I relished this book and it really drew me in. The story takes place in ancient Japan and involves kitsune, sorcerers, other spiritual beings, and relations between them and humans. Along the way, swords are forged, battles fought, and relationships formed and lost. Characters were well developed and to a certain extent I felt I got to know them as people. Particularly neat is that the characters grew and developed over the course of the novel, recognizing their flaws and addressing them appropriately. Place descriptions were lyrical yet realistic and I felt as if I was there in the places described in the book. Pacing of the story made sense and slowly built to the final resolution with a satisfactory ending. Would recommend to those who enjoy fantasy or Japanese historic novels. ( )

This wasn't what I expected from a Leah Cutter book as it had a much different style from her others I've read, but it was a wonderful book. With a Japanese style setting, her words give the story beautiful imagery. The worlds of mundane and magical come together in a wonderful dynamic.

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

It wasn't a bad read,but I just could not get into the characters. I plan to try reading it again later,sometimes a first reading does not forge the connection needed.beautifully captures the era and culture. ( )

An interesting book, if only for its historical Japanese setting. My problem was that the protagonist repeatedly and determinedly made the wrong choice, at almost every point where she had a choice. I nearly quit in the middle because I couldn't bear to watch her screw up _again_, but I slogged through. Near the end she shows a few signs of having grown up a little, but it's hard to tell - she seemed to be thinking about her choices before, and still made the wrong one(s). It's interesting that Norihiko comes back as a human instead of a kitsune; everything's so scrambled at that point that I have no idea what did go wrong, but the fact that he could do that at all - well, kitsune are certainly depicted as flexible. I like Kayoku rather better than I do Hikaru; she also, by the end of the book, has grown up and widened her narrow view of the world. And it ends on a hopeful note, without any real conclusion, but not leaving all that much hanging either. I'm glad I read it, but I don't feel any need to reread; I've had quite enough of Hikaru. ( )

A Japanese fairy tale beautifully rendered in classic style of the Heian period by a westerner. Mount Shirayama must be saved. Norhitko, a kitsune, is killed in an ambush and his spirit is forged into a sword by an evil magician. His ladylove Hikasu also a kitsune (fairy fox) takes on a human form and seeks to avenge his death. She sets the battle scene to cause the death of Iwao but it is the wrong person. Masato an evil warlord uses dark magic with the help of Junichi the evil magician to gain the estate next to the mountain. Norhiko is brought back to life and defeats Masato but his ladylove pays a great price. In the end, the estate is saved and the mountain protected. ( )