The Twentieth Wife - Indu Sundaresan

This is also a historical story retelling and while a little off my usual book path, the story was still intriguing.

This book reminded me a lot in structure of The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer.  Indu Sundaresan based this story off of the historical figure of Nur Jahan - Mughal Empress in the late 1500's and early 1600's.  She was born into the world and named Mehrunisa and only later became Nur Jahan at the "old" age of 34 when she married the emperor Jahangir (who was 40 at the time) and became his twentieth (and last) wife.  While not a total fictional story, Indu writes about Mehrunisa's life leading up to her marriage to the emperor based on actual historical events. 

I found this book intriguing and frustrating at the same time.  It was filled with rich details on ancient Indian court life, political intrigue (but no so much that you wanted to throw the book away), a little romance and it swept your across lands and time.  It had enough that my interest was piqued and I finished the book in a day but my frustration lie in the relationship with Jahangir and Mehrunisa.  It was a constant meeting, leaving, years pass, meeting again briefly, leaving and years pass.  And it wasn't even a romantic meeting - it was moments, passing ever so briefly in the span of time.  Once they met in the gardens, she releases a bird and leaves.  That's it.  Yes there was words exchanged briefly but it was maybe a 5 minute meeting and he was captivated?  I have a tough time with the romance of this.  Oh I love fairy tales and have always believed if you have a connection you should explore that but this was beyond "love at first sight".  It was...not real.  Not even believable and I think therein that's where my frustration with this book lies.

Then the book ends.  The last 5 pages are of their marriage.  The last page of them taking their vows.  Then her thinking she wants to be the power behind the veil.  And that's when I figured out this was a trilogy and not a standalone novel.

I am torn when it comes to recommending this book or not as I feel you as the reader will enjoy the richness of the world but will probably feel just as frustrated as I felt when I finished it.  So I leave it up to you if you want to read it or not.

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.