This has been on my TBR for a while now, and after reading Blood Over Bright Haven, I had to know how this compares. 

 

The story revolves around Misaki, who has married into the Matsuda family in an arranged marriage. She had to give up her independent nature and her love of fighting in order to be the traditional housewife she is expected to be. The land of Takayubi where the Matsudas live still holds to its traditional values and blind faith in the emperor who rules them. Misaki's son, Mamoru is the other focus of the book. He has always known his purpose, but the arrival of a new student in school has him doubt everything he knew about his land and its people. When an unexpected invasion by Kaigen's traditional enemies, the Ranganese, who were once part of the empire but who rebelled and managed to divide the empire, suddenly happens, Misaki and Mamoru as well as the rest of Takayubi finds that they need to forget their doubts and docility if they're to survive. 

 

The story is in part a commentary on a woman's lot in a traditional society. As someone coming from a culture where arranged marriages are common, where the expectations on women are to be good housewives and mothers, I found Misaki to be a relatable character. She had to give up everything that made her who she was in order to be a good wife to Takeru and mother to his children. She resents it but has learnt to hold her tongue, to say yes and amen when she wants to lash out. 

 

Mamoru is heir to the Matsuda technique of Whispering Blade, a method by which a warrior can create a blade of ice so strong and sharp that it can cut through steel. Since the first it has been created, every Matsuda has attempted to emulate it, though not all have succeeded. Mamoru's father and uncle could both create Whispering Blades, but his grandfather couldn't, and Mamoru himself has been unable, at fourteen, to do it. He is full of insecurities despite being the strongest Matsuda ever. 

 

Takeru is as important as the other two, and starts out as an unlovable character. He is cold towards his wife and children, diminishes and puts down Misaki and silences her at every turn. He's angry when Mamoru questions the empire's propaganda, and even during the invasion and its aftermath, behaves coldly and disappears when his people needed him the most. We do get an explanation for his behaviour, but to me, that's not entirely convincing. Still, Takeru does show growth during the course of the book, and he and Misaki learn to communicate as well. 

 

This book also touches upon the apathy and indifference of a society as a whole which is further expounded in Blood over Bright Haven. However, in this, the Takayubi people realise they have been blind and changes, unlike the Tirannese in Blood over Bright Haven. 

 

The magic system is well defined and the world building is done very well. This is a story of human struggle and endurance and of relationships and family. I loved the characterisation, even though, as in Blood Over Bright Haven, some of the characters are more or less caricatures. There are deaths that ripped my heart out which even now chokes me with grief when I think of it, but the ending is on a positive and hopeful note just as in Bright Haven. 

 

I did cry a lot, like full on ugly cry while I was reading. I love books that make me feel so much. I am still reeling from everything that happened on its pages. 

 

While I respect the author's decision not to continue the series, I am also saddened by it. It's a world and people well worth visiting and the themes are very relatable and universal. 

 

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy, and specifically to those who enjoy eastern fantasy, high fantasy, epic fantasy and well defined magic systems, world building with excellent characters. 

 

Let me go and process for a bit now. Even after two days, this books still makes me want to cry.