Takeshita Demons: The Filth Licker by Cristy Burne

June 2011, Frances Lincoln 

208 pages, Paperback

Review copy 

Children's, 7+ 

Summary by Frances Lincoln 

Miku is going to School Camp in the forest, with her friend Cait and the rest of her class. It should be fun. But Miku has premonitions of danger, and when Oscar goes down with a festering rash, and a rushing wind blows out the bonfire she's sure something bad is going on. Then Alex finds the frog-like Filth-Licker in the boys' toilets, and all at once Miku, Cait and Alex are on a secret mission to overcome the vengeful Shape-Shifters or Super Demons before it's too late…

Later that night, with Alex kidnapped by a pyromaniac fox, and Cait possessed by some angry sickle weasels, it's up to Miku and the Filth-Licker to save them all from disaster.

Nayuleska's reasons for loving Miku...for a variety of reasons she doesn't have the unconditional support of Cait during this current adventure, which somehow makes everything that much harder, but she never stops persevering because she knows what'll happen if she fails. 

How evil/nasty is the enemy? You know it's bad when other demons are scared! Plus the things it does is really creepy, not something to read if you're alone at night. Especially away at camp! 

Are there plenty of plot twists and surprises? 

I think there are more than the previous book, possibly because the reader knows the characters now so there's less time spent on introductions (not so much that new readers can't jump in straight away). I got creeped out a few times by what happened. 

One of my favourite parts was...when Miku got unexpected help from the demons themselves - the lines of good and evil can be rather smudged. 

I give this 9/10 

You can find out more about the Takeshita Demons series and Cristy on her website. 

Suggested read

Be sure to check out the first book: Takeshita Demons. 

The Way of the Sword, by Chris Bradford

2nd July 2009, Puffin books

400 pages

Childrens' Fantasy Japanese

Review copy

Cushions: 4/5

Daggers: 3/5

Smiles: 2/5

Tissues: 1/5 

Overall rating: 5+/5

Finishing the last page of book one, I moved straight over to this second installment in the action packed Japanese fantasy (well, not entirely sure how else to categorise it). 

All the characters from the previous book are here, and a few new ones. I loved the different classes held in this book, especially the origami sessions and the archery classes. The teachers have distinctive characters which I can easily attribute to the ideals of the Japanese warrior and priest. They're ones which stick in my mind, after many books later on. 

(A side note: I love the way that silhouettes are used on the covers. If you look carefully, Jack does look as if he has blond hair (or else that's just me hallucinating))

The stakes are higher in this installment. Jack still has to deal with Dragon eye, the evil ninja pirate who killed his father and is after his rutter. Thanks to one of his new friends, Jack does think of a hiding place for the rutter. Unfortunately his decision, made alone, to keep the rutter in that location will place several people in great danger. 

Jack faces competition from his adopted father's son, who dislikes Jack intensely. This not so friendly rivalry is the least of Jack's worries. An inter-school samurai competition is set up, thanks to an incident involving Jack: the prize involves the Emperor himself. Jack enters as one of the competitors, but the rigors of training nearly beat him. As for the competition itself - well, you'll just have to read it, won't you? I will say that you won't want to put the book down for anything, and there may be several exclamations of surprise. 

There are several touching moments which had me in tears, so make sure tissues are at the ready. The developing relationship between Akiko and Jack is sweet to watch, all the more unsure because Jack discovers Akiko has a secret, one which nearly ruins their friendship as he tries to work out what it is. 

The third and final installment can't come out soon enough. I gulp up the intricate details of tea ceremonies, how to use a bow and other details, expanding my knowledge of Japan. For those who have read Lian Hearn's books, there is mention of a nightingale floor here, which had me going 'yay' just because I already understood what it was (its purpose is explained within the story). This is a series that'll sit proudly on my bookshelf. 

Once again, Chris Bradford's website can be found here. 

I nearly wept when I saw I had to wait until March 2010 for The Way of the Dragon. That's so long! 

Young Samurai (the title of the series) has it's own website here.

The Way of the Warrior

2008, Puffin books
332 pages
Childrens' Fantasy Japanese
Library copy

Cushions: 4/5
Daggers: 2/5
Smile: 3/5
Tissues: 2/5
Overall rating 5+/5

The moment I saw the second book in this trilogy up for grabs as a review copy I had to have it. As a Japanese fanatic, I immediately located a copy in the library. I wasn't disappointed.

There was an 'oooh, PIRATES!' moment as I read the back cover. These pirates are the evil kind. Poor Jack Fletcher, having managed to reach Japan on his father's trading ship, loses his family - both by ties of blood and ties of the sea to the ninja pirates (There was a lot of smiling here too! Even if they are evil, ninja pirates is a pretty neat concept). With zero fighting ability, Jack hides in his father's cabin with the rutter, the map which can steer anyone safely across the seas. It's priceless.

He manages to survive and ends up in the home of a famous samurai. This samuri adopts him as his second son (his first son died, and he misses him). This installment follows Jack's story as he slowly learns Japanese, the intricacies of the culture. The mysterious Akiko, who helped nurse him back to health is patient with his mistakes. Not everyone is so patient, and Jack's life isn't quiet. The ninja pirates are out for his blood, the Samurai's second son isn't happy that he's been adopted, and many at the Samurai's samurai school are displeased at a foreigner being in their midst.

I confess that while I am hooked by Jack's story, I'm following Akiko's journey. I mean, a girl who can defeat ninjas with her obe (very wide 'belt' part of a kimono) ranks high on my favourite list of characters. She isn't perfect, none of the characters are, but throughout it all she looks out for Jack.

It really shows that Chris Bradford has a background in martial arts - everything reads smoothly, its the little details about tricks, including just how much training hurts and the sheer joy that follows a successful demonstration after countless sessions of inability. This is action packed, and cleverly written. I liked it when a chapter or section of a chapter ended on a climax; the next chapter/section would start in the middle of a fight or a dramatic scene, but wouldn't necessarily be a direct continuation of the previous one. It might sound a little disjointed, but its a style of writing which keeps the reader on their toes.

Thanks to an ankle injury, I was able to read this story, and the next, one after the other. There would have been much groaning if I'd had to stop for work, or this necessary thing in life called sleep.

It's not just me getting excited about this book, it could be made into a film

Chris Bradford's site is here.

The 2nd installment, The Way of the Sword, will be reviewed tomorrow.

The Harsh Cry of the Heron, by Lian Hearn

2006, Macmillan

631 pages

The epic tale set in feudal Japan which started with Across the Nightingale floor ends the tale of Takeo and his family in this installment.

As ever, the style of the writing took me to a land full of betrayal, fighting and sorrow. This book was by far the darker of the 4 books. The ending is satisfactory, not necessarily a HEA, but for those who read the previous three books knew there would be sorrow here.

The story is tied up well. Both old characters (Kaede, Takeo) and relatively new ones (his children - all of them) have their stories in a way that lets me access their characters on a deeper level than when they were mentioned by a different point of view. Lots of female POV's for this reviewer!

I do have several small gripes. Initially, (for about 60 pages), I felt a lot of back story was told. I feel this back story, filling in around 16 years from the last book, could have merited a novel of its own. Considering that Takeo's daughters, the twins Maya and Miki, and their elder sister Shigeko have a significant role in this book, having a book before it to introduce their characters and how they came to be who they are would have cut the feeling of being 'told' events.

I did like the level of darkness surrounding the twin's tale. There are several story twists which I won't put here, but my spine shivered in several places where Lian guided the story. Almost verging on the horror genre for me.

The paperclip level is high, due to the content of this book. Concepts that were touched upon in other books were depicted in more detail, that was too much for me. I only read on because I wanted to learn of the end. The fifth book, Heaven's Net is Wide, hit 5 paperclips and I put it down. I can possibly see why the content was put in, although there were a few points that I felt the imagination was quite capable of filling in the blanks. If you're looking for a PG book, this isn't one. It deals with adult situations, and a variety of relationships.

Paperclip rating: 4

Tissue rating: 3

Dagger rating: 3

Overall rating: 3 (due to content and more telling).

Despite the ratings, I'm glad I read this book to discover how the story ended. I feel there is room for more books in the series about Takeo's daughters' lives, which are bound to be interesting.

It was well written, and there is little to say

Brilliance of the Moon, by Lian Hern

Tales of the Otori book 3
2004, MacMillan

I think the library copy is different: its a hardback book, with this cover (one shown for the paperback version). That's why the publisher might be different to the paperback one with the same cover.

For the third time I'm taken away with where Lian takes Kaede and Takeo's story. This installment is darker than the others, with more heartache, violence and turns in the plot I couldn't have predicted.

I do like the brief character list at the beginning of the book. It was there in book 2, but I forgot to comment on it. The map gives an idea of where everything takes place, although to be fair I often don't look at maps more than once.

There is no-one who escapes from all this. Takeo faces life without Kaede. He has to make decisions which go against what he believed the future to hold for him. He demonstrates great leadership skills. The tough decisions he makes would be hard for anyone to make, but he does so knowing sacrifices sometimes are the only way for life to improve.

Kaede accepts a terrifying fate to keep her loved ones safe. My poor tummy turned upside down when the action that changes her life here happened. If I hadn't peeked at the end of this book, and then the end of the fourth, more tissues would have been needed. I was a little disappointed, considering how much of her view there initially was in the book that there wasn't a chapter before the final one, explaining what happened after a liberating event. But then the overall story arc is mostly Takeo's, and not much needs explaining. I just love Kaede!

A newcomer to the POV telling is Shizuka. Previously a maid of Kaede's, and one of the Tribe who wish to kill Takeo, her viewpoint on events provides greater understanding for why the Tribe act as they do. And, she's definitely not a hardhearted woman.

Content: I went very red at one point: just one paragraph which I understand why it was included, but the story would have been just fine without it.

Turns out I somehow misread part of book 2 (I blame the germs currently attacking me) and there was a non male-female brief relationship. If you'd like this explained, message me. This relationship gets implied in this 3rd installment, hence the high rating.

The violence here isn't just beating back enemies, it is a bit gory too. Beheadings mostly. Not something for the faint hearted.

The story isn't all doom and gloom, there are a few moments of peace, where the scenary and clothing (see? I'm totally obsessed with costumes in the Otori story) have my mind thirsting for me. From the limited knowledge of Japan I have through anime, japanese lessons and general knowledge, this series captures a great many of the unique customs of the island nation.

Dagger rating: maybe 2-3.
Paperclip: 3
Tissues: 3
TGB: 0

Despite the extra gore and blushable content, I still totally recommend this series.

The content ratings give it a 4/5 overall rating. I'm about to start the 4th book now, the final chapter in Kaede and Takeo's story. I know how it ends, but I still wish to see how it unfolds.

Grass for his Pillow, by Lian Hearn

Tales of the Otori book 2

2003, MacMillan

Did you really expect to review other books before I finish this series? I'm sure I have 4 of them, I'm hoping I have all 5.

This installment = wow! It should have a side label 'Kaede's' story' (yes, I can't figure out the punctuation for that). It's all about Kaede!

I'm beaming at the computer screen at how full of Kaede's life the story is. Takeo does play a role, but not so much. He's learning what life is in like in the Tribe, the ones who kidnapped him in the first book so they can teach him his powers. They aren't as friendly as they appear. He never forgets Kaede, and is happily reunited with her at the end.

As for Kaede, my admiration for her continues to grow. I've read several other tales where a young woman, similar to Kaede, goes through an awful lot and builds up political power. What makes Grass for His Pillow unique, in my eyes, is the level of detail that Lian Hearn uses to explain the transformation. Kaede never forgets Takeo, and strives to strengthen her own position as she can. Unfortunately she suffers a great loss that ultimately strengthens her resolve even more, and gives her the extra boost she needs to survive.

The writing style, just like the first painted the details clearly for me. I want the costumes in this book! My mind fills in the blanks and I can feel the material beneath my skin. I want to visit the mountains they journey through, and experience the wonders of watching birds on lakes.

Content: it gets a higher paperclip rating, a few incidents are rather shocking and imply a lot. They are few and tastefully written, so I would still read this. The violence I think is a little less gory than the last one. It's so nice to read a relatively smush free tale of romance.

The two different styles for POV's are used here, and still read smoothly. I definitely would like to own this series some day. Until then, the library might have me taking them out quite a bit.

Link for Lian Hearn is in the first review. The next book, Brilliance of the Moon, should be reviewed shortly!

Dagger rating: maybe 1.

Paperclip: 2

Tissues: 2

TGB: 0

Overall rating: 5/5