**12 Kingdoms Volume 1 Review**

I first became interested in Twelve Kingdoms when my best friend recommended the anime to me. At that time, we were not aware of the novels. I have a tendency to avoid incomplete anime or manga, as I've had too many disappointing experiences in the past (One Piece being a prime example). However, my friend's description was enough to convince me to give it a try.

I ended up loving the anime, although I did get confused at times. Fortunately, my friend was there to help me understand. Getting into Twelve Kingdoms also brought some great memories, like the Mistaken Identity of the Blue Frog Incident (which she still teases me about). When my friend discovered the novels and managed to obtain them, I eagerly read them.

Of course, there are differences between the novel and the anime. Adapting one medium to another is never easy. Fuyumi Ono's novel is just as good as the anime. Even though it eliminates one of my favorite anime characters (I have a soft spot for nerdy girls), I understand that there wasn't enough time to include her in the novel while still telling Youko's story.

The world building in the novel is outstanding and very creative. While some of the concepts may not be entirely revolutionary in China and Japan, they are fresh and new to me as an American reader. Compared to the typical whitewashed British romanticized medievalism and shallow Irish mythology that I'm used to in American fiction, Twelve Kingdoms is a breath of fresh air.

I don't have much experience with novels from East Asia, but I can say that Twelve Kingdoms reads like an American novel in the best way. It has strong descriptions and a writing style that engages the reader. The plot of the first novel is excellent, with believable characters, twists, and suspense. I love Youko and root for her throughout the story. I also have a soft spot for Rakushun (I'm not ashamed to admit that I squee whenever he appears).

In conclusion, I highly recommend Twelve Kingdoms Volume 1. It's a great read with a captivating story, well-developed characters, and a unique world. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

Yoko Nakajima is the epitome of a perfect daughter.

She excels academically, always obeys instructions, never complains, and never seeks the spotlight.

She is, in every sense, perfect.

The only exception is her vivid red hair that stands out conspicuously in Japan, a trait that no one can quite explain.

Aside from this minor oddity, she is the picture of perfection.

So, it comes as a great surprise to everyone when she begins falling asleep in class.

If not for the terrifying dreams that haunt her nights, perhaps she could get some rest.

And then, a strange turn of events occurs when a mysterious man appears at school, windows start shattering, and Keiko (the strange man) demands that she accept his unwavering loyalty.

Somehow, after falling through the moon and landing in a foreign world, it all seems almost ordinary.

But in reality, there is nothing normal about any of it!

Yoko endures attacks from monsters, is thrown in jail, learns to steal, and wields a sword despite having no prior training.

The only person she knows, Keiko, is nowhere to be found.

Now, Yoko realizes that she can only trust herself.

Her hopes of returning home dwindle with each passing day, but she refuses to give up the search - for Keiko, for home, and for herself.

This book initially started with a bang but then slowed down to a gradual buildup, which was a bit frustrating.

Yoko, too, grated on my nerves in the beginning.

Perhaps it was a more traditional portrayal of a young Japanese girl, and being raised to be highly independent, I found it annoying.

However, all that changed by the end of the book, which redeemed everything for me.

I adored where the story led!

I'm eager to read more.

Moreover, there is a wealth of fascinating discussions about languages, symbols, and Japanese characters.

I'm certain that I could have gleaned a great deal from it if I had some prior knowledge on the subject.

I first came across this series through its anime adaptation. At that time, I had a hunch that the series would be even better in its original book form. And as it turns out, my intuition was spot on. The anime was indeed a rather faithful adaptation of the books, as far as I could tell. However, I firmly believe that this series is best presented through a written format.

The story itself offers a more realistic take on the transmigration/portal fantasy/isekai genre. It delves deeper into the psychology of the main character compared to many other works in the same genre. This aspect adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the narrative.

My overall experience with this novel has been highly enjoyable. As I continue to explore the wonderfully crafted world created by Fuyumi Ono, I am constantly amazed by the author's想象力 and attention to detail. The vivid descriptions and engaging plot keep me hooked from start to finish, making it a truly captivating read.

I was very pleasantly surprised by how much fun this book was to read.

It truly exceeded my expectations. The story was engaging from the very beginning and held my attention throughout.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, which made it easy for me to immerse myself in the narrative.

I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next.

This experience has made me realize that I need to read more Japanese translated books.

I am excited to explore the rich and diverse world of Japanese literature and discover more hidden gems like this one.

I believe that reading translated books not only exposes us to different cultures and perspectives but also enriches our own literary experience.

So, I will definitely be on the lookout for more Japanese translated books in the future.