I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the second one. Perhaps it's because I watched the anime first. The first half of the book seemed rather tedious to me, and I was eager for something to happen already. Thankfully, Rakushun came along and moved things forward!

However, I did miss an epilogue. The beginning was so long, and then at the end, when everything finally comes together, it all rushes by in just 30 pages. I would have preferred a bit of a "happy ending," but I suppose that awaits me in the fourth book.

I truly love The Twelve Kingdoms world. I ended up liking Yoko, but my favorite character is the king of En (the same as in the anime, some things just don't change). This world is so rich and full of interesting characters and storylines. Despite the flaws in this particular book, I'm still eager to continue reading and see what else awaits in the remaining volumes.

It's fascinating to explore the different kingdoms and the unique cultures and systems within them. The author has created a truly immersive world that keeps drawing me in. I can't wait to see how the story progresses and what new adventures Yoko and the other characters will embark on.

Overall, while this book wasn't my favorite in the series, it still has its merits and has left me looking forward to the next installment.

All I can say is that it was an extremely slow and long introduction to what could potentially be a good or even great story!

I found myself a bit impatient during this initial part, but at the same time, I'm still intrigued to know more.

Even though the beginning was a bit of a drag, I think I'll give it a chance. I'm considering either watching the episode or reading the manga to continue exploring the story.

I'm not too keen on reading the books at the moment, as the slow introduction in this format has put me off a little.

However, I'm hopeful that the actual content of the story will make up for the sluggish start and keep me engaged until the end.

When I first watched The Twelve Kingdoms, I was completely fascinated.

It was so captivating that not only did I vividly remember the title, but I also went out and bought the discs for myself. However, this initial fascination was somewhat tempered by the grave disappointment of the series' unfinished state.

Later on, I made an interesting discovery. I found out that the anime was actually based on novels, and those novels had been translated into English by the now-defunct Tokyopop.

The story in the novels is fundamentally the same as that of the anime, but with the additional details that any visual translation tends to leave out when converting the tale to the screen. I was quite pleased to note that Sugimoto and the boy (whose name is clearly not important) were not at all a part of this book. This makes their inclusion in the anime seem even more pointless. It is, however, worth highlighting that among all Yoko's classmates, Sugimoto is the only one who is ever referred to by name. It will be truly interesting to see if she shows up in any of the other volumes.

What I really enjoyed about this book are the same things that made the anime worth owning. In some ways, it's even better. For one thing, it takes less time to read than it does to watch. And another advantage is that there's a lot less filler, allowing for a more streamlined and engaging narrative.

I really enjoyed it quite a bit.

After watching the anime series not just once but twice many years ago, I finally made up my mind to start reading the novels.

It turns out to be a short novel, and just like the anime, it has a light and easy feel to it. However, it doesn't provide any extra or deeper insights into the world that the story is set in.

If you're the kind of person who is expecting a lot more from the novel, then you might as well not bother.

But if you truly loved the anime series and want to experience that same feeling all over again, then you'll definitely enjoy reading this novel.

It's a nice little way to relive the moments and characters that you fell in love with while watching the anime.

Overall, it's a decent read for fans of the series, but don't expect it to blow your mind with new and revolutionary content.

I had discovered this series years ago when my eldest brother bought it for me as a Christmas gift.

I started reading it then, but for some reason, I put it aside for a while.

Later, I picked it back up again.

Although I can't recall exactly why I put it down initially, I must say that I truly enjoy this series.

The story begins a bit slowly. Yoko is a model high school student in Japan.

She is well-behaved, listens to her parents, and follows instructions.

However, her bright red hair leads people to suspect that she dyes it and goes out at night.

Then, a mysterious young man appears at her school and manages to take her to another world after a demon attack.

I think this is a quite creative book. It contains elements of demons, myth, betrayal, and action.

It gets a little sluggish in the middle as Yoko keeps repeating the same actions.

She fights, communicates with a spirit, lies down to sleep, and then does it all over again.

But it starts to pick up pace right before she leaves for En.

The book is translated fairly well, with just a couple of minor mistakes.

Not too many, but a few.

I like the characters in this book. They are engaging and stand out.

Ono provides us with enough information without overloading the story like in the SOFAI series by George R. R. Martin.

The artwork is also very nice, which I really appreciate.

The story and the mystery surrounding what is happening to Yoko have really drawn me in.

I have finished the book several times, and it usually takes me two or three days to complete each time.

I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

It’s truly a pity that I can only access the English translated version of this work. As some have pointed out, the English translation fails to convey the story with the same essence as the original text.

Moreover, it is extremely difficult to come to grips with numerous names, places, and terms. This is because they all carry meanings rooted in their Chinese characters. For a non-Japanese speaker like myself, it is incredibly challenging to follow and remember them.

The entire process of reading this book has been excruciating. It feels like 70% of it is filled with suffering, and 90% involves learning an abundance of stuff. Additionally, the pacing is extremely slow.

I am glad that, at the very least, the book does not end on a cliffhanger. Almost all of the questions I had at the beginning have already been answered. However, it is rather anti-climactic to learn the reason why she was being hunted by the Imperial Kou. Seriously, that was it? All that agony and turmoil because of such a trivial reason?

Overall, my experience with this book has been a mixed bag. While I appreciate having access to the story through the English translation, it has also presented numerous difficulties and left me with a somewhat underwhelmed feeling.

It's not that this isn't a good story.

However, for an awfully long time, nothing at all happens.

I was on the verge of giving up so many times.

In fact, it seems that 75% of this book could be cut.

The pacing is extremely slow, and it takes forever for anything significant to occur.

Readers are left waiting and waiting for the plot to pick up.

It's a real struggle to get through those long stretches of inaction.

If only the author had been more concise and focused on the important parts, the story might have been much more engaging.

As it stands now, it feels like a lot of wasted space and time.

But perhaps there are still some redeeming qualities hidden within the remaining 25% that could make it worth persevering.

Only time will tell if this book can ultimately live up to its potential.

Grades: 9 to 11
Genre: Fantasy

Yoko has always felt like an outsider in her family. The unusual reddish hue of her hair makes her stand out in her Japanese school. One fateful day at school, a mysterious man approaches her and demands that she come with him. Yoko is filled with terror, but her fears multiply when strange creatures begin to attack her school. The man, named Keiki, summons his own strange creatures to defend them. He hands Yoko a sword and orders her to slay the attackers. When she confesses that she has never held a sword before, he bestows upon her a spirit that possesses her and aids her in the fight.

Keiki tells Yoko that she is no longer safe there and takes her to another kingdom. However, a strange storm strikes upon their arrival, separating her from him and leaving her stranded in this unknown land. Now, Yoko must embark on a solo journey to find Keiki and convince him to return her home. This novel, which is part of a widely popular series in Japan that even inspired an anime series, is certain to captivate teens who love manga and anime. Teens will also be able to identify with Yoko's struggle to discover her true self and learn to be confident in her new life.

I first came across The Twelve Kingdoms thanks to the anime, and I was completely captivated from the very first second. Naturally, I had an intense desire to have the books. However, it was extremely difficult for me to get my hands on them.

When I finally managed to obtain the books, I discovered that the language used in them was far more advanced than my level of English. As a result, it took me another two years to reach a point where I could actually read and understand it. But once I started reading, it was an exciting journey.

The beginning of the story unfolds at a rapid pace, and we are quickly swept away into another world. In this world, nothing seems to make sense to the main character. I must admit that without my prior knowledge of the anime, it would likely have been very confusing for me as well. There are numerous names and titles, which make it a bit challenging to understand, especially for someone who was not a fan before.

Although I was initially taken aback by the first few chapters, it took me many months to finish the book. There is a part in the middle of the book where I had the impression that the main character was 'running in circles' and repeating the same things. However, as the story progresses, everything starts to make sense, revealing the significant mental growth that Yoko had to experience. I really appreciate how her character's transformation towards a 'bad girl' was depicted because I believe that anyone in her situation would likely react in a similar way, perhaps even worse.

The book became much more enjoyable again when Yoko met Rakushun because there was finally someone who could explain how the world operates. Additionally, the dialogues added more life to the story. The very last part of the book was truly amazing, mainly because of Rokuta and Shoryu, who were my absolute favorite characters in the anime.

In conclusion, I absolutely loved the book. It contained a wealth of profound thoughts and a great deal of character development. Now that I have finished reading it, it feels like just a prelude to an epic fantasy story, which will be Yoko's time in the Kei kingdom. I am truly excited and can't wait to read more books from this series.

Moreover, I am proud of myself because The Twelve Kingdoms became my very first book that I read entirely in English (excluding audiobooks). It gives me a great sense of accomplishment. haha xD

This book gives the impression of being much larger in scope than it actually is.

As the story unfolds, you journey along with Youko, who is suddenly thrust into this strange and unfamiliar world. She has no idea what to expect, and at times, this world proves to be extremely cruel and vicious.

Nevertheless, this is an outstanding book. In fact, it can even be enjoyed as a standalone piece. The author has done a remarkable job of creating a vivid and engaging world that draws the reader in from the very beginning.

I am truly looking forward to delving into another tale from the captivating 12 Kingdoms series. Each story seems to offer a unique and exciting adventure, and I can't wait to see what awaits me in the next installment.

"The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow" was an absolute delight to read! As a fan of both fantasy and Japanese comics, I was irresistibly drawn to this book after watching the anime version, and I was not in the least bit disappointed.

The world-building in this book is simply phenomenal. The author has masterfully crafted a rich and complex fantasy world that is truly one-of-a-kind. From the diverse and distinct kingdoms to the enchanting and mysterious magical creatures, every single aspect of this world is intricately detailed and meticulously thought out. The attention to detail is truly impressive, and I found myself completely and utterly immersed in this captivating world.

The story itself is captivating and full of intrigue. The protagonist, Yoko Nakajima, is a high school student who suddenly finds herself transported to the mystical world of the Twelve Kingdoms. In this strange and wonderful world, she discovers that she is the rightful queen of one of the kingdoms and must embark on a perilous journey to claim her throne. Along the way, she encounters numerous challenges and obstacles that force her to question her abilities and push herself to the very limits.

What truly makes this book exceptional is the depth of the characters. The author has painstakingly taken the time to develop each and every character, endowing them with multiple layers and nuances. Yoko, for example, is not just a typical hero, but a flawed and complex individual who is struggling to come to terms with her new and unexpected reality. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with each character possessing their own unique backstory and motivations.

Overall, "The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow" is an absolute must-read for anyone who has a passion for fantasy and Japanese comics. It is a beautifully written book, brimming with adventure, magic, and unforgettable characters. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I simply cannot wait to devour the rest of the series!

It is quite interesting to read a translated fantasy story.

However, aside from that initial spark of interest, the story is rather mediocre.

It is neither great nor bad.

On one hand, it doesn't have that captivating charm that makes me eager to read the rest of it.

On the other hand, it also doesn't disappoint to such an extent that I would want to demand those hours of my life back that I spent reading it.

It sort of exists in a middle ground, lacking that certain something that would make it truly stand out and leave a lasting impression.

Perhaps with a bit more polish or a unique twist, it could have been a more engaging and memorable read.

But as it stands now, it's just an average fantasy story that I will likely forget about soon after finishing it.