What do you think?
Rate this book
守り人 [Moribito] #6
神之守護者 回歸篇
舞台となるのは、異界と人の世界が交錯する世界 ── 。
ロタ王家に使える隠密シハナの罠にはまったバルサ。一方、アスラはみずからのふるう〈力〉を恐れつつも、心は残酷な神へと近づいていく。待ち受ける運命から、バルサはアスラを救えるのか。シリーズ第６作。
本タイトルには付属資料・PDFが用意されています。ご購入後、PCサイトのライブラリー、またはアプリ上の「目次」からご確認ください。
ロタ王家に使える隠密シハナの罠にはまったバルサ。一方、アスラはみずからのふるう〈力〉を恐れつつも、心は残酷な神へと近づいていく。待ち受ける運命から、バルサはアスラを救えるのか。シリーズ第６作。
本タイトルには付属資料・PDFが用意されています。ご購入後、PCサイトのライブラリー、またはアプリ上の「目次」からご確認ください。
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Nahoko Uehashi
89 books357 followersNahoko Uehashi is the author of ten books in the Moribito series, which have sold more than a million copies and won many major literary awards in her native Japan. An associate professor at a Japanese university, she has a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and studies indigenous peoples in Australia. She lives near Tokyo, Japan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 6, 2021
Thanks to Ainikki the Archivist for translating the entire novel series to English herself and making it accessible to those who cannot read Japanese.
This is by far my favorite novel in the series. Balsa & Asra’s bond is so wholesome and the themes/dynamics in this story in particular are just too good. I’ve already loved her work, but Nahoko Uehashi solidified herself as one of my favorite authors with this one.
This is by far my favorite novel in the series. Balsa & Asra’s bond is so wholesome and the themes/dynamics in this story in particular are just too good. I’ve already loved her work, but Nahoko Uehashi solidified herself as one of my favorite authors with this one.
February 22, 2022
One more winner with the series for, Kami no Moribito: Kikan-hen!!
I have my own blog now, so please do pay it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)
──────────────────
February to me, is a pretty weak reading month, but I can safely say that this series is one that would never disappoint.
Kikan-hen or The Book of Returning continues where we left off last time in this adventure. Balsa and Asra are trying to get somewhere safe, while Tanda and Chikisa are still in a tight spot.
As I mentioned before, the way the information is revealed in this series is easily one of its highlights. And that doesn't stop here in the second volume of this adventure, the legend of Talhamaya is explored further here. Which, only serves to add to my already endless high praise of how intertwined the legends of this series are with the story's progression.
This is also the story that reminded me of Seirei no Moribito the most. Not the progression itself, but the overall enjoyment while reading. The volumes up to here ranged a bit, but this as a whole was brilliant to read. The relationship between the characters, the increased danger levels and Asra's struggle with all of this was great.
There is an interesting aspect here when it comes to the usage of power. Talhamaya is blood thirsty, and being in the hands of a child who has been wronged quite a bit, could lead to catastrophe before anything good. Or so I believe, which made seeing it presented as an actual struggle even better for me.
Like I mentioned last time, there is an increased amount of danger in these two volumes. And that doesn't stop whatsoever, it actually increases with this volume. Especially when it came to what Balsa has to go through, or the battles she needs to fight.
I considered the previous volume a set up one, but this one for sure, is the complete opposite. In events and increased pacing to the climax. There are a few characters with hidden agendas. Learning why they are so hellbent on some things and the lead up to that, was very fun for me.
All in all, I enjoyed it a lot and though next time it's a Traveler novel, I do look forward to the three volume finale of the series as a whole. If this two volume adventure was any indication, what's coming is going to be phenomenal!
I have my own blog now, so please do pay it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)
──────────────────
February to me, is a pretty weak reading month, but I can safely say that this series is one that would never disappoint.
Kikan-hen or The Book of Returning continues where we left off last time in this adventure. Balsa and Asra are trying to get somewhere safe, while Tanda and Chikisa are still in a tight spot.
As I mentioned before, the way the information is revealed in this series is easily one of its highlights. And that doesn't stop here in the second volume of this adventure, the legend of Talhamaya is explored further here. Which, only serves to add to my already endless high praise of how intertwined the legends of this series are with the story's progression.
This is also the story that reminded me of Seirei no Moribito the most. Not the progression itself, but the overall enjoyment while reading. The volumes up to here ranged a bit, but this as a whole was brilliant to read. The relationship between the characters, the increased danger levels and Asra's struggle with all of this was great.
There is an interesting aspect here when it comes to the usage of power. Talhamaya is blood thirsty, and being in the hands of a child who has been wronged quite a bit, could lead to catastrophe before anything good. Or so I believe, which made seeing it presented as an actual struggle even better for me.
Like I mentioned last time, there is an increased amount of danger in these two volumes. And that doesn't stop whatsoever, it actually increases with this volume. Especially when it came to what Balsa has to go through, or the battles she needs to fight.
I considered the previous volume a set up one, but this one for sure, is the complete opposite. In events and increased pacing to the climax. There are a few characters with hidden agendas. Learning why they are so hellbent on some things and the lead up to that, was very fun for me.
All in all, I enjoyed it a lot and though next time it's a Traveler novel, I do look forward to the three volume finale of the series as a whole. If this two volume adventure was any indication, what's coming is going to be phenomenal!
June 18, 2023
I read Ainikki's excellent fan translation of this novel. This review covers both Raiho-hen and Kikan-hen, as it is a continuous story. I will paste the review on both.
This is the first book in the Moribito series that has 2 volumes, and as a result, it's the first of the books that feels like it has proper breathing room. Uehashi actually has the time and the pages to describe locations, sights, sounds, foods, and delve more into the characters. If this is what Uehashi can do with 400 pages instead of 200, then give her 400 every time.
The story itself follows Balsa and Tanda, who have had their first peaceful year together as Balsa has been helping Tanda recover from the injuries sustained in Guardian of the Dream. Balsa, in an inn, witnesses 2 children being trafficked. She has a moment where she realizes she can just do nothing, but that that wouldn't be true to herself. She jumps in to save the 2 children... and almost dies in the process. The girl, Asra, is the host of a powerful and violent god, Talhamaya, and she does not have control over it. Tanda, after doing a soul call, says very firmly that if they help the children, they may not live to tell of it. Then, because he is Tanda, he nurses them back to health anyway. (Balsa and Tanda remain one of my favorite literary couples of all time.) The book from there follows Balsa and Tanda as they try to get the 2 children, Chikisa and Asra, to safety.
The character work in the novel is excellent. Balsa, Tanda, Chikisa, Asra, Sufar, and Shihana are all fully fleshed-out, with good stories behind them. The tone of the book is much darker than Guardian of the Dream or Traveler of the Void, but Uehashi uses that extra edge to great effect. There are many who consider Guardian of the God the best book in the series. Having read 7 of the 13 books so far, I would agree. It's at least as good as Guardian of the Spirit. I am so glad to have finally read this gem.
This is the first book in the Moribito series that has 2 volumes, and as a result, it's the first of the books that feels like it has proper breathing room. Uehashi actually has the time and the pages to describe locations, sights, sounds, foods, and delve more into the characters. If this is what Uehashi can do with 400 pages instead of 200, then give her 400 every time.
The story itself follows Balsa and Tanda, who have had their first peaceful year together as Balsa has been helping Tanda recover from the injuries sustained in Guardian of the Dream. Balsa, in an inn, witnesses 2 children being trafficked. She has a moment where she realizes she can just do nothing, but that that wouldn't be true to herself. She jumps in to save the 2 children... and almost dies in the process. The girl, Asra, is the host of a powerful and violent god, Talhamaya, and she does not have control over it. Tanda, after doing a soul call, says very firmly that if they help the children, they may not live to tell of it. Then, because he is Tanda, he nurses them back to health anyway. (Balsa and Tanda remain one of my favorite literary couples of all time.) The book from there follows Balsa and Tanda as they try to get the 2 children, Chikisa and Asra, to safety.
The character work in the novel is excellent. Balsa, Tanda, Chikisa, Asra, Sufar, and Shihana are all fully fleshed-out, with good stories behind them. The tone of the book is much darker than Guardian of the Dream or Traveler of the Void, but Uehashi uses that extra edge to great effect. There are many who consider Guardian of the God the best book in the series. Having read 7 of the 13 books so far, I would agree. It's at least as good as Guardian of the Spirit. I am so glad to have finally read this gem.
November 2, 2024
Personally think this is the best entry of Moribito series thus far. So many themes are being explored, so many questions about racism, humanity and taking responsibility of one's actions, and the role of religion in suppression and invoking provocation. It's a long novel published in two parts in bunkobon yet there is never a boring moment.
The ending did not play out as I expected, but certainly made it the first entry where nobody is saved, unlike the previous ones with relatively happy endings. The sacrifice of one does not often bring an end to all the sufferings. Taru no tami will suffer even greater discrimination due to actions of few who were seen as treason. The conflict between the richer South and poorer North still continues to slowly rip the country apart. I shall wait to see how all these will affect the development of coming entries in the series.
The ending did not play out as I expected, but certainly made it the first entry where nobody is saved, unlike the previous ones with relatively happy endings. The sacrifice of one does not often bring an end to all the sufferings. Taru no tami will suffer even greater discrimination due to actions of few who were seen as treason. The conflict between the richer South and poorer North still continues to slowly rip the country apart. I shall wait to see how all these will affect the development of coming entries in the series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews