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millennial_dandy's review against another edition
3.0
This fifth installment in the Samurai Detective series sees Seikei return to his hometown of Osaka, and takes us, the reader, along for the ride to explore a new part of 1700s Japan.
The cultural backbone of this mystery is the art of ningyo joruri --a type of puppet show peculiar to Japan. In particular, we're introduced to the play 'The Five Men of Naniwa', written by Monzaemon Chikamatsu.
Unlike in the previous installments of the series, the stakes in A Samurai Never Fears Death felt much lower. We get to meet Seikei's siblings, and it was interesting to explore that part of his background, but it didn't feel like very much was done with it.
Our time was split mostly between the theater and his family's tea shop, leaving less time for development of either, though as in all the novels, the fleshing out of Osaka overall is vivid and distinct.
The mystery itself, in addition to having lower stakes, felt much more straightforward than in the previous stories, and in the end nothing of consequence really happens other than the criminal being brought to justice, though this is largely 'off-screen'.
Seikei, despite being confronted with his past, doesn't seem to develop at all as a character in this adventure, and all-in-all it feels like a filler episode rather than a continuation of the series more broadly.
Still, it was a quick, fun read, and I always enjoy returning to this world and I always walk away having learned some new tidbits about the Japan of Judge Ooka's day.
The cultural backbone of this mystery is the art of ningyo joruri --a type of puppet show peculiar to Japan. In particular, we're introduced to the play 'The Five Men of Naniwa', written by Monzaemon Chikamatsu.
Unlike in the previous installments of the series, the stakes in A Samurai Never Fears Death felt much lower. We get to meet Seikei's siblings, and it was interesting to explore that part of his background, but it didn't feel like very much was done with it.
Our time was split mostly between the theater and his family's tea shop, leaving less time for development of either, though as in all the novels, the fleshing out of Osaka overall is vivid and distinct.
The mystery itself, in addition to having lower stakes, felt much more straightforward than in the previous stories, and in the end nothing of consequence really happens other than the criminal being brought to justice, though this is largely 'off-screen'.
Seikei, despite being confronted with his past, doesn't seem to develop at all as a character in this adventure, and all-in-all it feels like a filler episode rather than a continuation of the series more broadly.
Still, it was a quick, fun read, and I always enjoy returning to this world and I always walk away having learned some new tidbits about the Japan of Judge Ooka's day.
missmeddler's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dandelionfluff's review against another edition
3.0
The Tokugawa period is always an entertaining setting, but I felt like this plot reached an uninteresting conclusion. There were so many elements that could have been more fully explored,
I still find the series to be engaging and well-suited for the younger side of the YA spectrum. It's also good to see that the authors did their research on Japan, and don't treat it as a mystical exotic space for escapism as so many other western adaptations do.
Spoiler
like if Asako was actually the leader of the smugglers, or if she had been associated with the murders. Or really, if she had been given a more exciting role at all. Takemoto being the murderer (and mad as well) just fell completely flat for me.I still find the series to be engaging and well-suited for the younger side of the YA spectrum. It's also good to see that the authors did their research on Japan, and don't treat it as a mystical exotic space for escapism as so many other western adaptations do.
holtfan's review against another edition
3.0
I loved [b:The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn|827500|The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (Samurai Detective, #1)|Dorothy Hoobler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388637258s/827500.jpg|813224] and [b:The Demon in the Teahouse|802045|The Demon in the Teahouse (Samurai Detective, #2)|Dorothy Hoobler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388178207s/802045.jpg|788007] growing up. They were some of the earliest books I read and reread. In that sense, A Samurai Never Fears Death felt like a treat to me. Old friends, new plot.
That said...I forgot how clunky the writing is. Plot was interesting but occasionally struck an odd note....like the entire character of Asako.
It's a good novel for juvenile and young adult readers. Recommended.
That said...I forgot how clunky the writing is. Plot was interesting but occasionally struck an odd note....like the entire character of Asako.
It's a good novel for juvenile and young adult readers. Recommended.
millennial_dandy's review
3.0
This fifth installment in the Samurai Detective series sees Seikei return to his hometown of Osaka, and takes us, the reader, along for the ride to explore a new part of 1700s Japan.
The cultural backbone of this mystery is the art of ningyo joruri --a type of puppet show peculiar to Japan. In particular, we're introduced to the play 'The Five Men of Naniwa', written by Monzaemon Chikamatsu.
Unlike in the previous installments of the series, the stakes in A Samurai Never Fears Death felt much lower. We get to meet Seikei's siblings, and it was interesting to explore that part of his background, but it didn't feel like very much was done with it.
Our time was split mostly between the theater and his family's tea shop, leaving less time for development of either, though as in all the novels, the fleshing out of Osaka overall is vivid and distinct.
The mystery itself, in addition to having lower stakes, felt much more straightforward than in the previous stories, and in the end nothing of consequence really happens other than the criminal being brought to justice, though this is largely 'off-screen'.
Seikei, despite being confronted with his past, doesn't seem to develop at all as a character in this adventure, and all-in-all it feels like a filler episode rather than a continuation of the series more broadly.
Still, it was a quick, fun read, and I always enjoy returning to this world and I always walk away having learned some new tidbits about the Japan of Judge Ooka's day.
The cultural backbone of this mystery is the art of ningyo joruri --a type of puppet show peculiar to Japan. In particular, we're introduced to the play 'The Five Men of Naniwa', written by Monzaemon Chikamatsu.
Unlike in the previous installments of the series, the stakes in A Samurai Never Fears Death felt much lower. We get to meet Seikei's siblings, and it was interesting to explore that part of his background, but it didn't feel like very much was done with it.
Our time was split mostly between the theater and his family's tea shop, leaving less time for development of either, though as in all the novels, the fleshing out of Osaka overall is vivid and distinct.
The mystery itself, in addition to having lower stakes, felt much more straightforward than in the previous stories, and in the end nothing of consequence really happens other than the criminal being brought to justice, though this is largely 'off-screen'.
Seikei, despite being confronted with his past, doesn't seem to develop at all as a character in this adventure, and all-in-all it feels like a filler episode rather than a continuation of the series more broadly.
Still, it was a quick, fun read, and I always enjoy returning to this world and I always walk away having learned some new tidbits about the Japan of Judge Ooka's day.