I really enjoyed this story. Not only is it a great immersion into feudal Japan, it's also a deep exploration of traditional Japanese poetry. I really enjoyed Matsuo's journey, both in poetry and in life. While I wasn't hugely enamoured by the romance (obsession?) as the driver, the path it led Matsuo on was compelling and emotional.

The storytelling was punchy, made gentle by the lyrical, poetic writing style. I found the ending satisfying and enjoyed spending time in Thériault's imagined world.

The story reminded me of Ghost of Tsushima crossed with elements of Red Dead Redemption 2 with the art of waka poetry at its core. A refreshingly original tale and not like anything else I've read to date.

Gorgeous tale of adventure in old Japan. Adored the sense of place, and the story sort of reminded me of reading old adventure novels like The Three Musketeers, albeit in a wholly different world. Would love to read more of Theriault in the future!!

This book was somewhat good, though I feel it could have been developed more. The book centers around a boy named Matsuo, who is being trained to be a samurai, However, he wishes to be a poet instead. Without giving anything else away, the book hits several emotional beats very well, and is excellent for any readers who want a historical fiction novel that delves into romance too. Please be aware of hoe emotional this book was- it caught me off guard, and I had a much different idea of what the story would be. The prose here is excellent- it paints a very vivid picture of Japan, and it is extraordinarily clear that the author was very familiar with the historical setting, and did a lot of research into creating the story. Please be ready for any number of plot twists in this journey, but also be ready to fall in love with some characters- and to extremely dislike others. Happy reading, signing off! Please take of yourself :)

this was a beautifully woven tale of poetry, passion, and destiny set in medieval Japan. blending historical adventure with a touch of fantasy (i loved this pairing!), this story follows Matsuo, a warrior who chooses words over swords, embarking on a journey of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. read this if you love lyrical storytelling and historical intrigue!

What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!