feelings it evoked.  I found it disturbing to the point that I skipped over huge sections.  Yes I understand that these things happened in the past and yes I understand that I will see references to it, but I don't need to hear details.  Ewww.  As for the rest of the intrigue, descriptions and so on, it was alright. 

Maybe it's because the Japanese courts fascinate me more and I am being biased but I found the Chinese courts to be...poor imitations of those that Japanese feudal era.  That being said I didn't enjoy this book and would not recommend it.

The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer

This is one from my collection of books.  I went through an Asian book phase and bought all of them I could.  I recently picked this one up again to read.

Chronicling 19th Century Japan, as told through the eyes of Sachi.   Plucked from her mountain village and traveling to the women's complex in Edo, the story spans decades.  The fall of the Shogun, political intrigue and what happens when three thousand woman suddenly have to vacate the palaces.

I enjoyed this book again for a number of reasons.  Lesley does her research.  Although not everything in this book is based on truth, I would say that about 85% of it is true.  Lesley's fascination with Japan mirrors my own, but she has been able to pursue it in ways that I never can.  I think that is why I enjoy reading her works so much.  She really captures the essence of feudal Japanese women (or at least how I think they should behave) and goes into a lot of historical details.  This book once again has fueled my obsession.

Be prepared for an onslaught of Asian books!

Winter - Marissa Meyer (Book 4 in the Lunar Chronicles Series)

Ah the final book in the series.  If you made it this far well then your in for a treat.

Just as with all of Marrisa Meyer's books in the Lunar Chronicles (with the exception of Cress), she seamlessly blends her writing style, fairy tales and a futuristic story into something magical.

In the final book of the series, we find out more about Winter herself, her love for her guard and only friend, Jacin, the madness that is consuming her and why and at last we see the climax of the battle between Levana and Cinder. 

There was more here than I anticipated and upon completion realized that Marissa had put hints of this writing into Scarlet.  She goes into great detail the plans for the demise of Levana, the history of Lunar and describes the Lunar people and segregations so well that I felt I was there, coughing and fighting beside Cinder.

I really enjoyed this book and in fact this whole series.  A keeper on my bookshelf to read again in the future.

A Wicked Thing - Rhiannon Thomas

What happens between Sleeping Beauty waking up and finding her happily ever after?  Rhiannon Thomas tells that story.

Aurora wakes up to find an 18yr old boy standing above her, having just kissed her.  She discovers she's been sleeping for 102 years.  Everyone she's every known is long dead.  Her kingdom is full of political intrigue and she has questions that no one is answering.  What is a princess to do?

Getting to the end of this book I realized that it is NOT a standalone novel.  BUT it was a very intriguing read nonetheless.  I really enjoyed how Rhiannon Thomas wrote this "after" fairytale.  She really captured how it would feel to wake up after 100+ years and not know what's going on.  Politics were definitely in play here.  It felt VERY Game of Thrones-ish but without multiple chapters on different characters.

I would totally recommend.