Born in Japan and raised as a human, Taiki is overwhelmed when he's brought back to the kingdom of Tai, where he's told he's a kirin. With little k...
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Jan 01, 2011
Cornerofmadness
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Apr 09, 2009
Verbera
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Dec 12, 2009
Sarah
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Tiny, apologetic boy becomes godlike. Tears ensue. Then MONSTERS. Woo!
Did you like book one? Here's more info about kirin and kings. Did you not read book one? That's cool; book two is it's own story.
Not picaresque, like the first, but the geographic stationarity allows for lovely description of where the hey you are instead of "no time to look at junk! I'ma get killed" as in the first. Also, though the pace is a little slower, the book's also shorter. There aren't More...
Did you like book one? Here's more info about kirin and kings. Did you not read book one? That's cool; book two is it's own story.
Not picaresque, like the first, but the geographic stationarity allows for lovely description of where the hey you are instead of "no time to look at junk! I'ma get killed" as in the first. Also, though the pace is a little slower, the book's also shorter. There aren't More...
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Oct 06, 2008
Rebecca
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Sep 17, 2009
Joy
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Aug 29, 2011
Derrick
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chronologically, takes place shortly before Sea of Shadow. Deals with the Kirin of Tai. He was blown into our world by a Shoku and didn't come back for 10 years. His story as he adjusts to the fact that he is a Kirin and must choose the next king of Tai. Much shorter than Sea of Shadow, but MUCH less confusing; mainly because it doesn't deal with as much.
May 29, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
This is all in the cartoon show, but there were things that were certainly nice to read rather than just see--emotions and thoughts. This is the second in the series, by the way. You could get away with reading this one first, but some of the relationships and events aren't as meaningful when you don't know what happened in the first book (with takes place after the second).
Jan 13, 2009
Anne
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What an amazing book.
I love the anime version, and I love the book even more.
Shouryuu, as always, is such an excellent character, despite his short appearance.
Gyousou is powerful and glorious.
Keiki is stoic, and yet so adorable.
And Taiki is just amazing.
I'm looking forward to read the next one even more now.
I love the anime version, and I love the book even more.
Shouryuu, as always, is such an excellent character, despite his short appearance.
Gyousou is powerful and glorious.
Keiki is stoic, and yet so adorable.
And Taiki is just amazing.
I'm looking forward to read the next one even more now.
Sep 06, 2009
Chelton1977
rated it:
Goes back in time to tell a story set in the original twelve kingdoms universe but from the point of view of a different type of sentient being. The magical world described is strictly designed, no question of evolution etc. Fairly interesting overall however, though the main character seemed a bit weak sometimes.
May 27, 2008
planetkimi
rated it:
I like Taiki. He's a complex character, and an unusual hero. I can see how his personality isn't to the taste of some readers, but I found myself empathizing with him quite a bit.
Ono's characters overall really shine. It's easy to populate fantasy worlds with cookie-cutter characters, but Ono deftly rounds out even minor characters with sparks of individuality.
I think the way Ono handles the backstory of other characters, Keiki in particular is a nice touch. It do More...
Ono's characters overall really shine. It's easy to populate fantasy worlds with cookie-cutter characters, but Ono deftly rounds out even minor characters with sparks of individuality.
I think the way Ono handles the backstory of other characters, Keiki in particular is a nice touch. It do More...
Apr 11, 2008
Pygmy
rated it:
Beautiful, fascinating world with interesting characters. The main character might be considered annoying because he is very weak-minded and apologizes constantly for things that aren't his fault...but it's a 10 yr old boy whose self-confidence has been eroded to nothing because he was born in a world he did not belong in. And the way it was presented evoked my sympathy very easily.
The flow of the English seems to be better than the first volume and I didn't notice any glaring gramma More...
The flow of the English seems to be better than the first volume and I didn't notice any glaring gramma More...
Jan 19, 2009
LaLine
rated it:
The translation in this book was better than the first book. The prologue was especially beautiful in writing style. While I had a harder time connecting with the characters in this book, it is still very much worth reading. You learn so much more about the fantastic world the author has created.
Feb 09, 2009
Aparna
rated it:
Same opinion as the previous volume. The translation could have been better. Especially in the use of fewer or no contractions when not writing dialogue. Otherwise, the story is terrific.
Apr 09, 2009
Dawn
rated it:
I've finally finished the book, and I was a bit disappointed because I could have finished it in a day if I hadn't had other things to do, which means I have to go find the third book of the series. Oh well. =)
Dec 19, 2010
kitschprinzessin
rated it:
I liked Taiki's story a lot because it gave more insight into the world of the Twelve Kingdoms and especially about the Kirin. I liked Taiki and the oracles, as well as Gyoso and Risai.
What I loved about it though were the bits about Keiki. I just loved Keiki from the first time I set my eyes on him in the anime (it also may have to do something with Koyasu Takehito, I have no illusions about that). I would love to know more about Keiki and the Kingdom of Kei before Youko became the Lady-Ki More...
What I loved about it though were the bits about Keiki. I just loved Keiki from the first time I set my eyes on him in the anime (it also may have to do something with Koyasu Takehito, I have no illusions about that). I would love to know more about Keiki and the Kingdom of Kei before Youko became the Lady-Ki More...
Jan 30, 2010
Skedatt
rated it:
It started off a little slow, and then I picked it up again and just flew through it. Character-driven with a coming-of-age/discovery-of-self theme.
Jul 28, 2009
Laura
rated it:
I think this book is better than the first in the series; I was a bit disappointed that I'd seen the anime and knew how it would resolve. I'm glad this series is being translated!
Sep 27, 2010
Synenhomyne
rated it:
This story centers around Taiki and does some further world-building. Taiki's story is rather sad.
Aug 16, 2011
Isabel
rated it:
A much shorter read but still delightful. We have a different cast of characters but with the same themes as the first book. I'm starting to think this is like the Japanese version of Narnia.
Jun 13, 2011
branewurms
rated it:
A bit slow, but I still enjoyed it a lot. Taiki was adorable, but good lord, sometimes I just wanted to smack him. Not, you know, to be mean or anything - more like, JESUS CHRIST, GET A GRIP, SON.
Aug 15, 2008
aaron
rated it:
oh man do i ever love this series. i actually saw it as an anime before i knew it had been a book series for years. this is a great japanese fantasy novel about a world which is connected to ours by storms. different people are blown in and out of this world and we get to read as it happens. if you are look for a good read...pick this up. it is the second in the series and the story centers around the taiki (don't ask...just read). peace.
Nov 05, 2008
Amy
rated it:
Overall, I liked this book but not as much as the first volume. I liked Taiki well enough but not much happens. I did like the back story (more development for Keiki) and more details of the Twelve Kingodom's world.
I will be checking out next book as soon as it's released. (When will it be release? Does anyone know?)
I will be checking out next book as soon as it's released. (When will it be release? Does anyone know?)
Aug 26, 2010
David
rated it:
I love the setting, and the first book is fantastic, one of my favorites. This one is good, but it starts slow. In fact, the first half of the book is a little too slow, despite being well-written with an interesting setup.
Jun 19, 2011
Wickedshizuku
rated it:
Who doesn't love Taiki? What a sweet little kirin! Ono wrote this addition to the series fantastically. Seeing me at the book store must be a comical site when there is a new release.
Dec 03, 2011
Sara
rated it:
TAIKI! I love Taiki!♥ :3 And Keiki with Taiki! Soooo adorably heartwarming. The little kirin that could. Go Taiki! *\ ^o^ /* A good read.
Mar 26, 2008
Tawnie
rated it:
It is hard to wait the year between books. Beautiful picture of a new world with great Chinese mythological ties.
