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The Book of Fallen Leaves
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The fates of gods and samurai converge in this Japanese-myth inspired epic fantasy masterpiece from debut author A. S. Tamaki.
Sen Hoshiakari, the exiled son of a traitor, is determined to restore his decimated clan to their former power at any cost. But when his path collides with that of Rui, a lowborn woman who once saved his life, he discovers his family ambitions may have paid a darker price than he ever knew. And as Onryō—vengeful demons—rise throughout the land again, demanding retribution for their slaughtered souls, he’s torn between loyalty to the family he’s searched for his entire life and the love of his closest friend.
Only now, his reunited family and their allied forces will stop at nothing in a blossoming civil war against the empire they once served, and the more they kill, the worse the demons will become. To save their world, Sen and Rui must join this conflict and find a way to forge peace—even if it means being cursed by the very gods who once protected them.
Sen Hoshiakari, the exiled son of a traitor, is determined to restore his decimated clan to their former power at any cost. But when his path collides with that of Rui, a lowborn woman who once saved his life, he discovers his family ambitions may have paid a darker price than he ever knew. And as Onryō—vengeful demons—rise throughout the land again, demanding retribution for their slaughtered souls, he’s torn between loyalty to the family he’s searched for his entire life and the love of his closest friend.
Only now, his reunited family and their allied forces will stop at nothing in a blossoming civil war against the empire they once served, and the more they kill, the worse the demons will become. To save their world, Sen and Rui must join this conflict and find a way to forge peace—even if it means being cursed by the very gods who once protected them.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication March 17, 2026
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About the author
A.S. Tamaki
2 books77 followersA. S. Tamaki grew up in Los Angeles, where he spent his childhood climbing trees and making short films in his backyard. After working in Hollywood for several years, he now lives in the Pacific Northwest, and when he’s not writing, spends his time routesetting at local climbing gyms. The Book of Fallen Leaves is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
November 13, 2025
This is the first book in a long while that has literally kept me up all night so I could finish it...
This is a mashup of Shogun, Game of Thrones and, most importantly, Princess Mononoke. A fantasy set in a feudal-Japanese inspired world, with warrior monks, forest-spirits, loyal retainers and assassinations aplenty. Tamaki grips you immediately with one of the strongest opening chapters I've ever read... and it doesn't let up.
There is a large cast of POVs, side-characters, factions to get to grips with. The rich history adds a lot to your experience as you're finding your feet. Each character pulls you in, with their various conflicts written incredibly well. This book does 'escalation' masterfully. Every chapter gets bigger, either in scope or intensity, and the final 40% of The Book of Fallen Leaves is some of my favourite writing of the year. The factions could have been a lot more unique imo, and I'd have loved to have experienced more world-building in terms of customs and rituals and language, but at the core of this book is the incredible story of characters seeking to avenge their family, people committing deeds 'for the greater good', POVs from demon-warriors, found family and friendship.
Tamaki has forged a masterpiece of a Book#1 here. This is the book that NEEDS to be on everyone's lips...
This is a mashup of Shogun, Game of Thrones and, most importantly, Princess Mononoke. A fantasy set in a feudal-Japanese inspired world, with warrior monks, forest-spirits, loyal retainers and assassinations aplenty. Tamaki grips you immediately with one of the strongest opening chapters I've ever read... and it doesn't let up.
There is a large cast of POVs, side-characters, factions to get to grips with. The rich history adds a lot to your experience as you're finding your feet. Each character pulls you in, with their various conflicts written incredibly well. This book does 'escalation' masterfully. Every chapter gets bigger, either in scope or intensity, and the final 40% of The Book of Fallen Leaves is some of my favourite writing of the year. The factions could have been a lot more unique imo, and I'd have loved to have experienced more world-building in terms of customs and rituals and language, but at the core of this book is the incredible story of characters seeking to avenge their family, people committing deeds 'for the greater good', POVs from demon-warriors, found family and friendship.
Tamaki has forged a masterpiece of a Book#1 here. This is the book that NEEDS to be on everyone's lips...
Read
February 15, 2026The Book of Fallen Leaves had a slower start for me, and it took some time to fully settle into the world and political dynamics. I appreciate the ambition and the depth of the worldbuilding, but there were stretches where I felt confused and occasionally a little lost.
That said, there were some scenes that were genuinely strong. When the action picked up, the writing felt vivid and immersive, and those moments really stood out.
Overall, I liked parts of it more than others. It’s clearly aiming for epic scope, but the pacing and clarity didn’t always work for me. I’m planning to try the audiobook when it releases to see if that format helps the story click more smoothly.
That said, there were some scenes that were genuinely strong. When the action picked up, the writing felt vivid and immersive, and those moments really stood out.
Overall, I liked parts of it more than others. It’s clearly aiming for epic scope, but the pacing and clarity didn’t always work for me. I’m planning to try the audiobook when it releases to see if that format helps the story click more smoothly.
January 10, 2026
4.0 Stars
This was a solid piece of epic fantasy centered around historical samurai. I found the characters and plots to be wonderfully complex and morally gray.
As someone interested in Japanese history, this re-imagining was right up my alley. I liked that this one didn't shy away from the brutality realities of this time.
I would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed other fantasy stories inspired by historical Asia, such as the Poppy War. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was a solid piece of epic fantasy centered around historical samurai. I found the characters and plots to be wonderfully complex and morally gray.
As someone interested in Japanese history, this re-imagining was right up my alley. I liked that this one didn't shy away from the brutality realities of this time.
I would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed other fantasy stories inspired by historical Asia, such as the Poppy War. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
December 4, 2025
Shogun meets epic fantasy.
Set in a feudal-Japanese-inspired world on the brink of civil war, violence and civil unrest allows ancient demons to break free and seek vengeance.
Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a disgraced clan, determined to reclaim his family's lost lands and honor. Rui is peasant girl who saved Sen's life and is now seeking purpose for her life.
…our futures are not a river flowing in time, rushing directly to one destination. They are like pages in a book, among a vast uncountable library of books. Your futures are there: you may choose one. Or not. You may end up in a different book altogether.
Where this failed me was the overload of names and events with a feeling that it was too slow. This was slow-paced with the plot only getting moving at around 50%.
I liked both our main characters even if they felt like slightly more fleshed out caricatures. I loved being immersed in the historic Japanese world even if I wished there was more culture.
I love political intrigue, however this lacked nuance and was more blunt violence.
I appreciated that the characters were working within a corrupt, broken system. Furthermore, by getting 5+ POVs, you can see the situation from different angles. Then again, they didn’t feel distinct enough.
Spring will come, and with it, flowers, the bloom of fleeting life, but none will be there to see them. Instead of music, you’ll hear the thrumming of horses on hard dirt. Instead of painting, you’ll see the vibrancy of blood. The bells would ring not for the coming of another year, but in mourning, for the dead.
As you can tell from my review, this had so much potential to be a new favourite. However, it just missed the mark each time.
This is an impressive debut effort though.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Set in a feudal-Japanese-inspired world on the brink of civil war, violence and civil unrest allows ancient demons to break free and seek vengeance.
Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a disgraced clan, determined to reclaim his family's lost lands and honor. Rui is peasant girl who saved Sen's life and is now seeking purpose for her life.
…our futures are not a river flowing in time, rushing directly to one destination. They are like pages in a book, among a vast uncountable library of books. Your futures are there: you may choose one. Or not. You may end up in a different book altogether.
Where this failed me was the overload of names and events with a feeling that it was too slow. This was slow-paced with the plot only getting moving at around 50%.
I liked both our main characters even if they felt like slightly more fleshed out caricatures. I loved being immersed in the historic Japanese world even if I wished there was more culture.
I love political intrigue, however this lacked nuance and was more blunt violence.
I appreciated that the characters were working within a corrupt, broken system. Furthermore, by getting 5+ POVs, you can see the situation from different angles. Then again, they didn’t feel distinct enough.
Spring will come, and with it, flowers, the bloom of fleeting life, but none will be there to see them. Instead of music, you’ll hear the thrumming of horses on hard dirt. Instead of painting, you’ll see the vibrancy of blood. The bells would ring not for the coming of another year, but in mourning, for the dead.
As you can tell from my review, this had so much potential to be a new favourite. However, it just missed the mark each time.
This is an impressive debut effort though.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
January 31, 2026
Firstly, thank you to Orbit Books and the author, Alex Tamaki for trusting me with an ARC of The Book of Fallen Leaves, in exchange for an honest, un-biased review.
The Book of Fallen Leaves is an epic, east-Asian fantasy, filled to the brim with adventure, excitement, political rivalries, rival clans, Gods and Demons.
Somewhere between Game of Thrones and Shogun, this is not for the faint-hearted. It is a complex, and layered story, with a multi-narrative perspective that provides thorough insight into all sides of the warring factions that you can understand the reasons for all sides of the conflict.
At it's heart, The Book of Fallen Leaves is a story of dualities. From Sen and Rui, two young children cast off together, and their journeys into becoming more than each of them ever thought they could be - one high-born, one low-born, each destined to walk a different path. To two rival clans, each vying for the right and power to lead their people to victory. To the Gods and Demons that reside in the shadows, watching and waiting.
I want to reiterate that this is a complex story. There is a very heavy focus on the politics that have both preceded this story, and the ongoing tumult of both class, birth right, and duty, and it really needs to be savoured. This isn't a story you can speed your way through, it should be digested slowly and steadily.
In addition to the complex political landscape, there are a lot of characters, and thanks to the handy character summaries included at the start of the book, that does make it much easier on the brain when perspective shifts. But at times it be confusing, especially when these characters cross paths.
That said, I adored it.
It was everything I wanted from an epic samurai fantasy. It's visceral, it's real, and it's dark.
I genuinely think this book is going to blow up on release and everyone will be talking about it.
The Book of Fallen Leaves releases March 2026, I'd highly recommend giving it a look and adding to your TBR.
It is not perfect, but I think that is mainly due to the complexity. That could entirely be me, and that it took me a good 4-5 weeks to get through this because of life, and a desire not to rush.
4.5/5.0
The Book of Fallen Leaves is an epic, east-Asian fantasy, filled to the brim with adventure, excitement, political rivalries, rival clans, Gods and Demons.
Somewhere between Game of Thrones and Shogun, this is not for the faint-hearted. It is a complex, and layered story, with a multi-narrative perspective that provides thorough insight into all sides of the warring factions that you can understand the reasons for all sides of the conflict.
At it's heart, The Book of Fallen Leaves is a story of dualities. From Sen and Rui, two young children cast off together, and their journeys into becoming more than each of them ever thought they could be - one high-born, one low-born, each destined to walk a different path. To two rival clans, each vying for the right and power to lead their people to victory. To the Gods and Demons that reside in the shadows, watching and waiting.
I want to reiterate that this is a complex story. There is a very heavy focus on the politics that have both preceded this story, and the ongoing tumult of both class, birth right, and duty, and it really needs to be savoured. This isn't a story you can speed your way through, it should be digested slowly and steadily.
In addition to the complex political landscape, there are a lot of characters, and thanks to the handy character summaries included at the start of the book, that does make it much easier on the brain when perspective shifts. But at times it be confusing, especially when these characters cross paths.
That said, I adored it.
It was everything I wanted from an epic samurai fantasy. It's visceral, it's real, and it's dark.
I genuinely think this book is going to blow up on release and everyone will be talking about it.
The Book of Fallen Leaves releases March 2026, I'd highly recommend giving it a look and adding to your TBR.
It is not perfect, but I think that is mainly due to the complexity. That could entirely be me, and that it took me a good 4-5 weeks to get through this because of life, and a desire not to rush.
4.5/5.0
December 3, 2025
“Death, it was said, was unholy in the eyes of the enlightened.
To kill was to be unclean, and courtiers would never so besmirch their souls. They had outlawed executions for two hundred years in their search for purity. They would not kill. But now, where are we? A court, surrounded by killers. Hunters. Men who knew the scent of blood.”
An Empire on the cusp of civil war. Gods and demons breaking free. Two people fated to go to war in a world that won’t allow for peace.
Sen Hoshiakari is the son of a traitor. His father, leader of the Gensei clan, attempted a rebellion against the Emperor and was slaughtered when Sen was just a child. Sen was rescued on that fateful night and taken to live in hiding, in Kitano, away from the Empire’s rule. Rui, a no’in (lowborn) was also there during the slaughter, and her family was also killed, but along with Sen she too was rescued. Now their destinies intertwine once more as a coup by the Keishi clan throws the Empire into civil war and further bloodshed is on the horizon. With Gods and Demons at their heels Sen and Rui must fight for family, for freedom but also for love.
The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki is a sublime epic fantasy debut. There’s so much depth and scope to this novel—an empire in turmoil, warring monks, samurai, demons and gods, and a deep philosophical reflection on the realities of warfare, of taking life.
I immediately loved this book right from the opening chapters as we enter this dark world where the barrier that holds back the spirit realm is thinning, monks have broken into factions against each other, and a politically tension filled Empire is present. Tamaki’s prose is almost lyrical, it’s atmospheric, you can really feel the emotion seeping through which is always my favourite kind of writing as it never fails to draw me in. Throughout Tamaki injects much Japanese mythology and also highlights the Japanese concept of two souls within us, the calm and the chaos. This was something that I felt was cleverly explored as this motif is illustrated not only in our characters but in the narrative structure as well, which you’ll see later on. This is a book with an expensive cast of characters and I do advise readers to refer to the characters list at the beginning because it really does help to clarify which characters belong to which clan. Despite this large cast I found each main PoV to be distinct, I found each key player memorable and further found that they did share a common theme; of finding their place in this world.
Sen has never known his real family, has never seen what their glory once was, has never known their true history. Growing up in hiding, away from the Empire’s clutches, he has very little experience of politics or war. Yet he is an heir nonetheless, he is a central figure to his remaining family and Gensei clan, a prince and a key to uniting them. With this he struggles, how can Sen fight for a family he has never known? When his teachers are shaping him to strive for peace, when he too believes in peace, how can he then ride proudly into a war? Then there is Rui, a peasant woman who was always kept on the outside, always looked down upon by nobles, never fitted in, wanting love yet never truly experiencing it. Rui only wanted to protect and care for nature, for life, but instead was thrown into a violent world. Let me tell you these two characters broke my heart, Tamaki portrays their inner turmoil so well and Rui and Sen’s relationship, their longing for each other, is so achingly beautifully written.
“Will we never move on, Yora thought, or will it color the rest of
our lives?
The old ones said the past was never gone; perhaps they were right. It lives within us still, he thought: each day brings its own ghosts. Each day the wounds reopen.”
The Book of Fallen Leaves is a Samurai saga retelling, and though I’m not familiar with the original tale, I’d love to discover more. The world is set in feudal-Japan and therefore the remaining POVs serve to illustrate the Empire’s political conflicts. My beloved Yora, once Captain of the Imperial Guard and now turned a poet and adviser, was a character who was filled with deep regret and sorrow. He had seen too much bloodshed, he knew the true meaning of loss, of betrayal, but he also knew that a fight was coming and was desperately trying to keep the peace. Kai, also a Gensei heir (being Yora’s niece and Sen’s older sister) remembers her father and is determined to restore her family’s place, to take back their lands and their rights. She however, is no warrior, she’s never had experience leading her people, but when she runs out of political negotiation options, a choice to fight or kneel is all that’s left to her. Yaeko on the other hand, being close to the Keishi clan, gives insight into how the coup is being played out. Yaeko goes through much conflict as she’s forced to fight against those she once stood beside, as she leaves behind her family’s beliefs and carves her own path. This is a very political heavy book, one that explores the history of the lands and the clans which have shaped the way the world is at present. Tamaki fantastically portrays the intricacies of an Empire facing political strife because of this history.
A true highlight of the book for me was the philosophy that Tamaki injects into this narrative—it amazed and awed me with its depth. The philosophy is oh so stunningly written with lines and imagery that really makes a reader think. For example, through the monk Jobo, who teaches Sen a lot, we are shown that Sen won’t kill a sacred serow, he does not wish to take life, but Jobo reflects that to be a warrior innocents will be killed by your hand. Tamaki begs the reader to consider what it really is to be a warrior, a samurai, even an emperor. What is the true horrific reality of war? What is it to take a life? The entire story explores the balance between peace and war and when is the right time to fight. Is there a right time? Whereas the first half of the book saw our characters pushing for peace, the second half turned into an all out battle as the clans collided. The action here was incredible, vividly detailed and the fear, the guilt, the primal urge to survive was perfectly portrayed. Tamaki is a clever writer indeed as again, he represents two sides, within the novel there is the calm and the chaos.
This was a book that very much embodied everything I love: characters with emotional complexity, a dark war torn world with myth and monsters, a story grand in scope. Tamaki has delivered a masterfully written debut, one that every fantasy reader needs to devour.
“If you gain power on the merit of defeating a tyrant, who will you be when you take the tyrant's place? You want to be a better ruler: good. But you’ll still be sitting in the exact same chair. That’s what I fear.”
ARC provided by Nazia at Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review—a huge thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Book of Fallen Leaves is out 17th March 2026
To kill was to be unclean, and courtiers would never so besmirch their souls. They had outlawed executions for two hundred years in their search for purity. They would not kill. But now, where are we? A court, surrounded by killers. Hunters. Men who knew the scent of blood.”
An Empire on the cusp of civil war. Gods and demons breaking free. Two people fated to go to war in a world that won’t allow for peace.
Sen Hoshiakari is the son of a traitor. His father, leader of the Gensei clan, attempted a rebellion against the Emperor and was slaughtered when Sen was just a child. Sen was rescued on that fateful night and taken to live in hiding, in Kitano, away from the Empire’s rule. Rui, a no’in (lowborn) was also there during the slaughter, and her family was also killed, but along with Sen she too was rescued. Now their destinies intertwine once more as a coup by the Keishi clan throws the Empire into civil war and further bloodshed is on the horizon. With Gods and Demons at their heels Sen and Rui must fight for family, for freedom but also for love.
The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki is a sublime epic fantasy debut. There’s so much depth and scope to this novel—an empire in turmoil, warring monks, samurai, demons and gods, and a deep philosophical reflection on the realities of warfare, of taking life.
I immediately loved this book right from the opening chapters as we enter this dark world where the barrier that holds back the spirit realm is thinning, monks have broken into factions against each other, and a politically tension filled Empire is present. Tamaki’s prose is almost lyrical, it’s atmospheric, you can really feel the emotion seeping through which is always my favourite kind of writing as it never fails to draw me in. Throughout Tamaki injects much Japanese mythology and also highlights the Japanese concept of two souls within us, the calm and the chaos. This was something that I felt was cleverly explored as this motif is illustrated not only in our characters but in the narrative structure as well, which you’ll see later on. This is a book with an expensive cast of characters and I do advise readers to refer to the characters list at the beginning because it really does help to clarify which characters belong to which clan. Despite this large cast I found each main PoV to be distinct, I found each key player memorable and further found that they did share a common theme; of finding their place in this world.
Sen has never known his real family, has never seen what their glory once was, has never known their true history. Growing up in hiding, away from the Empire’s clutches, he has very little experience of politics or war. Yet he is an heir nonetheless, he is a central figure to his remaining family and Gensei clan, a prince and a key to uniting them. With this he struggles, how can Sen fight for a family he has never known? When his teachers are shaping him to strive for peace, when he too believes in peace, how can he then ride proudly into a war? Then there is Rui, a peasant woman who was always kept on the outside, always looked down upon by nobles, never fitted in, wanting love yet never truly experiencing it. Rui only wanted to protect and care for nature, for life, but instead was thrown into a violent world. Let me tell you these two characters broke my heart, Tamaki portrays their inner turmoil so well and Rui and Sen’s relationship, their longing for each other, is so achingly beautifully written.
“Will we never move on, Yora thought, or will it color the rest of
our lives?
The old ones said the past was never gone; perhaps they were right. It lives within us still, he thought: each day brings its own ghosts. Each day the wounds reopen.”
The Book of Fallen Leaves is a Samurai saga retelling, and though I’m not familiar with the original tale, I’d love to discover more. The world is set in feudal-Japan and therefore the remaining POVs serve to illustrate the Empire’s political conflicts. My beloved Yora, once Captain of the Imperial Guard and now turned a poet and adviser, was a character who was filled with deep regret and sorrow. He had seen too much bloodshed, he knew the true meaning of loss, of betrayal, but he also knew that a fight was coming and was desperately trying to keep the peace. Kai, also a Gensei heir (being Yora’s niece and Sen’s older sister) remembers her father and is determined to restore her family’s place, to take back their lands and their rights. She however, is no warrior, she’s never had experience leading her people, but when she runs out of political negotiation options, a choice to fight or kneel is all that’s left to her. Yaeko on the other hand, being close to the Keishi clan, gives insight into how the coup is being played out. Yaeko goes through much conflict as she’s forced to fight against those she once stood beside, as she leaves behind her family’s beliefs and carves her own path. This is a very political heavy book, one that explores the history of the lands and the clans which have shaped the way the world is at present. Tamaki fantastically portrays the intricacies of an Empire facing political strife because of this history.
A true highlight of the book for me was the philosophy that Tamaki injects into this narrative—it amazed and awed me with its depth. The philosophy is oh so stunningly written with lines and imagery that really makes a reader think. For example, through the monk Jobo, who teaches Sen a lot, we are shown that Sen won’t kill a sacred serow, he does not wish to take life, but Jobo reflects that to be a warrior innocents will be killed by your hand. Tamaki begs the reader to consider what it really is to be a warrior, a samurai, even an emperor. What is the true horrific reality of war? What is it to take a life? The entire story explores the balance between peace and war and when is the right time to fight. Is there a right time? Whereas the first half of the book saw our characters pushing for peace, the second half turned into an all out battle as the clans collided. The action here was incredible, vividly detailed and the fear, the guilt, the primal urge to survive was perfectly portrayed. Tamaki is a clever writer indeed as again, he represents two sides, within the novel there is the calm and the chaos.
This was a book that very much embodied everything I love: characters with emotional complexity, a dark war torn world with myth and monsters, a story grand in scope. Tamaki has delivered a masterfully written debut, one that every fantasy reader needs to devour.
“If you gain power on the merit of defeating a tyrant, who will you be when you take the tyrant's place? You want to be a better ruler: good. But you’ll still be sitting in the exact same chair. That’s what I fear.”
ARC provided by Nazia at Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review—a huge thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Book of Fallen Leaves is out 17th March 2026
November 2, 2025
What a fantastic book! This was absolutely 100% in my wheelhouse. I adore anything samurai or Asian inspired, and since The Last Samurai is one of my all time favourite films, this one immediately grabbed my attention.
For me, The Book of Fallen Leaves felt like the lovechild of an adult version of Across the Nightingale Floor and a battle sequence straight out of Shogun. The pacing is relentless and once it starts, it does not let up. The entire story revolves around a single, sprawling battle, but what makes it so compelling is how A.S. Tamaki tells it through multiple POVs. Each perspective adds a new layer , showing the politics, the personal motives, the spiritual undercurrents, and the eerie presence of magic and spirits that weave through the chaos.
Sen Hoshiakari is a standout and his arc is powerful and satisfying but I have to say my favourite POV was Rui. Her internal conflict amidst the external carnage was just chef’s kiss writing.
My only small gripe, I really wish my copy had a character list and allegiance chart at the start. With all the Japanese names and house affiliations, it took a bit to get my bearings in the early chapters.
But honestly, that’s a tiny quibble in what was otherwise a brilliant read. It ticked every single one of my personal boxes. Pacy, emotional, brutal, beautiful. I was hooked start to finish.
For me, The Book of Fallen Leaves felt like the lovechild of an adult version of Across the Nightingale Floor and a battle sequence straight out of Shogun. The pacing is relentless and once it starts, it does not let up. The entire story revolves around a single, sprawling battle, but what makes it so compelling is how A.S. Tamaki tells it through multiple POVs. Each perspective adds a new layer , showing the politics, the personal motives, the spiritual undercurrents, and the eerie presence of magic and spirits that weave through the chaos.
Sen Hoshiakari is a standout and his arc is powerful and satisfying but I have to say my favourite POV was Rui. Her internal conflict amidst the external carnage was just chef’s kiss writing.
My only small gripe, I really wish my copy had a character list and allegiance chart at the start. With all the Japanese names and house affiliations, it took a bit to get my bearings in the early chapters.
But honestly, that’s a tiny quibble in what was otherwise a brilliant read. It ticked every single one of my personal boxes. Pacy, emotional, brutal, beautiful. I was hooked start to finish.
December 31, 2025
Finally comps that are accurate and that help to describe the book while also falling short of exactly what the book is.
Yes this is a political and military fantasy akin to game of thrones, relying on mystical and unexplained (as yet) fantastical forces. Yes it incorporates samurai culture and will certainly recall the sharp dialogue and breathtaking scenes of Shogun.
And yet…it’s also more than simply a mashup of these two things. It’s truly an epic historical fantasy with an insanely good cast of characters.
Yes the beginning is somewhat slow moving, and the character development is not instant but the payoff is so worth it.
I am really excited to see where this series goes! Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for a galley in exchange for an honest review.
Yes this is a political and military fantasy akin to game of thrones, relying on mystical and unexplained (as yet) fantastical forces. Yes it incorporates samurai culture and will certainly recall the sharp dialogue and breathtaking scenes of Shogun.
And yet…it’s also more than simply a mashup of these two things. It’s truly an epic historical fantasy with an insanely good cast of characters.
Yes the beginning is somewhat slow moving, and the character development is not instant but the payoff is so worth it.
I am really excited to see where this series goes! Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for a galley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Book of Fallen Leaves blew me away with just how vast and detailed, well, everything was , from the worldbuilding, history, magic, POVs (we love characters with emotional complexity) and politics, it's an intricate and multi layered story and I found myself completely immersed, I'd say this is definitely for fans who enjoy a plot thick with political intrigue and enjoy a more slow burn start to a series, the first half felt like watching a chess game with the political strategy and motives/loyalty of each character coming into play, the second half is BOOoOoOm the action,
there are a lot (😅) of characters but if you're familiar with epic fantasy thats kinda their jam, it doesn't take long to get a grip on who's who etc, the pace picks up around the 60% mark, the battle scene is visceral, it's almost poetic, Tameki's writing is incredibly cinematic and I felt I was standing amongst the bloodshed, I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see where the next book takes us, an epic historical fantasy with an unforgettable cast of characters
there are a lot (😅) of characters but if you're familiar with epic fantasy thats kinda their jam, it doesn't take long to get a grip on who's who etc, the pace picks up around the 60% mark, the battle scene is visceral, it's almost poetic, Tameki's writing is incredibly cinematic and I felt I was standing amongst the bloodshed, I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see where the next book takes us, an epic historical fantasy with an unforgettable cast of characters
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was given this advanced copy for free in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Review:
While the comparison to Game of Thrones and Shogun might be more showy and get more people to pick it up based on their enjoyment of the TV shows, I think a better comparison is someone like Steven Erikson, an author that throws you into the deep end. There's a lot going on at all times with almost no handholding or explanation of what or why it's happening. This problem (or blessing depending on your perspective) is intensified by having a ton of POV characters and not all of them were as interesting to me as others. I would've read a book just about Sen, while I often fell asleep in other chapters. I feel like readers need a roadmap of the many plot threads within The Book of Fallen Leaves; without a second book out to know where they're going, it's hard to recommend this book.
This gets a 3 star rather than a 2 because I would pick this up and reread it again in the future when book 2 is out. I need some resolution on plot points and this first book is very much a set up book for things to come.
☀️ Fun Factor 1/5 (I struggled for two weeks to read this)
☀️ Writing Style 3/5
☀️ Characters 3/5
☀️ Plot 2/5 (So many plotlines that seem unrelated)
☀️ Setting 3/5 (Kinda sorta Japan but not really)
☀️ Gore 4/5
☀️If this were a movie it'd be rated: R for violence, gore, terror
☀️FOR FANS OF: Readers with patience and a love for Japanese inspired world building and aesthetics.
☀️Ultimate verdict: ⭐⭐⭐
☀️Best Character Award goes to: Sen is very easily the best among the protagonist POV characters
Review:
While the comparison to Game of Thrones and Shogun might be more showy and get more people to pick it up based on their enjoyment of the TV shows, I think a better comparison is someone like Steven Erikson, an author that throws you into the deep end. There's a lot going on at all times with almost no handholding or explanation of what or why it's happening. This problem (or blessing depending on your perspective) is intensified by having a ton of POV characters and not all of them were as interesting to me as others. I would've read a book just about Sen, while I often fell asleep in other chapters. I feel like readers need a roadmap of the many plot threads within The Book of Fallen Leaves; without a second book out to know where they're going, it's hard to recommend this book.
This gets a 3 star rather than a 2 because I would pick this up and reread it again in the future when book 2 is out. I need some resolution on plot points and this first book is very much a set up book for things to come.
☀️ Fun Factor 1/5 (I struggled for two weeks to read this)
☀️ Writing Style 3/5
☀️ Characters 3/5
☀️ Plot 2/5 (So many plotlines that seem unrelated)
☀️ Setting 3/5 (Kinda sorta Japan but not really)
☀️ Gore 4/5
☀️If this were a movie it'd be rated: R for violence, gore, terror
☀️FOR FANS OF: Readers with patience and a love for Japanese inspired world building and aesthetics.
☀️Ultimate verdict: ⭐⭐⭐
☀️Best Character Award goes to: Sen is very easily the best among the protagonist POV characters
February 3, 2026
4.5/5 Stars
Format: E Book ARC
Spoilers: None
The Book of Fallen Leaves, the debut novel from AS Tamaki, is an epic story of political intrigue and warring clans infused with gods, demons, and evil spirits who intercede and interfere with the world of men. Inspired by a Japanese samurai saga, The Tale of the Heike, with roots in epic fantasy, the intentional world building leads to one of the most bingeable closing segments of a book. that I have read in some time.
First, it is important to understand that this is a book one, and the first two parts of the book (divided into four parts total) are dedicated to character introduction and world building. Where I have seen some reviewers complain about the number of characters and character names, anyone who has read any kind of epic fantasy should not see this as a problem. It may take a bit of time to get used to the characters names, but our main 5 or 6 characters continue to show up, and you get used to it and figure things out pretty quickly (in addition to a provided character list). By the end of part one, I was totally comfortable with the main players, the clans, and their respective roles. The world is inspired by feudal Japan, with three main warring clans who previously overthrew an emperor, and then fought amongst themselves for power. We also get some backstory on the gods, demons, and spirits who interact with the world of man. These are more hinted at in the first half, building a slow tension and introduction to the fantastical elements of the story.
Tamaki's measured, intentional approach to world building lays the foundation for the second half of the book, which begins to accelerate and does not stop until the last page. I read the last 40% or so of the book in one sitting - I genuinely could not put this down. The final battle of the book is truly cinematic, with breathtaking descriptiveness and at times gut wrenching emotional moments. It sets up the rest of the story to come in such a wonderful way. Tamaki's writing is fantastic, and often poetic, even in the heat of battle. The fantasy elements of this book are so interesting, using gods and demons who work both on their own and through humans to interact with the physical world. There is lots of mystery still left to these elements at the end, which to me makes this all the more intriguing.
This book is often advertised as Shogun meets Game of Thrones. I personally do not tend to like these sorts of comparisons, as I feel it creates certain expectations and can put readers in the wrong mindset. Is it like Shogun in that it is inspired by feudal Japan and includes period appropriate fighting - yes. Is it like Game of Thrones in that we have warring clans, lots of characters and political scheming for the seat of the emperor/power - yes. But the Book of Fallen Leaves is its own story, and lends a wonderfully unique voice to this world, independent of either of those works. Readers who love intentional world building, epic fantasy, political intrigue, and a mysterious fantasy element will love this book. While I did get this as an ARC, I have already pre-ordered my own copy and fully intend to reread this one. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, and would highly encourage you to check this one out!
Format: E Book ARC
Spoilers: None
The Book of Fallen Leaves, the debut novel from AS Tamaki, is an epic story of political intrigue and warring clans infused with gods, demons, and evil spirits who intercede and interfere with the world of men. Inspired by a Japanese samurai saga, The Tale of the Heike, with roots in epic fantasy, the intentional world building leads to one of the most bingeable closing segments of a book. that I have read in some time.
First, it is important to understand that this is a book one, and the first two parts of the book (divided into four parts total) are dedicated to character introduction and world building. Where I have seen some reviewers complain about the number of characters and character names, anyone who has read any kind of epic fantasy should not see this as a problem. It may take a bit of time to get used to the characters names, but our main 5 or 6 characters continue to show up, and you get used to it and figure things out pretty quickly (in addition to a provided character list). By the end of part one, I was totally comfortable with the main players, the clans, and their respective roles. The world is inspired by feudal Japan, with three main warring clans who previously overthrew an emperor, and then fought amongst themselves for power. We also get some backstory on the gods, demons, and spirits who interact with the world of man. These are more hinted at in the first half, building a slow tension and introduction to the fantastical elements of the story.
Tamaki's measured, intentional approach to world building lays the foundation for the second half of the book, which begins to accelerate and does not stop until the last page. I read the last 40% or so of the book in one sitting - I genuinely could not put this down. The final battle of the book is truly cinematic, with breathtaking descriptiveness and at times gut wrenching emotional moments. It sets up the rest of the story to come in such a wonderful way. Tamaki's writing is fantastic, and often poetic, even in the heat of battle. The fantasy elements of this book are so interesting, using gods and demons who work both on their own and through humans to interact with the physical world. There is lots of mystery still left to these elements at the end, which to me makes this all the more intriguing.
This book is often advertised as Shogun meets Game of Thrones. I personally do not tend to like these sorts of comparisons, as I feel it creates certain expectations and can put readers in the wrong mindset. Is it like Shogun in that it is inspired by feudal Japan and includes period appropriate fighting - yes. Is it like Game of Thrones in that we have warring clans, lots of characters and political scheming for the seat of the emperor/power - yes. But the Book of Fallen Leaves is its own story, and lends a wonderfully unique voice to this world, independent of either of those works. Readers who love intentional world building, epic fantasy, political intrigue, and a mysterious fantasy element will love this book. While I did get this as an ARC, I have already pre-ordered my own copy and fully intend to reread this one. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, and would highly encourage you to check this one out!
February 8, 2026
This book had some great moments but for me, the pacing was a bit uneven, and a few ideas felt more interesting in concept than in execution. Some sections lingered too long, while others I wanted to explore more deeply.
Overall, it’s a quiet, introspective read that will work best for readers who enjoy slower, mood-driven stories, even if it didn’t completely click for me.
Overall, it’s a quiet, introspective read that will work best for readers who enjoy slower, mood-driven stories, even if it didn’t completely click for me.
dnf
December 21, 2025This is a book that will really appeal only to a certain type of fantasy reader. And I'm really glad that the author decided to tell this story.
However, I personally could not recommend this book to others as political drama is not something I typically enjoy as a fantasy reader. This did not really have a ton of fantasy elements or world-building.
I really struggled to understand the characters and their motivations, it felt like all of them were pawns with no agency, and while I do understand that that is maybe the point, It didn't hook me. I didn't truly care for their cause and root for them as I felt that I should. The story was very slow and the jumping around to different characters was difficult and I felt myself constantly referring back to the family tree, also, I believed for a large portion of this book that Sen and Rui were siblings, as the family tree places them together in such a way.
Unfortunately this one was a miss for me, but the comp titles seem to be very apt.
However, I personally could not recommend this book to others as political drama is not something I typically enjoy as a fantasy reader. This did not really have a ton of fantasy elements or world-building.
I really struggled to understand the characters and their motivations, it felt like all of them were pawns with no agency, and while I do understand that that is maybe the point, It didn't hook me. I didn't truly care for their cause and root for them as I felt that I should. The story was very slow and the jumping around to different characters was difficult and I felt myself constantly referring back to the family tree, also, I believed for a large portion of this book that Sen and Rui were siblings, as the family tree places them together in such a way.
Unfortunately this one was a miss for me, but the comp titles seem to be very apt.
dnf
February 2, 2026I am sad to report that I could not make it past Chapter One; DNF’d at 4%. The writing was clumsy/childish. Even though the writing was poorly executed, the story did seem like it was going to be fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is well written but it's not for me. I'm not a fan of political intrigue in fantasy books. the character development is good. If you like political intrigue then you might like this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this book early on return for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this book early on return for my honest review.
November 25, 2025
3⭐️
The moment I saw the comparison of this book to Shōgun meets Game of Thrones, I was instantly intrigued. Unfortunately, my reading experience fell short of those expectations.
Where the book truly shines is in its battle scenes—bloody, intense, and suspenseful. Combined with the political intrigue, it made for an engaging plot. I also enjoyed the folklore surrounding the forest spirits, which carried a dark, haunting Studio Ghibli–like quality.
My main criticism is the lack of world-building. The Japanese-inspired setting was one of the key factors that drew me in, yet I never felt fully immersed in it. I would have loved more thorough descriptions of the culture, language, beliefs, and setting. As an avid epic fantasy reader, I enjoy large casts, but the way the cast expanded made it difficult to keep track of who was who. The time jumps and rapid shifts between character backstories added to the confusion. While the character list at the beginning was helpful, a one-page visual aid or genogram would have been even more effective.
In the end, the book didn’t completely land for me, but I still recommend it to epic fantasy fans who enjoy heavy political elements and intense battle scenes.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The moment I saw the comparison of this book to Shōgun meets Game of Thrones, I was instantly intrigued. Unfortunately, my reading experience fell short of those expectations.
Where the book truly shines is in its battle scenes—bloody, intense, and suspenseful. Combined with the political intrigue, it made for an engaging plot. I also enjoyed the folklore surrounding the forest spirits, which carried a dark, haunting Studio Ghibli–like quality.
My main criticism is the lack of world-building. The Japanese-inspired setting was one of the key factors that drew me in, yet I never felt fully immersed in it. I would have loved more thorough descriptions of the culture, language, beliefs, and setting. As an avid epic fantasy reader, I enjoy large casts, but the way the cast expanded made it difficult to keep track of who was who. The time jumps and rapid shifts between character backstories added to the confusion. While the character list at the beginning was helpful, a one-page visual aid or genogram would have been even more effective.
In the end, the book didn’t completely land for me, but I still recommend it to epic fantasy fans who enjoy heavy political elements and intense battle scenes.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
January 15, 2026
This is an intricately plotted beginning to what is sure to be a very epic series. The major downside is that it takes 60% before we really get into the action. The first half is full of political maneuvering and character introductions as pieces move around the board.
It feels like a Japanese version of Northern Wrath: interrelated characters waging war that reflects something greater (and supernatural), interacting with gods and moving towards and away from each other throughout.
Another thing that I think was missing was the foundation for Sen and Rui’s ride or die friendship. We only see them together a handful of times before skipping through months of training and proximity and trust building. It’s such a central part of the story that it felt weird not to really see that develop.
But what I did love was seeing women as Lords and warriors. We did have a bit of sexism in there but it’s obviously portrayed as wrong and kind of silly for anyone to be looked down upon because of their gender. Especially as the women commanders are consistently kicking ass and taking names.
I think I would consider reading the next book in the series, since the pacing really picked up once we got to the actual war, but I would prefer the audiobook version to help move things along quicker.
{Thank you Orbit for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
It feels like a Japanese version of Northern Wrath: interrelated characters waging war that reflects something greater (and supernatural), interacting with gods and moving towards and away from each other throughout.
Another thing that I think was missing was the foundation for Sen and Rui’s ride or die friendship. We only see them together a handful of times before skipping through months of training and proximity and trust building. It’s such a central part of the story that it felt weird not to really see that develop.
But what I did love was seeing women as Lords and warriors. We did have a bit of sexism in there but it’s obviously portrayed as wrong and kind of silly for anyone to be looked down upon because of their gender. Especially as the women commanders are consistently kicking ass and taking names.
I think I would consider reading the next book in the series, since the pacing really picked up once we got to the actual war, but I would prefer the audiobook version to help move things along quicker.
{Thank you Orbit for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all I must say that this is a brand new genre for me and I have very little knowledge about samurais so I cannot share much on how authentic the story is on this subject (although it is a fantasy and has supernatural elements so of course liberties are expected)
I enjoyed the lush prose throughout the story, it shows that the author really took the time to find the exact words necessary to describe the world he draws us in. Also if you like politics you will love this book!
My favorite parts were the supernatural elements, I wish we got more of those earlier on so that maybe we would understand better the different classes of gods/demons/spirits etc. To me they were all in the same category but it seems like they had different abilities so I would've loved more details on those or their history.
Finally please don't expect this novel to be as action-packed as the cover suggests, it is first and foremost a political novel, at least for more than the first half of the book, with many, many characters to keep track of. However during the last third of the book, action ramps up with many crushing moments, I can't say more! I believe the timing of this novel is very good, with shows like Shogun being popular now. It certainly feels like this novel could be adapted to the screen!
Thank you to the publisher Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC copy!
I enjoyed the lush prose throughout the story, it shows that the author really took the time to find the exact words necessary to describe the world he draws us in. Also if you like politics you will love this book!
My favorite parts were the supernatural elements, I wish we got more of those earlier on so that maybe we would understand better the different classes of gods/demons/spirits etc. To me they were all in the same category but it seems like they had different abilities so I would've loved more details on those or their history.
Finally please don't expect this novel to be as action-packed as the cover suggests, it is first and foremost a political novel, at least for more than the first half of the book, with many, many characters to keep track of. However during the last third of the book, action ramps up with many crushing moments, I can't say more! I believe the timing of this novel is very good, with shows like Shogun being popular now. It certainly feels like this novel could be adapted to the screen!
Thank you to the publisher Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC copy!
dnf
February 8, 2026Dnf at 27%
Unfortunately, this one is not for me.
It has a really fascinating and exciting concept and setting, with a fictional feudal Japan, warring factions, betrayals and political manouevering, warrior monks and lore... It should have been right up my alley.
But I have too many issues with the writing to push through.
I found the prose to lack flow and the dialogues to be choppy.
The story aims to feel vaste and mysterious but falls into pompous vagueness and confusing.. everything. Confusing character connections and dynamics, confusing goals, confusing political powers.. I've heard people mention family trees and glossaries but had neither in my copy which would have been a huge help I'm sure.
The pacing is as awkward as the prose, with a lack of zoomed in moments to feel present with the characters.
I'm sure it'll work for people who care more about the plot than the characters, and who are patient enough to get to that plot, but that's not me right now.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review.
Unfortunately, this one is not for me.
It has a really fascinating and exciting concept and setting, with a fictional feudal Japan, warring factions, betrayals and political manouevering, warrior monks and lore... It should have been right up my alley.
But I have too many issues with the writing to push through.
I found the prose to lack flow and the dialogues to be choppy.
The story aims to feel vaste and mysterious but falls into pompous vagueness and confusing.. everything. Confusing character connections and dynamics, confusing goals, confusing political powers.. I've heard people mention family trees and glossaries but had neither in my copy which would have been a huge help I'm sure.
The pacing is as awkward as the prose, with a lack of zoomed in moments to feel present with the characters.
I'm sure it'll work for people who care more about the plot than the characters, and who are patient enough to get to that plot, but that's not me right now.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review.
December 26, 2025
The Book Of Fallen Leaves is such a page turner! And a debut no less? I can already tell this will be a heavy hitter once it releases next year.
It’s been a while since a book has made me stay awake until 3AM just to know what happens next. What’s intriguing is that the pace isn’t exactly fast in the first half. There’s a lot of character development woven into complex worldbuilding, yet each chapter still managed to pull me deeper into the story and leave me eager for more. I truly couldn’t put it down.
We’re given a world rich in history, political intrigue, layered characters and a stunning, almost tangible atmosphere. Everything feels intentional and carefully executed, which only adds to the immersion.
This book follows an extensive cast. Emphasis on the “extensive” part, because there are quite a few POVs. That said, they’re handled so smoothly that it never felt confusing or overwhelming. I almost immediately connected with the characters and found myself equally invested in each of their paths, which is no small feat.
The writing is honestly stunning. For me, it strikes the perfect balance between dialogue and narration. It’s atmospheric, addictive and beautifully crafted.
Having said that, I can’t bring myself to rate it any higher merely because it honestly lost me in the last third. I believe this book would’ve benefited from being a tad shorter, based on the story it tells. It started to drag and unfortunately lost momentum, failing to keep me engaged.
Another piece of feedback is that it would’ve been helpful to have a map and a house affiliation chart at the beginning. I did read this as an eARC though, so I’m not sure if that will be included in print.
Thank you SO much to NetGalley, A.S. Tamaki and Orbit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been a while since a book has made me stay awake until 3AM just to know what happens next. What’s intriguing is that the pace isn’t exactly fast in the first half. There’s a lot of character development woven into complex worldbuilding, yet each chapter still managed to pull me deeper into the story and leave me eager for more. I truly couldn’t put it down.
We’re given a world rich in history, political intrigue, layered characters and a stunning, almost tangible atmosphere. Everything feels intentional and carefully executed, which only adds to the immersion.
This book follows an extensive cast. Emphasis on the “extensive” part, because there are quite a few POVs. That said, they’re handled so smoothly that it never felt confusing or overwhelming. I almost immediately connected with the characters and found myself equally invested in each of their paths, which is no small feat.
The writing is honestly stunning. For me, it strikes the perfect balance between dialogue and narration. It’s atmospheric, addictive and beautifully crafted.
Having said that, I can’t bring myself to rate it any higher merely because it honestly lost me in the last third. I believe this book would’ve benefited from being a tad shorter, based on the story it tells. It started to drag and unfortunately lost momentum, failing to keep me engaged.
Another piece of feedback is that it would’ve been helpful to have a map and a house affiliation chart at the beginning. I did read this as an eARC though, so I’m not sure if that will be included in print.
Thank you SO much to NetGalley, A.S. Tamaki and Orbit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted so much to like this novel. It has so many aspects that should make it an excellent story. (I mean, a samurai saga!!) Even the first chapter was super interesting, it started out exciting and raring to go. Unfortunately it dropped from there. The characters are not enjoyable or relatable; the plot is moving like sludge. I really enjoy epic fantasy, and most works in that genre are slow to start. However, authors often drop "carrots" to keep the reader intrigued enough to continue. I did not see that happening here and dnfed at 22%. The last straw was an interaction between the monk Jobo and Sen. Jobo comes across as a typical teacher in this type of genre, mysterious and never really answering questions the way Sen wants him to. Not bad, but not original either. Jobo is telling Sen something mysterious and then randomly tries to add in a comedic comment. The comedy felt forced and unrelated to the character. This is not the only instance, just the last one I was willing to read.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Orbit Books for the advance copy!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Orbit Books for the advance copy!
Read
February 10, 2026Thank you to Orbit for this ARC!
Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book. I was super excited for this one, it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026! However, it fell so short for me. I made it 36% of the way in and I was so bored. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the story felt like it was dragging so much. I love the concept, the cover, the map. But it was just rather disappointing for me.
Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book. I was super excited for this one, it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026! However, it fell so short for me. I made it 36% of the way in and I was so bored. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the story felt like it was dragging so much. I love the concept, the cover, the map. But it was just rather disappointing for me.
dnf
January 29, 2026Thank you NetGalley & Orbit for the ARC. 120 pages later and I still don't find myself caring about any of the characters, especially none of the 4 POVs we follow. I don't think this was necessarily bad, just not for me. Unfortunately, I didn't even reach far enough to the fantastical elements (except maybe a sacred deer appearance?), and that's my biggest disappointment.
Read
January 16, 2026Unfortunate, it's a DNF for me.
Couldn't get into it; partly due to the formatting of the ARC. But also, the writing style is mainly focused on driving forth the political game rather than investing in character or world development. Along with the many names, titles and details that are dropped (even with side characters) I just lost interest unfortunately. That being said, Asian books are usually a big gamble on my part.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy and wishing the author all the best with the launch of his debut book!
Couldn't get into it; partly due to the formatting of the ARC. But also, the writing style is mainly focused on driving forth the political game rather than investing in character or world development. Along with the many names, titles and details that are dropped (even with side characters) I just lost interest unfortunately. That being said, Asian books are usually a big gamble on my part.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy and wishing the author all the best with the launch of his debut book!
Read
February 10, 2026DNF - for now. I will likely try this book again because it does seem like a fascinating read but it’s a more complex book than I can handle right now (tons of characters/families to keep track of).
Thank you NetGalley for an electronic version of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for an electronic version of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 3, 2025
I enjoyed this overall, however this was not an easy read.
Great world building and epic battles, just too many characters for me to care too much about any of them.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Great world building and epic battles, just too many characters for me to care too much about any of them.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 30, 2025
I think this one had a lot of potential, but sadly missed its mark. I was so confused by all of the characters most of the time. If it wasn't enough that this is written in a multiple POV, we were constantly introduced to endless side characters that weren't even relevant. For me, it got to the point that I didn't even know who I was reading about until I read a few paragraphs of the chapter. The book could use some information about the clans and who was a part of which one to allow us to get situated from time to time. I really enjoyed the main plot and could (with some difficulty) follow the overall story, but the writing left so much to be desired. The prose was not consistent throughout the book, sometimes it was as if we were reading coherent phrases and others it was as if we were watching the characters have an unclear train of thought. I also found the book to be unnecessary long and that the author was trying to reach a lot of places at the same time, ending up leading nowhere. There was a lot of unnecessary description of violence, and instead of delivering us an epic battle, all I could think when I was reading about it was ending the book. Also very confused by the ending, and not in a way that has me wanting to read the next one if it comes out.
November 8, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline overall, despite struggling to remember the different characters and their backstory. The way the author writes from different points of view, was well done. The book could do with a page or two showing the different clan lines, something to give the reader a visual to picture and internalise.
I have given this book three stars, which for me means it is a good book. A great book is four stars and those rare, exceptional books are five stars.
I had to keep asking myself “who are they again?” - which is why this is only three stars.
I would recommend this book, especially if you like Japanese culture and have a love of the Samurai!
I have given this book three stars, which for me means it is a good book. A great book is four stars and those rare, exceptional books are five stars.
I had to keep asking myself “who are they again?” - which is why this is only three stars.
I would recommend this book, especially if you like Japanese culture and have a love of the Samurai!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 stars
Once, the mighty Keishi, Gensei, and Ten'in clans joined together to protect their realm and prevent a demon-emperor from taking the throne. What followed was a time of peace and stability, until the Gensei clan rose up in rebellion and were brutally put down by their former allies. This broken trust disturbed the balance of power in the land, and in the following years personal ambitions started to take precedence over duty to the realm. Now, almost 20 years later, this strife is widespread - nobles and scholars look down on the warriors that they rely on for protection, and warriors look down on the peasants that provide the food in their bellies; meanwhile, the peasants themselves are struggling to survive under increasingly heavy tax burdens and decreased crop production. The Keishi clan, sick of the disrespect and corruption of the ruling class, capitalize on this friction and quietly start setting plans into motion that would result in them seizing absolute power.
However, not everyone is willing to so easily bend the knee, and unbeknownst to the Keishi clan, a son of Gensei survived the brutal slaughter of his family so many years ago. Sen Hoshiakari, deprived of his birthright, is now determined to restore his family's name and lands and right the wrong that was done to them. Rui Misosazi, the peasant girl who helped Sen escape the slaughter as a child, is by his side every step of the way, willing to do anything to help her friend make the world a better place. As the clans secretly loyal to the Gensei all these years rally around Sen, the pieces for all-out war begin to slide into place. However, there are more players in the game here - gods, spirits, and demons are afoot, each with their own motivations that go far beyond who sits on the throne. As civil war breaks out, Sen and Rui will learn that peace is sometimes the most violent thing of all.
I really enjoyed this debut from A.S. Tamaki! The Book of Fallen Leaves is an excellent fantasy epic, full of political intrigue and tense action sequences. Though Sen and Rui are the heart of the story, there are many different POVs throughout the book that serve to set up the conflict perfectly and address some excellent questions on morality and duty. The standout for me was Yora, high-ranking member of the Gensei clan (and Sen's uncle) who serves as the captain of the imperial guard and close advisor to the Keishi chancellor that killed his family. He firmly believes in avoiding bloodshed at all cost, and questions whether it is not better to have a corrupt authority on the throne if it maintains peace, versus getting vengeance for your personal family but at the cost of thousands of lives. The split loyalties of Yaeko, daughter of traitors-turned-devoted Keishi guard, were also fascinating.
The only weak point for me in the story was the relationship between Sen and Rui. Like most epic fantasy books, much of the time on the page was necessarily devoted to world-building and establishing a (very) large cast of characters across multiple parallel story lines. However, I wish a bit more time was spent on character development. Sen and Rui are self-professed best friends, but we get only a few conversations between them in the book, and their friendship is grown off-page during a seven month time jump. In spite of that, the work spent building up the political machinations throughout the book ultimately pays off with a fantastic ending, as civil war erupts and the empire as we know it is ripped apart. The last chapter in particular left me begging for more, and I am so excited to see where the next installment in the series goes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC!
Once, the mighty Keishi, Gensei, and Ten'in clans joined together to protect their realm and prevent a demon-emperor from taking the throne. What followed was a time of peace and stability, until the Gensei clan rose up in rebellion and were brutally put down by their former allies. This broken trust disturbed the balance of power in the land, and in the following years personal ambitions started to take precedence over duty to the realm. Now, almost 20 years later, this strife is widespread - nobles and scholars look down on the warriors that they rely on for protection, and warriors look down on the peasants that provide the food in their bellies; meanwhile, the peasants themselves are struggling to survive under increasingly heavy tax burdens and decreased crop production. The Keishi clan, sick of the disrespect and corruption of the ruling class, capitalize on this friction and quietly start setting plans into motion that would result in them seizing absolute power.
However, not everyone is willing to so easily bend the knee, and unbeknownst to the Keishi clan, a son of Gensei survived the brutal slaughter of his family so many years ago. Sen Hoshiakari, deprived of his birthright, is now determined to restore his family's name and lands and right the wrong that was done to them. Rui Misosazi, the peasant girl who helped Sen escape the slaughter as a child, is by his side every step of the way, willing to do anything to help her friend make the world a better place. As the clans secretly loyal to the Gensei all these years rally around Sen, the pieces for all-out war begin to slide into place. However, there are more players in the game here - gods, spirits, and demons are afoot, each with their own motivations that go far beyond who sits on the throne. As civil war breaks out, Sen and Rui will learn that peace is sometimes the most violent thing of all.
I really enjoyed this debut from A.S. Tamaki! The Book of Fallen Leaves is an excellent fantasy epic, full of political intrigue and tense action sequences. Though Sen and Rui are the heart of the story, there are many different POVs throughout the book that serve to set up the conflict perfectly and address some excellent questions on morality and duty. The standout for me was Yora, high-ranking member of the Gensei clan (and Sen's uncle) who serves as the captain of the imperial guard and close advisor to the Keishi chancellor that killed his family. He firmly believes in avoiding bloodshed at all cost, and questions whether it is not better to have a corrupt authority on the throne if it maintains peace, versus getting vengeance for your personal family but at the cost of thousands of lives. The split loyalties of Yaeko, daughter of traitors-turned-devoted Keishi guard, were also fascinating.
The only weak point for me in the story was the relationship between Sen and Rui. Like most epic fantasy books, much of the time on the page was necessarily devoted to world-building and establishing a (very) large cast of characters across multiple parallel story lines. However, I wish a bit more time was spent on character development. Sen and Rui are self-professed best friends, but we get only a few conversations between them in the book, and their friendship is grown off-page during a seven month time jump. In spite of that, the work spent building up the political machinations throughout the book ultimately pays off with a fantastic ending, as civil war erupts and the empire as we know it is ripped apart. The last chapter in particular left me begging for more, and I am so excited to see where the next installment in the series goes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC!
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