Seven Deadly Shadows (June 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Jenner, Jazmine & Cat

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Seven Deadly Shadows Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on June 15th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 06/15
June 15: Chapter 1-7
June 16: Chapter 8-14
June 17: Chapter 15-21
June 18: Chapter 22-28
June 19: Chapter 29-35

PARTICIPANTS
~ Jenner
~ Jazmine
~ Cat

[Megan]

Hey y'all, do you mind if I join you for this read? I've had this guy on my shelf for a while and want to get it finished!

[aikaterine]

Absolutely, Megan, welcome to the BR :))

[aikaterine]

Hey guys, finished the first chapters and thought I'd write some thoughts :)

But, first, don't you feel like watching an anime??? I'm getting such strong vibes ^^

Chapters 1-7
(view spoiler)[
So, my obsession for going into a book blind made me feel a bit overwhelmed with all the violence and gore. I was totally unprepared.

However, I'm loving all the Shinto and yokai references and the different types of demons appearing thus far.
I also looove kitsune and Shiro seems such a cutieee. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

I agree with the violence point! It surprised me a little. But I'm loving the book so far! I've been listening to it while I knit and the narrator is really great.

I don't know much about Shinto religion, so I'm loving learning about it while we go (and have definitely spent a decent amount of time on Wiki)!

[aikaterine]

Megan wrote: "I agree with the violence point! It surprised me a little. But I'm loving the book so far! I've been listening to it while I knit and the narrator is really great."

Ahaha I really get what you mean about Wiki xD
I'm loving learning about the religion and the mythology behind it, as well, and I think the authors are doing a pretty good job in translating everything naturally!

[Megan]

Yes, the translation has been great! I love that they didn't shy away from including the original and traditional Japanese, but then have slipped the English in where it feels natural!

Change of topic, but are you guys logging this for the Summer Days challenge? If so, what prompt are you using? I haven't found anything that seems to fit.

[Jenner]

Hey guys! I am really behind on this buddy read, but I have been enjoying it so far!

Chapter 1-14
(view spoiler)[
The first chapter is really the outlier because it is about her problems with other humans. Everything else seems to be about the shrine. Ronin specifically told the demons to leave Kira alone when they attacked the shrine. Does he have an ulterior motive or just cares about her? Tails are a big deal and the story still hasn't said why they get them. I love how Oni-chan wanted to eat her and now he seems to really care and protect her. I figured Shimada would show up but I did not expect him to bring Roji or want to teach her to yield a kusanagi.
(hide spoiler)]

[aikaterine]

Hey guys!! So I finished this just last night and I’ve got to say it wasn’t bad, it gave me so many nostalgic anime vibes! I could do with a lot less violence and gory descriptions though 🤢

So, I’m logging it under Atari Affair 4 - water on cover (because it looks like the shrine is reflected in water, hehe). But I’m up to other ideas, too 😅

[Jenner]

I just finished the book! I think as an anime, I would have loved this story. As a book, I am not sure if I was in the right mood for it. I personally loved all of the action but everything was a bit predictable. (view spoiler)[Although, I did not expect O-bei to save Kira's life by sacrificing her own. (hide spoiler)] I enjoyed all of the characters. There was a significant amount of mystery at the end which I appreciate since it feels like the story will continue without me.

@Cat I am putting it under Nintento Trail 1 since Kira is from Japan.

[aikaterine]

I agree with you about the anime/book argument, although I'm not sure I would have stomached all this violence in an anime either, haha!
(view spoiler)[I also didn't see it coming when O-bei sacrificed herself for Kira, given her personality it was a total surprise. (hide spoiler)]
Indeed, I'm totally with you about the mystery vibes in the end. If it wasn't such a violent story I would have loved it as a series, haha!

Aaah, I totally didn't see this, because I had registered another book under Nintendo 1 and had crossed it over, haha!