2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge: a book with an at least 4-star rating on Goodreads
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In the vast landscape of literature, there are certain elements that truly capture our hearts. For me, while a slow-burn romance is captivating, a slow-burn character development takes the cake. In this regard, the character of Yoko in this book is a true gem. Watching her transform from a timid wimp to a fearsome badass in a realistic and hard-won manner is an absolute delight. It's a character arc that stands out among the many YA novels I've read, where often the hero protag is simply awesome and beloved without much depth or reason. Yoko, on the other hand, brings a breath of fresh air to the table.

This remarkable character development is无疑 the main selling point of this book for me. However, the world-building is equally impressive. If Narnia represents a Euro-centric vision of a fantasy world created by God, then the Twelve Kingdoms offer a similar concept, but with an Asian-centric twist. At first, it was a bit challenging to wrap my head around a world where all living things, including humans, emerge from magical eggs that grow on trees. But as I delved deeper into the story, this unique aspect grew on me, adding an extra layer of charm and intrigue to the narrative.

Despite its many strengths, the book does have a few drawbacks. The ending felt a bit rushed, leaving me with a sense of dissatisfaction. Additionally, there were some instances of info-dumping, although the in-story reason for it was slightly more justifiable than in most cases. Nevertheless, these minor flaws do not overshadow the overall excellence of the book.

Still one of the isekai greats!

The worldbuilding in this work is wonderfully creative. It presents a unique and captivating alternate world that draws the reader in from the very beginning. The details and imagination put into constructing this world are truly remarkable, making it a joy to explore.

Yoko's extreme makeover: character development edition is also interesting to follow along. The transformation of the character Yoko is engaging and adds depth to the story. We get to see her grow and change throughout the narrative, facing various challenges and overcoming them. Her character arc is well-written and keeps the reader invested in her journey.

Overall, this is a great isekai work that combines excellent worldbuilding and interesting character development. It earns a solid 4 stars for its engaging story and creative concepts.

It is my coming of age book, a book that has reached and transformed an entire generation of teenage girls in East Asia.

I still vividly remember when the books were first released, it was in the early days of the World Wide Web. Young girls and women excitedly created our own online forums and passionately pledged to abide by the values imparted by the books: Firstly, we shall always cherish and love ourselves. Secondly, we shall always hold ourselves in high regard and respect ourselves. Thirdly, we shall always have unwavering faith in ourselves. Fourthly, we shall always strive to continuously improve ourselves. Fifthly, we shall always bravely stand up for ourselves. Sixthly, we shall always protect and save ourselves, rather than passively waiting for a prince on a white horse.

The books have had such a profound influence on some of my friends that it was the only book or anime they read or watched during their pregnancies. This is because they殷切期望their daughters to be born with these values deeply engraved in their genetics.

For me, this represents the ultimate achievement of any young adult writers.

Now THAT was an incredible book.

I have read numerous Japanese novels, but this one truly stands out. It has been the most enjoyable and engaging for me.

Admittedly, it starts off a bit slowly. And it turns out that it's not what you initially expect based on the opening scenes. However, once it gets going, it takes you on an amazing journey.

What makes it so great? Well, I would describe it as a comfortable book, a rare quality indeed. Some books are so easy to read that they feel like slipping into your favorite sweatshirt. Examples include The Hobbit and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. These books don't impose too much on you; instead, they welcome you in like old friends. Fuyumi Ono's book belongs to this category. It's an adventure where Yoko will face challenges, but it's not a heart-pounding thriller. It's fantasy, yet it avoids the excessive terminology problems that modern fantasy often has. There are no convoluted phrases like "We must bring the Ancient Grimsword of Thrule to the Holden Vale of Caladash in the Torpid Realm of the Deep Wizard Asphodel." When such terminology does exist, it has an Asian flavor, as the book combines Japanese and Chinese mythology.

There's nothing in this book that will shatter your world, no completely unexpected plot twists (though there are twists, and you can usually anticipate them), no GRRM-style moments of gore or sex (although there is some blood, so it's not suitable for young kids), and no preachy moralizing. To some, this might sound like a dull book, but it has a quiet power that draws the reader into its world and keeps them there. And, of course, it makes them eager to come back for more.

Yoko's transformation from modern spoiled decadence to selfless heroism is captivating and fun, making it the perfect read for a cold winter night when the wind is howling and your heart is longing.

Five stars without a doubt, this is now one of my new favorite books.

I recently had the pleasure of watching the animated television series that was based on these captivating books. I truly enjoyed it and was immediately hooked.

Soon enough, I discovered that the books, which originally consisted of a seven-book series written in Japanese from 1991 to 2001, were being released in English. This exciting news led me to pick up the very first book in the series.

I had high hopes of finding more in-depth content and a richer story compared to what was presented in the TV series. However, to my surprise, the TV series closely followed the events of this first book.

Nevertheless, the TV series does leave a few loose ends that I'm hoping the books will resolve. Unfortunately, as of now, only two of the English version books have been released.

This means that I will likely have to wait for quite some time before I can tie up those loose ends. The publisher's plan to release a book every year is a bit of a sigh-worthy situation for me, as sometimes I don't really like series that have such a slow release schedule.

Well, if you have a passion for Chinese mythology or action-packed books, then this "unfinished" series might just be the perfect choice for you.

The book had a rather slow start.

At first, it seemed to plod along, and I was a bit skeptical if it would really capture my attention.

However, as I continued to read, something magical happened.

It gradually picked up momentum and before I knew it, I was completely hooked.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to tear myself away.

Every page turned revealed new and exciting developments that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I became so engrossed that I lost track of time and couldn't put the book down until I had finished it.

It was truly a captivating read that started off slow but ended up being a real page-turner.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and thrilling story.

This book was an absolute BLAST, omg.

On the downside, the prose was a bit flat and clunky. Once again, I have no idea if this was a matter of translation or not, but it wasn't too bad. The decision to simply skip the whole battle scene at the very end was completely inexplicable. Really, I cannot understand why the battle wasn't shown. That was just a bizarre decision that made the ending a bit anti-climatic. Info-dumps were present, but they remained engaging enough. Honestly, I don't know how they could have been avoided. Yoko's angsting got repetitive from time to time. It's not like I didn't understand and empathize with her feelings. It's just that they didn't need to keep being reiterated.

On the upside, EVERYTHING ELSE was amazing! Ugh, I am terrible at enumerating good points, but trust me, it was AWESOME. It's wildly entertaining. It just sort of pulls you along and you can't stop. The characterization was believable, the action was non-stop, and the worldbuilding was really fantastic. Some of the ideas and imagery were so gorgeously bizarre, like the eggfruit trees and the cloud-sea. I almost want to put this on my "weird" shelf, but the narrative itself was enough of a traditional hero's journey that I'm not sure it belongs there. (On the other hand, I am a tiny bit irritated to find that my idea of children growing on trees has totally been done, lol.)

Well, anyway, suffice it to say, I'm picking up the second book at the first opportunity.

A lot of valuable lessons can be learned from this series. The first novel is rather long, but the payoffs in the later books are truly remarkable. The female protagonist is my absolute favorite of all time.

Lately, the Isekai genre has become somewhat dull and unoriginal. However, this particular series will always hold a special place in my heart as a classic. I really wish that they could have continued translating the later volumes into English.

Sadly, for what they've translated already, the story of the birth of the real Youko Nakajima has come to an end. Now, the rest is left to our own vivid imaginations. We can only speculate and dream about what might have happened next in Youko's adventures.

Despite the lack of further translations, the impact of this series on me remains profound. It has inspired me and left a lasting impression, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

LOOOOOOOOVE IT!

Some of the best character development EVER!

I read this when I'm feeling really down, because there's one scene where Yoko, the heroine, truly hits rock-bottom, and it's extremely inspiring!

The world-building is really fascinating, and I really enjoyed learning along with Yoko.

Someone wrote somewhere that there's very little romance, to the extent that all the characters seem asexual or something.

I wouldn't be sure about that, but for me, I noticed what could be signs, although I might just be imagining it because I actually hope it will change.

The dynamic between some of the characters is really interesting, and I really hope to see more of it because you really get attached to them.

Really enjoyed the book :-) It's a wonderful read that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The author has done a great job of creating a unique and immersive world, as well as developing the characters in a way that makes you care about them deeply. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next!

I find this book to be rather predictable, in all honesty. It's a rather standard girl is transported into magical world story. The most interesting part by far is Yoko in the forest. She's stranded in the magical world without any means to care for herself, friends or idea of where she is. However, she does have the means to defend herself. Soon, she learns that people can't be trusted to help her, that they will cheat and lie to her. She fights to make peace with the world and the idea that though people will cheat her, there are still good people and life is still worth living.

Then she defeats her demons (figuratively and literally) and it gets a bit boring from there in, to be honest. We move into a more typical fantasy setup. Someone helps Yoko. She travels with them, and it turns out she's a very important person. Once they identify that, she's quickly whisked off to become the saviour of the world. She has a few moments of questioning her destiny as is standard but we all know she won't really turn her back on her destiny so it feels a little pointless.

So, yes, the book starts promising but then does little with it at the end. This series does continue for several more books that I haven't read. I can but hope they're modelled more on the start of this one rather than the end of it. Maybe the subsequent books will bring more surprises and develop the story in a more engaging way, exploring different aspects of the magical world and Yoko's character. Only time will tell if the series can live up to its initial potential.

There was a time in my life when I was deeply immersed in Japanese comics and cartoons, namely manga and anime. I consumed them in large quantities. Chances are, I don't remember most of them, even those that might be worth revisiting in my later years. However, this particular work has managed to not only survive the test of my memory but also has a unique history. It first existed as a written work before being illustrated and then animated. This made it possible for me to acquire a copy during my regular book sale outings, without having to rely on the often limited comics section, if it even existed. The written form also sustained my interest long enough for me to see the value in purchasing this copy.

Now, coming back to it at my current age, I find the prose rather simplistic and the pacing of the plot and characterization a bit awkward. However, as an adult, I am more interested in concepts like the 'Mandate of Heaven', theories of good governance, and systems of cultural enrichment. So, having these presented along with some classic magical kingdoms and bildungsroman elements was quite a treat. I do have some reservations, not all of them narratological, which prevent me from rating this as a perfect work. But it is still one of the most intelligently crafted fantasies I've ever encountered, and the fact that it can engage younger audiences makes it even more remarkable.

When I first decided to read as many as possible of the four to six (depending on how you define them) Classic Chinese Novels, I didn't expect much beyond personal pride among certain circles of readers and/or literature enthusiasts. However, what I'm beginning to realize is that spending over 2000 pages following the trials and tribulations of characters grappling with the 3000-year-old political philosophy of the Mandate of Heaven not only gives one a familiarity with this civilization-shaping concept but also a healthy dose of respect. Still, this is not the easiest or most accessible way to engage with it, especially when one is on the other side of a sociocultural/ethnolinguistic divide that is artificially exacerbated by today's politicians and money-hungry individuals to maintain their power and profits. So, seeing it applied in the classic narrative style, where a 'normal' young person is whisked away on a fantasy adventure in a believable and engaging way, is truly special.

The prose in this translation isn't the greatest, and the narrative sometimes stretches the limits in its measured buildup until the grand cathartic payoff is finally reached. There's also the issue of the complex relationship between Japan and China, and I'm not entirely sure about the author's intent when using examples of regional architecture to contrast 'civilized' (i.e., Tokyo) kingdoms with those that are less so (i.e., Chinatowns). However, it's important to note that this translation has received criticism elsewhere, so perhaps the solution to some of my concerns is to be more discerning when choosing editions of future volumes. Of course, the question of the availability of other editions and volumes of this series is a whole other matter, so for now, I'm content with how this particular reading experience went and I'm not in a hurry to binge the rest anytime soon.

The fact that the translation of the full seven volumes seems to have stalled means that it's just as well that I've only come across the first entry. But it was enough to remind me forcefully how much of a joy this work is. As much as I love Tolkien, the recent half-hearted attempts to revive his work by soulless corporations show how saturated the fantasy ideas market is with his influence. This particular work, with its combination of modern presentation and ancient belief systems, is the perfect antidote to the copy-paste-to-death tactics of the cultural venture capitalists. Of course, the fact that this work functions in such an original way may be why adaptations to other media and languages have run out of steam or funding before completion. But the beauty of the Internet is that it's easy to stumble across something worth reviving and getting others around the world involved in bringing the project to life. If I had the knowledge or the means, I would lead this effort myself, which should give you an idea of how inadequate my four-star rating is in expressing my feelings about the importance of this work and its various incarnations existing in a way that people in my own culture can interact with and gain value from. Until then, I look forward to the day when the various published genres in my part of the world receive a real infusion of insights that, despite their seeming freshness, have been tried and tested for thousands of years by those with the willingness to take responsibility and care, even when it's not 'profitable' or convenient. It's not just good reading but a necessary ideological framework in this day and age. And if by some chance the first four volumes that have been translated into English show up on the shelves that I manage as a librarian, well, what can I say except that if I can't nudge the readers here and there, then what's the point of the work I do?

SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY SEEN THE ANIME.

After having watched the anime, which ended rather abruptly, my interest was piqued to an extremely high level to read the translation of the original novels and discover what occurs after the anime concluded. This series of 7 books can be characterized as a "political fantasy", with a strong emphasis on the political aspect. The fantasy elements, although highly creative and captivating, merely serve as a backdrop for the stories revolving around politics and kingship in several of the 12 Kingdoms. This particular volume narrates the tale of Yoko and her slow, arduous, and often quite gruesome journey towards ascending to the Kingship of Kei.

The anime, quite fortunately, directly adopts a significant amount from the book. However, it differs entirely with the addition of two characters from Yoko's original world, who are shown in the anime as coming over with her. One character is only briefly mentioned in the book and does not actually make the transition, while the other is not present in the book at all.

This book takes the reader up to the point where Yoko rescues Keiki from the false king and no further. So, if you have already seen the anime, anything that occurs past Keiki's rescue is not included in this book.

Overall, the book was truly wonderful, and I promptly moved on to the next one in the series.