What do you think?
Rate this book
The Nogiku Series #4
Reclaimed
The war is just beginning on Yūsei.
On the road and gaining ground against Fujiwara, Sanaa and her team find the local population hesitant to accept them. Charm and bribes can only get the colonists so far, and no matter what Sanaa does, she is not welcomed amongst the men and women of Yūsei. When Sanaa is denied help again, she reaches out to a Northern clan, the Odas, and bargains for a secret technology that will give her an incredible advantage but comes at a steep price.
Being on the road means leaving Yamato undefended, though, and when enemies strike, they leave everything in chaos. With Sanaa and Jiro sacrificing all their time and effort to keeping their home secure, they both must give up nearly everything to save the colonization, their future together, and reclaim Yūsei for its people.
Family lines collide, secrets are finally spoken, and the freedom of Yūsei is in the hands of one woman determined to find equality and justice for everyone on the planet.
Reclaimed is the fourth installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi novels set in future Japan.
On the road and gaining ground against Fujiwara, Sanaa and her team find the local population hesitant to accept them. Charm and bribes can only get the colonists so far, and no matter what Sanaa does, she is not welcomed amongst the men and women of Yūsei. When Sanaa is denied help again, she reaches out to a Northern clan, the Odas, and bargains for a secret technology that will give her an incredible advantage but comes at a steep price.
Being on the road means leaving Yamato undefended, though, and when enemies strike, they leave everything in chaos. With Sanaa and Jiro sacrificing all their time and effort to keeping their home secure, they both must give up nearly everything to save the colonization, their future together, and reclaim Yūsei for its people.
Family lines collide, secrets are finally spoken, and the freedom of Yūsei is in the hands of one woman determined to find equality and justice for everyone on the planet.
Reclaimed is the fourth installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi novels set in future Japan.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2015
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Pajonas
58 books156 followers
**Sign-up for S. J. Pajonas's mailing list**
Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, Capricorn, Japanophile, and USA Today Best Selling author. She loves summer, downtempo beats, yoga pants, foxes, owls, dogs, sushi, pasta, and black tea. She lives outside NYC with her husband, two great kids, and her dog who always wants to play. When it comes to her work, she writes about everyday women and uncommon worlds. Find her online at https://www.spajonas.com
Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, Capricorn, Japanophile, and USA Today Best Selling author. She loves summer, downtempo beats, yoga pants, foxes, owls, dogs, sushi, pasta, and black tea. She lives outside NYC with her husband, two great kids, and her dog who always wants to play. When it comes to her work, she writes about everyday women and uncommon worlds. Find her online at https://www.spajonas.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 19, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love Pajonas her Nogiku series and I was both excited and sad because this book is the last book in this series. I love Pajonas her writing style and the slow pace really fits this story. In Reclaimed Sanaa is trying to find allies, but it isn't easy. This book really is a struggle for her, Sanaa loses so much and gains only a little, although a few very important things. My favourite aspect of this book were the animals, there's a twist involving the animals which I loved. It felt a bit like the series took a different direction with that, but there were already some clues in the previous books, I just never had expected this.
One of the things that troubled me a bit in this book was my lack of remembering names and the lack of having a map of the country next to me. I am pretty bad with remembering names and it seems even worse when reading books with lots of side characters, then names all sort of start blurring together and I had a lot of trouble keeping some side characters apart. It didn't help there are two clan related people who's name both start with an M and half the time I couldn't remember who was who just that they belonged to a clan. That was enough to follow the plot, but it felt like I was missing pieces as I read the previous books so long ago. Also there is a map of Yusei and make sure to look it up before you start this book. Halfway I had enough and picked up my copy of book 3 and looked up the map so I could get my bearings. There were some scenes where I lost track of where they are and in my opinion the map is absolutely necessary to keep track of where is whom and how everything is located in comparison to everything else.
This book is a lot about the characters and maybe even more so than the previous books. I actually liked Sanaa less in this book and on the other hand felt really sorry for her. She goes through so much in this book and it was just hard to see her struggle. It was too much at times and I just wish she would get a break as I got tired from her never sleeping or eating well. I just wanted to cook for her and force her to eat as she was breaking her own body. Pajonas also shows how that impacts her and she feels the effect of the bad eating and sleeping, which I was happy with as it was realistic. I've read a few books where the characters keep going on even though the should be falling apart, so I was happy that wans't the cae here. I just felt like it was a bit too much at times, I wanted to have some happy moments as well, but those are rare. There is so much sadness and hardship in her life, it just doesn't seem fair.
Even though it's the last book in the series there are a lot of new characters we meet. My favourites where some of the animals, the owl was so adorable and one of my favourite new animals in this book. Then there are some new characters who end up playing a big role and some surprising twists where some characters are involved. There are also some unfortunate turns with some characters which made me really sad, everyone loses so much.
The whole book felt a bit sad, due to Sanaa, but also do to the events that happen. There were some fun scenes, but mostly I just felt bad for Sanaa or sad. She sacrifices so much for this country and her people and she get's so little back. She sacrificed almost everything she has and the ending felt a bit unsatisfactory as I felt like she still didn't get the ending she deserved. She was still trapped, but on the other hand I did like how realistic it was, not all her problems are solved in one day. Although it also leaves a few too many open threads, but the main plot get's resolved. Also a certain scene at the ending felt a bit too easy, it still felt like it went a little too easy and like they didn't really need the help they were looking for. It just felt a bit silly looking back, that so many of the book focusses on one thing and in the end it seems like it doesn't matter, ofcourse the characters don't know that, but it just felt a bit off. And I just missed the emotional bang at the end, but maybe that's just me. There was an epilogue, but it doesn't really show us how things are now 3 years later it only shows one individual scene. I guess I just wanted more, to see where things are heading? The ending is very realistic and that's also one thing I liked, everything isn't neatly wrapped up and not everyone get's their happy ending. The ending did fit the story.
The romance always has been one of my favourite aspects of this series and I loved that in this book as well. I felt a bit sad that Jiro didn't pay more attention to Sanaa at the beginning and didn't realize what she was going through, but she did hide it well. Their connection is strong and while the romance is pretty on the back burning, there are still some very sweet scenes and I just love this couple. They deserve so much more than what they get from the world. I also like how Jiro keeps standing beside Sanaa, even when everything goes wrong and the odds are stacked against them, he stays at her side. I just loved that and what they have together is so precious.
There are some things added in terms of world building, mostly related to the animals and the new city they visit in this books. It helps build Yusei and gives us a more complete picture of this continent and the people who live here. There was also some focus on how the different people saw Sanaa, her grandfather and Fujiwara. I thought it was great that even the last book in the series still adds new things to the world.
To conclude: I loved this book and it is a good ending, but I just hoped for something more concerning the ending. Sanaa goes through a lot in this book, it's hard to see at times and she ends up sacrificing so much. I hardly recognize her when I remember her in the first book. This book has a lot of sad events, loses and changes that hit the characters hard. It was a a bit depressing at times, but there were also some happy moments, I just wished for more of those. Sanaa and Jiro their relationship was great and I love how the stand strong together. I just hoped for more for them, they deserve more. I had some trouble remembering who was who at times because it's been awhile since I read the previous books and made sure you have the map close by when reading this book. There was a twists with the animals that I loved and it added an interesting perspective. All in all I really enjoyed this book, but I had hoped for a happier ending, even though this is a good ending and staying true to the world and realistic at the same time. I just hoped for more for these characters as they deserve more. Most things were too hard, but things at the end seemed a bit too easy. This is a great series and I would recommend it to everyone who loves a good sci-fi book with some romance thrown in that doesn't take over the plot, but is one of my favourite aspects of the book.
I love Pajonas her Nogiku series and I was both excited and sad because this book is the last book in this series. I love Pajonas her writing style and the slow pace really fits this story. In Reclaimed Sanaa is trying to find allies, but it isn't easy. This book really is a struggle for her, Sanaa loses so much and gains only a little, although a few very important things. My favourite aspect of this book were the animals, there's a twist involving the animals which I loved. It felt a bit like the series took a different direction with that, but there were already some clues in the previous books, I just never had expected this.
One of the things that troubled me a bit in this book was my lack of remembering names and the lack of having a map of the country next to me. I am pretty bad with remembering names and it seems even worse when reading books with lots of side characters, then names all sort of start blurring together and I had a lot of trouble keeping some side characters apart. It didn't help there are two clan related people who's name both start with an M and half the time I couldn't remember who was who just that they belonged to a clan. That was enough to follow the plot, but it felt like I was missing pieces as I read the previous books so long ago. Also there is a map of Yusei and make sure to look it up before you start this book. Halfway I had enough and picked up my copy of book 3 and looked up the map so I could get my bearings. There were some scenes where I lost track of where they are and in my opinion the map is absolutely necessary to keep track of where is whom and how everything is located in comparison to everything else.
This book is a lot about the characters and maybe even more so than the previous books. I actually liked Sanaa less in this book and on the other hand felt really sorry for her. She goes through so much in this book and it was just hard to see her struggle. It was too much at times and I just wish she would get a break as I got tired from her never sleeping or eating well. I just wanted to cook for her and force her to eat as she was breaking her own body. Pajonas also shows how that impacts her and she feels the effect of the bad eating and sleeping, which I was happy with as it was realistic. I've read a few books where the characters keep going on even though the should be falling apart, so I was happy that wans't the cae here. I just felt like it was a bit too much at times, I wanted to have some happy moments as well, but those are rare. There is so much sadness and hardship in her life, it just doesn't seem fair.
Even though it's the last book in the series there are a lot of new characters we meet. My favourites where some of the animals, the owl was so adorable and one of my favourite new animals in this book. Then there are some new characters who end up playing a big role and some surprising twists where some characters are involved. There are also some unfortunate turns with some characters which made me really sad, everyone loses so much.
The whole book felt a bit sad, due to Sanaa, but also do to the events that happen. There were some fun scenes, but mostly I just felt bad for Sanaa or sad. She sacrifices so much for this country and her people and she get's so little back. She sacrificed almost everything she has and the ending felt a bit unsatisfactory as I felt like she still didn't get the ending she deserved. She was still trapped, but on the other hand I did like how realistic it was, not all her problems are solved in one day. Although it also leaves a few too many open threads, but the main plot get's resolved. Also a certain scene at the ending felt a bit too easy, it still felt like it went a little too easy and like they didn't really need the help they were looking for. It just felt a bit silly looking back, that so many of the book focusses on one thing and in the end it seems like it doesn't matter, ofcourse the characters don't know that, but it just felt a bit off. And I just missed the emotional bang at the end, but maybe that's just me. There was an epilogue, but it doesn't really show us how things are now 3 years later it only shows one individual scene. I guess I just wanted more, to see where things are heading? The ending is very realistic and that's also one thing I liked, everything isn't neatly wrapped up and not everyone get's their happy ending. The ending did fit the story.
The romance always has been one of my favourite aspects of this series and I loved that in this book as well. I felt a bit sad that Jiro didn't pay more attention to Sanaa at the beginning and didn't realize what she was going through, but she did hide it well. Their connection is strong and while the romance is pretty on the back burning, there are still some very sweet scenes and I just love this couple. They deserve so much more than what they get from the world. I also like how Jiro keeps standing beside Sanaa, even when everything goes wrong and the odds are stacked against them, he stays at her side. I just loved that and what they have together is so precious.
There are some things added in terms of world building, mostly related to the animals and the new city they visit in this books. It helps build Yusei and gives us a more complete picture of this continent and the people who live here. There was also some focus on how the different people saw Sanaa, her grandfather and Fujiwara. I thought it was great that even the last book in the series still adds new things to the world.
To conclude: I loved this book and it is a good ending, but I just hoped for something more concerning the ending. Sanaa goes through a lot in this book, it's hard to see at times and she ends up sacrificing so much. I hardly recognize her when I remember her in the first book. This book has a lot of sad events, loses and changes that hit the characters hard. It was a a bit depressing at times, but there were also some happy moments, I just wished for more of those. Sanaa and Jiro their relationship was great and I love how the stand strong together. I just hoped for more for them, they deserve more. I had some trouble remembering who was who at times because it's been awhile since I read the previous books and made sure you have the map close by when reading this book. There was a twists with the animals that I loved and it added an interesting perspective. All in all I really enjoyed this book, but I had hoped for a happier ending, even though this is a good ending and staying true to the world and realistic at the same time. I just hoped for more for these characters as they deserve more. Most things were too hard, but things at the end seemed a bit too easy. This is a great series and I would recommend it to everyone who loves a good sci-fi book with some romance thrown in that doesn't take over the plot, but is one of my favourite aspects of the book.
June 10, 2015
Loved this book! Loved this series! And now I'm a bit sad that this series has ended. This post-apocalyptic book set on a new world, along with the Japanese cultures and sci-fi technology, was exactly my cup of tea!
Sanaa, the MC, goes through so many difficult losses and it seems that just when she seems to find a bit of happiness, the author throws yet another punishing scenario at her. But Sanaa being Sanaa, overcomes each experience in her Sanaa way.
My absolute favorite parts in this book, which weren't in any of the others and therefore made this book in the series a standout for me, were the animals. OHMYWORD, the animals!!! If you are in any way an animal lover, then I think you should read this series just so you can get to book 4!
My only advice to the author is to maybe put the map at the beginning of the book rather than the end. I think it would have been helpful to be able to refer to it as the characters moved around their world. I didn't know the map was there until I finished.
So, in ending, I really love the writing style of Pajonas and am looking forward to whatever she comes up with next in the sci-fi realm!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sanaa, the MC, goes through so many difficult losses and it seems that just when she seems to find a bit of happiness, the author throws yet another punishing scenario at her. But Sanaa being Sanaa, overcomes each experience in her Sanaa way.
My absolute favorite parts in this book, which weren't in any of the others and therefore made this book in the series a standout for me, were the animals. OHMYWORD, the animals!!! If you are in any way an animal lover, then I think you should read this series just so you can get to book 4!
My only advice to the author is to maybe put the map at the beginning of the book rather than the end. I think it would have been helpful to be able to refer to it as the characters moved around their world. I didn't know the map was there until I finished.
So, in ending, I really love the writing style of Pajonas and am looking forward to whatever she comes up with next in the sci-fi realm!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2015
Perfect conclusion to the Nogiku series. I'm honored to have been selected as one of the first to read this. Love love loved it.
May 28, 2015
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.*
I’ve thought this series was brilliant, ever since I read the first book. The sci-fi setting, with the Japanese culture was something wholly unique. It helped that the heroine was someone I thought was really strong and admirable. Therefore, I was pretty nervous to see how things ended, as this is the last book in the series. Add to that the fact it’s been a while since I read the previous installment, and I was pretty unsure going into this novel.
Sanaa continued to be an amazing heroine. I felt so bad for her all throughout this book, because of all the horrible things she went through in the previous installments as well as this one. Still, she remained strong, and kept sacrificing things in her life in order to improve the world for everyone else. I was really hoping she’d get a happy ending.
The one to help with that happy ending would surely be Jiro. I have championed Jiro, and the romance between he and Sanaa, from the very beginning. I love how honorable he is, and how loyal Jiro is to Sanaa. He’s just so steady, and he’s always there for Sanaa. The two of them always talk things out, and they never have any misunderstandings to slow the story’s plot down. I just love the two of them together!
As I said in the beginning, I read the previous book in the series a while ago. Therefore, it took me a while to remember details, and become engaged in the plot. But once I did, I couldn’t stop reading. The story followed Sanaa as she worked to gain allies and tried to keep her family and friends together. All of this happened while Sanaa tried to have faith that things would work out for her. I loved seeing more of the new world they lived in. There was a bit of drama, action, romance, and even some grief.
Overall, I think this was a really good way to end the series. There are some details that were left open-ended, and I’m really hoping for a spinoff or something to show what happens next. Aside from that, though, I think things ended the best way they possibly could. I’m really going to miss this Japanese-flavored sci-fi world, as well as the romance between Sanaa and Jiro, though. I highly recommend this series if you’re at all interested in sci-fi. And if you don’t mind romance with your sci-fi, I’m convinced that you can’t go wrong with these books.
I’ve thought this series was brilliant, ever since I read the first book. The sci-fi setting, with the Japanese culture was something wholly unique. It helped that the heroine was someone I thought was really strong and admirable. Therefore, I was pretty nervous to see how things ended, as this is the last book in the series. Add to that the fact it’s been a while since I read the previous installment, and I was pretty unsure going into this novel.
Sanaa continued to be an amazing heroine. I felt so bad for her all throughout this book, because of all the horrible things she went through in the previous installments as well as this one. Still, she remained strong, and kept sacrificing things in her life in order to improve the world for everyone else. I was really hoping she’d get a happy ending.
The one to help with that happy ending would surely be Jiro. I have championed Jiro, and the romance between he and Sanaa, from the very beginning. I love how honorable he is, and how loyal Jiro is to Sanaa. He’s just so steady, and he’s always there for Sanaa. The two of them always talk things out, and they never have any misunderstandings to slow the story’s plot down. I just love the two of them together!
As I said in the beginning, I read the previous book in the series a while ago. Therefore, it took me a while to remember details, and become engaged in the plot. But once I did, I couldn’t stop reading. The story followed Sanaa as she worked to gain allies and tried to keep her family and friends together. All of this happened while Sanaa tried to have faith that things would work out for her. I loved seeing more of the new world they lived in. There was a bit of drama, action, romance, and even some grief.
Overall, I think this was a really good way to end the series. There are some details that were left open-ended, and I’m really hoping for a spinoff or something to show what happens next. Aside from that, though, I think things ended the best way they possibly could. I’m really going to miss this Japanese-flavored sci-fi world, as well as the romance between Sanaa and Jiro, though. I highly recommend this series if you’re at all interested in sci-fi. And if you don’t mind romance with your sci-fi, I’m convinced that you can’t go wrong with these books.
June 9, 2022
So much action, a real page turner. I didn't realize this was the conclusion of the Nogiku series because there's a book 5. I was disappointed in the ending, too rushed. I wanted to savor Sanaa's victories. The reader has been through so much with her, heartbreak, disappointments, betrayals. It would've been good to enjoy her triumphs. That all being said, I still give this 5 stars. Her loyal friends, esp. Jiro, make up for the betrayal of others. She has the family she always wanted.
December 17, 2019
You will find the review on book #1's page and on the boxed set.
October 24, 2015
S.J. Pajonas has hit a home run with the Nogiku Series! Since landing on Yūsei, it seems nothing has gone right for Sanaa and Jiro. With nowhere else to turn, Sanaa seeks allies among the Oda clan and finds they possess a technology that may turn the tide in her favor in her claim as empress. But at what cost? Sanaa's already sacrificed a lot for a people that have yet to embrace her, and this time her friends and family may turn their backs on her.
RECLAIMED took the story in a direction I did not see coming, but it ended up concluding the series in a action-filled and satisfying way. I love the melding of science-fiction, fantasy, and romance in this series. I would follow Sanaa through it all again.
RECLAIMED took the story in a direction I did not see coming, but it ended up concluding the series in a action-filled and satisfying way. I love the melding of science-fiction, fantasy, and romance in this series. I would follow Sanaa through it all again.
September 6, 2016
While I loved this series (devoured the entire thing over the course of a week and a half), there is a loss of a star simply because
Sanaa can't catch a break in the last two books of the series as she struggles to unite the Earth colonists and those already on Yusei/Orihime. She is written as a very strong woman, as she can survive and get through all of the misery SJ Pajonas throws at her. But at times, it was heartbreaking to read.
Sanaa can't catch a break in the last two books of the series as she struggles to unite the Earth colonists and those already on Yusei/Orihime. She is written as a very strong woman, as she can survive and get through all of the misery SJ Pajonas throws at her. But at times, it was heartbreaking to read.
June 14, 2015
I'm conflicted about this one. It's really a continuation of book #3, and that was starting to bug me too. However, the storytelling remains strong, even if one of the main plot devices was seriously contrived.
The battles and tactical actions were well described, but Sanaa has the worst luck, and the people closest to her don't seem to pay attention very much.
Overall, the series is a solid saga, with the first 2 books being better than the last 2. The detailed action scenes are great.
The battles and tactical actions were well described, but Sanaa has the worst luck, and the people closest to her don't seem to pay attention very much.
Overall, the series is a solid saga, with the first 2 books being better than the last 2. The detailed action scenes are great.
June 28, 2015
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a review. This is the fourth and final book in this fantastic series. Great futuristic sci-fi Japanese warrior empress series with a sweet romance thrown in it too! This book took an unexpected turn with the chip technology (won't give spoilers here) but I enjoyed the surprise. I am sad to see the series end but look forward to more books from S.J! Thank you!
October 21, 2016
The Monarchy must fight and win.
Sanaa and Jiro go after Fujiwara and the head of the Tiana clan. They have captured Sanaa and humiliated, beat and taken away her identity. When she escapes, her dragon becomes obsessed with getting revenge.
She goes to the Oda clan who is much like what she left on earth. They help her talk to the animals.
Read and enjoy!!!!
Sanaa and Jiro go after Fujiwara and the head of the Tiana clan. They have captured Sanaa and humiliated, beat and taken away her identity. When she escapes, her dragon becomes obsessed with getting revenge.
She goes to the Oda clan who is much like what she left on earth. They help her talk to the animals.
Read and enjoy!!!!
October 26, 2016
Great Ending to an Epic Story
Book 4 brings the story full circle to a proper conclusion. This segment is full of action and helps move the plot briskly along. I will read book 5 because I enjoyed the story and the characters although it seems to be a throwback story told from other perspectives.
Book 4 brings the story full circle to a proper conclusion. This segment is full of action and helps move the plot briskly along. I will read book 5 because I enjoyed the story and the characters although it seems to be a throwback story told from other perspectives.
Read
June 2, 2015Review to come soon!
Read
January 11, 2016Satisfying series finale
I liked all the books in the series and I am satisfied with the ending for the characters. Read these books, you won't be disappointed!
I liked all the books in the series and I am satisfied with the ending for the characters. Read these books, you won't be disappointed!
Read
May 28, 2018For more information on this book, teasers, and news, please visit http://www.spajonas.com/blog/
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews