Book Review: Empress of All Seasons

 

Empress of All Seasons

Author: Emiko Jean
Publisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers
Publish Date:  November 6, 2018
Book Rating 5/5
Amazon /  Goodreads / Barnes and Noble

Publisher's Description 

In a palace of illusions, nothing is what it seems.

Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yōkai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. 

Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren't hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yōkai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit. As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari’s fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-yōkai outcast.

Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of Honoku in this beautifully written, edge-of-your-seat YA fantasy.

Book received:  Rented

Why I Picked it up: I wanted to read something different.  Something not set in a European world. This fit the bill. This was a story that I could relate to about being other, wanting to fit in and finding power in being yourself. 

Why I finished it: The moment of the story carries you forward. The story explains things but made no effort to Westernize itself. This is a wonderful story that follows a narrative uncommon in typical western novels. 

Who I would give it to: Anyone who feels like an outsider. 

Jun Kaneko Exhibit

I went to the Jun Kaneko Exhibit at the Kennedy Center, it was different.  He is a renowned Japanese American artist and painter.  His work was used for the sets and costumes  in this spring's production of The Magic Flute.  I was unable to see the play, but my mother who accompanied me on this visit, had seen the play. The costumes to many reviewers were consider over powering. My mother and I found them fun and lively, they remind us of quilts. The customs and the set added a sense of whimsy, humor and mysticism to the play.  The ceramic sculptures that we were able to view are form the artist series of HEADS, Dangos ( meaning "round form" or dumpling, in Japanese), and Tanuki. Tanuki are mischievous shape-shifters that are in the from of raccoon dogs. The exhibit is free to the public. For more of his work click here.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Sick days and dreaming of Japan

Two days of a fever. Ah, Spring. How lovely you are, why must you try to kill me? It has a been a crazy few days. Mostly filled with sleeping and work. Lots of work.  I cancelled my glossy box, one of the past few days. I am just underwhelmed by it. I am leaning towards Ipsy, Q box or just right books. All three really interest me. If money was not an issues I would buy all three in a heart beat. Ipsy for the beauty products and the price $10 a month. Q box because it is from Japan. I have love for Japan. I speak Japanese badly, I was better at before when I had people to practice with everyday. Just right books, because I love to read and while the up front cost is $286.88 that is about $23-24 a month so the same cost as Q box.  I will let you know which box I chose. I am still receiving the May box, more likely some time in June.  It has been an odd day.  If you would like a tour through Japan click here. Enjoy the trip. I hope to be back there soon.


Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

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