White Feathers, Crimson Leaves: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

by Josh Reynolds

Genres: Fantasy, Asian Literature

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

For the Black Library and horror author, see Joshua Reynolds.

Reviews

[kylie’s been jinxed ౨ৎ]

❛❛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴏғᴛᴇɴ ʟᴏsᴛ. ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴍɪɴᴅs ᴛᴏʀɴ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴅ ʙᴇᴇɴ. ❜❜*

˗ˏˋ 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 ˎˊ˗

ᯓ ᴡʜɪᴛᴇ ғᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀs, ᴄʀɪᴍsᴏɴ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇs ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 21, 2026.
⤿ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 2.25 sᴛᴀʀs ★★★★☆
⤿ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ: ʟᴇɢᴇɴᴅ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪᴠᴇ ʀɪɴɢs ᴀɴᴅ sᴘᴏᴏᴋʏ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀᴇ!

ᯓ ᴘʀᴇᴍɪsᴇ:
⤿(Goodreads has no book description, so everyone is stuck reading my premise instead!) Red Groves is a village that is falling apart, with no leader and seemingly no path forward. A wardmaster, Shuoko, and her apprentice by the name of Tansho quickly realize that they are unwelcome and something is wrong with the village. As the threat of an invisible enemy grows, Shuoko and Tansho must uncover mysteries and secrets - before it is too late.

ᯓ ᴀʟʟ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
⤷ I am genuinely so baffled by this book.

I guess it is my mistake for requesting this book without knowing it was part of the Legend of the Five Rings video game/novel universe. But, I think that despite the book being part of a larger plotline - a reader should still be able to pick it up and enjoy it.

I do understand that plenty of epic-fantasy and beginnings of series have complex storylines and worldbuilding. I am often confused, and then figure it out as the story progresses. In this, I experienced no such epiphany, at very few points did the story make sense to me.

I liked the concept behind this book, the spooky atmosphere and mystery were incredibly intriguing. However, the rest of the book fell short for me. I was incredibly bored for the beginning and the middle portion of the book. It did pick up towards the end.

I am a little annoyed that it took me so long to read, I probably would not pick this back up again. It is not horrible, it is simply not a particularly exciting or engaging read. Again, this is definitely aimed towards the preexisting fan base of this book. If that is you, pick up the book.

ᯓ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ:
⤿ 2.25 stars

*Quote has been taken from an uncorrected proof.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ:
⤿ i’m chasing that 100% feedback ratio this month 😭😭 - it’s a vicious cycle! this one has a really pretty cover - i’m excited to see if it’s good.

ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇs:

➤ 13% = i’m genuinely so confused right now

➤ 19% = still so baffled by what is going on :((

➤ 39% = i still don’t understand 😭

[eyes.2c]

Dark things haunt the Empire!

I must admit to loving Josh Reynolds’ writing.
Once again we’re in the lands of the Emerald Empire
This time with two wardmasters, Yogo Shuko an older woman of the Scorpion Clan, disciplined, dour even; and her younger apprentice, Kuni Tansho, who is more impulsive.
They have been hired by the wife of the local lord, Lady Chimeg, rulers of the castle and surrounding lands, to rid the spirits or curses that haunts the area of the Red Grove Keep, which has lain empty for a century or so.
A thrilling, macabre story that pulls blood magic and an ancient curse into the mix, weaving them into a tale of terror and madness.
The two women face a task fraught with death and magics that could ensnare them.
Excellent read, anticipation is everything.

An Aconyte Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Mahi Agarwal]

White Feathers, Crimson Leaves by Josh Reynolds plunges readers into the cursed land of Rokugan, a world of samurai, sorcery, restless spirits and deadly secrets.

From the very first chapter, the story grabs your attention with an eerie chill. The village of Red Grove feels hauntingly alive. Shadows hide wandering ghosts, silent streets smell of decay and the forest seems to breathe with malevolence. Every page creates an unsettling atmosphere, making you feel as though you can hear the whispers of lost souls and the rustle of cursed crimson leaves.

What makes this book truly captivating is how the darkness and cold become more than just settings; they turn into characters of their own, haunting every moment of the story. The author’s vivid descriptions bring the horror to life: hungry ghosts dragging victims beneath dark waters, spectral chains woven from blood magic and the chilling presence of the White Crane with its ghostly feathers.

Each confrontation is filled with tension and danger. The characters fight not only enemies of flesh and blood but also ancient curses and the lingering sins of the past.

At its heart, this is a story about the corrupting nature of power, the burden of legacy and the devastating cost of vengeance. It constantly asks how far someone would go to protect their clan and what price must be paid for revenge.

If you love dark fantasy filled with haunting atmosphere, dangerous magic, and a constant sense of dread, White Feathers, Crimson Leaves is definitely worth reading.

[Lanie Brown]

Shuko the wardmaster and Tansho her apprentice have been called to the Red Grove, a small village that a Shingo Lord has just reclaimed as an inheritance to exorcise a curse. When the women arrive they can see that this is no run of the mill curse. Shuko is far more concerned than she would normally be as the village and the keep itself is crawling with ghosts. Given how bad it is she determines that they will need to work quickly to immediately cleanse the area, however, as Lord Altan, is less than cooperative. He consistently points out that it was not he who called them there but his cousin Enkh and his wife Chimeg. Within days though it becomes clear to Shuko that Altan is the target of not just a curse but a ghost far more powerful than any Shuku has ever faced. Bodies are piling up and she knows there is very little time left for the entire Shingo family if she is unable to stop it, but with little help coming from them will they simply have to abandon them to their fate?

This one was a lot of fun! I believe this is the first Legend of Five Rings book that I have read that has dealt specifically with the supernatural and a wardmaster so I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this book!

I don't recall coming across Shuko in other stories, she's a pretty great character so if I did I would think I would remember her. Tansho is fantastic as well and thanks to being pretty much exact opposites they work well together. Shuko is very straight forward, blunt to a fault so in all honesty, no matter what she says or thinks, she kind of needs someone like Tansho with her who is far more just nice to be honest. I think this particular story too really helped demonstrate how both of their techniques whether it is how they go about investigating a case, to how they deal with people, is needed for them to successfully complete a job. Like, I know there are a ton of side stories for this series already, but I definitely would not be disappointed if we got more stories of these two fighting supernatural enemies.

Now, this does end up being more of a mystery than anything, which is fine with me because I love supernatural mysteries. Shuko and Tansho figure out pretty quickly that it isn't just a curse, it's a curse and a ghost and the ghost is being controlled by someone. The story becomes more figuring out who that is from there on. Which to be fair there are some characters that when they are first introduced bad guy red flags pop up immediately. It's not Altan though, Altan is a jerk, but quite frankly he's clearly too stupid to come up with what is ultimately a really stupid plot. However, since he is just a giant jerk it's also fairly obvious that virtually everyone in Red Grove is a suspect, like quite frankly, I was half way hoping it was either the bandits or the villagers who had come up with this idea because if anyone deserved to hurt that guy it was them.

We also have a twist on the bad guys to which I enjoyed greatly, and again it's kind of an obvious twist if you paid attention to the characters behaviors the whole book but it was still fun when it happened. And of course with the kind of story, I think it's necessary that the bad guy think they are the smartest guy in the room. Which thanks to the plot twist they actually do end up being the smartest guy in the room, one of my very favorite plot twists when it comes to bad guys.

Pacing is excellent and the fight scenes were great as well. World building, I will say that since I have read so many of the Legend of Five Rings novels now all the talk about "The Crane are like this" or "Unicorns are like that" made complete sense to me but it probably wouldn't to someone who hasn't read any of the other books. However, I don't feel like it would have made a huge difference though, like genuinely, this is rather contained compared to other books in the series so I think a newbie to this world would be okay.

My only very small complaint is that I wish we had learned more about what had actually happened to the woman who ultimately ends up becoming a ghost. Only because there is a scene where Shoku gets a flashback and there is a child crying in the flashback, but this is never addressed later on. It's totally Shoku's fault too because when she has her final showdown with the bad guy they are like "Oh hey, wanna hear the ghost's story?" and Shoku in her "OMFG can we just get this over with" attitude is like, "Nah." I feel like if Tansho had been there we would have got the full story instead of the bits and pieces we received. This is seriously, clearly not a real complaint more of a whine really.

Definitely just another fun read in this series that I have come to absolutely love over the past few years, and I am looking forward to reading the next! Which I hope is a new Daidoji Shin Mystery!

As always thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for the eArc!

[Dan]

My thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for an advance copy of a horror novel set in a popular role playing universe, with witch hunters, ghost busters, bandits, samurai, liars and innocents, in a tale of dark magic, hidden machinations, and revenge.

I have never seen a ghost, but I think I have felt them. Either in passing or occupying areas they can't leave, trapped by events they either took part in, or maybe had done to them. Like when you are driving down the highway and feel the need to hit the brakes, a place where accidents have happened before. Or finding dead trees in the middle of a forest, where everything else seems ok. Actions have consequences, bad events leave a mark, a scar on the psyche, and on the world. Something that only revenge can make go away. Or set off something much worse. White Feathers, Crimson Leaves: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel by Josh Reynolds is a stand alone novel set in the popular role playing world about a ghost finder and her associates tasked to find what is haunting a small village, and finding a very complicated game of politics, family, banditry and of magical revenge.

Tucked away far from the Emerald Empire in the land of Rokugan is a small village of Red Groves, once known for its mines, and for the lumber that it produced. Red Groves has been without a lord for quite a time, and while the town is doing ok, its best days are far in the past. A new lord and his retinue have arrived and things start to go bad quite quickly. Trees begin dying, horses are dying, dogs are disappearing, and the lord's castle is slowly falling apart. And soon people close to the lord are murdered. Wardmaster Yogo Shuko, and her apprentice Kuni Tansho are secretly hired to find out what is going on, and do their best to make everything return to normal. What they find is anything but normal. A castle, moldy and decaying, a village full of secrets and a temple that seems corrupted by something stronger than anything Shuko has ever faced. And in the dark plots, and secrets soon make the spirits and demons far less dangerous than the politics that surround the Lord.

I am a big fan of Josh Reynolds and this book is no exception. Reynolds has a real gift for creating very good plots, characters that one cares about, and filling the story with action, humor, and a narrative that is both propulsive, and holds together. I must admit to reading most of the books set in this world, though I have not played the game once. And yet I had a fun time, and always have a fun time reading these books. The story is very packed with lore about demons, spirits and what makes them do what they do. The story is strong, with a few red herrings as well as a White Crane, and plays fair with the reader. I do hope this is a start of another series for I really enjoyed the characters, the magic and way the story was presented.

Fans of manga or of the long running comic by Stan Sakai Usagi Yojimbo will really enjoy this story. The mix of occult, demonology, curses and sword fighting are balanced by well-developed characters and a strong story. I look forward to more adventures in this world, and more books by Josh Reynolds.

[Susanna]

White Feathers, Crimson Leaves is set in Rokugan, East-Asia inspired Legend of the Five Rings game world. I enjoyed Reynolds’ previous tie-in series, Daidoji Shin mysteries, so I was eager to read his return to Rokugan. The book is horror instead of mystery, with different characters and setting, and while I miss Daidoji Shin and his investigations in the city of the Rich Frog, I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying this book.

Wardmaster Yogo Shuko is in her late thirties, a brusque and straightforward member of Scorpion clan who has spent all her life banishing ghosts and breaking curses. With her is her apprentice, Kuni Tansho, a witch hunter in her early twenties. She’s from the Crab clan and has a different approach to investigations than her teacher. The women don’t really get along, but they won’t let that stop them from doing their job.

They’ve come to the mountains of Unicorn clan, into a backwater village of Red Grove, where a curse has been killing the people of the lord who has recently taken over the village. For Shuko, it’s a straightforward case of break the curse and be on your way. Tansho wants to find out why the curse was cast in the first place and by whom. While they are fairly sure the oppressed villagers who somehow escape the curse are responsible, they also sympathise with them. But the truth turns out to be something completely different.

This was a fast-paced, no frills, mild horror mystery that relied heavily on Japanese folk horror stories and creatures. It focused tightly on the case at hand. We don’t really learn anything about the main characters, both with their point of view chapters, more than that they’re powerful practitioners, and their inner workings aren’t important for the story. Neither of them has the charm and wit of Daidoji Shin and his stalwart bodyguard Kasami, and it took me a while to warm up to them, but they got there in the end. The setting didn’t have the cultural richness of Rich Frog, and as such, the remote village could’ve belonged to any fantasy world. Clan politics and the cultures of Rokugan didn’t feature.

Nevertheless, I was invested in learning who was behind the curse, and how Shuko would break it. It had some hair-raising moments, but it wasn’t terribly scary and I wasn’t entirely emotionally invested in the characters and their fates. If I compare it to a similar Five Rings book, The Night Parade of 100 Demons by Marie Brennan, where a priest and aristocrat fight evil spirits in a mountain village, it falls a bit short. Like with Daidoji Shin mysteries, the ending isn’t so much about justice and bringing the guilty party to face the law as it is about comeuppance, but it’s satisfying. I don’t know if this is a stand-alone story or a start of a new series, but I’d read more.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Meredith Katz]

The majority of this, I really, really liked, but there were other elements that I just couldn't seem to get into.

I always like Josh Reynolds' writing style. He's got a deeply evocative narrative voice, and it's on full display here, creating a moody and uncomfortable atmosphere that properly sets the stage for ghost and murders. As a piece of folk horror, it really works. The story itself is really well paced and well plotted, too. Introducing layers of enemies--the curse, and whoever enabled it to act--really works well here, and it took a satisfying amount of time for me to pin down a suspect. And the entire back half of the story was incredibly exciting. I read it all in one go, breathlessly. That ending absolutely slayed me. Really wonderful work, all in all.

But something also feels... slightly off? There are two point of view characters, but when they investigate separately, they almost always both learn the same things through different means (including things like... the identity of the ghost, which is a huge moment), so it feels a bit wasted to have two characters in different places. Everyone is rude all the time--and while in some characters it's hammered home that this is just their personality, it applies to everyone, whether or not the narrative calls it out, which makes for an odd lack of variance and a weird balance between the narration noting some characters' bluntness but this not actually being an exception to how anyone's behaving in this story. It's part of my main issue when reading this: everyone's voices are very similar to each other in how they phrase things, which is a real problem here for me; by this I mean, the ARC I was reading there were segments that were mis-formatted and everyone's lines ran all together, and I actually couldn't tell who was saying what unless they had dialog tags, because their narration all had the same diction, pacing, and bluntness. Again, this wasn't an issue in his earlier Five Rings books.

The similarity in how all the characters talk and react dimmed the overall reading of it for me somewhat; with two point of view characters, most of whom are accompanied by other secondary characters in their investigations, I would have loved some more differentiation of voice to give a bit more texture to the reading, and more differentiation in what they learn. Maybe none of this would have stood out to me if the rest wasn't as strong.

But it's still well worth a read. Very strong folk horror, and the imagery in this reminded me of a classic Kurosawa film in its combination of restraint but moments of rich description (though I suppose it would be more of an onmyouji film than a samurai one). Just don't expect it to be as much of a character piece as his earlier Daidouji Shin novels.

Thank you to Aconyte Books and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[AuthorHood]

“The why did not matter, only the how".
Mr. Josh Reynolds crafts a story where mystery is not merely about uncovering secrets, but about surviving the darkness hidden beneath them.

Having read the novel from beginning to end, what managed to glue to my head was not just the supernatural investigation or the haunting atmosphere, but the emotional weight carried by its characters.
This is a book filled with ghosts in every possible sense, not only the dead wandering through cursed corridors, but also the ghosts of memory, guilt, duty and buried grief!

Yogo Shuko is an extraordinary protagonist.
Mr. Reynolds has written her with a lot of depth. She's not designed to be traditionally likable but still she becomes endlessly compelling because of how much she conceals beneath her cold exterior. Every interaction, every silence, every measured response around her felt meaningful. Her relationship with Kuni Tansho evolved into one of the strongest elements of the novel. Tansho’s stubbornness, humor and emotional impulsiveness constantly clashed against Shuko’s discipline and emotional distance, creating dialogue that felt alive and authentic throughout the story.
One exchange that genuinely stayed with me was:

“Comfort is the enemy of the alert mind. It softens one’s edge.”

That line perfectly reflects the emotional philosophy of the novel. Nobody in this story is allowed comfort for long.
Every character has been shaped by loss, survival or obligation.

The horror in the book unfolded just impressively!!
Mr. Reynolds didn't rush with the fear, instead, he allowed dread to collect slowly through details...the decaying silence of Red Grove, the restless dead drifting through snowy courtyards, the strange behavior of the villagers and the overwhelming sense that the land itself remembered something terrible!!!!!!
The atmosphere kept consistently immersive and yes...cinematic.

I particularly appreciate the intelligence with which the novel handles its themes of corruption and inherited suffering.
The curse haunting Red Grove never felt like a simple fantasy device.
It became symbolic of old violence, buried truths and the inability of the past to remain buried. Even the spirits wandering the keep, felt tragic rather than monstrous!

Another line that beautifully captures the spirit of the story is:

“Crabs pinched, Scorpions stung and Spirits teased. That was simply the way of the world.”

There is wisdom, melancholy and a lot of dark humor woven naturally into the writing and that balance is what made the novel one word...wonderful!

"White Feathers, Crimson Leaves" is not just some fantasy novel, for it is an atmospheric ponder on fear, duty, death and emotional endurance written into a brilliant supernatural mystery.

[Bela✨]

“Sometimes cruelty is a better teacher than charity”
This single line actually captures the whole of the essence of "White Feathers, Crimson Leaves" and validates it being a haunting, morally complex fantasy mystery wherein duty demanded hard choices and the line between wisdom and ruthlessness went razor thin!!

This one, is an ultra rich atmospheric and thoroughly engrossing fantasy novel that has mystery, supernatural horror and political intrigue, weaved into a superly satisfying story.

Set in the fascinating world of "Rokugan" from the "Legend of the Five Rings" universe, the book followed the wardmaster "Yogo Shuko" and her sharp tongued apprentice "Kuni Tansho" as they journeyed to the remote settlement of "Red Grove" to investigate a deadly curse🤞

The dynamics between Shuko and Tansho, impressed me the most🤌
Their relationship is one of the book’s greatest grace.
Shuko is described to be all disciplined, stoic and burdened by years of confronting dark magic, while Tansho is made to bring youthful irreverence, curiosity and wit. Their exchanges were often humorous, but they also revealed a growing respect and emotional depth that made their partnership genuinely beautiful and interesting 🌹

Mr. Josh Reynolds really excelled at creating an eerie atmosphere...like from haunted hot springs to decaying castles and ghost filled courtyards, every setting felt huge and...unsettling.
The descriptions were to the tenth immersive...without slowing the pace and the supernatural elements used were both...imaginative and unsettling.

The mystery surrounding Red Grove has been presented steadily, which kept me invested through and through, for new layers of history, betrayal and hidden corruption were being brought to light...one by one!!

Beyond the haunting imagery and suspense, the novel, also explored the themes of duty, sacrifice, legacy and the emotional cost of confronting darkness🤞

The world building, no doubt is excellent, which offered enough detail to satisfy long time fans alongwith remaining accessible to newcomers!!


"White Feathers, Crimson Leaves" is an expertly crafted fantasy mystery that presents a wonderful balance of atmosphere, character development and intrigue with remarkable skill.

[Cheyenne Oleson]

**★★★★☆ | Atmospheric, Haunting, and Rich with Intrigue**

*White Feathers, Crimson Leaves* by Josh Reynolds is a compelling blend of supernatural mystery, political tension, and immersive world-building. Set within the *Legend of the Five Rings* universe, it delivers a story that feels both expansive and intimate, even for readers unfamiliar with the setting.

The atmosphere is one of the book’s strongest elements. From the decaying castle to the quiet, unsettled village, there’s a constant sense that something is wrong beneath the surface. The imagery is vivid and often eerie, pulling you into a world shaped by spirits, curses, and lingering consequences.

At the heart of the story is the dynamic between the two leads. The mentor-apprentice relationship brings both structure and personality to the narrative, balancing seriousness with moments of subtle humor and growth. Their contrasting perspectives make the investigation feel more layered and engaging.

The mystery itself is well-crafted, blending supernatural elements with underlying political and social tensions. While some aspects of the plot may feel slightly familiar or easier to anticipate, the journey remains compelling thanks to the strong writing and immersive setting.

The pacing is steady, allowing time for both world-building and character development. There is a learning curve with some of the lore and terminology, but it becomes easier to follow as the story unfolds.

Overall, *White Feathers, Crimson Leaves* is a richly atmospheric and engaging read that combines ghostly horror with intrigue and character-driven storytelling. It’s a rewarding experience for fans of supernatural mysteries and immersive fantasy worlds alike.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

[Lara R.]

Some stories haunt you while you read them. This one lingers long after the final page.

White Feathers, Crimson Leaves is a dark, atmospheric blend of horror, mystery, and political intrigue set in the Legend of the Five Rings world, and it absolutely delivered for me.

At its core, this is a story about a cursed village, a restless spirit, and two women trying to uncover the truth behind a haunting that is far more complex than it first appears. What starts as a fairly contained investigation slowly unravels into something much bigger: a layered narrative about power, abuse, and the consequences of both.

What I loved most was how the story refuses to be simple.

The horror elements are genuinely unsettling (the imagery alone 😳), but what really stood out is how everything ties back to people, their choices, their cruelty, and their desperation. The curse isn’t just a supernatural threat; it’s the result of something deeply human. And even when the truth comes to light, there’s no easy resolution, no clean justice.

Shuko and Tansho were fantastic to follow. Their dynamic works so well, experienced vs. learning, controlled vs. questioning, and I especially loved how Tansho’s perspective grounds the story while still allowing for that sense of unease and discovery.

And then there’s the ending…
Quiet. Melancholic. Unsettling in the best way.
It doesn’t hand you answers. It leaves you with questions, and somehow that makes it even more satisfying.

If you enjoy:

• dark fantasy with horror elements
• morally grey characters and situations
• stories where the supernatural is deeply tied to human actions
• and endings that linger

this one is absolutely worth picking up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megha Bhatia]

Forget the usual courtly wordplay and elegant tea ceremonies; the author drags you straight into the mud, blood, and malevolent shadows of Rokugan. Set in the Legend of the Five Rings universe, this book starts with a hungry ghost and refuses to slow down, offering an ultra-rich, atmospheric blend of supernatural horror and political intrigue. You don’t even need to know the tabletop game to get utterly hooked.

The story follows wardmaster Yogo Shuko and her sharp-tongued apprentice, Kuni Tansho, as they travel to the cursed, decaying village of Red Grove. What should be a routine exorcism quickly spirals into a lethal web of lies. The author is a master at crafting eerie spaces, from haunted hot springs to silent, spooky forests, the sense of lurking danger is palpable.

The heart of the novel is the captivating dynamic between the leads. Shuko is stoic, disciplined, and burdened by years of fighting dark magic, while Tansho brings youthful irreverence, curiosity, and wit. They are total opposites, yet their humorous, respectful banter anchors the story beautifully. As bodies pile up around a hostile local lord, Shuko and Tansho realize the ghosts aren’t the only threat, the living humans hiding dark secrets are far more dangerous.

A line from the book perfectly captures its essence: "Sometimes cruelty is a better teacher than charity." This is a morally complex fantasy mystery where duty demands razor-thin choices between wisdom and ruthlessness.

While the pacing deliberately slows at times to build incredible suspense, it delivers thrilling action, imaginative magic, and a brilliant villainous plot twist. It’s a haunting, deeply immersive read that leaves you desperately wanting more adventures from this fantastic duo.

[Sumit RK]

'White Feathers, Crimson Leaves: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel' by Josh Reynolds is a dark horror mystery. Set in the Legend of the Five Rings world, the story blends horror, mystery and adventure in an engrossing fantasy.

Set in Rokungan Empire, the story revolves around the small village of Red Groves is haunted by demons and spirits and Wardmaster Yogo Shuko, and her apprentice Kuni Tansho are secretly hired by the local lords to investigate the mysterious hauntings around the Red Groves Keep. But the attempts to unlock the mystery leads to unraveling of deep buried secrets and ancient curses. As the bodies start piling up, Will their investigation reveal the truth?

The story is a well-crafted mystery with a solid plot, well crafted characters and some fantastic world building. The story packs plenty of folk horror elements from demons and spirits. For anyone new to the series, the lore may take time to get into but the magic and the mystery keeps you hooked. As a newbie to the Legend of Five Rings lore, the book started off slowly but gradually got more interesting as the story moved ahead.

The story is fast paced and the combo of Shunko and Tansho works really well, despite their contrasting natures. The action sequences are well executed, with the addition of magic making them exciting. The narrative rooted in culture and mild humourous tone make the proceedings light. The creepy atmosphere, the tense setting and the twists and turns keeps you hooked till the end.

Overall, 'White Feathers, Crimson Leaves' is a gripping read that most fantasy fans will enjoy.

[East of Reality]

Trigger warnings for mentions of animal death, mentions of animal corpses.

While this may be an unfamiliar series for me — I believe this book is based on a video game world — I found it very easy to get lost in the atmospheric writing and Japanese inspired world. (To be honest, I picked up the ARC based on the cover alone, because I’m very easily led by aesthetics and ghost stories.) Coming to this completely uninformed I found a story about a cursed castle, exorcists, demons and spirits that felt fun and novel to someone who has mostly read western horror stories.

The imagery and folktale feel of the curse are the best part, for me. The spirits — the good, the bad, the inbetween — feel like spirits; they’re capricious with their own motives, their own mythology and motives, and add depth to the book. The characters, with their various ranks, cultural backgrounds, are a little less interesting to me, but very well done. As a character-centric reader, I enjoyed both Tansho’s bright and clever curiosity as well as Shuko’s cold conservatism and brusqueness. They work well as a pair, and give two sides to the story that’s being told.

There is so much lore in this book, so many layers of folktales and stories, of past and present hurts. The writing is deceptively simple and the hints that trickle out, the echoes of past stories and foreshadowing of new ones so skillfully done … I am delighted by this author, and hope they write more stories in this world, because I will be right there to read them.

Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Ananya Maji]

Set in the world of Legend of Five Rings the novel follows the key protagonists Yogo Shuko and her novice Kuni Tansho as they navigate the strange malfeasance surrounding an accursed town Red Grove, tamed with blood magic, unholy symbols resulting in dead corpses- 'It was as if the whole town were rotting on the bone.'

Josh Reynolds avoids dramatic excess and instead allows unease to sink slowly into the narrative. Red Grove feels spiritually exhausted reflecting 'Crimson Leaves' of the title, as though the land itself remembers what its people are trying to bury. The emotional foundation of the novel is built on the past that lingers everywhere — in silence, in fear, and in the way people avoid speaking openly.

The relationship between Shuko and Tansho is what gives the story its depth. Shuko initially appears cold and almost inhuman in her restraint, but over time it becomes clear that her detachment is a form of survival. Tansho, meanwhile, brings emotional friction into the story, questioning both her mentor and the harshness of the world around them. Their dynamic slowly evolves from irritation into understanding, though never in an overly sentimental way. They represent 'White Feathers'- a symbol of purity, attempting to endure within a corrupted world.

'Some curses.....couldn't be broken at all.'- The story echoes that damage does not simply disappear once the source is confronted, and that lingering weight is what makes the ending feel so poignant. It made a lasting impact on me. I definitely recommend this novel to those who loves a slow-burn mystery.

[Stephanie White]

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

So, first things first, if you have watched a KDrama that is based on ghosts and "shamans" that go to purge the ghosts - this would be a good starting point - at least you would have a filter, that you kind of know what is going on, rather than coming from a completely American ghost book. I'm not saying to go watch one - it just makes it easier - or at least it did in my opinion.

We have two main female leads. Shuki - she can see ghosts, writes the wards, can banish ghosts - who has a cursed origami familiar, and we have Tansho a witch who is an apprentice and learning from her.

In the beginning of the book they battle one "ghost/demon" and then at the end of the book they have battled another ghost.

I loved the imagery in the book, and the description, I defintely feel that they were spooky and kind of drawed me into the location we are at. Who would used cursed wood in the building of their home? And then make two shrines? I felt for the peasants that worked for the Lord - and so did Tansho.

Shuki is defintely more closed off - and she stays the same at the end of the story although, Tansho does get her to keep Dog so maybe she is learning to let others in more.

Great story - if I had not experienced a Kdrama that dealt with this I might have not understood it at all but I think it came in handy in this case ;)

[Riza Isa]

White Feathers, Crimson Leaves by Josh Reynolds is a beautifully eerie and atmospheric read that slowly draws you into its unsettling world. Rather than relying on fast-paced action, the story focuses on mood, tension, and the quiet discomfort lingering beneath the surface of the village. The pacing is undeniably slow at times, but it works in favor of the story, allowing the mystery and sense of dread to build naturally chapter by chapter.

What truly made the book memorable for me was Kuni Tansho, the apprentice. In a story filled with emotionally restrained characters and an environment clouded by fear and suspicion, Kuni feels refreshingly human. He reacts openly to the disturbing events unfolding around him instead of masking his emotions, and that honesty brought a sense of warmth to an otherwise cold and uneasy narrative.

I found myself growing attached to him because his curiosity, vulnerability, and genuine reactions made the story feel more personal. While many characters seemed hardened by the world around them, Kuni still carried a sense of empathy and emotional openness that stood out strongly. He almost feels like the emotional anchor of the novel, grounding the reader amidst all the mystery and tension.

Overall, this is a slow but immersive read, perfect for readers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling, subtle horror, and character-driven narratives. And for me, Kuni Tansho was easily the heart of the story.

[Chhaya]

'Sometimes cruelty is a better teacher than charity.'

As a fantasy Asian drama lover, I was the most excited to start this book. I was instantly captivated by it the moment I saw the cover and read the blurb. It has the perfect amount of suspense, humor, horror, action, magic, and a dark setting. It was a dark, mysterious, and unforgettable story for me.

White Feathers Crimson Leaves is dark, mysterious folk horror story that keeps you engaged from the first page to the last page. I loved the mystery around the curse and the dark atmospheric setting of the story. I was too invested in the story to know the culprit behind the curse and to know about the backstory of ghost (which we didn't get).

This was my first ever book related to Legend of the Five Rings and in the beginning it was bit confusing and difficult to comprehend but gradually it all started to make sense. It was well-paced, neither too slow nor too fast. But the world-building was not that easy to understand for someone new to this series.

I actually liked the character of Tansho more, her character was refreshing, youthful, witty, and nice while Shuko was straightforward and disciplined. Their relationship as an apprentice and master worked really well, it was the highlight of the book for me.

Overall, if you enjoy mystery around ghosts, curses and supernatural elements then you'd definitely enjoy this book. If you are familiar with Legend of the Five Rings then you can't miss this one.

[Sebastian Thies]

Englisch Below

Ein wirklich gelungener Roman. 4,5/5

Ich bin ein großer Fan von Josh Daidoji Shin Büchern und habe hier den gleichen Vibe.
Mit Shuko und Tansho haben wir zwar zwei neue Protagonisten, aber die Nekereien zwischen den Beiden erinnert schon stark an Shin und Kasami.

Auch haben wir eigentlich wieder ein Whodonit nur das es diesmal noch Gruselelemente (Horror würde ich jetzt nicht sagen) gibt.

Der letzte halbe Punkt fehlt, da für mich ab dem2/3 bis zum Höhepunkt ein kleiner Hänger in der Spannung war. Aber ansonsten auf jeden Fall eine spassige und spannende Leseerfahrung.
Gerne mehr davon und bitte auch noch weitere Daidoji Shin Bücher.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm a big fan of Josh Daidoji Shin books, and this one gave me the same vibe. While Shuko and Tansho are two new protagonists, the banter and teasing between them strongly reminded me of Shin and Kasami.

Once again, we basically get a whodunit, but this time with some creepy elements mixed in (I wouldn’t quite call it horror, though).

The missing half point is because, for me, the tension dipped a little from around the two-thirds mark up until the climax. Other than that, it was definitely a fun and exciting reading experience.

I'd love to see more of this — and please give us more Daidoji Shin books as well.

[Swarnali Karar]

White Feather, Crimson Leaves: A Legend of the Five Rings by Josh Reynolds is a dark and mysterious novel which follows wardmaster Yogo Shuko and her apprentice Kuni Tansho They are on their way to the cursed village of Red Grove where an evil haunting around a family named Shingo is taking place. What was expected to be just a simple exorcism soon turned into much more, a story about ghosts, lies and blood, magic.

The haunting setting of the novel is truly magnificent. It consists of a deserted village, silent and spooky forest, as well as feeling of danger lurking in the story. I could feel a sense of fear in silence and suspense.

I loved the development of two main characters, Yogo Shuko and Kuni Tansho. Being calm and emotionally detached at first, Yogo gradually showed her true feelings during her journey. In contrary, Kuni Tansho is very curious and emotional. Although completely opposite, the interaction between them is interesting and captivating as the plot goes on.

Although it appears to be the ghosts who pose a danger in Red Grove, the ones who hide secrets turn out to be much more harmful.

In the book there are lots of thrilling action, humor, elements of fantasy, horror – everything that's needed in a good story! And it is beautifully written.

Pace of the book can be rather slow at time but it helps build suspense and atmosphere.

[Perna Mondal]

Josh Reynolds writes a beautiful eerie slow-burn fantasy mystery with White Feathers, Crimson Leaves. Set in the haunted land of Rokugan, wardmaster Yogo Shuko must investigate a village cursed by fear. Will the truth be revealed in time or will the revelation bury the hopes of the villagers? What makes this story so compelling is its atmosphere, not just its supernatural horror. Red Grove is home to shadows, decay, secrets and souls. Reynolds builds tension organically with silence, suspicion and emotional distress instead of relying on cheap scares. The relationship of Shuko and Tansho in particular is a great source of humor, as are the contrasts between them that the film creates. It also creates warmth in the film despite discussing darker topics.
The world that the novel creates is very interesting. The lore of ghosts, blood magic, the Nikko and Issen families' tension and involvement with the Kitsu above. Shuko with her mask, ritualistic practices and a cold pragmatic air is especially fascinating. A person who seems to carry some wisdom and hidden pain. This book will interest you, if you enjoy atmospheric fantasy inspired by Japanese folklore, supernatural mysteries and character-driven plots. It is unnervingly quiet and emotionally layered that lingers after the end.

[Anubhav]

The living keep more secrets than the dead…” — and this story proves it in a haunting and memorable way.
This novel draws you into the shadowy world of Rokugan, blending folk horror and dark fantasy with a slow-building sense of unease. The setting—an isolated forest village filled with hidden truths—feels vivid and immersive, almost like the environment itself plays a role in the story.
Yogo Shuko is a strong and composed protagonist, whose quiet intensity carries the narrative, while her apprentice, Kuni Tansho, adds curiosity and contrast. Their relationship deepens the unfolding mystery and keeps the reader engaged.
The greatest strength of the book lies in its atmosphere. Rather than relying on sudden shocks, it builds tension through silence, suspicion, and the unknown. The secrecy of the villagers, the presence of the forest, and the unseen threat create a lingering sense that something is always just out of reach.
The pacing is slower and more reflective, which may not appeal to readers looking for fast action. However, for those who enjoy layered storytelling and immersive worlds, it offers a rewarding experience.
Overall, this is an eerie and thoughtful read that stays with you, especially if you appreciate dark fantasy with depth and atmosphere.

[Maleesha]

Thanks to Netgalley for this arc. I'm a big fan of well written tie in novels. I read a lot of Forgotten Realms, Pathfinder, Magic the Gathering, etc.

This was a supernatural mystery set in the fantasy world of Rokugan. I’m a big fan of the setting and I’m always on the look out for new entries. Shuko and Tansho are a great duo and are the epitome of the stern master and irreverent apprentice trope. There was also a sprinkle of a buddy cop relationship. I enjoyed them both, each of them with strong morals and ethics. Rokugani nobility kind of suck though.

I really enjoyed the mystery but my experience with these type of stories let me guess who was the culprit at about the 60% mark. I still enjoyed it though. It was well written, very atmospheric and kind of creepy. The descriptions of all the ghosts and monsters were very detailed.

I would definitely recommend if you like Legend of the Five Rings and tie in novels in general.

[Janna Felix]

White Feathers, Crimson Leaves is a solid but somewhat understated entry into the Legend of the Five Rings world, offering a focused blend of folk horror and mystery. The premise is engaging, with Wardmaster Yogo Shuko and her apprentice Kuni Tansho investigating a deadly curse in a remote village, and the central mystery is compelling enough to keep you turning pages. The horror elements, inspired by Japanese folklore, create some eerie moments, though they never quite reach a truly chilling intensity. While the story is tightly paced and easy to follow, it lacks the rich world-building and character depth that make the setting feel distinctive, and the leads take time to warm up to without ever becoming especially memorable. Still, the resolution is satisfying and the concept has promise, making it a decent three-star read for fans of atmospheric, folklore-driven fantasy, even if it doesn’t fully stand out.

[Andrew]

Read as an arc from Netgalley:

I have zero experience with The Legend of Five Rings setting as such I was interested to see if I could follow this. Thankfully it wasn't an issue whatsoever, with all of the most pertinent elements of the universe covered.

The actual story was a very engaging and creepy little ghost story. With the final battle being particularly thrilling. Josh Reynolds is a very good author when it comes to creating memorable characters and that was true here as always.

Some good discussions about leadership and how declining fortunes can sometimes lead to more and more harsher elements in order to hold onto the shreds of power that they have left. Worth noting this is set in Japan with all Japanese characters but I thought it was handled very well.

If you're looking for an engaging ghost story this is a definite recommend.

[Jada Jade]

Unsure if I’m supposed to read a “Daidoji Shin Mystery” series to enjoy this, but I did!!

It possibly offers a better understanding of the world we’re in, this has very minimal world building, and more so mystery/thriller focused aspects.
I feel like this is what I wanted from “The Girl with a Thousand Faces”.

We have a Master / Student dynamic, which was super fun. Shuko is very much broody and Tansho is almost the total opposite. They played off each other so well, and Shuko’s shikigami? Hilarious.
Their banter had me giggling.

I kinda do see why people felt it dragged a bit more than it should’ve, but I personally enjoyed it.
I’m unfamiliar w/ Reynold’s work, other than Warhammer 40k(which I only know for name of), but after this, I’m curious to explore his backlog!!

[Caleb]

My thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for an advance copy!

The setting is eerie and plays into the story as its own character. The relationship between the wardmaster and her apprentice grows throughout the book and feels realistic, which is always a plus. And though the book is a mix of fantasy and horror, I thought it actually read more like a mystery book, with twists and turns that you both expect and don't expect.

The book was highly enjoyable for 90% of it, but the ending fell a bit short for my personal taste. But I would absolutely recommend this book for the setting and story overall.

[Clara]

I am a HUGE Legend of the Five Rings fan, and have been for ages. When I saw this pop up, I immediately had to request it on Netgalley. We come back to Rokugan, with a mystery popping up in the village of Red Groves. I also happen to be a big fan of the Kuni family so when I saw one of our protagonists had a Kuni family name I knew I had to read this as soon as possible.

If you happen to be unfamiliar to the Legend of the Five Rings universe, you can absolutely read this alone without knowing all the lore.. It's similar to Japan in how it's been created, so if you're into mysteries and Japanese inspired worlds, this is perfect for you!

[Therearenobadbooks]

Great mystery in an awesome medieval Japan fantasy setting. Shuko is hired to vanquish a curse and travels with her apprentice. They are not from the same clan, so there is fun banter between these characters, but together they make a great investigative team. Curse leads to ghosts, and ghosts lead to curses. Is this a haunting case or is there someone behind the summoning with intent? Action, great descriptions, vivid scenes, and humor to the very last bit. Tansho the apprentice is sweet and cares while her master is cold and arrogant, love them. This was an exciting standalone episode with plot twists in a world that I'm a fan of since my teen years. Amazing cover art.

[Laura]

A determined ward master and witch hunter get in way over their heads in their newly acquired task. It is a capturing story and moves at a decent pace, quickly enough to keep the action going but not so fast that some key details are missed. It did get a bit confusing since sometimes there was no font change or other indication of Yaka speaking but it was easy to catch.