The first few chapters were good, but the writing became monotonous after a while. I found it increasingly difficult to read the book; it was overly descriptive and focused too much on dwindling details that I couldn’t keep track of. Overall, the start was great, and the plot was original, but I didn't enjoy the book too much. Thanks, NetGalley, for an ARC!

This book turned out to be quite different from what I initially expected, and I have to admit that I came away feeling somewhat disappointed. The first half reads more like a travel blog filled with anecdotes about the experiences of uncultured British tourists on work placements abroad, rather than the compelling narrative I had hoped for.

Although I have never visited Japan, it has always been high on my bucket list, and I was eager to immerse myself in the unique cultural landscape through the pages of this book. While some of the descriptions of the setting offered glimpses of the country’s charm, the overall execution felt disjointed and awkward. The narrative lacked the fluidity and depth that typically draws readers into a foreign experience.

Moving into the second half of the book, which is intended to heighten the tension and accelerate the story's rhythm, I found myself increasingly frustrated. The protagonist frequently expresses his distrust of his companions and emphasizes the imminent dangers they face during their journey. However, it seemed implausible that he would claim there was no way out when multiple opportunities to fly home were presented. It would have felt more authentic for him to acknowledge his choices driven by adventure and a desire for glory rather than to cling to a seemingly illogical situation.

Furthermore, the supporting characters felt rather one-dimensional, lacking the necessary depth to evoke empathy or understanding from the reader. Their motivations remained unclear, making it difficult to invest emotionally in their fates. The most frustrating aspect, however, was the unresolved cliffhanger regarding the murder mystery that unfolded throughout the plot. Instead of providing a satisfying resolution, it left me feeling more confused and let down, particularly since I had formed some theories about what might have happened.

Another element that soured my reading experience was the portrayal of animal cruelty. It felt unnecessary and gratuitous, offering nothing of substance to the storyline. This inclusion was jarring and almost caused me to abandon the book entirely. I pushed through to the end, but by the time I finished, I couldn't shake the disappointment. Though I completed the journey, I doubt I would be eager to revisit this story in the future.

If you are interested in a western perspective in living in Japan, this is a really informative book. The perspective of the main character is easy to engage with and her gradual establishment in a new country and context is interesting to learn about. The plot itself gets a bit lost in all this so the book will appeal to different people for different reasons.

Spoiler Alert.

Between the Devil and the Dusk begins with an intriguing setup: a young teacher navigating life in Japan, uncovering cultural differences, and finding himself drawn into an unexpected mystery. However, as the story unfolds, the pacing and plot development left me feeling more puzzled than invested.

The first half reads like a detailed travelogue, with cultural insights that, while interesting, felt overly drawn out and didn’t do much to drive the story forward. When the plot shifts to a treasure hunt, the stakes felt strangely low for such high-risk endeavors. The main character had every opportunity to leave Japan when things took a dangerous turn, yet he stayed for… fame and glory ? The female lead’s motive to risk everything for career recognition after graduation felt even flimsier. While the third character had the most compelling stakes, even those could have been explored more deeply to create a stronger connection to the story.

As someone who has been to Hokkaido and Shiretoko, I couldn’t help but notice several glaring geographical inaccuracies. For instance, Shiretoko is located on the eastern tip of Hokkaido, not the northern tip. Getting there from Sapporo isn’t a “two-hour train ride,” as the book suggests—it’s an eight-hour car journey or a 45-minute flight. Similarly, the book refers to Sapporo as the southernmost city in Hokkaido, but Hakodate holds that title, and it’s reachable by a direct Shinkansen ride from Tokyo in about 4.20 hours. These discrepancies made me wonder how much of the setting was based on personal experience versus a quick Google search. It also raised questions about whether other historical or cultural references in the book had been thoroughly fact-checked.

The tone of the book also raised some eyebrows. Graphic animal cruelty scenes and casual remarks about sex felt unnecessary and, at times, out of place for the plot. While I understand that these moments were intended to show certain characters’ lack of empathy, the level of detail felt excessive and detracted from the story rather than adding depth. Similarly, while the main character shows occasional internal conflict, his lack of emotional response to some key events made it hard to connect with him.

The book seems to aim for a mix of cultural discovery, adventure, and suspense, but it struggles to commit fully to any one of these elements. The result is a story that touches on several intriguing ideas without delving deep enough into any of them to leave a lasting impact. While it had its moments, I was ultimately left wondering what the core message or takeaway was meant to be.

I was conflicted with this book. The plot is good and well-written but in an old fashioned way – its delivery felt like a Victorian expedition novel. I found it overly descriptive, particularly regarding the details of life in Japan. I appreciate that the reader needs to be given insight to set the scene but this was at the expense of the plot which, while decent, did not start proper until about 50%. Overall, a decent read but let down by unnecessary descriptive detail.

I read five chapters of this book and nothing grabbed my attention. I thought I might go back to it as there was a feeling of promise, but I just don’t have any desire to do so. For me, it was the lack of connection with the lead character and no intrigue to keep me reading. I chose to request this book because the description sounded like it might have a similar feel to the Celestine Prophecy. But the story was flat and still hadn’t got going by the time I gave up. I wish you well with the book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book on netgalley.

This engaging and atmospheric book follows Michael Brown, a recent graduate escaping the pressures of adulthood by teaching English in Japan. Initially thrust into the Japanese countryside, Michael stumbles upon an ancient mystery that fuels his desire for adventure. Returning to Tokyo, he reconnects with the morally dubious Johnny and meets the enigmatic Chihiro, and together they embark on a perilous journey across Japan. The story unfolds with a mix of cultural exploration, suspense, and action as the trio faces treacherous enemies, unforgiving landscapes, and the betrayal of one of their own. A gripping tale of mystery, survival, and self-discovery, this book is both an ode to Japan’s rich history and a thrilling adventure.

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.