The Twelve Kingdom series serves as the foundation upon which the anime is built.

If you have a passion for the anime, just as I do, then you are bound to fall in love with the books as well!

The books offer a more in-depth exploration compared to the anime, which is truly a great advantage.

I was extremely delighted to discover that the artwork incorporated within the books adheres to the art style employed in the anime.

Consequently, all the characters possess a familiar appearance, making it easier for fans to connect with and envision the story.

This seamless integration of art styles not only enhances the overall reading experience but also adds a sense of authenticity and continuity to the Twelve Kingdom universe.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of the anime or simply looking for a captivating read, the Twelve Kingdom series books are definitely worth checking out.

They provide a rich and immersive world that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

3.5 doesn't pick up until rakushun (and getting to En).

However, it's also necessary for her to hit rock bottom.

This might seem like a strange concept at first, but think about it. Sometimes, in order to truly understand our potential and find the path to growth and improvement, we need to experience the lowest points in our lives.

When she reaches rakushun and gets to En, that could potentially be the turning point for 3.5.

It's as if she has to go through this difficult phase to emerge stronger and more determined.

Hitting rock bottom can make us face our fears, our weaknesses, and force us to reevaluate our choices and priorities.

Maybe 3.5 will learn valuable lessons during this time, and these lessons will help her pick up and move forward with a newfound sense of purpose.

Only time will tell what the future holds for 3.5, but one thing is for sure - her journey is far from over.

This is the first installment of a series, and as a result, there are many explanations of various settings, which can be rather dull and tedious. If it weren't for the high subscription rate given by author Zhang Jiangming, I would have closed the book long ago. However, as the explanations of the settings began to appear in the latter part of the book, the world view and settings seemed quite charming, and I became eager to read the subsequent installments. It seems that a novel world view is a good thing.

It's interesting how the initial perception of a book can change as more details are revealed. At first, the abundance of setting explanations made it feel a bit of a chore to get through. But once those elements started to come together and form a more cohesive picture, it really piqued my interest.

I'm curious to see how the story will develop further in the following installments, especially now that I have a better understanding of the unique world that the author has created. It just goes to show that sometimes, it's worth persevering through the less exciting parts of a book to discover the hidden gems within.

This book truly deserves high praise across the board.

The rating of 4.5 stars for various aspects such as stars, atmosphere, style, language, and plot is a testament to its excellence.

The themes explored in the book are given a perfect 5 stars, indicating their depth and significance.

The enjoyment factor also scores a solid 4.5 stars, making it a truly engaging read.

Overall, with an average rating of 4.5 stars, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a great literary experience.

It combines all the elements of a great book - a captivating plot, beautiful language, a unique style, and thought-provoking themes - to create an atmosphere that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book is sure to delight and satisfy.

So, don't miss out on this amazing literary gem!

3.5/4.0 stars

***Spoilers are briefly mentioned near the end of this review.***

I was conducting market research for my own book and wanted to explore Asian fantasy settings. This book caught my eye on a Goodreads list, and its synopsis piqued my interest. I was glad to find it was in prose, as opposed to manga. I haven't read many Asian fantasy stories, so I was eager to dive in.

There were several aspects of this story that I enjoyed. The worldbuilding was fascinating, with the history of the kings in The Twelve Kingdoms adding depth. The main character, Yoko, had a relatable struggle to fit in both in Japan and in the new world. The world seemed inspired by ancient Chinese history and culture, and the concept of divine selection by the kirin was captivating. I also liked how the author developed the character histories, especially for Keiki and the Prophet. Keiki, a kirin with flaws, was an interesting addition.

Another aspect I enjoyed was Yoko's journey of self-discovery. She didn't feel like she belonged at school, despite being a good student. Her home life was typical, but she still felt disconnected from her parents. When she was brought to Kou, her isolation increased, but it also made her realize that she wasn't truly living in Japan.

However, there were some issues with the pacing and character motivation/development. The first 3/4 of the book felt slow, with Yoko searching for Keiki and having encounters that didn't seem necessary. The action picked up towards the end, but it felt a bit rushed. The role of Rakushun also bothered me. While I liked his character, I felt that he became too much of a crutch for Yoko in making her decision about her destiny.

Overall, I did enjoy the story, but I had some reservations. I would recommend it to readers 14 and older who are interested in Asian-inspired fantasy and are willing to overlook some pacing issues.

The violence is in the context of fighting demons, and the language is clean. There is only one instance where sex is implied. I think this book has the potential to be really great, but it could have been improved with some tighter pacing and more independent character development.

5 stars

RTC.

It has truly been an extensive period since I have adored a fantasy book to this extent!! This is such an outstanding old school fantasy novel.

The storylines and characters are so captivating that I find myself completely immersed in this fictional world.

Every page turn brings new excitement and anticipation.

I simply cannot wait to continue the series and explore more of the adventures that lie ahead.

It's rare to come across a fantasy novel that has this kind of charm and appeal.

It reminds me of the classic fantasy novels that I loved reading as a child.

This book has definitely reignited my passion for the genre.

I highly recommend it to all fantasy lovers out there.

My review

The blog post I visited,https://howeverimporbable.blogspot.co..., presented an interesting perspective. It discussed the idea of preferring to be in a dangerous situation with someone rather than being safe alone. The author's words were quite thought-provoking. They made me reflect on the importance of human connection and the lengths we might go to be with those we care about. The post was well-written and engaging, with a clear message that could resonate with many readers. It also had a certain charm that kept me reading until the end. Overall, I found it to be a worthwhile read that offered a unique take on a common theme.

This book serves mostly as world-building and setup for the rest of the series.

The main character initially comes across as rather annoying, which might put some readers off at the start.

The middle part of the story drags a bit, similar to how stories involving repetitive travel can sometimes feel sluggish (ugh, like in Harry Potter 7).

However, the last section of the book truly shines. It expands on both the intricate details of the world and Yoko's character growth in a way that makes me eagerly anticipate what the rest of the series has in store.

My only other real gripe is that once most of the exposition in the last section is completed, the story resolves itself far too quickly.

I kind of wish that less time had been dedicated to the meandering travel sections so that more attention could have been given to other characters like Keiki and the antagonists.

This would have added more depth and complexity to the overall narrative and made the reading experience even more engaging.

Despite these flaws, I still have high hopes for the rest of the series and look forward to seeing how the story develops.

This is a rather tricky book for me to assess, as it is so vastly different from what I am accustomed to.

Right from the start, we can quite clearly envision the endpoint. However, Youko's journey meanders episodically, with many of these episodes not seemingly crucial to the overall plot. Nevertheless, they do assist us in getting to know the character better and definitely give this a more pronounced journey/adventure feel than one might anticipate from a more streamlined novel. (I have听闻 that this was originally written in serial, which would indeed explain the more meandering path the plot takes.)

Nonetheless, the meandering pace doesn't truly slow down the reading experience, as the book is an easy read, nor does it feel disjointed. It simply establishes a focus on the main character's adventure, as opposed to the epic-scale danger that one might have expected from the opener. In fact, what one might have expected to be the epic climax occurs off-page, while the book takes on a more narrow focus.

There wasn't really anything truly mind-blowing here. But by the end, I was invested in Youko's story to such an extent that I would like to pick up the next book and see where it leads. And if I finish a book with a desire to read the next one, that's good enough for four stars in my opinion.

Note: Since the original translation went out of print in 2020, I did not read that translation. Instead, I read a fan translation by Eugene Woodbury that is freely available online. I'm not sure what the original translation entailed, but he certainly renders a significant number of metaphors and pop culture references into idiomatic English. A few of these do have footnotes explaining the reference in the original Japanese. I have no real basis for comparison, but I thought the translation flowed quite nicely.

I read this years ago.

I can't believe I never added it here. This is one of the books that makes me wish that more Japanese fantasy was available in English. (I have a major in Japanese now, but it's going to be some time before I can read the rest of this series...)

I've read many stories about characters from our world travelling to mysterious new ones. It's a wonderful trope. It's usually filled with the wonder of exploration. This one is not. Yoko is terrified of her new surroundings. The magic that helps her fight, the differences between this world and the one she was born in, all hammer in the sense that she is no longer home. I remember being so viscerally taken in by her journey. The culture shock, as well as just the cool details and the arrangement of the world, its mythology and creatures, and so on, really appealed to me. It was her fear and her development that really got me, though. I related to the process of adjusting to a new culture, and I really, deeply loved reading about that experience in a fantasy novel.

I've read the next two books and enjoyed them, but none of them stuck with me the way Yoko's quest did. It was a truly unique and unforgettable reading experience.

Two things initially hindered my unreserved love for this book. Firstly, Yoko is rather difficult to root for, or to put it bluntly, annoying, during the first two-thirds of the story. Secondly, there is the unavoidable reality that this first entry mainly serves as world building. While world building is important and can be quite good, in this case, so much of it was seemingly necessary that the action in the book progresses at a crawl for a significant portion. And sure, flawed protagonists are acceptable. But when Yoko reached her 'absolute lowest point' for the fourth time in just as many chapters, I really wanted to reach into the book and shake her.

However, by the end of the novel, both of these 'issues' were resolved for me. Yoko managed to evolve into a less annoying character, which was a relief. Additionally, the Twelve Kingdoms are so exquisitely constructed and otherworldly that I was truly sorry to leave this fascinating world when I reached the final page. I could perhaps nitpick about some of the slight translation issues, but overall, the tale is well-written and the plot is intriguingly developed.

I can envision myself adoring future installments of this series. I just hope that more things happen next time. This entry felt as if it was almost entirely composed of traveling (and more traveling and still more traveling), with only a few exciting and intriguing bits scattered throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures await in the subsequent books.

Fushigi Yuugi is truly a remarkable and captivating series.

It has all the elements that one could hope for in a great story. The rich and diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities and backstories, draw you in and make you care about their fates.

The beautiful and detailed art style brings the world of Fushigi Yuugi to life, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its奇幻 world.

The plot is filled with excitement, adventure, romance, and drama, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

And then there's the added bonus of the supernatural and magical elements, which add an extra layer of intrigue and wonder.

Overall, Fushigi Yuugi is everything it should have been and more, making it a must-see for any fan of anime or manga.