Review: 3.5 Stars for a beautifully written Japanese fantasy
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 29, 2013
Keiko Yamada is eighteen years old when her father dies. He leaves behind a mysterious message along with a ticket to Japan. Although she is uneasy with the idea, she makes her way to Tokyo to execute her father's wish. Once she arrives, her whole world changes as a battle ensues, turning everything into complete chaos. Keiko learns things she thought unimaginable. Her destiny is calling out to her.. will she answer?Kojiki is an incredibly beautiful story that I could picture myself watching in theaters. I have been a fan of Japanese anime and more since I was a young girl. I've watched everything from Ultraman to Ninja Scroll and then some, so I was thrilled to get a copy of this book! My little girls are even addicted to anime. We own everything that Hayao Miyazaki has put out, from Castle in the Sky to Ponyo so that tells you how predominant it is in my house. Well, anyone familiar with the genre, that is.Kojiki is a well-written fantasy with loads of action and wild, vivid imagery that shines through and tickles your senses. This is a story that any fan of Japanese storytelling or anime will enjoy and appreciate. The story is absolutely brilliant, pulling together some fabulous folklore and Japanese myths, along with traditions and history, but there was a slight issue that not only made it difficult for me to read, but would most certainly, I think, throw off someone who is just picking up this genre for the first time. The story didn't flow as well as I would have liked. There were many flashbacks, which were necessary for this plot, but they weren't "marked" very well, if that makes sense. You didn't know you were reading a flashback at first, which could be confusing at times.Overall, this was an awesome story that I will definitely read again because I want to understand more than I think I did the first go around. My teenage son is actually reading it right now because he is a huge fan of anime and this type of fantasy. I'm sure we will be discussing it once he finishes, as we are like our own little book club. I will definitely read more by Mr. Yatsuhashi in the future!