What do you think?
Rate this book
The Story of Saiunkoku #5
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 5
Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern.
Shurei falls ill and a group of indulgent yet inept men try to tend her. But while her family and the ministers from the court debate how to nurse her back to health, the emperor seizes the chance to sneak into her bedchamber for a visit.
Shurei falls ill and a group of indulgent yet inept men try to tend her. But while her family and the ministers from the court debate how to nurse her back to health, the emperor seizes the chance to sneak into her bedchamber for a visit.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2010
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 24, 2017
I think I can say this a million times more, but Ryuuki is the best character ever!
April 11, 2020
This manga series is one I completely adore and appreciate the Japanese fantasy atmosphere
• The plot is getting more mysterious and I'm excited for the added characters that have contributed to this volume.
• In this particular case please read the side stories at least the prequel themed story because it gives some back story on some of the characters dynamics.
• The one thing I hated was how choppy the chapters went from one half of the volume to the other. I think it needed more cohesion.
Overall, I love this series and I cannot wait to read more 4 out of 5 stars
• The plot is getting more mysterious and I'm excited for the added characters that have contributed to this volume.
• In this particular case please read the side stories at least the prequel themed story because it gives some back story on some of the characters dynamics.
• The one thing I hated was how choppy the chapters went from one half of the volume to the other. I think it needed more cohesion.
Overall, I love this series and I cannot wait to read more 4 out of 5 stars
January 29, 2022
And so ends another great volume of Saiunkoku!
The story is developing nicely, and while there are often side-tangents to introduce new characters or explore b-plots, I still have faith that the overall vision will come through in the end. My biggest hope at this moment is to get more page time devoted to Shurei and the emperor, but we'll see how that goes.
Onward!
The story is developing nicely, and while there are often side-tangents to introduce new characters or explore b-plots, I still have faith that the overall vision will come through in the end. My biggest hope at this moment is to get more page time devoted to Shurei and the emperor, but we'll see how that goes.
Onward!
February 21, 2018
The first book that I read that mentions menstruation medicine! It was so fun to read.
October 23, 2018
Beautiful artwork and great characters. I love the bonus stories at the end too!
November 20, 2018
Comical, but rather boring unfortunately.
There wasn't a lot of plot to this one.
There wasn't a lot of plot to this one.
December 31, 2018
How many men are trying for Shurei’s hand now? It’s what I imagine The Bachelorette to be like without a silly rose ceremony. Cherry Blossoms would replace it though.
May 21, 2019
Amazing
Soooo goood! I love this series so much. The characters are charming. The story is gripping, and increasingly so with ever chapter.
Soooo goood! I love this series so much. The characters are charming. The story is gripping, and increasingly so with ever chapter.
December 5, 2021
あの、幼馴染なら、何故五巻まで全然表れなかった？しゅうれいの恩人だったら、何故五巻まで何も聞いていなかった？
新しい人物はともかく、バックストーリーは足りないと思う。突然表れたり「ずっといましたよ」の感じはおかしい。ずっといなかった。五巻読んだの。六百以上ページ読んだよ、この人の気配は全くなかった。おかしい。
新しい人物はともかく、バックストーリーは足りないと思う。突然表れたり「ずっといましたよ」の感じはおかしい。ずっといなかった。五巻読んだの。六百以上ページ読んだよ、この人の気配は全くなかった。おかしい。
December 21, 2011
I can see that manga-only readers might get a bit impatient with this volume as it sets up further developments to come and mostly highlights and deepens the emotional connections between the current cast, while adding a hugely important character to the cast (others are introduced but none as important as he is).
I mean, the series is based on a light novel series, manga and anime came later. So personally I enjoyed the in-depth explorations between Shoka and Reishin (especially via the lovely little side story at the end - this seems to be the only way we'll ever find out more about Shurei's mom and Shoka's true nature in depth).
Seiran's two-faced nature is also much easier to see in the manga - the anime always focusses on the most important story lines so his asides and his cynical bits are hardly visible so early in the story. I really enjoyed finally seeing Kaguro - it became clear to me in the manga much better that she actually served as a bit of a female role model/guardian for Shurei after her mother's death.
The awww-moment of course was Ryuki tending to Shurei and reflecting on how he fell in love with her (from his point of view) and what attracts him to her in the first place.
I mean, the series is based on a light novel series, manga and anime came later. So personally I enjoyed the in-depth explorations between Shoka and Reishin (especially via the lovely little side story at the end - this seems to be the only way we'll ever find out more about Shurei's mom and Shoka's true nature in depth).
Seiran's two-faced nature is also much easier to see in the manga - the anime always focusses on the most important story lines so his asides and his cynical bits are hardly visible so early in the story. I really enjoyed finally seeing Kaguro - it became clear to me in the manga much better that she actually served as a bit of a female role model/guardian for Shurei after her mother's death.
The awww-moment of course was Ryuki tending to Shurei and reflecting on how he fell in love with her (from his point of view) and what attracts him to her in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2013
Drat! Don't you simply hate it that Goodreads still hasn't incorporated 1/2 stars into its ratings system?
Anyway, this book is more of 2 1/2 stars for me as opposed to 3 stars. The problem with this volume is the introduction of yet another male character. There is already too many characters with storylines that don't necessarily seem to be going anywhere. Most of the men appear to be in love with Saiunkoku which is all fine and dandy, but she is really oblivious to all of their attention. I still haven't got a sense from of her if she prefers Emperor Ryuki or her faithful companion/servant Seiran. All she seems to care about is passing the civil servants exam. Sure, it's great for a woman to have career goals but her portrayal seems to be one note by this point and dare I say, boring.
Where's the conflict? Emotional angst? Give me something to root for besides a passing grade on an entrance exam.
The story has all of the right elements just needs better pacing. Let's just hope the storyline in book 6 is much better soon...
Anyway, this book is more of 2 1/2 stars for me as opposed to 3 stars. The problem with this volume is the introduction of yet another male character. There is already too many characters with storylines that don't necessarily seem to be going anywhere. Most of the men appear to be in love with Saiunkoku which is all fine and dandy, but she is really oblivious to all of their attention. I still haven't got a sense from of her if she prefers Emperor Ryuki or her faithful companion/servant Seiran. All she seems to care about is passing the civil servants exam. Sure, it's great for a woman to have career goals but her portrayal seems to be one note by this point and dare I say, boring.
Where's the conflict? Emotional angst? Give me something to root for besides a passing grade on an entrance exam.
The story has all of the right elements just needs better pacing. Let's just hope the storyline in book 6 is much better soon...
October 8, 2020
Shurei gets sick and everyone comes to visit her even Minister Ko. Ryuki sneaks into Shurei's room and tries to make her feel better. Reishin can't muster the courage to tell Shurei who he really is. Shurei takes Eigetsu in and shows him around the city and invites him to dinner with Seiran and Shoka. Santa comes to warm Shurei that the Blue Scarf Gang is coming to cause trouble and take Kocho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2012
very cute!
October 29, 2014
Shurei has been secretly working at a very interesting place. Which is good because having people like Kocho on your side, may just save your life!
Her poor Uncle ;-)
Her poor Uncle ;-)
October 29, 2015
Can't get enough of this series. Its that good. Another good volume. Liking the characters as well. And that art style.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews