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Kumashiro Saga #1
The Scarlet Kimono
Winner of the Big Red Reads Historical Fiction Award.A fabulous romance you will not want to put down from this multi-award winning author.Abducted by a Samurai warlord in 17th-century Japan – what happens when fear turns to love? England, 1611, and young Hannah Marston envies her brother’s adventurous life. But when she stows away on his merchant ship, her powers of endurance are stretched to their limit. Then they reach Japan and all her suffering seems worthwhile – until she is abducted by Taro Kumashiro’s warriors. In the far north of the country, warlord Kumashiro is waiting to see the girl who he has been warned about by a seer. When at last they meet, it’s a clash of cultures and wills, but they’re also fighting an instant attraction to each other. With her brother desperate to find her and the jealous Lady Reiko equally desperate to kill her, Hannah faces the greatest adventure of her life. And Kumashiro has to choose between love and honour …What folks have to say about The Scarlet ~ "With lots of adventure and emotion rather from the start, I couldn't put it down I'd love to meet Taro." ~ "I read this book in a day. I simply couldn't put it down!" ~ "The Scarlet Kimono is an absorbing tale of what happens when two cultures collide..." ~ "The writing is excellent. It's fluent and highly readable without being over-descriptive. The author takes the reader's hand and makes her feel she is really there, in a Japanese garden, or in a towering fortress, or in a remote forest."
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2011
115 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
About the author
Christina Courtenay
35 books370 followersChristina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 14, 2011
I've just finished reading this, and have to say I was a little disappointed. From reading the description - and other people's thoughts - I was expecting a grand, sweeping historical romance, but the whole thing just felt a bit flat.
The plot, in a nutshell, is this: 17th Century England, and our heroine, Hannah, faces a bleak future; she's virtually invisible in an uncaring and unsympathetic household where her older, more beautiful sister has always taken precedence; and to top it all off, she is betrothed to a man she abhors. Her elder brother sets sail for Japan on business, and Hannah - seeing this as her only means of escape - stows away on board. Once she arrives in Japan, she is promptly kidnapped by a powerful feudal lord, who has been warned of her coming by his most trusted advisor and seer (who seems to see her as a threat because she has red hair). Hannah, being the precocious, feisty young thing that the author would have us believe she is, gets into many scrapes here and there, and eventually falls in love with her kidnapper, and he with her.
Sound promising? I thought so, but unfortunately this book and I were not meant to be. The whole thing felt pretty rushed...weeks go by in a couple of lines, and on many occasions we are told things in a matter-of-fact way (when Hannah is scared, when Hannah is happy), but are never really shown these things in any great detail. The dialogue, also, feels pretty awkward and clunky for the most part...and MODERN, which jars a bit with the 17th Century setting. I really did want to like this book - the fact that I read it to the bitter end is testament to that - but I just didn't feel any emotional depth from, or attachment to, any of the characters. Granted, the passages describing Japanese culture and tradition were interesting, but not quite interesting enough to salvage the rest of the book - in my eyes, anyway.
Yes, I know, it's one of those books where you have to suspend disbelief and go with the flow, but that's the beauty of great fiction: No matter how implausible the idea of it may seem, if it's well-written with rounded characters and good dialogue, it makes you believe, no matter what. Unfortunately, this book just didn't do that for me.
The plot, in a nutshell, is this: 17th Century England, and our heroine, Hannah, faces a bleak future; she's virtually invisible in an uncaring and unsympathetic household where her older, more beautiful sister has always taken precedence; and to top it all off, she is betrothed to a man she abhors. Her elder brother sets sail for Japan on business, and Hannah - seeing this as her only means of escape - stows away on board. Once she arrives in Japan, she is promptly kidnapped by a powerful feudal lord, who has been warned of her coming by his most trusted advisor and seer (who seems to see her as a threat because she has red hair). Hannah, being the precocious, feisty young thing that the author would have us believe she is, gets into many scrapes here and there, and eventually falls in love with her kidnapper, and he with her.
Sound promising? I thought so, but unfortunately this book and I were not meant to be. The whole thing felt pretty rushed...weeks go by in a couple of lines, and on many occasions we are told things in a matter-of-fact way (when Hannah is scared, when Hannah is happy), but are never really shown these things in any great detail. The dialogue, also, feels pretty awkward and clunky for the most part...and MODERN, which jars a bit with the 17th Century setting. I really did want to like this book - the fact that I read it to the bitter end is testament to that - but I just didn't feel any emotional depth from, or attachment to, any of the characters. Granted, the passages describing Japanese culture and tradition were interesting, but not quite interesting enough to salvage the rest of the book - in my eyes, anyway.
Yes, I know, it's one of those books where you have to suspend disbelief and go with the flow, but that's the beauty of great fiction: No matter how implausible the idea of it may seem, if it's well-written with rounded characters and good dialogue, it makes you believe, no matter what. Unfortunately, this book just didn't do that for me.
February 15, 2014
This book might have been better for me if I didn't have such high expectations for it.
From reading the plot at the back I thought this will be epic!!!! One of those that sweep you away to a different place and time!!! Not the case.
When I started reading it I didn't care much for the Herione I thought she was more like a spoiled teen!! And I thought it was really irritating and OLD, for her family to care more for "the not so good and virtuous" older sibling.
The writing style came to me as a bit immature, didn't care much for it, it was more telling than showing, we were told about every single thing, the H was angry, but me as a reader didn't really feel it. A lot of things happened in the book that were so convenient, the hero's seer foretold the Herione's coming, the Herione finding herself on a ship for two years with a Japanese cook, who taught her the language and the customs. More examples would be giving away the book.
I don't also understand why all the "westerns" had something wrong with them, except for our really smart and clean Herione.
The book had some good moments as well, but it felt more like a manga to me. The Japanese history was good but not enough for me, I think I knew it all and wanted more.
I'm not really in the mood for writing this review, but if I ever have a chance i might revise it.
From reading the plot at the back I thought this will be epic!!!! One of those that sweep you away to a different place and time!!! Not the case.
When I started reading it I didn't care much for the Herione I thought she was more like a spoiled teen!! And I thought it was really irritating and OLD, for her family to care more for "the not so good and virtuous" older sibling.
The writing style came to me as a bit immature, didn't care much for it, it was more telling than showing, we were told about every single thing, the H was angry, but me as a reader didn't really feel it. A lot of things happened in the book that were so convenient, the hero's seer foretold the Herione's coming, the Herione finding herself on a ship for two years with a Japanese cook, who taught her the language and the customs. More examples would be giving away the book.
I don't also understand why all the "westerns" had something wrong with them, except for our really smart and clean Herione.
The book had some good moments as well, but it felt more like a manga to me. The Japanese history was good but not enough for me, I think I knew it all and wanted more.
I'm not really in the mood for writing this review, but if I ever have a chance i might revise it.
August 2, 2014
This was a book with a lot of potential that unfortunately had too many faults and cliches to elevate it to a "good" book. It is set in 16th century Japan, and it's clear the author has done her homework. However, the problems ultimately outweighed the good. Such as:
1) why the magical realism aspect with Sensei Yanagihara? Was there no other way for the characters to meet?
2) "white lady abduction by handsome foreigner who she eventually falls in love with" is not only an overused trope, but one that squicks me out on a racist and sexist level.
3) Lady Reiko wasn't a character, she was a plot mover. Lack of motives and crazy for the sake of crazy is really frustrating. One or two sentences giving her a reason would have made things infinitely better.
Ultimately, despite the well-researched setting and vivid descriptions, this book didn't make itself stand out from any other romance novel written in the last 20 years. And I went into this book wanting(and feeling I was promised) historical fiction and cultural exploration, not romance.
1) why the magical realism aspect with Sensei Yanagihara? Was there no other way for the characters to meet?
2) "white lady abduction by handsome foreigner who she eventually falls in love with" is not only an overused trope, but one that squicks me out on a racist and sexist level.
3) Lady Reiko wasn't a character, she was a plot mover. Lack of motives and crazy for the sake of crazy is really frustrating. One or two sentences giving her a reason would have made things infinitely better.
Ultimately, despite the well-researched setting and vivid descriptions, this book didn't make itself stand out from any other romance novel written in the last 20 years. And I went into this book wanting(and feeling I was promised) historical fiction and cultural exploration, not romance.
March 31, 2011
I really enjoyed this. It's a well told story. I was highly entertained. Both the hero and heroine have alternating scenes and I liked them both. (That's highly unusual for me. I rarely like the man parts, but I like all of this.)
In England, there is Hannah. She is about to be wed to man she does not love. She dons male attire and boards a ship headed for Japan..
In Japan there is a Lord, Kumashiro, who is wed to a woman who doesn't love him..
While Hannah's ship gets ever closer to Kumashiro, she befriends a Japanese man and embraces Japanese culture before she even sets foot on the land. Meanwhile, Kumashiro has drama in his castle to deal with and the loss of a loved one.
Hannah and Kuma meet and take a mutual interest in each other, but their love must first survive an unwanted husband, an evil sister in law, an earthquake, more than one abduction, and the strongest obstacle of all: different cultures.
There is no end to the excitement and the romance was never cheesy like in some romance novels. The sex scenes were also brief and not peppered with ridiculous words.
Loved it. Absolutely devoured every word. I liked it so much that 100 pages into it, I bought the author's other work, Trade Winds.
In England, there is Hannah. She is about to be wed to man she does not love. She dons male attire and boards a ship headed for Japan..
In Japan there is a Lord, Kumashiro, who is wed to a woman who doesn't love him..
While Hannah's ship gets ever closer to Kumashiro, she befriends a Japanese man and embraces Japanese culture before she even sets foot on the land. Meanwhile, Kumashiro has drama in his castle to deal with and the loss of a loved one.
Hannah and Kuma meet and take a mutual interest in each other, but their love must first survive an unwanted husband, an evil sister in law, an earthquake, more than one abduction, and the strongest obstacle of all: different cultures.
There is no end to the excitement and the romance was never cheesy like in some romance novels. The sex scenes were also brief and not peppered with ridiculous words.
Loved it. Absolutely devoured every word. I liked it so much that 100 pages into it, I bought the author's other work, Trade Winds.
February 8, 2011
I'm almost at the end of this epic love story. Christina writes with such conviction and authority about Japan and the Japanese that I wished to be back there - even though I only once spent a few weeks there years ago.
Now finished and nothing about this book disappointed. Loved it.
Now finished and nothing about this book disappointed. Loved it.
June 9, 2017
3 ½ stars. Most of the story was pretty good. The ending was happy but felt a little ho hum.
This felt like “Shogun” but done romance style. English female Hannah stows away on a ship to escape a horrible marriage her father arranged. When she gets to Japan, the local ruler Taro (similar to a governor) is interested in her and she in him. By the end of the book they fall in love. This is a romance story so this should not be a spoiler. Interesting things happen along the way. I enjoyed Hannah’s relationship with the Japanese cook who takes care of her and teaches her the Japanese language.
I was intrigued with Taro’s mysterious wife and sister-in-law, but the author did not complete that part of the story. There was something cold and strange about the wife but we never knew what or why. Same thing about the sister-in-law. I wanted more back story and explanation about them.
I did not like the reason for the separation of the couple near the end. It felt like the author threw it in as part of “the formula.” It wasn’t necessary and I felt it didn’t fit the motivations of the characters. Hannah loves Taro and wants to stay with him but she didn’t tell him that.
I did not like the author’s method of story telling for the first 120 pages. She was telling two different stories. One set in Japan and one set in England. She spent about 5 pages on one and then 5 pages on the other. It was too many interruptions. It was jarring. I would have preferred maybe 30 to 40 pages in each story before switching to the other story. Instead there were about 22 short excerpts interrupting each other. Finally at page 120 the author stops the switching around and we have just one chronological story continuing to the end.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 332 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: about two plus one referred to. Setting: 1611 to 1613 Japan, England, and onboard ship. Copyright: 2011. Genre: historical romance.
This felt like “Shogun” but done romance style. English female Hannah stows away on a ship to escape a horrible marriage her father arranged. When she gets to Japan, the local ruler Taro (similar to a governor) is interested in her and she in him. By the end of the book they fall in love. This is a romance story so this should not be a spoiler. Interesting things happen along the way. I enjoyed Hannah’s relationship with the Japanese cook who takes care of her and teaches her the Japanese language.
I was intrigued with Taro’s mysterious wife and sister-in-law, but the author did not complete that part of the story. There was something cold and strange about the wife but we never knew what or why. Same thing about the sister-in-law. I wanted more back story and explanation about them.
I did not like the reason for the separation of the couple near the end. It felt like the author threw it in as part of “the formula.” It wasn’t necessary and I felt it didn’t fit the motivations of the characters. Hannah loves Taro and wants to stay with him but she didn’t tell him that.
I did not like the author’s method of story telling for the first 120 pages. She was telling two different stories. One set in Japan and one set in England. She spent about 5 pages on one and then 5 pages on the other. It was too many interruptions. It was jarring. I would have preferred maybe 30 to 40 pages in each story before switching to the other story. Instead there were about 22 short excerpts interrupting each other. Finally at page 120 the author stops the switching around and we have just one chronological story continuing to the end.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 332 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: about two plus one referred to. Setting: 1611 to 1613 Japan, England, and onboard ship. Copyright: 2011. Genre: historical romance.
December 3, 2012
This is the third title I have read by Christina Courtenay and I have already come to realise that she is a talented author with a passion for the places that she writes about as well as creating believable characters. The Scarlet Kimono met my expectations of romance and adventure in a historical setting. This time the story is set in 17C Japan and her obvious fascination in Japan shows in the meticulous attention to detail. The culture differences between the UK and Japan are well described and I felt that I had learnt a little about Japanese history when I finished the book. In my opinion it is always a bonus to learn something as well enjoy a good romantic adventure.
The heroine of the story is Hannah Marston who to escape an arranged marriage that she is very much against decides to stow away on one of her father's trading ships which is about to depart on an expedition that will take them to Japan and away from the UK for many years. Hannah believes that she will be safe as her brother is part of the expedition crew. Of course nothing is as easy as she had imagined and she finds herself pushed to her limits just to survive the voyage. Once they reach Japan, Hannah decides all the suffering was worthwhile, little does she know her greatest challenges still lie ahead of her. The male protagonist,Taro Kumashiro has been warned of her arrival and that she is a danger of some sort, so he arranges to have kidnapped. However what happens when fear turns to love in the clash of cultures between Hannah and Taro? Survive she does but for the details of how you will have to read the story yourself.
This was a very satisfying read and I think within the genre her novels are well worth reading. If you enjoy historical romance then I recommend you give Christina Courtenay's novels a try. I am already looking forward to the next one.
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The heroine of the story is Hannah Marston who to escape an arranged marriage that she is very much against decides to stow away on one of her father's trading ships which is about to depart on an expedition that will take them to Japan and away from the UK for many years. Hannah believes that she will be safe as her brother is part of the expedition crew. Of course nothing is as easy as she had imagined and she finds herself pushed to her limits just to survive the voyage. Once they reach Japan, Hannah decides all the suffering was worthwhile, little does she know her greatest challenges still lie ahead of her. The male protagonist,Taro Kumashiro has been warned of her arrival and that she is a danger of some sort, so he arranges to have kidnapped. However what happens when fear turns to love in the clash of cultures between Hannah and Taro? Survive she does but for the details of how you will have to read the story yourself.
This was a very satisfying read and I think within the genre her novels are well worth reading. If you enjoy historical romance then I recommend you give Christina Courtenay's novels a try. I am already looking forward to the next one.
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February 22, 2011
Hannah is betrothed to a ghastly man, Mr Hesketh. She cannot bear the thought of her future with this man and decides to stow away on her brother's ship bound for Japan. She manages to hide her identity by posing as a young boy, which brings problems of it's own.
Meanwhile, in Japan, Taro Kumashiro marries a beautiful woman, but she loves another.
Taro's adviser and seer has a vision of a woman visiting, on a ship, who could bring danger.
When the ship docks in Japan, Hannah, still undiscovered as a woman, is rumbled by a local and is kidnapped by warriors.
What is to be Hannah's fate in this foreign land and in the disguise of a young boy?
This fast paced, action packed story was exciting from the first chapter. Bravery in the toughest of situations, relationships, love and loss. A mix of emotions, all captured in a gripping storyline.
Well researched and full of interesting detail about early trading ships discovering Japan and the traditions of both England and Japan at that time. i enjoyed reading about the different traditions and lifestyles.
I really enjoyed this novel. The Haiku was a lovely touch.
* Choclit Publishers kindly sent me a copy of this novel for review. This did not influence my review in any way.
Meanwhile, in Japan, Taro Kumashiro marries a beautiful woman, but she loves another.
Taro's adviser and seer has a vision of a woman visiting, on a ship, who could bring danger.
When the ship docks in Japan, Hannah, still undiscovered as a woman, is rumbled by a local and is kidnapped by warriors.
What is to be Hannah's fate in this foreign land and in the disguise of a young boy?
This fast paced, action packed story was exciting from the first chapter. Bravery in the toughest of situations, relationships, love and loss. A mix of emotions, all captured in a gripping storyline.
Well researched and full of interesting detail about early trading ships discovering Japan and the traditions of both England and Japan at that time. i enjoyed reading about the different traditions and lifestyles.
I really enjoyed this novel. The Haiku was a lovely touch.
* Choclit Publishers kindly sent me a copy of this novel for review. This did not influence my review in any way.
April 9, 2011
I bought this book on impulse after reading a good review and wasn't disappointed.
Set in the early 17th century the books starts by switching viewpoints between Hannah, a conventional english girl, and the hero, a Japanese Warlord.
As the book progresses Hanna stows away on her brother's ship and arrives in Japan disguised as a boy. However the Warlord's seer has foreseen her arrival as a life changing event, and so the Warlord is constantly on the watch for a flame haired foreigner.
This is an intriguing love story where preconceptions are laid aside and love allowed to grow despite huge gulfs in culture. Hannah definately changes the life of the Warlord but not in the way he anticipated.
'The Scarlet Kimono' held me from start to finish and I will definately be looking out for more books by this author.
Set in the early 17th century the books starts by switching viewpoints between Hannah, a conventional english girl, and the hero, a Japanese Warlord.
As the book progresses Hanna stows away on her brother's ship and arrives in Japan disguised as a boy. However the Warlord's seer has foreseen her arrival as a life changing event, and so the Warlord is constantly on the watch for a flame haired foreigner.
This is an intriguing love story where preconceptions are laid aside and love allowed to grow despite huge gulfs in culture. Hannah definately changes the life of the Warlord but not in the way he anticipated.
'The Scarlet Kimono' held me from start to finish and I will definately be looking out for more books by this author.
August 19, 2013
Hannah Marston stows away on a ship rather than marry the man her father has chosen for her. This leads to a very very long voyage all the way to Japan.Yanagihara warns his lord, Taro Kumashiro that a red headed woman and she is his fate.
When Hannah does arrive and Taro sees her, he orders her kidnapped and brought to him intending to return her when he has satisfied his curiosity.Fortunately his good intentions go by the wayside but the fates conspire to pry them apart again and yet again.
I had not thought I would enjoy this book so much as I have little interest in Japan but I just have to highly recommend this one!
When Hannah does arrive and Taro sees her, he orders her kidnapped and brought to him intending to return her when he has satisfied his curiosity.Fortunately his good intentions go by the wayside but the fates conspire to pry them apart again and yet again.
I had not thought I would enjoy this book so much as I have little interest in Japan but I just have to highly recommend this one!
January 23, 2016
I generally enjoyed this story, but I do wish that the story was a little more detailed. Review to come.
August 14, 2013
I bought this book originally as I love the idea of a love crossing cultures. Nothing makes my heart flutter more than seeing a romance work over cultural barriers, all barriers really. Probably why I love forbidden or doomed romances so much... Anyways, I've only seen the romance between a white female and asian male in a historical setting done once so far and enjoyed that book immensely. So finding another made me ready to just dive in. Some ways I was pleased as punch; others left me not so pleased.
The greatest grin-inducer was the actual romance part of the book. My heart fluttered. My soul soared. And tears of happiness graced my eyes more than once. I really felt the love coming off the pages between these two individuals. Taro was respectful and caring without losing the harshness that came with being a Japanese medieval daimyo. Hannah was a strong woman with a will all her own and a heart as big as Japan. These two together was sweet, romantic, and just heart-lifing.
Another huge piece of enjoyment was how the author was able to bring the Japanese culture and the world of medieval Japan to life. I could really tell that she spent a lot of time invested in learning the details of the culture and loving it as well. She didn't shy away from the harshness that was present, where one wrong step could literally mean a beheading. Yet, she was able to also show the beauty of the simplicity in Japanese culture and the art the prevailed in everything from haikus to the kimonos that women wore every day.
I was not so happy with some of the secondary characters like Hannah's European "husband" and the Lady Reiko, antagonistic bitch-y sister-in-law to Taro. They were extremely two-dimensional and stereotypical. They just fell flat. I think many of these characters were just chucked in to create some padding to the exquisite romance and create some tension/drama. Very few of the secondary people got any development at all. The only, really, that I can think of right now is Hoji and even then it's really only in the 1st part of the book. Even that could be labeled as just setting up for Hannah's character development... Some more fleshing of the background folks would have been nice.
A few of the details in the background of the story could have stood to be expounded upon and explored as well without detracting from the main romance thread too much. I for one would have loved to maybe get more details on the ninjas and maybe more appearances by the great Ainjin-san (sp?). Both are used or mentioned more than once and so play very integral parts to the story. But they stay as plot devices for the love story and little else but window dressing beyond that.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable novel, and I highly recommend it as a fantastic love story. The romance was sweet, the hero/heroine very captivating and engaging, and the setting lush with detail. And while there could have been more fleshing out of background and secondary characters, the book really does stand as a very well done romance. Give it a whirl if you're in the mood for a little interracial sweetness in a unusual historical setting.
The greatest grin-inducer was the actual romance part of the book. My heart fluttered. My soul soared. And tears of happiness graced my eyes more than once. I really felt the love coming off the pages between these two individuals. Taro was respectful and caring without losing the harshness that came with being a Japanese medieval daimyo. Hannah was a strong woman with a will all her own and a heart as big as Japan. These two together was sweet, romantic, and just heart-lifing.
Another huge piece of enjoyment was how the author was able to bring the Japanese culture and the world of medieval Japan to life. I could really tell that she spent a lot of time invested in learning the details of the culture and loving it as well. She didn't shy away from the harshness that was present, where one wrong step could literally mean a beheading. Yet, she was able to also show the beauty of the simplicity in Japanese culture and the art the prevailed in everything from haikus to the kimonos that women wore every day.
I was not so happy with some of the secondary characters like Hannah's European "husband" and the Lady Reiko, antagonistic bitch-y sister-in-law to Taro. They were extremely two-dimensional and stereotypical. They just fell flat. I think many of these characters were just chucked in to create some padding to the exquisite romance and create some tension/drama. Very few of the secondary people got any development at all. The only, really, that I can think of right now is Hoji and even then it's really only in the 1st part of the book. Even that could be labeled as just setting up for Hannah's character development... Some more fleshing of the background folks would have been nice.
A few of the details in the background of the story could have stood to be expounded upon and explored as well without detracting from the main romance thread too much. I for one would have loved to maybe get more details on the ninjas and maybe more appearances by the great Ainjin-san (sp?). Both are used or mentioned more than once and so play very integral parts to the story. But they stay as plot devices for the love story and little else but window dressing beyond that.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable novel, and I highly recommend it as a fantastic love story. The romance was sweet, the hero/heroine very captivating and engaging, and the setting lush with detail. And while there could have been more fleshing out of background and secondary characters, the book really does stand as a very well done romance. Give it a whirl if you're in the mood for a little interracial sweetness in a unusual historical setting.
May 3, 2011
Reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com
Christina Courtenay has this fabulous ability of creating a vivid and rich setting to her books. The historical Japanese backdrop of this novel was one of the things that really made it for me.
The book opens in 17th century England with our heroine Hannah Marston being forced into an arranged marriage by her parents. Unable to bear the man she is due to marry, she stows away on one of her brother's boats which is just about to begin an epic journey to Japan, disguised as a boy.
A journey to Japan in the 17th century is no small undertaking, and unlike some other more fluffy romances I have picked up before, I liked that the novel didn't shy away from the difficulties faced by a crew on such a vast and dangerous sea trip. From illness, starvation, sickness and death. Although as with any girl disguised as boy stories, you do have to suspend your disbelief that in two years only one member of the crew manages to guess that she is actually a girl.
Our male lead is the proud Japanese warlord Taro and the story alternates between Hannah and Taro's viewpoints, portraying two very distinctly different stories at first. As the novel spans a good couple of years before they even meet, there is a lot of interesting scene setting from Hannah's difficult journey and Taro's painful first marriage, which is as enjoyable as the love story itself.
Taro learns of Hannah's arrival many years in advance via a vision from his sensei, and has been awaiting for the arrival of the flame haired woman long before she arrives. When she does arrive the romance is slow in growing and is built with absolute care by Ms Courtenay. It is a fascinating clash of cultures, and is detailed with many twists and turns involving a collection of characters that continue to have a big impact on Hannah and Taro's lives. Taro is terribly proud and more than a touch arrogant, for example getting Hannah kidnapped by samurai warriors so he can learn more about her is certainly a different approach to dating!
As with any romance, as a reader a happy ending is of course a pre-requisite and don't worry 'The Scarlet Kimono' doesn't fail. But, I would have liked the story to take one more final leap to make me a totally happy reader.
VERDICT:
A very rich and detailed historical book that is both absorbing and fascinating. I love the fact that Christina Courtenay puts a lot of time and research into her books creating a vivid picture of 17th century Japan. Her characters are strong, and well rounded as likeable for the flaws as their perfections. A great read.
Christina Courtenay has this fabulous ability of creating a vivid and rich setting to her books. The historical Japanese backdrop of this novel was one of the things that really made it for me.
The book opens in 17th century England with our heroine Hannah Marston being forced into an arranged marriage by her parents. Unable to bear the man she is due to marry, she stows away on one of her brother's boats which is just about to begin an epic journey to Japan, disguised as a boy.
A journey to Japan in the 17th century is no small undertaking, and unlike some other more fluffy romances I have picked up before, I liked that the novel didn't shy away from the difficulties faced by a crew on such a vast and dangerous sea trip. From illness, starvation, sickness and death. Although as with any girl disguised as boy stories, you do have to suspend your disbelief that in two years only one member of the crew manages to guess that she is actually a girl.
Our male lead is the proud Japanese warlord Taro and the story alternates between Hannah and Taro's viewpoints, portraying two very distinctly different stories at first. As the novel spans a good couple of years before they even meet, there is a lot of interesting scene setting from Hannah's difficult journey and Taro's painful first marriage, which is as enjoyable as the love story itself.
Taro learns of Hannah's arrival many years in advance via a vision from his sensei, and has been awaiting for the arrival of the flame haired woman long before she arrives. When she does arrive the romance is slow in growing and is built with absolute care by Ms Courtenay. It is a fascinating clash of cultures, and is detailed with many twists and turns involving a collection of characters that continue to have a big impact on Hannah and Taro's lives. Taro is terribly proud and more than a touch arrogant, for example getting Hannah kidnapped by samurai warriors so he can learn more about her is certainly a different approach to dating!
As with any romance, as a reader a happy ending is of course a pre-requisite and don't worry 'The Scarlet Kimono' doesn't fail. But, I would have liked the story to take one more final leap to make me a totally happy reader.
VERDICT:
A very rich and detailed historical book that is both absorbing and fascinating. I love the fact that Christina Courtenay puts a lot of time and research into her books creating a vivid picture of 17th century Japan. Her characters are strong, and well rounded as likeable for the flaws as their perfections. A great read.
March 2, 2011
I absolutely loved this book. Having thoroughly enjoyed Christina's debut novel, Trade Winds, I was really looking forward to reading The Scarlet Kimono and, happily, it exceeded my expectations.
Christina is an incredibly versatile writer. She switches effortlessly from describing 17th Century life in a samurai daimyo or lord's castle in Northern Japan to English family life, and from the bustle of a busy port, be it Plymouth in England or Hirado in Japan, to covering life on board a merchant sailing vessel in between. Her attention to detail is incredible and, as a result, I felt as if I were right in the middle of the action, shadowing the characters, which is where I hope every book will take me.
As for the characters, Taro Kumashiro is an unusual romantic hero at first sight but he's also irresistible: a powerful Japanese warrior lord in command of thousands of men, who is honourable, fierce, brave and loyal, but also fair, deeply intelligent and attractive. His sensei or adviser, Yanagihara, is a wonderful creation, who imparts a sense of foreboding when he sees Hannah's approach in a vision but is also a calming centre for Taro and gave this reader a real insight into Japanese philosophy on life and fate.
As for the heroine, Hannah Marston is a young English girl, who has impulsively stowed aboard one of her father's ships rather than be forced into a loveless arranged marriage. She's headstrong and wilful but also intelligent, kind and compassionate. She has an openness and willingness to learn that will not only help her as she adjusts to life at sea but also prepare her to fully experience a new country, its people and culture in contrast to her fellow countrymen. To help her in this, she has the wonderful Hoji-san, who has to serve the Ship's Captain until he saves his life and can be freed, and acts as Hannah's sensei. I felt that I learnt a lot about Japanese culture and customs so that, like Hannah, I was similarly prepared when her ship docked and the action shifted to Japan.
Christina's love of Japan, its people, culture and customs, shines through in this book and, ultimately, I think there are two love stories in this novel: the one between Taro and Hannah, with its clash of personalities, cultures and attitudes; and then there's the one for Japan and all things Japanese. It's a richer and more rewarding reading experience for having both and I'd urge you to take on board provisions and stow away somewhere where you won't be disturbed until you've finished reading this.
Christina is an incredibly versatile writer. She switches effortlessly from describing 17th Century life in a samurai daimyo or lord's castle in Northern Japan to English family life, and from the bustle of a busy port, be it Plymouth in England or Hirado in Japan, to covering life on board a merchant sailing vessel in between. Her attention to detail is incredible and, as a result, I felt as if I were right in the middle of the action, shadowing the characters, which is where I hope every book will take me.
As for the characters, Taro Kumashiro is an unusual romantic hero at first sight but he's also irresistible: a powerful Japanese warrior lord in command of thousands of men, who is honourable, fierce, brave and loyal, but also fair, deeply intelligent and attractive. His sensei or adviser, Yanagihara, is a wonderful creation, who imparts a sense of foreboding when he sees Hannah's approach in a vision but is also a calming centre for Taro and gave this reader a real insight into Japanese philosophy on life and fate.
As for the heroine, Hannah Marston is a young English girl, who has impulsively stowed aboard one of her father's ships rather than be forced into a loveless arranged marriage. She's headstrong and wilful but also intelligent, kind and compassionate. She has an openness and willingness to learn that will not only help her as she adjusts to life at sea but also prepare her to fully experience a new country, its people and culture in contrast to her fellow countrymen. To help her in this, she has the wonderful Hoji-san, who has to serve the Ship's Captain until he saves his life and can be freed, and acts as Hannah's sensei. I felt that I learnt a lot about Japanese culture and customs so that, like Hannah, I was similarly prepared when her ship docked and the action shifted to Japan.
Christina's love of Japan, its people, culture and customs, shines through in this book and, ultimately, I think there are two love stories in this novel: the one between Taro and Hannah, with its clash of personalities, cultures and attitudes; and then there's the one for Japan and all things Japanese. It's a richer and more rewarding reading experience for having both and I'd urge you to take on board provisions and stow away somewhere where you won't be disturbed until you've finished reading this.
April 3, 2011
Firstly, I don't really read historicals. It's not that I don't want to read them, I just don't seem to choose them - if that makes sense. The last historical I read was Anne Rice's 'The Feast Of All Saints', and although interesting to read the about 19th Century New Orleans and the gen de colors, I used to be able to put the book down and forget about it. Maybe it lacked romance?
However, I won this book through Choc Lit's Flavour of The Month Award in February (2011) and the minute I started reading I could never forget about it. I begrudgenly would have to put it down, real life getting in the way.
For the first third of the book the hero (Taro) and heroine (Hannah) don't meet. But you know they will, it is their fate. The sensei (Taro's seer) has seen it.
We see two lives unfolding, one in Japan and another in England (then at sea). We go from one culture to the other in the 17th Century - and for me it was believable.
I loved the development of Hannah's relationship with Hoji - the ship's 'Chinaman'. Hannah really was an endearing character. (I think maybe this was because for a modern day woman we have so many more choices and freedom - equality). She's intelligent, well mannered with her upbringing, yet not ignorant, which serves in her favour. But she's tough, stubborn and a fighter for what she wants/believes - otherwise she wouldn't be stowed away on a ship pretending to be a boy!
Through Taro's patience with his wife, and her intolerable sister, Lady Reiko, you learn he's a fair, patient man with very attractive qualities - Oh boy, did I LOVE Taro! He is a good man. (I have a theory about Lady Hasuko and her behaviour, which wasn't quite answered in the book but can't mention it here, for it would be a spoiler... but happy to discuss with anyone who has read this book to see if you came to the same conclusion).
Towards the end, I felt there could have been some more emotion enforced - especially when Hannah's life is truly in danger - I would have liked to have sensed more fear, but it is a small nit in the grand scheme of things with this book. I just enjoyed it for easy reading, a conflicted romance, a loveable heroine and a fanciable and very attractive Japanese hero! (Why is fanciable not in the dictionary?)
Right, off to add Trade Winds on my to-read list!
However, I won this book through Choc Lit's Flavour of The Month Award in February (2011) and the minute I started reading I could never forget about it. I begrudgenly would have to put it down, real life getting in the way.
For the first third of the book the hero (Taro) and heroine (Hannah) don't meet. But you know they will, it is their fate. The sensei (Taro's seer) has seen it.
We see two lives unfolding, one in Japan and another in England (then at sea). We go from one culture to the other in the 17th Century - and for me it was believable.
I loved the development of Hannah's relationship with Hoji - the ship's 'Chinaman'. Hannah really was an endearing character. (I think maybe this was because for a modern day woman we have so many more choices and freedom - equality). She's intelligent, well mannered with her upbringing, yet not ignorant, which serves in her favour. But she's tough, stubborn and a fighter for what she wants/believes - otherwise she wouldn't be stowed away on a ship pretending to be a boy!
Through Taro's patience with his wife, and her intolerable sister, Lady Reiko, you learn he's a fair, patient man with very attractive qualities - Oh boy, did I LOVE Taro! He is a good man. (I have a theory about Lady Hasuko and her behaviour, which wasn't quite answered in the book but can't mention it here, for it would be a spoiler... but happy to discuss with anyone who has read this book to see if you came to the same conclusion).
Towards the end, I felt there could have been some more emotion enforced - especially when Hannah's life is truly in danger - I would have liked to have sensed more fear, but it is a small nit in the grand scheme of things with this book. I just enjoyed it for easy reading, a conflicted romance, a loveable heroine and a fanciable and very attractive Japanese hero! (Why is fanciable not in the dictionary?)
Right, off to add Trade Winds on my to-read list!
March 4, 2011
My thoughts:
Hanna Marston was not as pretty as her older sister and therefore her family didn't care about her, and wanted her to marry some old guy with 5 kids. Something that Hannah did not want so what does she do, oh yes she hides on her brother's ship that is sailing for Japan. I did like that she had the guts to do that. But as always, come on, are men really that stupid that they do not see that she is a girl, she was like there for 2 years or something. This is a common trope in books so I am used to it, but still it just makes me think men are fools.
Anyway she hid and she even learnt Japanese from the cook. Smart girl! So ok the rest were fools, but she and the cook who was Japanese were smart, lol. Which brings us to Japan. This is where the story gets good, because it's a premise I really enjoy. She gets abducted by a handsome warlord because his seer has seen Hannah in his visions. Of course the rest finds foreigners ugly but Taro is smitten by Hannah and she is finds him attractive too. And yes I do like the whole abducting a bride thing. Because he is a perfect gentleman, he asks her to teach him English and he treats her with respect, and he wants her whatever anyone else says. A romance is blossoming.
To the rest of the cast then, there is the wicked Lady Reiko who wants Taro for herself and is prepared to do anything. There is Captain Rydon and her brother Jacob, but honestly they are so much in the background so who cares. This is Hannah's story and her struggle. But she never sees it as a struggle. She holds her head high, she has respect for all, and when Taro says she is beautiful she gains self-respect too.
The book has romance, drama (a book always need a bitchy woman), and culture clashes, I liked those of you can say it like that. The Japanese finds the foreigners ugly and weird because the English never bathe. It was interesting to see a romance set in this time.
Conclusion:
The story was the best part of this book. She is the first English woman to ever set foot in Japan, and then a handsome warlord takes fancy to her. I do like doomed love.
Hanna Marston was not as pretty as her older sister and therefore her family didn't care about her, and wanted her to marry some old guy with 5 kids. Something that Hannah did not want so what does she do, oh yes she hides on her brother's ship that is sailing for Japan. I did like that she had the guts to do that. But as always, come on, are men really that stupid that they do not see that she is a girl, she was like there for 2 years or something. This is a common trope in books so I am used to it, but still it just makes me think men are fools.
Anyway she hid and she even learnt Japanese from the cook. Smart girl! So ok the rest were fools, but she and the cook who was Japanese were smart, lol. Which brings us to Japan. This is where the story gets good, because it's a premise I really enjoy. She gets abducted by a handsome warlord because his seer has seen Hannah in his visions. Of course the rest finds foreigners ugly but Taro is smitten by Hannah and she is finds him attractive too. And yes I do like the whole abducting a bride thing. Because he is a perfect gentleman, he asks her to teach him English and he treats her with respect, and he wants her whatever anyone else says. A romance is blossoming.
To the rest of the cast then, there is the wicked Lady Reiko who wants Taro for herself and is prepared to do anything. There is Captain Rydon and her brother Jacob, but honestly they are so much in the background so who cares. This is Hannah's story and her struggle. But she never sees it as a struggle. She holds her head high, she has respect for all, and when Taro says she is beautiful she gains self-respect too.
The book has romance, drama (a book always need a bitchy woman), and culture clashes, I liked those of you can say it like that. The Japanese finds the foreigners ugly and weird because the English never bathe. It was interesting to see a romance set in this time.
Conclusion:
The story was the best part of this book. She is the first English woman to ever set foot in Japan, and then a handsome warlord takes fancy to her. I do like doomed love.
January 7, 2013
As a young girl I read Shogun, and that’s about as far as my reading anything with a historical Japanese setting got. In general, I prefer reading books set in periods and geographies I can relate to, but having enjoyed Ms Courtenay’s Trade Winds, I decided to give this a shot.
I am so glad I did. The main characters spring alive within moments of starting this book, and as to Taro – the male Japanese lead – all I can say is yum-yum. Hannah is a young English girl who stows away to escape an arranged marriage and eventually ends up in Japan, where through a combination of consequences and prophesies she ends up as Taro’s exotic English mistress. To further spice up the plot, there’s a boor of an English captain, an overprotective brother and a wise Japanese sailor who teaches Hannah enough about his country for her to be able to navigate somewhat through this turbulent and unknown terrain.
Fortunately for my newly developed interest in historical romances set in Japan, Ms Courtenay will be releasing a sequel in the first quarter of 2013. I can’t wait, my only gripe being that wonderful, gorgeous Taro will not play any major part.
I am so glad I did. The main characters spring alive within moments of starting this book, and as to Taro – the male Japanese lead – all I can say is yum-yum. Hannah is a young English girl who stows away to escape an arranged marriage and eventually ends up in Japan, where through a combination of consequences and prophesies she ends up as Taro’s exotic English mistress. To further spice up the plot, there’s a boor of an English captain, an overprotective brother and a wise Japanese sailor who teaches Hannah enough about his country for her to be able to navigate somewhat through this turbulent and unknown terrain.
Fortunately for my newly developed interest in historical romances set in Japan, Ms Courtenay will be releasing a sequel in the first quarter of 2013. I can’t wait, my only gripe being that wonderful, gorgeous Taro will not play any major part.
November 12, 2016
¡Precioso libro!! Bellísimo, la historia de una mujer subestimada por su familia que luchó por encontrar su propio camino y tomar sus propias decisiones, que encuentra a un hombre maravilloso, ¡en Japón!!! Definitivamente me fascinan los hombres asiáticos, son lo mío, su filosofía, su cultura, su mundo salvaje y respetuoso al tiempo, su sentido del honor, su sensualidad, me sedujo completamente. Recomendado completamente, sobre todo para quienes aman como yo los dramas de asiáticos de época.
May 7, 2024
Una novela de romance-histórico bastante más que aceptable. Ambientada en el siglo XVII en Londres, Japón y un barco mercante inglés haciendo la ruta desde Londres hacia Japón, nos deja ver características de la época en ambos sitios, especialmente me llamó la atención las referencias a las costumbres de higiene personal.
Los protagonistas del libro se ven envueltos en un romance muy bonito que desemboca en un final feliz.
En mi opinión es un libro muy recomendable para los interesados en el género histórico con un fondo de romance. Mi valoración es de 4 estrellas.
Los protagonistas del libro se ven envueltos en un romance muy bonito que desemboca en un final feliz.
En mi opinión es un libro muy recomendable para los interesados en el género histórico con un fondo de romance. Mi valoración es de 4 estrellas.
September 5, 2012
When i was asked to review this as a favour by a colleague at the publishers where i worked (along with a few other of Ms Courtenay's novels) I was a touch skeptical as I'm not a huge fan of bodice rippers. Thankfully this book doesn't fall into that category!
This isn't an epic historical novel with a grand adventure and a grand romance - although it does have elements of both and could potentially become such.
Its not a powerful or eloquently well written book either. But it is highly enjoyable, absorbing and and a quick read (managed to read it in 3 hours). The story doesn't drag, and for those who like to get to dive into the plot with the least amount of "fluffing about" and "beating about the bush" then this book is for you.
It does have adventure (just not in a grand awe-inspiring scale) although large enough to be interesting.
It does have romance - and thankfully the book isn't dominated by it. The romance of the place, the culture and the people of Japan as well as the chemistry between our protagonists is perfect blend along with other aspects of the novel such as our heroine's character development.
In some respects its a coming of age book. The characters are appealing and I particularly enjoyed reading about Hannah's progress into learning about Japan and learning Japanese. It was refreshing to read about an English person understanding a foreign language (far too many books out there where the English heroine would be based in i.e. France, Italy, Spain etc without knowing a word of the language or bothering to learn!).
The descriptions of Japan and Japanese culture were interesting without being exhausting. However, for those like me who enjoy reading about other cultures, history and politics - the lack of detail was apparent. But this book isn't high-brow literature and so one can't demand those expectations. However if the author does enhance these aspects in her book (fuller descriptions of places, far more detail on emotions and events) then it would be highly welcome. Manifesting characters emotions, memories and other small details in an appropriately interesting manner can improve a book. However, on the other hand the author doesn't inundate the book with how much the heroine fancies the hero which is also highly welcome (so many chick lit authors are guilty of that crime - its really annoying).
The hero Taro is incredibly attractive and I think i fell in love with him ;-) generally books based in the Far East generally star an almost submissive geisha-like native heroine and a saviour-like Western hero. So it was refreshing to read a book with the characters reversed.
Anyway, give the book a try - it won't take up much time. However, don't expect enlightening prose, challenging philosophy, or plenty of detail or vivid descriptions. Its only a few pages long and can be read in 3 hours - as I've previously mentioned.
This isn't an epic historical novel with a grand adventure and a grand romance - although it does have elements of both and could potentially become such.
Its not a powerful or eloquently well written book either. But it is highly enjoyable, absorbing and and a quick read (managed to read it in 3 hours). The story doesn't drag, and for those who like to get to dive into the plot with the least amount of "fluffing about" and "beating about the bush" then this book is for you.
It does have adventure (just not in a grand awe-inspiring scale) although large enough to be interesting.
It does have romance - and thankfully the book isn't dominated by it. The romance of the place, the culture and the people of Japan as well as the chemistry between our protagonists is perfect blend along with other aspects of the novel such as our heroine's character development.
In some respects its a coming of age book. The characters are appealing and I particularly enjoyed reading about Hannah's progress into learning about Japan and learning Japanese. It was refreshing to read about an English person understanding a foreign language (far too many books out there where the English heroine would be based in i.e. France, Italy, Spain etc without knowing a word of the language or bothering to learn!).
The descriptions of Japan and Japanese culture were interesting without being exhausting. However, for those like me who enjoy reading about other cultures, history and politics - the lack of detail was apparent. But this book isn't high-brow literature and so one can't demand those expectations. However if the author does enhance these aspects in her book (fuller descriptions of places, far more detail on emotions and events) then it would be highly welcome. Manifesting characters emotions, memories and other small details in an appropriately interesting manner can improve a book. However, on the other hand the author doesn't inundate the book with how much the heroine fancies the hero which is also highly welcome (so many chick lit authors are guilty of that crime - its really annoying).
The hero Taro is incredibly attractive and I think i fell in love with him ;-) generally books based in the Far East generally star an almost submissive geisha-like native heroine and a saviour-like Western hero. So it was refreshing to read a book with the characters reversed.
Anyway, give the book a try - it won't take up much time. However, don't expect enlightening prose, challenging philosophy, or plenty of detail or vivid descriptions. Its only a few pages long and can be read in 3 hours - as I've previously mentioned.
Read
April 15, 2014Purchased from Audible as an audiobook, narrator Julia Franklin does a decent turn, managing to get voices that are different enough, especially for the men, as well as pronouncing (correctly I hope) the Japanese words in the text.
This book is broken up into several parts: the teenage Hannah, brought up in a privileged city atmosphere, head strong but understanding little of the world of men. Attracted by the apparently romantic sea faring men, she is horrified by her parents arranging her betrothal to a man who fondles her during a town party.
The second portion of the book tells of when she escapes on a boat, spending the next 18 months travelling to the newly opened Japan. Having thought the boat she sneaked onto was captained by her brother, she is shocked to find that the captain is some one else, who is less than the romantic ideal she thought he was. She keeps herself hidden in the bowels of the ship, along with the Japanese cook, learning more about Japanese culture and how to speak Japanese.
Trapped in a marriage she didnt want (to protect her reputation), she finds herself in Japan, kidnapped by a man who is fascinated by her thick red hair whose Sensei had predicted her arrival.
The next part of the book is dedicated to their developing relationship as she learns more about Japanese culture and the strength behind a Shogun and his daiymo. Their relationship is threatened on several occasions, particularly by Taro's sister-in-law, who wishes to be Taro's next wife, to the point where she is prepared to kill Hannah to get what she wants.
Finally, the disconnect between the western and eastern worlds comes to a head and both Hannah and Taro need to decide what's important to them.
Ultimately this is a standard romance story, in the standard format. There is the usual "threat to split the couple up" near the end, but the couple are finally reunited with all impediments neatly dealt with to make it easier for the couple to remain together. Once Hannah is on the ship, she spares no thought for her family (apart from her brother who she thinks is on the ship). Her parents and her siblings are never given a second thought, with no concerns as to what her disappearance could mean to the people back in England.There is an assumption that the reader knows the basics about Japanese culture so, for example, tatami mats covering the floors are not explained. The narrative switches between intense detail during a particular scene and "meanwhile, 3 weeks later.....this happens".
Reading back the above implies that I didnt like the book. Whilst I didnt hate it, I didnt adore it either. It was a nice book to listen to, it was a setting different to normal historical romances, and the author didnt treat the reader like a complete idiot. There's some adult situations, but described appropriately, so only the most sensitive will be offended.
April 28, 2016
Historical romance set in early 17th century England and Japan. Faced with the dreadful prospect of marriage to the utterly odious Mr. Hesketh, Hannah Marston impulsively decides to grasp her only chance of freedom: disguised as a boy, she stows away on one of her brother's ships bound for Japan. Taro Kumashiro, a wealthy noble landowner with estates in the north of Japan, is warned by a seer at his court worried of possible danger of the impending arrival of a redhaired foreign woman on Japanese shores. Upon meeting her, Taro is intrigued - and promptly has her kidnapped and delivered to his home in order to spend time with her and learn more about her and the land she came from. Neither expects to develop feelings for each other, but soon Hannah doesn't want to leave and Taro doesn't want to let her go.
My enduring fascination with Japan immediately sat up and took notice when I spotted a later book in the series in a bookstore, which I then promptly left with books 2 and 3 in my possession. And since I hate starting a series in the middle, here's book 1 to complete the set! Historical romance isn't a genre I read all that much, but I never can say no to historical fiction with a Japanese setting. Christina Courtenay has certainly done her homework and does a good job of making her setting come to life. The story itself is a little predictable and both Reiko and Rydon are mostly cardboard villains, but I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next part.
My enduring fascination with Japan immediately sat up and took notice when I spotted a later book in the series in a bookstore, which I then promptly left with books 2 and 3 in my possession. And since I hate starting a series in the middle, here's book 1 to complete the set! Historical romance isn't a genre I read all that much, but I never can say no to historical fiction with a Japanese setting. Christina Courtenay has certainly done her homework and does a good job of making her setting come to life. The story itself is a little predictable and both Reiko and Rydon are mostly cardboard villains, but I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next part.
September 13, 2022
Set a few decades before Japan closed itself to the outside world, this tells the story of Hannah Marston, an Englishwoman who stows away on a ship disguised as a boy to escape an unwanted marriage, and Taro Kumashiro, a Japanese warlord (daimyo) whose seer has foreseen Hannah’s coming and influence in their lives. Sparks between them grow, but there are also a lot of hurdles that prevent them from achieving their happily ever after—cultural differences, Taro’s scheming sister-in-law, and the unfortunate circumstance Hannah has grudgingly placed herself in.
The subject of love and cultural disparity at a time when it was unusual or almost unheard of is quite interesting. Since I haven’t read a lot of materials about 17th-century England and Japan, I would have preferred a more factual representation of the time period, although I understand the author’s rationale in manipulating a few historical facts so she could lay down the foundation of her story. I wished she created more realistic scenarios to develop her plot rather than the usual drama and gave the readers more opportunities to better understand love and cultural divergence in feudal times. Honor and pride are also inherent to Japanese feudal lords and samurais such as Taro, and so I find the story ending quite improbable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I’ll definitely read Book Two.
The subject of love and cultural disparity at a time when it was unusual or almost unheard of is quite interesting. Since I haven’t read a lot of materials about 17th-century England and Japan, I would have preferred a more factual representation of the time period, although I understand the author’s rationale in manipulating a few historical facts so she could lay down the foundation of her story. I wished she created more realistic scenarios to develop her plot rather than the usual drama and gave the readers more opportunities to better understand love and cultural divergence in feudal times. Honor and pride are also inherent to Japanese feudal lords and samurais such as Taro, and so I find the story ending quite improbable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I’ll definitely read Book Two.
February 17, 2014
I cannot lie and say that the book was completely boring, because, in fact, I couldn't put it down. I delayed all other reading I had to do and read this book instead.
The first book I read by Christina Courtenay was 'The gilded fan'. Then, I discovered it was the sequel of 'The scarlet kimono'. I thought I must read it even though I knew what happened to Hannah from the second book.
What I didn't like in this one was that the love story did not seem very loving, or strong. It was mainly based on sexual desire instead of feelings of respect or admiration. Another thing that annoyed me was the emphasis on honour throughout the story, which was then blown away in one act of love-making (outside of marriage) as if it weren't that important all of a sudden.
I felt that the characters were quite flat. You couldn't get attached to them. There feelings and expressions were always the same. You wouldn't expect them to act in any unexpected manner.
I enjoyed the story on the whole, and these minor details would not prevent me from reading other books from the same author in the future.
I would still recommend the book for any person interested in history not love story.
The first book I read by Christina Courtenay was 'The gilded fan'. Then, I discovered it was the sequel of 'The scarlet kimono'. I thought I must read it even though I knew what happened to Hannah from the second book.
What I didn't like in this one was that the love story did not seem very loving, or strong. It was mainly based on sexual desire instead of feelings of respect or admiration. Another thing that annoyed me was the emphasis on honour throughout the story, which was then blown away in one act of love-making (outside of marriage) as if it weren't that important all of a sudden.
I felt that the characters were quite flat. You couldn't get attached to them. There feelings and expressions were always the same. You wouldn't expect them to act in any unexpected manner.
I enjoyed the story on the whole, and these minor details would not prevent me from reading other books from the same author in the future.
I would still recommend the book for any person interested in history not love story.
January 13, 2014
Likes:
1. Unique setting for a historical romance. Set in Japan.
Dislikes:
1. Heroine is a bit TSTL.
2. It seems ALL MEN are brutes to the heroine except the "Chinaman" so far. (Maybe not all I gave up halfway before I get proven otherwise.)
3. Err! I did say all men are brutes to the h I should also mention that most women (even her own mother and sister) are cruel to her. I dunno why so much hate to the poor heroine.
4. It reads a bit modern. (Maybe I just got used to Heyer)
5. There are quite a lot of historical inaccuracies that bothered me. (but the author explained it all at the end of the book.)
I really really want to like this book. I am actually a very determined reader. I usually finish a book I started cover-to-cover even if I didn't like the book. That is why I am not proud to admit that about halfway I jump through a lot of parts to the HEA. Please do not get me wrong I do not find it an awful book quite the opposite in fact. I am only being critical because I expected so much from this book. That being said please still give it a try before judging.
1. Unique setting for a historical romance. Set in Japan.
Dislikes:
1. Heroine is a bit TSTL.
2. It seems ALL MEN are brutes to the heroine except the "Chinaman" so far. (Maybe not all I gave up halfway before I get proven otherwise.)
3. Err! I did say all men are brutes to the h I should also mention that most women (even her own mother and sister) are cruel to her. I dunno why so much hate to the poor heroine.
4. It reads a bit modern. (Maybe I just got used to Heyer)
5. There are quite a lot of historical inaccuracies that bothered me. (but the author explained it all at the end of the book.)
I really really want to like this book. I am actually a very determined reader. I usually finish a book I started cover-to-cover even if I didn't like the book. That is why I am not proud to admit that about halfway I jump through a lot of parts to the HEA. Please do not get me wrong I do not find it an awful book quite the opposite in fact. I am only being critical because I expected so much from this book. That being said please still give it a try before judging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2015
historia se trata de Hannah, quien tiene una muy mala relación con su hermana y sus padres, quienes han acordado una boda para Hannah con alguien mucho mayor que ella y que además es dos veces viudo, y tiene hijos, el hombre en cuestión intenta tocar libidinosamente a Hannah cada vez que tiene oportunidad.
Ella se ve atorada en ese compromiso que por conveniencia sus padres han acordado para ella. Por otro lado en Japón nos presenta la historia de Taro Kumashiro, un jefe samurái o "daimo", quien esta casado de manera acordada, con una mujer perteneciente a una familia de alto rango.
Al principio el libro esta contando la historia de Hanna y la de Taro de manera alterna, al inicio de cada capitulo nos pone fechas y el lugar es decir un capitulo se titula: Plymouth, Devon, 1 de junio de 1611 y el otro Norte de Japón, junio de 1611, me gusto que quedará de esa forma ya que podía ver lo que pasaba con cada uno de los protagonistas antes de que se encontraran. Puedes ver la reseña completa en: http://historiasdepaginas.blogspot.mx...
Ella se ve atorada en ese compromiso que por conveniencia sus padres han acordado para ella. Por otro lado en Japón nos presenta la historia de Taro Kumashiro, un jefe samurái o "daimo", quien esta casado de manera acordada, con una mujer perteneciente a una familia de alto rango.
Al principio el libro esta contando la historia de Hanna y la de Taro de manera alterna, al inicio de cada capitulo nos pone fechas y el lugar es decir un capitulo se titula: Plymouth, Devon, 1 de junio de 1611 y el otro Norte de Japón, junio de 1611, me gusto que quedará de esa forma ya que podía ver lo que pasaba con cada uno de los protagonistas antes de que se encontraran. Puedes ver la reseña completa en: http://historiasdepaginas.blogspot.mx...
October 27, 2015
This is the kind of story I've been wanting to read for a while and finally, I found it. That is, I mainly read historical fiction and historical romance and I love those genres, but I've wanted something different from the more readily available 18th or 19th century English or otherwise European settings starring wealthy white people.
The Scarlet Kimono gives us 17th century Japan in all its beautiful and fascinating history. I was so happy to read a historical romance taking place in this setting, in a culture that I was raised in but in a time period that I'm not familiar with. And starring a Japanese hero as a romantic interest! With other Japanese characters. Yay diversity!
The adventures that Hannah and Taro led me on were fascinating and adventurous and romantic. I loved Taro. Hannah often felt too modern to me and on the border of the "feisty young woman" trope that I find annoying, but she grew on me as the story went on.
The Scarlet Kimono gives us 17th century Japan in all its beautiful and fascinating history. I was so happy to read a historical romance taking place in this setting, in a culture that I was raised in but in a time period that I'm not familiar with. And starring a Japanese hero as a romantic interest! With other Japanese characters. Yay diversity!
The adventures that Hannah and Taro led me on were fascinating and adventurous and romantic. I loved Taro. Hannah often felt too modern to me and on the border of the "feisty young woman" trope that I find annoying, but she grew on me as the story went on.
March 19, 2011
Hannah is one of those characters that you cannot tell if you really like or really hate. Seeing the world the way she did was incredibly frustrating for me in the beginning of this book. The way she feels about her family, her position in life, her rash decisions; I did not understand any of them. I felt a bit of this with Taro as well, it is a bit removed from his character. It was not until about 130 pages in, when these two encountered each other that I finally got hooked. Kidnapped by a powerful man, enmeshing yourself in a strange culture, I finally found the meat of the story that was hard to put down.
Susana
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Susana
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
February 28, 2012
I love to discover wonderful authors with whom I am unfamiliar!
I picked "The Scarlet Kimono" simply because of its subject matter, 17th century Japan - the first English contact with that nation. I recommend it because it is one of the best books I have read within the last six months. It is a different, well research book of a relatively new author and it has characters I absolutely loved.
The book is currently available in the US on Kindle but will be available on Amazon in hardbook form on March 1.
I would have given it 5 stars but I am reserving my 5 star ratings for off the charts compelling. (Maybe after a reread I may up my rating of "Scarlet".
I put Scarlet Kimono on my "Deserves to be Discovered" shelf.
READ IT!!!
I picked "The Scarlet Kimono" simply because of its subject matter, 17th century Japan - the first English contact with that nation. I recommend it because it is one of the best books I have read within the last six months. It is a different, well research book of a relatively new author and it has characters I absolutely loved.
The book is currently available in the US on Kindle but will be available on Amazon in hardbook form on March 1.
I would have given it 5 stars but I am reserving my 5 star ratings for off the charts compelling. (Maybe after a reread I may up my rating of "Scarlet".
I put Scarlet Kimono on my "Deserves to be Discovered" shelf.
READ IT!!!
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