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Amaranthine Saga #3
Tamiko and the Two Janitors
In doing her part for world peace, she puts one crosser’s whole world at risk.
Conspiracy theories, werewolf scares, and protest rallies have hampered the peace process in America, where social and political unrest keep most Amaranthine from declaring themselves. Those not in seclusion rely heavily on illusion to mask their true nature.
As the newly appointed principal of a small elementary school, Tamiko Reaverson is doing her part for world peace. She rallies her community’s support and applies for Hisoka Twineshaft’s school revitalization project, which will bring Amaranthine to her hometown. Little does Tami realize that Fletching was founded by one of the oldest and largest urban enclaves in the United States. And two of her staunchest supporters—janitors at her school—share a secret neither wants exposed.
Conspiracy theories, werewolf scares, and protest rallies have hampered the peace process in America, where social and political unrest keep most Amaranthine from declaring themselves. Those not in seclusion rely heavily on illusion to mask their true nature.
As the newly appointed principal of a small elementary school, Tamiko Reaverson is doing her part for world peace. She rallies her community’s support and applies for Hisoka Twineshaft’s school revitalization project, which will bring Amaranthine to her hometown. Little does Tami realize that Fletching was founded by one of the oldest and largest urban enclaves in the United States. And two of her staunchest supporters—janitors at her school—share a secret neither wants exposed.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2019
60 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Forthright .
38 books553 followersa teller of tales with a fondness for unlikely friendships, wary alliances, unexpected upshots, hard-won trust, diverse cultures, found family, local legends, and folksome things. Author of the Immortal Holmes series, paranormal mysteries with a steampunk aesthetic set in an alternate history & the romantically-inclined Amaranthine Saga, with all of its attendant short stories & serials.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
August 2, 2019
2.5 stars. After the 3rd book I am tapping out. The first book was amazing, the 2nd was a hot mess and then there was this third book. I think I’m done. I think. I just get left hanging with these books. Any saga I’ve read has an over-reaching story arc, but that hasn’t happened with these three novels. They’re more like Amaranthine anthologies, a collection of random stories in an Amaranthine world.
Tamiko is an American of Japanese descent and a new principal of an elementary school. Her school was chosen for an Amaranthine integration initiative. Though the Amaranthine do not send their kids to elementary school it took a ton of paperwork and seminars to get a couple teachers. Apparently her application made it possible for elementary, middle, high school and college to take part in the initiative. The main storyline is...I’m not really 100% sure what the main storyline is. Is it how they were able to out themselves successfully in a bigoted America? Not really sure, so I may as well go into what I liked and what didn’t work for me.
What I liked: 1) the small glimpse of Joe and Kip, although ambiguous like Suuzu and Akira. The novel wasn’t as all over the place as the last book. Actually, Kip and Joe were the most interesting characters in the whole book. Jiminy was pretty cool, too. 2) Argent is still Argent and very cool.
What didn’t work for me: 1) Speaking of Suuzu and Akira, that storyline is nonexistent in this book. Suuzu apparently became one of the 5, who are now 7, and that’s all you hear from them. Just forget that relationship was left hanging. 2) Remember those pledges Kimiko was doing with Eloquence? You get to hear from Tamiko how sweet, cute, romantic, amazing, over-the-top incredible they are. It just shows you all of what you missed and will never see. Hated reading second-hand vague accounts of them. 3) Recycled plot lines. Smh, another famous courtship?!? I mean, another courtship we won’t see? Tamiko decides this “is bigger than us” and becomes nuts. Seriously. All characters involved get personality switches and the characters in the last half of the book don’t resemble the characters at the beginning of the book. Tamiko decides her courtship is so important she has to call on Amaranthine world leaders who, of course, indulge her and agree with her that she will be the American Kimiko. Yeah, no. 4) The tension between Kip and Tami&Ash’s relationship fell flatter than a pancake. I guess Kip just got over it. 5) The rogue dragon is barely mentioned. What is going on with that? 6) Someone explain Jaques to me. I don’t get why I’m still reading about him.
If the story editing ever gets up to par I will try again. Until then I’m out.
Tamiko is an American of Japanese descent and a new principal of an elementary school. Her school was chosen for an Amaranthine integration initiative. Though the Amaranthine do not send their kids to elementary school it took a ton of paperwork and seminars to get a couple teachers. Apparently her application made it possible for elementary, middle, high school and college to take part in the initiative. The main storyline is...I’m not really 100% sure what the main storyline is. Is it how they were able to out themselves successfully in a bigoted America? Not really sure, so I may as well go into what I liked and what didn’t work for me.
What I liked: 1) the small glimpse of Joe and Kip, although ambiguous like Suuzu and Akira. The novel wasn’t as all over the place as the last book. Actually, Kip and Joe were the most interesting characters in the whole book. Jiminy was pretty cool, too. 2) Argent is still Argent and very cool.
What didn’t work for me: 1) Speaking of Suuzu and Akira, that storyline is nonexistent in this book. Suuzu apparently became one of the 5, who are now 7, and that’s all you hear from them. Just forget that relationship was left hanging. 2) Remember those pledges Kimiko was doing with Eloquence? You get to hear from Tamiko how sweet, cute, romantic, amazing, over-the-top incredible they are. It just shows you all of what you missed and will never see. Hated reading second-hand vague accounts of them. 3) Recycled plot lines. Smh, another famous courtship?!? I mean, another courtship we won’t see? Tamiko decides this “is bigger than us” and becomes nuts. Seriously. All characters involved get personality switches and the characters in the last half of the book don’t resemble the characters at the beginning of the book. Tamiko decides her courtship is so important she has to call on Amaranthine world leaders who, of course, indulge her and agree with her that she will be the American Kimiko. Yeah, no. 4) The tension between Kip and Tami&Ash’s relationship fell flatter than a pancake. I guess Kip just got over it. 5) The rogue dragon is barely mentioned. What is going on with that? 6) Someone explain Jaques to me. I don’t get why I’m still reading about him.
If the story editing ever gets up to par I will try again. Until then I’m out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2019
I have a hard time understanding the target age group for this series. At times, it seems as though it is meant for pre-teens, the prose is so twee. At other times, it seems written by a pre-teen. For all that some of these characters are supposed to be hundreds of years old, there is a distinct lack of life experiences actual shown. None of these characters act as though they were hunted or in hiding or faced any real consequences in their long lives. One supposedly spent his formative years running and brutally in pain, but there is like zero present day impacts from relaying any of that backstory.
It is fine for books to be written toward pre-teens, but they still need to have some sort of overarching plot other than these two people instantly fall in love and also some of them have tails (or in this case hey in addition to the insta-love, there is also a creeper dude who is suddenly not supposed to be viewed a creeper dude because reasons). This book lacks tension as there is no real antagonist. There is some vague "will they be accepted" but is all handled with the same "hey it is all instantly fine and no one says anything even remotely negative toward our protagonists". There is a vague "what is going on with all these beacons" thing with the potential for the antagonist to appear but that literally goes nowhere.
In addition, this really feels like recycled plot elements from the previous two stories. There is no real unique premise for the overarching plot of the book itself. It combines the "hidden beacon who doesn't know it" aspect of book 1 with the "let's parade our unique relationship for the cameras" like book 2 but without the "fox ladies are going to get us" or the "dragon dude is gonna get us and maybe hurt our tree" of the previous books.
The tree aspect is really the only part of the book when it seems like we are going to delve into new territory and finally get some back story and progression but again, nothing is explained or paid off. There is no real reason why they suddenly appear at this time. There is a bunch of talk of others potentially arriving but that is not shown. There is no progress made in the dragon rapist subplot, but I guess we are supposed to assume that somehow this same person is responsible for Argent being enslaved because he basically tells us this. Is it bad people or just angels? Where did Tami's mom come from? Like they go so far to make this connection so why is it not explored? Is this one bad actor or whole cabal? None of this is addressed because for some reason we have to talk about latte art instead. And seriously, why are angels in this? There is this repeated reverence that doesn't seems to really established with anything in world other than "wow! angels!"
Really just find this frustrating. Tension fundamentally makes good story telling, and the author does not seem to know how to set up and pay off that tension. You don't have to have blood and gore and people being degraded to have tension. There just needs to be something overcome, something ones strives for, some antagonist that is foiled...something happening other than instant puppy dog eyes at each other based on no real interactions.
I think I need to stop reading these books.
It is fine for books to be written toward pre-teens, but they still need to have some sort of overarching plot other than these two people instantly fall in love and also some of them have tails (or in this case hey in addition to the insta-love, there is also a creeper dude who is suddenly not supposed to be viewed a creeper dude because reasons). This book lacks tension as there is no real antagonist. There is some vague "will they be accepted" but is all handled with the same "hey it is all instantly fine and no one says anything even remotely negative toward our protagonists". There is a vague "what is going on with all these beacons" thing with the potential for the antagonist to appear but that literally goes nowhere.
In addition, this really feels like recycled plot elements from the previous two stories. There is no real unique premise for the overarching plot of the book itself. It combines the "hidden beacon who doesn't know it" aspect of book 1 with the "let's parade our unique relationship for the cameras" like book 2 but without the "fox ladies are going to get us" or the "dragon dude is gonna get us and maybe hurt our tree" of the previous books.
The tree aspect is really the only part of the book when it seems like we are going to delve into new territory and finally get some back story and progression but again, nothing is explained or paid off. There is no real reason why they suddenly appear at this time. There is a bunch of talk of others potentially arriving but that is not shown. There is no progress made in the dragon rapist subplot, but I guess we are supposed to assume that somehow this same person is responsible for Argent being enslaved because he basically tells us this. Is it bad people or just angels? Where did Tami's mom come from? Like they go so far to make this connection so why is it not explored? Is this one bad actor or whole cabal? None of this is addressed because for some reason we have to talk about latte art instead. And seriously, why are angels in this? There is this repeated reverence that doesn't seems to really established with anything in world other than "wow! angels!"
Really just find this frustrating. Tension fundamentally makes good story telling, and the author does not seem to know how to set up and pay off that tension. You don't have to have blood and gore and people being degraded to have tension. There just needs to be something overcome, something ones strives for, some antagonist that is foiled...something happening other than instant puppy dog eyes at each other based on no real interactions.
I think I need to stop reading these books.
July 23, 2022
I used to like the Amaranthine books. They were well written and imaginative, and with each book you learned more about its universe, with new interesting characters.
And then at some point you realize the author is actually writing about a breeding program for humans based on their genetics that just reeks of Nazi ideology. Single young people are expected to produce offspring with adequate matches (based on their genetics), and if they don't they're actually penalized for it, in the form of money and / or their career. If you don't want this child you were forced to conceive, it doesnt matter! There are "stables" were they will be cared for until adulthood. And matches that produce powerful offspring are actively "encouraged" to have more babies, all in service of creating more powerful reavers.
And this is all run by some inmortal ancient being who watches the lineages and encourages matches like he is running a breeding program for dogs. He is also called a "Matchmaker" in endearing terms, since he arranges so many marriages.....
If this isnt eugenics.... what is?
The tricky part is that on one hand, everyone is perfectly happy with the system, which is presented to the reader as an innocent culture of arranged marriages, nothing else. On the other hand the author does reference a couple of powerful characters whose power level is hidden for their protection, so they won't be "encouraged" to breed. Does this mean that some part of the reaver community is not happy with their "culture"? Will the author adress this issues in future books? I don't know.
So I don't know if all this is just some innocent mistake (like I said, an innocent cultural difference) or some twisted eugenics universe. I hope it's innocent. But I won't be reading any more books. I find it too uncomfortable.
And then at some point you realize the author is actually writing about a breeding program for humans based on their genetics that just reeks of Nazi ideology. Single young people are expected to produce offspring with adequate matches (based on their genetics), and if they don't they're actually penalized for it, in the form of money and / or their career. If you don't want this child you were forced to conceive, it doesnt matter! There are "stables" were they will be cared for until adulthood. And matches that produce powerful offspring are actively "encouraged" to have more babies, all in service of creating more powerful reavers.
And this is all run by some inmortal ancient being who watches the lineages and encourages matches like he is running a breeding program for dogs. He is also called a "Matchmaker" in endearing terms, since he arranges so many marriages.....
If this isnt eugenics.... what is?
The tricky part is that on one hand, everyone is perfectly happy with the system, which is presented to the reader as an innocent culture of arranged marriages, nothing else. On the other hand the author does reference a couple of powerful characters whose power level is hidden for their protection, so they won't be "encouraged" to breed. Does this mean that some part of the reaver community is not happy with their "culture"? Will the author adress this issues in future books? I don't know.
So I don't know if all this is just some innocent mistake (like I said, an innocent cultural difference) or some twisted eugenics universe. I hope it's innocent. But I won't be reading any more books. I find it too uncomfortable.
August 24, 2019
This book wasn't as good as the others by the same author. I was a little disappointed. I liked the characters, and I LOVE the magical world this author has created, but there wasn't an actual plot in this book. There was never a bad guy, never a climax, never frustration or confusion or being unsure of oneself. It was all just too easy. This was like the personal backstory for some other book. Soft and sweet, but without any substance. There's also a bit too much focus on "tending" people emotionally. The author has hit the reader over the head with that hammer too often. It's getting cliche. I'm still a fan of this author and this world, but she needs to work on storycraft.
January 14, 2020
Tamiko is the principle of a small elementary school that has applied for a grant to bring Amaranthine and other resources to her hometown. But it turns out that there have been magical creatures living there all along.
Why I started this book: I adored Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal and was eager to read more about this world.
Why I finished it: This book was not what I was expecting. There were three couples and that resulted in to much insta-love for me. Which is strange because there was a element of that in Kimiko's story too.
Why I started this book: I adored Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal and was eager to read more about this world.
Why I finished it: This book was not what I was expecting. There were three couples and that resulted in to much insta-love for me. Which is strange because there was a element of that in Kimiko's story too.
September 24, 2019
Magical and charming, Tamiko and the Two Janitors should have swept me away, but sadly I'm left feeling a little dissatisfied.
2.5 stars rounded down to 2 for GoodReads.
The Amaranthine Saga is a strange one for me. I love the world building. I love the writing. I love the characters. I love its sweetness. But I hate the plotting. Slow, meandering, distracted - however I try to describe it, the fact is that the books rarely take you where you expect to go, leaving the reader with a sense of things unfinished or incomplete at the end.
Tamiko and the Two Janitors opened with a great premise. Tami wants to open her school to the Amaranthine as a cultural exchange. But there are tensions in the neighbourhood - people are being mysteriously attacked, and Amaranthine are being blamed. As a result, the Amaranthine are in hiding - and suffering.
I really liked this premise - it gave us a great problem to solve (one which is extremely relevant in today's social climate) and a chance at some action and romance.
Unfortunately, it never delivered on this. Shortly after introducing the subject, the book wandered off in a very different direction. Then another. And another. It attempted to introduce a resolution in the last 5% of the book, but it felt more like a hint at what's to come in the next book.
Except that the previous book in the series did the exact same thing, and consequently didn't deliver.
So I'm honestly wondering if this might be the end of my road with the Amaranthine Saga. Despite loving the world and the tone and the style. Because it honestly feels like there are too many pieces missing.
In addition to the above, I found this book to have just enough mistakes to really throw me out of the experience. Characters were referred to with the wrong gender. Instances where a completely wrong word was used ("true" instead of "them"). And, not necessarily a mistake, but characters were frequently given multiple names, and I found it exceedingly hard to keep track of who was who.
This is a not-recommended from me. If you want to enjoy the style and the world building, read the first book in the series. The rest are only so-so.
2.5 stars rounded down to 2 for GoodReads.
The Amaranthine Saga is a strange one for me. I love the world building. I love the writing. I love the characters. I love its sweetness. But I hate the plotting. Slow, meandering, distracted - however I try to describe it, the fact is that the books rarely take you where you expect to go, leaving the reader with a sense of things unfinished or incomplete at the end.
Tamiko and the Two Janitors opened with a great premise. Tami wants to open her school to the Amaranthine as a cultural exchange. But there are tensions in the neighbourhood - people are being mysteriously attacked, and Amaranthine are being blamed. As a result, the Amaranthine are in hiding - and suffering.
I really liked this premise - it gave us a great problem to solve (one which is extremely relevant in today's social climate) and a chance at some action and romance.
Unfortunately, it never delivered on this. Shortly after introducing the subject, the book wandered off in a very different direction. Then another. And another. It attempted to introduce a resolution in the last 5% of the book, but it felt more like a hint at what's to come in the next book.
Except that the previous book in the series did the exact same thing, and consequently didn't deliver.
So I'm honestly wondering if this might be the end of my road with the Amaranthine Saga. Despite loving the world and the tone and the style. Because it honestly feels like there are too many pieces missing.
In addition to the above, I found this book to have just enough mistakes to really throw me out of the experience. Characters were referred to with the wrong gender. Instances where a completely wrong word was used ("true" instead of "them"). And, not necessarily a mistake, but characters were frequently given multiple names, and I found it exceedingly hard to keep track of who was who.
This is a not-recommended from me. If you want to enjoy the style and the world building, read the first book in the series. The rest are only so-so.
July 27, 2019
A secret can't be shared...but it can be overheard
The Amaranthine books are feasts for the hopeful. These are stories and novels about people finding their place even as their world changes completely. Orphans becoming cherished because of their open natures. Schoolgirls becoming internationally well known because of their forthright (ha) nature.
Twins learning they are extraordinary because they want a better world.
Tamiko is set two years after Kimiko - of which the events of which, the people of which, the new world Kimiko and Quen are bringing to the masses all are referenced and tallied. While the cameos are great, the acknowledgement of who came before and still make a difference now is greater.
It would be hard to describe the book to someone new. The layers each book builds on the world and the changing landscape almost requires reading the previous novels (and Songs) so you can understand how beautiful what Tamiko has found is. How gentle and genuine what Joe has found is.
This was well worth waiting for and made me eager for the next.
The Amaranthine books are feasts for the hopeful. These are stories and novels about people finding their place even as their world changes completely. Orphans becoming cherished because of their open natures. Schoolgirls becoming internationally well known because of their forthright (ha) nature.
Twins learning they are extraordinary because they want a better world.
Tamiko is set two years after Kimiko - of which the events of which, the people of which, the new world Kimiko and Quen are bringing to the masses all are referenced and tallied. While the cameos are great, the acknowledgement of who came before and still make a difference now is greater.
It would be hard to describe the book to someone new. The layers each book builds on the world and the changing landscape almost requires reading the previous novels (and Songs) so you can understand how beautiful what Tamiko has found is. How gentle and genuine what Joe has found is.
This was well worth waiting for and made me eager for the next.
August 18, 2019
Holy abrupt ending Batman!
Okay, so I love this book and this world and this author. There is a fascinating manner of expression and unique slant of thinking that makes the prose a pleasure to consume, even if the plot is undercooked.
If I had never read the first book in this series, this would be 5 stars. But I wanted more because I know Forthright is capable of more.
Essentially, every single relationship/couple needed more air time. Tamiko and her love interest needed at least 5 more one-on-one encounters before they exchanged the ‘I-love-you’s. The book was very good but needed to be twice as long in order to actually flesh out the plot to my satisfaction.
And that’s the problem. I feel teased by this book, but left unsatisfied. It has so much to offer but we swap between characters so often that you don’t have time to savour or sink your teeth in. There is none of that delicious heart-palpitating build of tension that was in the first book because we don’t spend enough time with any couple. There seemed to be more chemistry between the platonic friendships because they were given more time. We need another Tsumiko/Argent pairing where at least 75% of the book is developing the relationship and building the intensity.
So, I mean, it’s great, but don’t expect another Tsumiko.
Okay, so I love this book and this world and this author. There is a fascinating manner of expression and unique slant of thinking that makes the prose a pleasure to consume, even if the plot is undercooked.
If I had never read the first book in this series, this would be 5 stars. But I wanted more because I know Forthright is capable of more.
Essentially, every single relationship/couple needed more air time. Tamiko and her love interest needed at least 5 more one-on-one encounters before they exchanged the ‘I-love-you’s. The book was very good but needed to be twice as long in order to actually flesh out the plot to my satisfaction.
And that’s the problem. I feel teased by this book, but left unsatisfied. It has so much to offer but we swap between characters so often that you don’t have time to savour or sink your teeth in. There is none of that delicious heart-palpitating build of tension that was in the first book because we don’t spend enough time with any couple. There seemed to be more chemistry between the platonic friendships because they were given more time. We need another Tsumiko/Argent pairing where at least 75% of the book is developing the relationship and building the intensity.
So, I mean, it’s great, but don’t expect another Tsumiko.
July 24, 2019
Loved being back in this world! This one felt a little more cohesive than the last installment, tho it does feature multiple POVs and mostly follows 3 couples/ships that intertwine nicely
August 6, 2019
2 stars
THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!
Editor, where art thou?
This book is even more of a mess than book 2.
I feel like it didn't get a read-through. AT ALL.
There is entirely too much going on. It was fine and mostly balanced at first (1/3 maybe?). Then everything became bogged down. Many things are frustrating because there are no good -or any, really- reasons for them. We pretty much have NO IDEA what's going on. No explanations. No information. No nothing.
There was really no need for that second romance. Why did she suddenly change her mind? WHY was she not allowed to feel happy and fulfilled WITH THE ONE THING SHE DREAMED ABOUT FOR HER WHOLE LIFE?????
It's like ideas dried up halfway through, and instead of trying to figure out how to make things work author decided to just wing it. Hint: IT DID NOT WORK.
AND that me done with the series.
THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!
Editor, where art thou?
This book is even more of a mess than book 2.
I feel like it didn't get a read-through. AT ALL.
There is entirely too much going on. It was fine and mostly balanced at first (1/3 maybe?). Then everything became bogged down. Many things are frustrating because there are no good -or any, really- reasons for them. We pretty much have NO IDEA what's going on. No explanations. No information. No nothing.
There was really no need for that second romance. Why did she suddenly change her mind? WHY was she not allowed to feel happy and fulfilled WITH THE ONE THING SHE DREAMED ABOUT FOR HER WHOLE LIFE?????
It's like ideas dried up halfway through, and instead of trying to figure out how to make things work author decided to just wing it. Hint: IT DID NOT WORK.
AND that me done with the series.
October 7, 2020
I agree with the rest of the 2 star and below reviews. Forthright has lost the ability to tell a coherent satisfying story here. I would have been satisfied if just one of the plotlines had been fully told. Just one. Instead, you get 4 half-developed polts, none of which actually have a true beginning or end.
Seriously, just look at the number of reviews and ratings from the previous books. This has been out for a year and some change. The number is done growing. This series is dropping readers like flies. If you are thinking about reading this book thinking it will give you the satisfaction Kimiko didn't, let me tell you it won't. Don't buy it. The series doesn't get better it has just gotten worse.
Seriously, just look at the number of reviews and ratings from the previous books. This has been out for a year and some change. The number is done growing. This series is dropping readers like flies. If you are thinking about reading this book thinking it will give you the satisfaction Kimiko didn't, let me tell you it won't. Don't buy it. The series doesn't get better it has just gotten worse.
July 22, 2019
I love this world and appreciated that there were three people to follow in this book. But I do have to say, I didn't feel comfortable with the relationship Jiro fell into. Mostly because it felt forced, and while it's not necessarily romantic it skirted the edge of that so much, that if made me feel in arms about it on his behalf, because he was so obviously uncomfortable, and not just with Kip but with any other person touching him. And it felt like he only endured it to stay with his twin, and not because he really wanted it. On the other hand, Melissa's relationship was epic-ally done. I loved how she got what she wanted in many forms. Her longing for a true partner, family that wouldn't go away, and more all played out really well. Especially since none of it came the way she expected, it even overshadowed the love Tami found which made me smile, as I love happy relationships. I do look forward to the next book and more of the Amaranthine.
June 15, 2022
.חמוד, אני אוהבת את העולם אבל היא קצת מתפזרת על המון מערכות יחסים ואז הן לא מקבלות מספיק עומק, וגם ככה הן התחילו בלי סיבה - כי שיפטרים יודעים לפי הריח, או משהו.
גם היה לא מעט קרינג' בספר הזה, מזל שיש מלא כרבולים וליטופי זנבות שמאזנים.
גם היה לא מעט קרינג' בספר הזה, מזל שיש מלא כרבולים וליטופי זנבות שמאזנים.
January 13, 2024
*3.5 Stars
June 23, 2020
I'm again not terribly certain how I feel about this book, much like the second. I feel like the romance felt a bit less dry than book #2, but the main romance wasn't quite the one that I wanted quite so much focus on.
Tami(ko) wasn't the most exciting of people to follow, being a principal to an elementary school that was going to be part of a program bringing the amaranthine and humans together. That's interesting, but it was sort of dry following along with her chattering to secretaries and going to bingo.
Kip and Ash, the pair of amaranthine janitors was also... well, somewhat perplexing. I realise that they like raising kids, but who wants to voluntarily spend centuries being janitors at an elementary? It just felt sort of contrived. I feel like they could have been something more than that?
Ash and Tami being together was fine, but it was one of those romances much like the previous book. They just meet and suddenly they're soulmates.
The battler and the adopted barista wolf were somewhat more interesting. I also would like to know more about his 'adoption'. Obviously he's happy with his wolf pack, but the fact that he was literally bought as an infant to serve as a reaver for the pack, and doesn't appear to be able to leave, I feel would be something worth exploring further, especially instead of bingo night.
On that note, I would also be interested for an exploration of the way that amaranthine are being treated by humans. It's made out to sound like it's going well, but the amaranthine that have come out of hiding always need a reaver 'escort' or risk being arrested? This is something that is also just casually mentioned but not explored. Maybe it's an attempt at foreshadowing, but I'm not certain the author intends to deliver.
And then the third couple of the book, Kip and Hiro(Joe). I wasn't surprised that Kip had unrequited feelings for Ash, that's a thing that happens. My main problem with the storyline with Kip and Joe was that it was so ambiguous. Kip will bind with Joe so that he can have an extended lifespan to match his twin sister... not because he's in love with Kip. Kip is still in love with Ash. Do they ever develop feelings for one another really once they share a deeper connection? I don't know, because the author never really returned to them, so leaving it ambiguous and deeply unsatisfying. Joe seemed to be at least open to the idea, and Kip maybe once he moves on could too, but it's all the more unsatisfying since with the straight romances outside of Tsumiko and Argent, it's always 'ah, well, they've met and have fallen in love, apparently', and I say apparently because it's always as romantic and spontaneous feeling as an arranged marriage. I'd felt like she'd been queerbaiting in the previous book, I feel a bit conflicted on if she's queerbaiting in this one as well.
I'm less enthused that this particular book shifted locations to America from Japan, even though Tami(ko) and family are obviously related.
I feel like there's too many things she's trying to tell in this book, so the majority of them feel lacking.
Tami(ko) wasn't the most exciting of people to follow, being a principal to an elementary school that was going to be part of a program bringing the amaranthine and humans together. That's interesting, but it was sort of dry following along with her chattering to secretaries and going to bingo.
Kip and Ash, the pair of amaranthine janitors was also... well, somewhat perplexing. I realise that they like raising kids, but who wants to voluntarily spend centuries being janitors at an elementary? It just felt sort of contrived. I feel like they could have been something more than that?
Ash and Tami being together was fine, but it was one of those romances much like the previous book. They just meet and suddenly they're soulmates.
The battler and the adopted barista wolf were somewhat more interesting. I also would like to know more about his 'adoption'. Obviously he's happy with his wolf pack, but the fact that he was literally bought as an infant to serve as a reaver for the pack, and doesn't appear to be able to leave, I feel would be something worth exploring further, especially instead of bingo night.
On that note, I would also be interested for an exploration of the way that amaranthine are being treated by humans. It's made out to sound like it's going well, but the amaranthine that have come out of hiding always need a reaver 'escort' or risk being arrested? This is something that is also just casually mentioned but not explored. Maybe it's an attempt at foreshadowing, but I'm not certain the author intends to deliver.
And then the third couple of the book, Kip and Hiro(Joe). I wasn't surprised that Kip had unrequited feelings for Ash, that's a thing that happens. My main problem with the storyline with Kip and Joe was that it was so ambiguous. Kip will bind with Joe so that he can have an extended lifespan to match his twin sister... not because he's in love with Kip. Kip is still in love with Ash. Do they ever develop feelings for one another really once they share a deeper connection? I don't know, because the author never really returned to them, so leaving it ambiguous and deeply unsatisfying. Joe seemed to be at least open to the idea, and Kip maybe once he moves on could too, but it's all the more unsatisfying since with the straight romances outside of Tsumiko and Argent, it's always 'ah, well, they've met and have fallen in love, apparently', and I say apparently because it's always as romantic and spontaneous feeling as an arranged marriage. I'd felt like she'd been queerbaiting in the previous book, I feel a bit conflicted on if she's queerbaiting in this one as well.
I'm less enthused that this particular book shifted locations to America from Japan, even though Tami(ko) and family are obviously related.
I feel like there's too many things she's trying to tell in this book, so the majority of them feel lacking.
September 19, 2021
Such a cozy early fall story, set on an apple orchard, with coffee shops, oak trees, corn mazes, and hay lofts all playing a major role, and plenty of other smaller nods to the season. Having said that, as cute a couple as Tami and Ash are, their romance is even more of an insta-love nothing than Kimiko and Quen's, and Tami rarely even feels like the main character (This is actually Kip and Joe's book, even if the author chooses to leave the thinnest shroud of ambiguity). The story is pretty weak and uneventful compared to the first two.
While Kimiko was a major step down from Tsumiko, it did feel like it was expanding on the first book's foundation. Minor characters like Akira & Suzu, Hisoka Twineshaft, and Isla Ward got much bigger roles, and a large section of the conflict was a continuation from that of Tsumiko. By contrast, Tamiko sticks to mostly cameos, which are a ton of fun, but don't really continue character storylines, and establishes a whole new mess of characters. While they grew on me pretty quickly, it's much harder to get invested when you've lost faith that the characters are going to receive adequate follow-up.
Still, despite its flaws, Tamiko retains that addictive quality to the writing that makes me gobble it down and then long for more books to read. Maybe I'll go re-read Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox.
While Kimiko was a major step down from Tsumiko, it did feel like it was expanding on the first book's foundation. Minor characters like Akira & Suzu, Hisoka Twineshaft, and Isla Ward got much bigger roles, and a large section of the conflict was a continuation from that of Tsumiko. By contrast, Tamiko sticks to mostly cameos, which are a ton of fun, but don't really continue character storylines, and establishes a whole new mess of characters. While they grew on me pretty quickly, it's much harder to get invested when you've lost faith that the characters are going to receive adequate follow-up.
Still, despite its flaws, Tamiko retains that addictive quality to the writing that makes me gobble it down and then long for more books to read. Maybe I'll go re-read Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox.
May 16, 2020
I have loved Forthright’s writing for over a decade and I want so badly to love the Amaranthine Saga, but I really can’t make myself care about this world or these characters.
There are far too many characters.
There’s no payoff to the setup of the plot, which is all over the place with no strong overarching themes.
There’s no tension.
There’s also a really troubling focus on Reaver women to have children young, to the point where they are fined heavily and repeatedly for refusing to reproduce by the time they’re twenty three, an aspect of the world building that I find both unnecessary and upsetting.
Unlike the fanfics these stories have their roots in, these books are boring and poorly paced with dull romances.
Sorry Forthy, I really did want to love this.
There are far too many characters.
There’s no payoff to the setup of the plot, which is all over the place with no strong overarching themes.
There’s no tension.
There’s also a really troubling focus on Reaver women to have children young, to the point where they are fined heavily and repeatedly for refusing to reproduce by the time they’re twenty three, an aspect of the world building that I find both unnecessary and upsetting.
Unlike the fanfics these stories have their roots in, these books are boring and poorly paced with dull romances.
Sorry Forthy, I really did want to love this.
September 22, 2024
Loved reading this book again, it's so cute, some pretty things happened, and I can't wait to continue on!
*Third Read October 29th, 2021*
Another book in this series with a great couple, well, a few, and I just love reading it!
*Second Read October 1st, 2020*
Really enjoyed reading this book again, getting to know this new cast of characters, learning more about this world, and I can't wait to read book 4 now!
*First Read July 24th, 2019*
Wow, another amazing book in this series! Loved learning more about this world, and spending time in America. We got to see Eloquence! And we got the title of the next book, yeah!
*Third Read October 29th, 2021*
Another book in this series with a great couple, well, a few, and I just love reading it!
*Second Read October 1st, 2020*
Really enjoyed reading this book again, getting to know this new cast of characters, learning more about this world, and I can't wait to read book 4 now!
*First Read July 24th, 2019*
Wow, another amazing book in this series! Loved learning more about this world, and spending time in America. We got to see Eloquence! And we got the title of the next book, yeah!
July 27, 2019
One of the things that bothers me most about this series is the way so many loose ends are left in each book. I know they're left open ended because they'll be eventually (presumably) picked up again in some upcoming story, but it's done in a way that doesn't feel so much intentional as it does messy. I also feel like the author tries to balance too many storylines at once in each book, leaving me feeling unsatisfied with the amount of attention that each individual story actually received overall.
September 2, 2019
Not as good as the first two.
Romances felt rushed, the plot disappeared, and the story was crowded with too many characters. I liked the "cutesy" feel of the first two books, but it was too over the top with this one. I kept rolling my eyes. Will probably read the next one, but I hope it feels a bit more grown up.
Romances felt rushed, the plot disappeared, and the story was crowded with too many characters. I liked the "cutesy" feel of the first two books, but it was too over the top with this one. I kept rolling my eyes. Will probably read the next one, but I hope it feels a bit more grown up.
July 7, 2020
Another goody-two-shoes slice of life piece of fluff. All the characters are so predictably good that it's utterly boring. There's just no tension in this book! And the previous plotline about the rogue, which ended book 2 on such a cliffhanger, was barely even mentioned here. Disappointing.
July 27, 2019
Did not like #3 as much as the first two books.
May 10, 2025
Maybe this was meant to be a cute slice-of-life / romance, but you can't give me a mischievous squirrel secretly pining after his crow best friend for hundreds of years to no avail and expect me to view the book as anything other than a tragedy.
Also, my girl Melissa had to literally pay a fine because she didn't want to get auctioned off to have babies. So is it just me, or is the Reaver society ridiculously messed up? More messed up is the fact that not a single character in the whole huge cast has any system-level issues with it. They're all like, I don't love getting married off like this, but oh well, guess there is nothing to be done. Is no-one ever like, hey maybe we should look into changing the system, maybe organise a protest or two?
Speaking of Melissa, my poor girl had to fight for her life to justify why she was included in the plot. Her entire storyline had no bearing on anything whatsoever. Couldn't we have at least gotten some real Melissa and Tami interactions? Actually, do any two women ever interact in this book? Based on my estimation, if you're man x woman interacting in this universe you're definitely getting married and having babies. If you're man x man interacting, you will do literally every intimate act possible but no homo bro it out in the end. If you're woman x woman interacting: no you're not.
Oh well, the animal behaviors are still ridiculously cute. I too would like to nest and preen, and identify as an avian from now on, I guess that makes everything else okay.
Also, my girl Melissa had to literally pay a fine because she didn't want to get auctioned off to have babies. So is it just me, or is the Reaver society ridiculously messed up? More messed up is the fact that not a single character in the whole huge cast has any system-level issues with it. They're all like, I don't love getting married off like this, but oh well, guess there is nothing to be done. Is no-one ever like, hey maybe we should look into changing the system, maybe organise a protest or two?
Speaking of Melissa, my poor girl had to fight for her life to justify why she was included in the plot. Her entire storyline had no bearing on anything whatsoever. Couldn't we have at least gotten some real Melissa and Tami interactions? Actually, do any two women ever interact in this book? Based on my estimation, if you're man x woman interacting in this universe you're definitely getting married and having babies. If you're man x man interacting, you will do literally every intimate act possible but no homo bro it out in the end. If you're woman x woman interacting: no you're not.
Oh well, the animal behaviors are still ridiculously cute. I too would like to nest and preen, and identify as an avian from now on, I guess that makes everything else okay.
August 13, 2019
This story takes place in an America that has not yet embraced peace with their Amaranthine neighbors. Tamiko Reaverson has a plan to do her part for world peace. As an elementary school principal, she convinces a middle school principal, a high school principal, and the head of the local college to apply for a grant which will bring Amaranthine to her town.
Tami doesn't know that the town is filled with Amaranthine already who are living veiled with their illusions. Even the two janitors at her school are hiding their Amaranthine natures. Of course, Tami has a secret past too. In fact, it is so secret that she doesn't even know that her family are descended from Reavers who interact with the Amaranthine.
Tami's twin brother Joe is especially hidden since his very powerful and rare Reaver power has been warded into hiding by someone.
This story had a variety of romances and lots of wonderful detail about the Amaranthine. It also brought us up to date on characters from the first two books in the Amaranthine Saga. I loved the worldbuilding and the many intriguing characters. I also enjoyed the romances.
While not a cliffhanger ending, the ending certainly left room for more stories.
Tami doesn't know that the town is filled with Amaranthine already who are living veiled with their illusions. Even the two janitors at her school are hiding their Amaranthine natures. Of course, Tami has a secret past too. In fact, it is so secret that she doesn't even know that her family are descended from Reavers who interact with the Amaranthine.
Tami's twin brother Joe is especially hidden since his very powerful and rare Reaver power has been warded into hiding by someone.
This story had a variety of romances and lots of wonderful detail about the Amaranthine. It also brought us up to date on characters from the first two books in the Amaranthine Saga. I loved the worldbuilding and the many intriguing characters. I also enjoyed the romances.
While not a cliffhanger ending, the ending certainly left room for more stories.
January 4, 2024
A great book three; as with book 2, I think it can stand alone, but is better with the context from the previous books.
Tamiko is great, I love her as Principal and in her role as twin and daughter and member of the family. Ash is so shy feeling and I love watching how the romance sweeps him up and takes him away without question. Kip is delightful and I love him so much as a character, I want to be friends with him in real life. Joe is also quiet and I like seeing how his quiet devotion to the family is expressed. Melissa, Jiminy, Chickabiddy, and the rest of the secondary cast are colorful and cozy.
This is both a romance and a development of the internal mythology in this series, which is very cool. I like seeing also how characters treat revealing their status as Amaranthine to humans differently in the United States as opposed to Japan - the cultural difference feels earned and also plausible. It's a cool way to further worldbuild and invite the reader into understanding how the world works without info dumping.
Tamiko is great, I love her as Principal and in her role as twin and daughter and member of the family. Ash is so shy feeling and I love watching how the romance sweeps him up and takes him away without question. Kip is delightful and I love him so much as a character, I want to be friends with him in real life. Joe is also quiet and I like seeing how his quiet devotion to the family is expressed. Melissa, Jiminy, Chickabiddy, and the rest of the secondary cast are colorful and cozy.
This is both a romance and a development of the internal mythology in this series, which is very cool. I like seeing also how characters treat revealing their status as Amaranthine to humans differently in the United States as opposed to Japan - the cultural difference feels earned and also plausible. It's a cool way to further worldbuild and invite the reader into understanding how the world works without info dumping.
February 1, 2020
4 stars
A fun and enjoyable read for the 3rd book in this series, but also probably my third favorite in the series. It didn't quite endear me as much as the first two. That was probably because, even though I just read book 2, I struggled to remember who was who in this one. The author seems to be accumulating characters who are a lot alike. New book, new same old characters. That being said this book focused more on the over arching mystery which is intriguing. And in a lot of ways tied the other books together in a more encompassing story.
If you start this series you will not want to miss this one. I look forward to more books in this series.
A fun and enjoyable read for the 3rd book in this series, but also probably my third favorite in the series. It didn't quite endear me as much as the first two. That was probably because, even though I just read book 2, I struggled to remember who was who in this one. The author seems to be accumulating characters who are a lot alike. New book, new same old characters. That being said this book focused more on the over arching mystery which is intriguing. And in a lot of ways tied the other books together in a more encompassing story.
If you start this series you will not want to miss this one. I look forward to more books in this series.
February 20, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
Tensions are high when it comes to trusting the amaranthine, especially in the US. The ongoing kidnappings by the rogue dragon have sparked fear around the world, and humans are beginning to rally against these mystical beings. However, initiatives to regain support and create a friendly future are moving forward, starting with a few select schools that will hire amaranthine faculty. Little does the town know that magic might be even closer than they first suspected though...
Tamiko (or Tammi as she's fondly referred to throughout the story) is the new principal of one of the chosen schools, and she is hard at work preparing for the changes to come. What she doesn't expect is to fall into the world of reavers and the amaranthine. Just like her visiting cousin doesn't expect to fall in with a wolf pack!
I enjoyed the more tightly knit story in this volume as it was a bit more focused and felt mostly complete unlike book two. The characters weren't all as immediately gripping, but I enjoyed the POVs from Kip and Ash in particular. It was also great having some more interactions with kith characters!
There is some plot progress here in terms of tree amaranthine and revealing further beacons, but overall this doesn't have a huge amount of main arc content (at least not that I could tell for now!).
It's cute though, and I like how the stories up to now are starting to weave together.
Tensions are high when it comes to trusting the amaranthine, especially in the US. The ongoing kidnappings by the rogue dragon have sparked fear around the world, and humans are beginning to rally against these mystical beings. However, initiatives to regain support and create a friendly future are moving forward, starting with a few select schools that will hire amaranthine faculty. Little does the town know that magic might be even closer than they first suspected though...
Tamiko (or Tammi as she's fondly referred to throughout the story) is the new principal of one of the chosen schools, and she is hard at work preparing for the changes to come. What she doesn't expect is to fall into the world of reavers and the amaranthine. Just like her visiting cousin doesn't expect to fall in with a wolf pack!
I enjoyed the more tightly knit story in this volume as it was a bit more focused and felt mostly complete unlike book two. The characters weren't all as immediately gripping, but I enjoyed the POVs from Kip and Ash in particular. It was also great having some more interactions with kith characters!
There is some plot progress here in terms of tree amaranthine and revealing further beacons, but overall this doesn't have a huge amount of main arc content (at least not that I could tell for now!).
It's cute though, and I like how the stories up to now are starting to weave together.
October 11, 2020
I am really enjoying this series. I was a bit put out at first with the abrupt ending to the 2nd and now 3rd book. A lot of plot lines seemed to be left hanging. However, I can see how this could lead to a finale book where we revisit our previous characters and tie things up together.
My other critique is that it is a very male heavy series. Sure the title characters are all women, but besides Bitty all of the reoccurring Amaranthine characters are male.
They touched on a gay relationship/feelings in this book and i would love to see a culture dive into queer amaranthine traditions.
My other critique is that it is a very male heavy series. Sure the title characters are all women, but besides Bitty all of the reoccurring Amaranthine characters are male.
They touched on a gay relationship/feelings in this book and i would love to see a culture dive into queer amaranthine traditions.
September 19, 2021
Jeg elsker hvordan alle disse bøger stort set bare er RomCom. Men under det hele ligger der noget der er meget mere dystert.
Piger der bliver kidnappet, voldtaget og gravide.
Der er højst sandsynligt en drage der står bag det.
Amaranthines der er bange for at komme frem, fordi verden ikke helt er klar til dem endnu, bliver folk bange?
Nu kommer der så også højst sandsynligt nogen der vil prøve på at udnytte the Tree-kin for at få et længere liv.
Jeg er lidt i den båd der hedder - just in it for the romance! Meeeennnn det andet er sku også ret sejt :D
Piger der bliver kidnappet, voldtaget og gravide.
Der er højst sandsynligt en drage der står bag det.
Amaranthines der er bange for at komme frem, fordi verden ikke helt er klar til dem endnu, bliver folk bange?
Nu kommer der så også højst sandsynligt nogen der vil prøve på at udnytte the Tree-kin for at få et længere liv.
Jeg er lidt i den båd der hedder - just in it for the romance! Meeeennnn det andet er sku også ret sejt :D
July 30, 2019
The world building in these books are quite spectacular. The characters are well written and I feel like I could read a story about any of them. The only reason its not a five for me is because I felt there were too many plot lines to follow and trust me I wanted to follow them all but the book came to an end. So I didn't feel satisfied because one potential couple's story didn't seem finished. Maybe it will be in the next book?? I will hopefully be waiting for more from this author.
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