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The Legend of Saru #1
From the Valley of Orchids
Gods and Demons Clash in Mythological Japan
In the Kingdom of Yamato, magic is misunderstood. When humans pray at shrines to the spirits of the land, their wishes are not granted directly. Instead, sometimes gods are shapeshifting animals with the power to conjure weapons and enter the realm of dreams.
When a snow monkey named Saru is born from a prayer of hope, he longs to understand the truth about his nature. At an enchanted temple, he crosses paths with the demonic monk Akame whose infernal magic destroys everything Saru loves—and could soon threaten the whole world.
Saru flees to Otari Village, a settlement of kind people who welcome him into their homes. The village, however, is plagued by ghosts and wicked men who would exploit Saru’s powers. With Akame’s arrival looming, will Saru save the village, or lose everything again? How far will he go to protect those he loves?
From the Valley of Orchids is the first book in the epic fantasy series The Legend of Saru.
In the Kingdom of Yamato, magic is misunderstood. When humans pray at shrines to the spirits of the land, their wishes are not granted directly. Instead, sometimes gods are shapeshifting animals with the power to conjure weapons and enter the realm of dreams.
When a snow monkey named Saru is born from a prayer of hope, he longs to understand the truth about his nature. At an enchanted temple, he crosses paths with the demonic monk Akame whose infernal magic destroys everything Saru loves—and could soon threaten the whole world.
Saru flees to Otari Village, a settlement of kind people who welcome him into their homes. The village, however, is plagued by ghosts and wicked men who would exploit Saru’s powers. With Akame’s arrival looming, will Saru save the village, or lose everything again? How far will he go to protect those he loves?
From the Valley of Orchids is the first book in the epic fantasy series The Legend of Saru.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2023
25 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Niels Saunders
14 books75 followersNiels Saunders wrote his first book when he was sixteen and hasn't stopped since. Born in Cambridge, he grew up in Devon and has lived in Canterbury, Brighton and Tokyo. He loves to write in many genres including fantasy, thriller and comedy. His short stories have been published in Ambit and Chapman magazines and he was awarded a distinction for the Creative and Critical Writing MA at the University of Sussex. When he's not writing or reading, you'll find him smoking meat, watching films or playing video games. His fantasy series, The Legend of Saru, was finished in 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 15, 2023
what a great read.
but why did it take 3 weeks.
i'm never going to finish this reading challenge.
i'm praying rn.
thanks to book sirens for this book! i'm so happy that i landed on this book because it's a beautiful cover and the blurb was interesting. i was worried that i would get a bad one and i couldn't risk that because i'm in a reading slump right now.
nobody should read this review bc it's so spoiler-y it's insane.
this story follows saru. he's a god in a snow monkey form. we meet him when he's little. he's just chilling in a tree with his mum. and he's watching this monastery. he's learning from these monks. there's a kid, musuko, that's introduced. they become friends and suddenly this kid disappears and we sort of know what went down. oh i also forgot that we meet akame. he's one of the main bad guys. he's a monk when we start and i thought he was a good person. teaching saru what persimmon was. i thought we were going to a mentor-student route but that was undone real quick. akame unalives saru's mum. saru escapes. manages to wander into this cute little village called otari. we spend a lot of the story here. he's welcomed by the town and this old couple. he meets this cat called neko who we find out is also a god. is neko a girl? i don't remember. anyways... neko teaches saru how to talk in god-level and how to cross the veil. it's this idea of infiltrating other people's thoughts. you can do it when they're asleep or when they're awake. basic rule is not to touch anything. they continue on with their lives in this village. highlight was okina's memories. more life stuff happens. saru's still figuring out what to do with akame. they end up going to the forest to get poison from suzume. her life is tragic. anyways... okina get unalived. i was really sad after that. the emperor also comes to visit. the emperor can also talk to gods which was cool. they had a maneater of some sort. that freaked out saru. akame's in town as well. fuckin shit went down. everyone dies. it's gruesome. saru done messed up with that poison. saru's out for revenge. that did go well either when saru invaded his mind. he escapes i guess. saru gets captured. we meet another god on the way. and neko's alive. they end up going to ihara's mind. i don't think i mentioned... ihara's also a bad guy. he captures animals and feeds it to his sister in a cave. but it's not his sister. it's a demon of some sort. they have a little tussle. they escape. ihara dies. they then decide to travel to another place to defeat akame. that's the next book though.
that's the plot that i messily outline. sorry.
characters that i like... saru's a great protagonist. naive, hopeful, brave, compassionate, overall fantastic character that we want nothing more than to root for. neko is also a favourite. neko gives wise old person vibes but in a youthful appearance. i think that's literally who neko is. i love their friendship. when they're not scheming, or having lessons, or on an adventure, they're just hanging out and chilling. i love it. i verbally shrieked when neko get stomped. but all was well in the end. akame's a great antagonist. honestly both him and ihara are equally as great. both with such sad backstories that sort of explain why they've become the people that they are. understandable why they're horrible people but also like... what the fuck man??? stop get help. the side characters were great support for our main characters. especially the villagers. suzume was also a standout for me. everyone was great introduction for the following stories. it established all our characters perfectly.
the setting. there was a map at the start of the book. i was really intrigued. i love maps on books. i frequently refer to it when i'm reading. i didn't necessarily did that in this book. i just felt a little lost navigating it. there are 3 separate maps to refer to and i don't remember visiting a lot of places that would need that expansive of a map just yet. maybe that's just me. but i did love everywhere that we went. the village was very home-y and warm. the exterior scenes felt very cold. i just imagined that it was winter the the whole time. it's winter now so it was very immersive feeling like i'm in the bitter cold like saru. i loved it.
the hidden bit are my kindle notes and highlights. honestly don't open it bc it's mostly reactions to certain plot points that make no sense without context. i just put them on here because the notes disappear when i change devices so i just like to keep a record of them.
nice.
i would 10/10 recommend this to everyone. i think everyone will be able to take something away from this book. it sure has taught me a lot and it's interesting that i know a little bit about japanese culture. i was deep in researching about the tengu and it's so cool that each culture has their own version of them. like in the filipino culture there's our own version of mythical and supernatural creatures.
i'll definitely read the next book but it will take me a long long time before i get to reading it because there's so many sequels that i need to follow up on.
please please please read this amazing story!
disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. :)
but why did it take 3 weeks.
i'm never going to finish this reading challenge.
i'm praying rn.
thanks to book sirens for this book! i'm so happy that i landed on this book because it's a beautiful cover and the blurb was interesting. i was worried that i would get a bad one and i couldn't risk that because i'm in a reading slump right now.
nobody should read this review bc it's so spoiler-y it's insane.
this story follows saru. he's a god in a snow monkey form. we meet him when he's little. he's just chilling in a tree with his mum. and he's watching this monastery. he's learning from these monks. there's a kid, musuko, that's introduced. they become friends and suddenly this kid disappears and we sort of know what went down. oh i also forgot that we meet akame. he's one of the main bad guys. he's a monk when we start and i thought he was a good person. teaching saru what persimmon was. i thought we were going to a mentor-student route but that was undone real quick. akame unalives saru's mum. saru escapes. manages to wander into this cute little village called otari. we spend a lot of the story here. he's welcomed by the town and this old couple. he meets this cat called neko who we find out is also a god. is neko a girl? i don't remember. anyways... neko teaches saru how to talk in god-level and how to cross the veil. it's this idea of infiltrating other people's thoughts. you can do it when they're asleep or when they're awake. basic rule is not to touch anything. they continue on with their lives in this village. highlight was okina's memories. more life stuff happens. saru's still figuring out what to do with akame. they end up going to the forest to get poison from suzume. her life is tragic. anyways... okina get unalived. i was really sad after that. the emperor also comes to visit. the emperor can also talk to gods which was cool. they had a maneater of some sort. that freaked out saru. akame's in town as well. fuckin shit went down. everyone dies. it's gruesome. saru done messed up with that poison. saru's out for revenge. that did go well either when saru invaded his mind. he escapes i guess. saru gets captured. we meet another god on the way. and neko's alive. they end up going to ihara's mind. i don't think i mentioned... ihara's also a bad guy. he captures animals and feeds it to his sister in a cave. but it's not his sister. it's a demon of some sort. they have a little tussle. they escape. ihara dies. they then decide to travel to another place to defeat akame. that's the next book though.
that's the plot that i messily outline. sorry.
characters that i like... saru's a great protagonist. naive, hopeful, brave, compassionate, overall fantastic character that we want nothing more than to root for. neko is also a favourite. neko gives wise old person vibes but in a youthful appearance. i think that's literally who neko is. i love their friendship. when they're not scheming, or having lessons, or on an adventure, they're just hanging out and chilling. i love it. i verbally shrieked when neko get stomped. but all was well in the end. akame's a great antagonist. honestly both him and ihara are equally as great. both with such sad backstories that sort of explain why they've become the people that they are. understandable why they're horrible people but also like... what the fuck man??? stop get help. the side characters were great support for our main characters. especially the villagers. suzume was also a standout for me. everyone was great introduction for the following stories. it established all our characters perfectly.
the setting. there was a map at the start of the book. i was really intrigued. i love maps on books. i frequently refer to it when i'm reading. i didn't necessarily did that in this book. i just felt a little lost navigating it. there are 3 separate maps to refer to and i don't remember visiting a lot of places that would need that expansive of a map just yet. maybe that's just me. but i did love everywhere that we went. the village was very home-y and warm. the exterior scenes felt very cold. i just imagined that it was winter the the whole time. it's winter now so it was very immersive feeling like i'm in the bitter cold like saru. i loved it.
the hidden bit are my kindle notes and highlights. honestly don't open it bc it's mostly reactions to certain plot points that make no sense without context. i just put them on here because the notes disappear when i change devices so i just like to keep a record of them.
nice.
i would 10/10 recommend this to everyone. i think everyone will be able to take something away from this book. it sure has taught me a lot and it's interesting that i know a little bit about japanese culture. i was deep in researching about the tengu and it's so cool that each culture has their own version of them. like in the filipino culture there's our own version of mythical and supernatural creatures.
i'll definitely read the next book but it will take me a long long time before i get to reading it because there's so many sequels that i need to follow up on.
please please please read this amazing story!
disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. :)
May 28, 2023
I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This book follows Saru a monkey, born from a prayer of hope. When humans pray their wishes aren‘t granted but sometimes gods are born as shapeshifting animals with magical abilities. He longs to understand his nature and to learn everything.
At an enchanted temple he encounters Akame the demonic monk who destroys everything he loves. Saru flees to Otari village, a settlement of kind and open people. He finally feels like he‘s found a home. But the town is full of ghosts and wicked men who want to exploit his powers.
When Akame arrives, will Saru save the village or lose everything again?
How far is he willing to go for loved ones?
Right on the first page you encounter Saru and learn how he sees the world from his eyes. It becomes clear that he is a young monkey with a limited understanding of the world around him but emotions and empathy that make up for it. This makes for an interesting perspective and I loved the first part of the book. It is filled with tragedy and learning. I understood his emotions and could feel his sorrow and his happiness.
The longer he lives and travels the more he learns and understands his nature. It is a slow book and in the beginning I loved it. It explored all the relationships carefully and went slowly from event to event, gradually building the bigger picture. The descriptions made me feel as if I was there and I really enjoyed it.
But, as soon as I reached the 60% mark it started to drag. At this point I would‘ve loved to see more action and to see more fast paced action and less long descriptions.
It makes sense in the context of the book. In the dream realm they are spectators and there the time feels different and even when there are things happening in the memories it doesn‘t feel like a lot of action.
Overall I think the dream realm was a convenient and interesting way to let the reader learn new things about the world, but on some occasions it felt like an excuse to give Saru the information he needed without him having to do much. As a consequence this is reflected in how slow the action feels.
However, a thing that I loved was how all the puzzle pieces started to fit together and show a bigger picture. You learn about this world together with Saru but not in dialogues but through what he sees and learns from memories. Everything starts to make sense the longer you read the story.
I plan on reading the next book in this nine part series because I liked Saru as a main character and I liked the world the author created. All the mythology and the creatures and how they thought and felt, captured me from the start.
It is a big world and I‘m interested in finding out what happens next with Saru.
This book follows Saru a monkey, born from a prayer of hope. When humans pray their wishes aren‘t granted but sometimes gods are born as shapeshifting animals with magical abilities. He longs to understand his nature and to learn everything.
At an enchanted temple he encounters Akame the demonic monk who destroys everything he loves. Saru flees to Otari village, a settlement of kind and open people. He finally feels like he‘s found a home. But the town is full of ghosts and wicked men who want to exploit his powers.
When Akame arrives, will Saru save the village or lose everything again?
How far is he willing to go for loved ones?
Right on the first page you encounter Saru and learn how he sees the world from his eyes. It becomes clear that he is a young monkey with a limited understanding of the world around him but emotions and empathy that make up for it. This makes for an interesting perspective and I loved the first part of the book. It is filled with tragedy and learning. I understood his emotions and could feel his sorrow and his happiness.
The longer he lives and travels the more he learns and understands his nature. It is a slow book and in the beginning I loved it. It explored all the relationships carefully and went slowly from event to event, gradually building the bigger picture. The descriptions made me feel as if I was there and I really enjoyed it.
But, as soon as I reached the 60% mark it started to drag. At this point I would‘ve loved to see more action and to see more fast paced action and less long descriptions.
It makes sense in the context of the book. In the dream realm they are spectators and there the time feels different and even when there are things happening in the memories it doesn‘t feel like a lot of action.
Overall I think the dream realm was a convenient and interesting way to let the reader learn new things about the world, but on some occasions it felt like an excuse to give Saru the information he needed without him having to do much. As a consequence this is reflected in how slow the action feels.
However, a thing that I loved was how all the puzzle pieces started to fit together and show a bigger picture. You learn about this world together with Saru but not in dialogues but through what he sees and learns from memories. Everything starts to make sense the longer you read the story.
I plan on reading the next book in this nine part series because I liked Saru as a main character and I liked the world the author created. All the mythology and the creatures and how they thought and felt, captured me from the start.
It is a big world and I‘m interested in finding out what happens next with Saru.
May 26, 2023
"When I think upon my enemies, I can't tell right from wrong."
"Such is the nature of pain. It is easier to act when we know little of our foes, so simple when we loathe them unconditionally."
I've just finished reading this thanks to a review copy from @Netgalley, and had to share my thoughts right away. This is definitely in my top 3 books of 2023 (and the cover art is spectacular).
Sometimes when humans pray to the spirits, their gods are born into reality in the bodies of seemingly normal creatures. Saru the snow monkey is one of these extraordinary beings, and with the help and mentoring of Neku the cat amongst others, he sets out to learn about his powers.
What starts with Saru's desperate flight from the Valley of Orchids becomes a story of revenge and forgiveness all set against a gorgeous backdrop of Japanese folktales and mythology.
Full of vengeful ghosts, mischievous tengu, heroic warriors and spirit animals, this really is a mythology lover's dream.
As with any folktale inspired story there are highs and lows and this one gets incredibly dark at times. Seeing the atrocities caused by Akame the demon monk really made me feel a visceral hate for him.
The fact that Niels also manages to make me feel sad for Akame is amazing. It's these fully developed and rounded villains that make it really difficult to tell who is good or evil. It makes you realise that with very few exceptions most of these characters can be seen from multiple angles.
This initial book in The Legend Of Saru series released on 22nd May, but the remaining 8 books in the series are already ready to go! They'll be releasing monthly this year and I absolutely cannot wait to read them all.
I'm so excited to see the gorgeous special editions that I'm sure this book will receive over the coming years.
"Such is the nature of pain. It is easier to act when we know little of our foes, so simple when we loathe them unconditionally."
I've just finished reading this thanks to a review copy from @Netgalley, and had to share my thoughts right away. This is definitely in my top 3 books of 2023 (and the cover art is spectacular).
Sometimes when humans pray to the spirits, their gods are born into reality in the bodies of seemingly normal creatures. Saru the snow monkey is one of these extraordinary beings, and with the help and mentoring of Neku the cat amongst others, he sets out to learn about his powers.
What starts with Saru's desperate flight from the Valley of Orchids becomes a story of revenge and forgiveness all set against a gorgeous backdrop of Japanese folktales and mythology.
Full of vengeful ghosts, mischievous tengu, heroic warriors and spirit animals, this really is a mythology lover's dream.
As with any folktale inspired story there are highs and lows and this one gets incredibly dark at times. Seeing the atrocities caused by Akame the demon monk really made me feel a visceral hate for him.
The fact that Niels also manages to make me feel sad for Akame is amazing. It's these fully developed and rounded villains that make it really difficult to tell who is good or evil. It makes you realise that with very few exceptions most of these characters can be seen from multiple angles.
This initial book in The Legend Of Saru series released on 22nd May, but the remaining 8 books in the series are already ready to go! They'll be releasing monthly this year and I absolutely cannot wait to read them all.
I'm so excited to see the gorgeous special editions that I'm sure this book will receive over the coming years.
August 8, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I've read this before actually, as a beta reader years ago (and I remember it was one of the best stories I've ever read. Incredibly creative and magical.
I've read this before actually, as a beta reader years ago (and I remember it was one of the best stories I've ever read. Incredibly creative and magical.
December 24, 2023
Fascinating Fantasy!
This story gripped me from the start! I don't know much about Japanese mythology, so the character are some I've never encountered. Scary, thrilling and ever so interesting! I can't wait to start book 2!!
This story gripped me from the start! I don't know much about Japanese mythology, so the character are some I've never encountered. Scary, thrilling and ever so interesting! I can't wait to start book 2!!
April 30, 2023
It appears I only got an ARC of the first three chapters. I am really enjoying the story and would love to read more. I love the folklore feel of this book. The book cover is beautiful. I wish I could review more of the book, however, three chapters in, I can’t wait to find out what happens with Saru.
December 16, 2023
A truly unique fantasy gem! Much darker than I expected but well worth it! I purchased the next book in the series instantly after I finished this one!
October 25, 2023
To be completely honest, I chose this book because I loved the cover. And, at least this time, judging a book by its cover worked out well! I quickly became invested in Saru’s heartbreak and struggles, noting as early as page 11, "OKAY, chapter 1! Off to a great start. Saunders can write."
Saunders did a fantastic job in detailing the early life of Saru. Too often children and young characters are either infantilized or come off as too mature for their age. In this case, Saunders captured a realistic portrayal of a young being learning about the world; his curiosity, his confusion, his fear, his heart all rang true. It grips you immediately and doesn't let you go.
Being our main character Saru, of course, would need to grow and learn and mature, which was also beautifully handled. So often you don't feel the growth of the character, but with Saru you do. I was captivated as he learned how to . Joining him on that journey was a great touch.
Then Saunders introduces us to Neko and I’m invested all over again. While I do love Saru, Neko was definitely my favorite character from this book. When I tell you I almost threw my phone when .
All-in-all, From the Valley of Orchids managed to tug at my heartstrings in a way that I really wasn’t expecting. On top of the genuine investment I felt for the characters, for me this book demonstrates a delightful balance of detail and pace. I do plan on reading the second installment when it comes out later this year.
Thanks to BookSirens, the publisher, and author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Edited to add: If you need a character refresher before starting the second book, Lord Hoshino's Lost Treasure, I have, with the author's gracious help, put together a character sheet that you can view here. There are no Book 2 spoilers in the sheet, but if you haven't read the first book yet, there will obviously be spoilers. Additionally, this review has been touched up a bit from it's initial posting to add more detail and thoughts.
Happy reading!
tbr-review: Gorgeous cover. Can't wait to read this!
Saunders did a fantastic job in detailing the early life of Saru. Too often children and young characters are either infantilized or come off as too mature for their age. In this case, Saunders captured a realistic portrayal of a young being learning about the world; his curiosity, his confusion, his fear, his heart all rang true. It grips you immediately and doesn't let you go.
Being our main character Saru, of course, would need to grow and learn and mature, which was also beautifully handled. So often you don't feel the growth of the character, but with Saru you do. I was captivated as he learned how to . Joining him on that journey was a great touch.
Then Saunders introduces us to Neko and I’m invested all over again. While I do love Saru, Neko was definitely my favorite character from this book. When I tell you I almost threw my phone when .
All-in-all, From the Valley of Orchids managed to tug at my heartstrings in a way that I really wasn’t expecting. On top of the genuine investment I felt for the characters, for me this book demonstrates a delightful balance of detail and pace. I do plan on reading the second installment when it comes out later this year.
Thanks to BookSirens, the publisher, and author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Edited to add: If you need a character refresher before starting the second book, Lord Hoshino's Lost Treasure, I have, with the author's gracious help, put together a character sheet that you can view here. There are no Book 2 spoilers in the sheet, but if you haven't read the first book yet, there will obviously be spoilers. Additionally, this review has been touched up a bit from it's initial posting to add more detail and thoughts.
Happy reading!
It's best not to think on such matters, my friend, nor even imagine. There are things in this life, once known, which bring the world closer to night. If we turn away from terrors, they might not disappear, but mayhap we'll sleep better for a night or two.====================
tbr-review: Gorgeous cover. Can't wait to read this!
May 20, 2023
"From the Valley of Orchids" by Niels Saunders is a captivating tale that transports readers to the enchanting Kingdom of Yamato, a realm where gods and demons clash in mythological Japan. This book marks the beginning of an epic fantasy series called The Legend of Saru, where magic, destiny, and the battle between good and evil take center stage.
In this kingdom, the people's prayers at shrines to the spirits of the land do not directly grant their wishes. Instead, these prayers sometimes give birth to gods—shapeshifting animals with incredible powers to wield weapons and traverse the realm of dreams. It is within this mystical backdrop that a snow monkey named Saru is born, originating from a prayer of hope.
Saru, driven by a burning desire to uncover the truth about his nature, embarks on a quest for self-discovery. Along his journey, he encounters Akame, a demonic monk whose infernal magic brings destruction to everything Saru holds dear. As the threat of Akame looms, Saru seeks refuge in Otari Village—a community of kind-hearted individuals who welcome him with open arms. However, the village is besieged by ghosts and malicious individuals who seek to exploit Saru's extraordinary powers. Faced with imminent danger, Saru must confront his own fears and make choices that will determine the fate of the village and the world itself. How far is he willing to go to protect those he loves?
"From the Valley of Orchids" weaves together elements of Japanese mythology, magic, and adventure to create a rich and immersive world. Readers will be enthralled by the blend of supernatural forces, intricate relationships, and high-stakes conflicts that shape the narrative. Niels Saunders skillfully crafts a story that explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the power of love in the face of darkness.
Prepare to embark on an epic journey through a realm filled with gods, demons, and heroes. "From the Valley of Orchids" is just the beginning of The Legend of Saru series, promising readers an immersive and thrilling fantasy experience that will leave them eager to discover what lies ahead in this captivating world.
In this kingdom, the people's prayers at shrines to the spirits of the land do not directly grant their wishes. Instead, these prayers sometimes give birth to gods—shapeshifting animals with incredible powers to wield weapons and traverse the realm of dreams. It is within this mystical backdrop that a snow monkey named Saru is born, originating from a prayer of hope.
Saru, driven by a burning desire to uncover the truth about his nature, embarks on a quest for self-discovery. Along his journey, he encounters Akame, a demonic monk whose infernal magic brings destruction to everything Saru holds dear. As the threat of Akame looms, Saru seeks refuge in Otari Village—a community of kind-hearted individuals who welcome him with open arms. However, the village is besieged by ghosts and malicious individuals who seek to exploit Saru's extraordinary powers. Faced with imminent danger, Saru must confront his own fears and make choices that will determine the fate of the village and the world itself. How far is he willing to go to protect those he loves?
"From the Valley of Orchids" weaves together elements of Japanese mythology, magic, and adventure to create a rich and immersive world. Readers will be enthralled by the blend of supernatural forces, intricate relationships, and high-stakes conflicts that shape the narrative. Niels Saunders skillfully crafts a story that explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the power of love in the face of darkness.
Prepare to embark on an epic journey through a realm filled with gods, demons, and heroes. "From the Valley of Orchids" is just the beginning of The Legend of Saru series, promising readers an immersive and thrilling fantasy experience that will leave them eager to discover what lies ahead in this captivating world.
July 24, 2023
Niels Sanders has lived a peripatetic life that has brought him from Cambridge to Devon, Brighton, Canterbury - and even as far afield as Tokyo. An avid writer since he was a teen, this year sees the release of his nine book mythological epic series THE LEGEND OF SARU, the first of which is the book FROM THE VALLEY OF ORCHIDS.
FROM THE VALLEY OF ORCHIDS tells the origins of the snow monkey Saru. Set in the distant past in the Kingdom of Yamato, Saru lives what seems to be an idyllic life. The monks at the nearby abbey feed him, and his mother cares for him lovingly. The only mar upon an easy existence is his own burning curiosity - he wants to understand what the humans say and what their strange rituals are. This curiosity catches the attention of Akame, the demon, whose cruelty soon sets Saru on a strange and meandering path through the whole of the Kingdom and beyond.
This fantasy series is awash in Asian mythology and folklore. Saru’s journey towards deeper understanding of himself brings him face to face with the other gods of ancient Japan. These gods are animals born from the hopes and prayers of humans, creatures who each contain different abilities within themselves and seeming immortality. There are rumors of older gods - Kitsune the trickster fox, and Karasu the wise crow. Saru seeks them out where he can, and alongside his newfound friend Neko the cat, even encounters the enigmatic Tengu.
Sanders writes a compelling story, and throughout the year of 2023 will be releasing new books in the series monthly. Saru is a lovable protagonist, and his awe at the world he is only beginning to understand aids the reader in immersing themselves within the Kingdom of Yamato. The story is cinematic in its scope and its visuals, and sure to delight any fans of Asian mythology. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of THE LEGEND OF SARU.
FROM THE VALLEY OF ORCHIDS tells the origins of the snow monkey Saru. Set in the distant past in the Kingdom of Yamato, Saru lives what seems to be an idyllic life. The monks at the nearby abbey feed him, and his mother cares for him lovingly. The only mar upon an easy existence is his own burning curiosity - he wants to understand what the humans say and what their strange rituals are. This curiosity catches the attention of Akame, the demon, whose cruelty soon sets Saru on a strange and meandering path through the whole of the Kingdom and beyond.
This fantasy series is awash in Asian mythology and folklore. Saru’s journey towards deeper understanding of himself brings him face to face with the other gods of ancient Japan. These gods are animals born from the hopes and prayers of humans, creatures who each contain different abilities within themselves and seeming immortality. There are rumors of older gods - Kitsune the trickster fox, and Karasu the wise crow. Saru seeks them out where he can, and alongside his newfound friend Neko the cat, even encounters the enigmatic Tengu.
Sanders writes a compelling story, and throughout the year of 2023 will be releasing new books in the series monthly. Saru is a lovable protagonist, and his awe at the world he is only beginning to understand aids the reader in immersing themselves within the Kingdom of Yamato. The story is cinematic in its scope and its visuals, and sure to delight any fans of Asian mythology. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of THE LEGEND OF SARU.
May 27, 2023
A fantasy novel set in a historic Japan-esque setting where there are mystical powers and the supernatural beings often look like normal animals and birds. Our protagonist is Saru the monkey who loses his home by the end of chapter 1 and goes wandering. Along the way, he encounters humans, normal wildlife then others like him who are a supernatural being. The descriptions of Neko (a supernatural being who’s a black cat) were the standout for me as the cat behaviour was very well evoked.
The main problem I had with the novel is its lack of direction. Saru doesn’t know what he’s doing in life and he’s quite happy chilling in the village where he’s pitched up - others intervene to threaten him but he’s not driving the action as such, just reacting to things. I’m not quite sure what he wants and how he plans to achieve it. This meant, as other reviewers have noted, that the book starts to drag as Saru and Neko go on yet another viewing of yet another person’s memories without it feeling necessary to drive the plot forwards. I understand that this is the first of a 9 book series - I’d be willing to try book 2 and see if the pace/direction were clearer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main problem I had with the novel is its lack of direction. Saru doesn’t know what he’s doing in life and he’s quite happy chilling in the village where he’s pitched up - others intervene to threaten him but he’s not driving the action as such, just reacting to things. I’m not quite sure what he wants and how he plans to achieve it. This meant, as other reviewers have noted, that the book starts to drag as Saru and Neko go on yet another viewing of yet another person’s memories without it feeling necessary to drive the plot forwards. I understand that this is the first of a 9 book series - I’d be willing to try book 2 and see if the pace/direction were clearer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2023
4.5 stars
I received an arc (of the first few chapters) from Netgalley to review this book. My review is not influenced because of the free copy I got
Edit: The author was generous enough to provide me with a full copy of the book. So, here's the review of the entire book:
Pre Edit: The book follows the journey of Saru, a monkey. It was enough to tug me into reading this book because I have never read a book told from a monkey's perspective. The narrative was poetic and poignant, and it made me feel serene- like I'm hearing someone narrating a classic story over tea and snacks. I'm intrigued by this book because I love Japanese culture, but so far, I haven't found anything strictly Japanese about this book. I am excited to read about Saru's adventures and see where he ends up next!
Post Edit: Yes, this book starts with a dreamy feeling, almost like you're watching a Studio Ghibli movie, but after a while, the story begins to get darker like some fantasy series, for example, the Witcher- I have to say I didn't quite expect this.
But is this book enjoyable? Absolutely. I am glad that the author didn't change its beautiful, poetic narrative in the later part of the book- even though the book gets darker, reading this book gives the same feeling of longing and dreaminess- like you're hearing a tale from your grandma or reading a children's book like the old times. Reading the sentences alone- even if you don't like the story- will fill you with warmth (and, weirdly, nostalgia).
The book may not be for you if you are in the mood for a light read and want to speed through a book without having to think too much . Every character here has been written with intrinsic detail- you would love this book if you love morally grey characters and character-driven stories . I love both traits in a book, so obviously, I loved it. However, sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming to remember all the characters' backstories because I felt like I was drifting away from the main plot. Again I'm not really complaining since I love character-driven stories.
The only reason I'm not giving this a 5 star is because the story feels unfinished. I know there's a second book, but still, something about the way the book stops abruptly doesn't sit right with me:(
Final thoughts: The quotes in this book are heck beautiful.
I received an arc (of the first few chapters) from Netgalley to review this book. My review is not influenced because of the free copy I got
Edit: The author was generous enough to provide me with a full copy of the book. So, here's the review of the entire book:
Pre Edit: The book follows the journey of Saru, a monkey. It was enough to tug me into reading this book because I have never read a book told from a monkey's perspective. The narrative was poetic and poignant, and it made me feel serene- like I'm hearing someone narrating a classic story over tea and snacks. I'm intrigued by this book because I love Japanese culture, but so far, I haven't found anything strictly Japanese about this book. I am excited to read about Saru's adventures and see where he ends up next!
Post Edit: Yes, this book starts with a dreamy feeling, almost like you're watching a Studio Ghibli movie, but after a while, the story begins to get darker like some fantasy series, for example, the Witcher- I have to say I didn't quite expect this.
But is this book enjoyable? Absolutely. I am glad that the author didn't change its beautiful, poetic narrative in the later part of the book- even though the book gets darker, reading this book gives the same feeling of longing and dreaminess- like you're hearing a tale from your grandma or reading a children's book like the old times. Reading the sentences alone- even if you don't like the story- will fill you with warmth (and, weirdly, nostalgia).
The book may not be for you if you are in the mood for a light read and want to speed through a book without having to think too much . Every character here has been written with intrinsic detail- you would love this book if you love morally grey characters and character-driven stories . I love both traits in a book, so obviously, I loved it. However, sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming to remember all the characters' backstories because I felt like I was drifting away from the main plot. Again I'm not really complaining since I love character-driven stories.
The only reason I'm not giving this a 5 star is because the story feels unfinished. I know there's a second book, but still, something about the way the book stops abruptly doesn't sit right with me:(
Final thoughts: The quotes in this book are heck beautiful.
The world is random, full of chaos and coincidence.
The most interesting people are the quiet ones. They walk their lives in gentle grace but inside are full of fascinating places.
"What kind of dream is this?" "The best there is, of course. The one where you never wake."
May 16, 2023
3.5
Princess Mononoke meets Game of Thrones? Say less, I already have it downloaded. I did really enjoy Saru's character and his inner dialogue. The writing reminded me of a movie narrator or almost a DnD campaign, the descriptions, the way the characters were described right down to their wrinkles. I loved the god's shapeshifting into animals and the way the realm of dreams was described. The first 50 pages hooked me, I was spellbound, but then I slowly started to lose interest. The once beautiful descriptions were now too long and the story (though told through a monkey's perspective) was a bit lacking in my opinion. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves epic fantasy, animals, and long intricate storylines with overarching characters. The second book comes out on June 22.
Thank you, NetGalley and Niels Saunders for my ARC!
Princess Mononoke meets Game of Thrones? Say less, I already have it downloaded. I did really enjoy Saru's character and his inner dialogue. The writing reminded me of a movie narrator or almost a DnD campaign, the descriptions, the way the characters were described right down to their wrinkles. I loved the god's shapeshifting into animals and the way the realm of dreams was described. The first 50 pages hooked me, I was spellbound, but then I slowly started to lose interest. The once beautiful descriptions were now too long and the story (though told through a monkey's perspective) was a bit lacking in my opinion. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves epic fantasy, animals, and long intricate storylines with overarching characters. The second book comes out on June 22.
Thank you, NetGalley and Niels Saunders for my ARC!
May 23, 2023
This was really enjoyable,!
The premise alone was so interesting and the execution of it even better. The world building and the rich detailing with which is described is definitely my favourite thing about the book. I felt like I *was* there Walking in the snow and the village along with our protagonist! Further more our main characters interactions with and inner monologue about the humans that he met were quite thought provoking as well.
Also the magic system was SO interesting. Shapeshifters are starting to become a new favourite thing of mine to read about!
Such a great book, however I did have to take one star off as the descriptions despite being so charming and helpful when it came to imagining the world, were also at some points a bit *too* long which tired me.
The premise alone was so interesting and the execution of it even better. The world building and the rich detailing with which is described is definitely my favourite thing about the book. I felt like I *was* there Walking in the snow and the village along with our protagonist! Further more our main characters interactions with and inner monologue about the humans that he met were quite thought provoking as well.
Also the magic system was SO interesting. Shapeshifters are starting to become a new favourite thing of mine to read about!
Such a great book, however I did have to take one star off as the descriptions despite being so charming and helpful when it came to imagining the world, were also at some points a bit *too* long which tired me.
June 11, 2023
What a breath of fresh air! The story feels like a fairy tale and reads like a poem. In a fantasy era of mighty heroes, high stakes, and training arcs, the step by step adventure of Saru is a joy to read. Saru, the main character, is a snow Monkey, not a powerful human hero or a lost princess heroine. Reading this story breaks up the monotony of the standard fantasy archetype.
The characters are well formed and the friends Saru makes along the way are easy to get attached to. My favorite was Neko, a cat, who really brought this story together and connected a lot of plot dots.
The pacing makes it straightforward to read. You can feel the influence from Japanese mythology and it ties into the story nicely. I am looking forward to the next step of the journey!
The characters are well formed and the friends Saru makes along the way are easy to get attached to. My favorite was Neko, a cat, who really brought this story together and connected a lot of plot dots.
The pacing makes it straightforward to read. You can feel the influence from Japanese mythology and it ties into the story nicely. I am looking forward to the next step of the journey!
July 2, 2023
Japanese folk tale of epic proportions! I'm not sure what else to say other than this is so well written. The author and the characters do a great job of invoking multiple emotions from happiness to disgust to compassion to empathy and back again. But its not a sweet/easy/right-before-bedtime kind of folk tale. This book is definitely more on the serious and deep contemplative side. Saru the snow monkey goes through quite the adventure, and it sounds like this is only the very beginning of an enormous saga!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
November 16, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I applaud the unique idea and the Japanese feel to the book. However, its just that, a feeling of being Japanese. I really wanted to like this one more than I did, but its wasn't my cup of tea. It lacked something which made it feel inauthentic and hard to relate to any of the characters. Also, the story seemed to just circle around and around. I could make general predictions about the next bit before it happened until the very end which made it hard for me to finish.
I applaud the unique idea and the Japanese feel to the book. However, its just that, a feeling of being Japanese. I really wanted to like this one more than I did, but its wasn't my cup of tea. It lacked something which made it feel inauthentic and hard to relate to any of the characters. Also, the story seemed to just circle around and around. I could make general predictions about the next bit before it happened until the very end which made it hard for me to finish.
May 4, 2023
I received an ARC of the first three chapters from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review, and I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll hunt down a copy of the full book when it comes out. The descriptions are interesting and vivid, and the perspective of a snow monkey wandering among humans makes for some unexpected commentary. Obviously can't speak to the full story, but I'm interested to see where it goes.
June 30, 2023
Received an eARC from NetGalley. 3.5 stars The world-building for the mythology of Japan but not being Japan made this work. The characters are well fleshed out and the reader can experience the emotions in the writing for them. The beginning takes you in and I for one was a bit freaked out about the Monk. More is learned about what connects Saru to the villains as you read. I will be looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
June 14, 2023
I first thought it was a comic, judging by the cover.
I really love the poetic writing style and the incorporation of Japanese mythology.
However, it seemed too slow-paced. And it's only the first book of a nine-part series.
I don't know if I have time to read them all.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really love the poetic writing style and the incorporation of Japanese mythology.
However, it seemed too slow-paced. And it's only the first book of a nine-part series.
I don't know if I have time to read them all.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 11, 2023
I'm always on the hunt for more mythological retellings, and this is the first one I read taking place in the mythological framework of Japan. It was fascinating and completely outside my realm of knowledge. I hope this author writes more.
October 21, 2025
maybe it’s just not my cup of tea
There’s so much going on in this book. I got lost trying to keep track of all the bad guys. And there’s a lot of times I’m left asking “what was the point of that?” And maybe that’s what the author was going for.
There’s so much going on in this book. I got lost trying to keep track of all the bad guys. And there’s a lot of times I’m left asking “what was the point of that?” And maybe that’s what the author was going for.
May 17, 2023
this is a beautifully written fantasy, pursuing themes of good and evil, but written in a refreshing and original way. I have read earlier books by the this author and very much enjoy his style of writing. I eagerly await the the next books in this series.
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