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Rise: The Liminal Chronicles
A myth come to life may be worth far more than his freedom.
Will a former gangster dare to protect the elderly woman who antagonizes him? He must choose between breaking a promise to his parole officer or the old lady. Each choice carries a hefty price.
Umeji Tatsuya moves from Tokyo to a small town after leaving the yakuza, the Japanese mob. He knows all too well that his past can't stay buried.
‘Once Yakuza, always Yakuza. The tattoos mark you for life.’
Nakamura Hisako, the town’s beloved dowager, learns about Umeji’s past and tries to oust him, but Umeji just discovered her own long-held secret. If he keeps it for her, the cost is his recently regained freedom. If he doesn’t, Nakamura might have to leave her home, and he risks angering forces he barely understands… and barely believes in.
As the mundane and Spirit Realm intertwine, so do the modern-day and the Pre-Meiji eras. Centuries-old rivalries flare up again, and the past returns in the present. Umeji’s second chance is only the first step of his journey to discover myth, social redemption, and found family.
Rise is the first book in the Liminal Chronicles series.
Will a former gangster dare to protect the elderly woman who antagonizes him? He must choose between breaking a promise to his parole officer or the old lady. Each choice carries a hefty price.
Umeji Tatsuya moves from Tokyo to a small town after leaving the yakuza, the Japanese mob. He knows all too well that his past can't stay buried.
‘Once Yakuza, always Yakuza. The tattoos mark you for life.’
Nakamura Hisako, the town’s beloved dowager, learns about Umeji’s past and tries to oust him, but Umeji just discovered her own long-held secret. If he keeps it for her, the cost is his recently regained freedom. If he doesn’t, Nakamura might have to leave her home, and he risks angering forces he barely understands… and barely believes in.
As the mundane and Spirit Realm intertwine, so do the modern-day and the Pre-Meiji eras. Centuries-old rivalries flare up again, and the past returns in the present. Umeji’s second chance is only the first step of his journey to discover myth, social redemption, and found family.
Rise is the first book in the Liminal Chronicles series.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
310 pages, ebook
First published April 30, 2021
8 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Amy Winters-Voss
2 books30 followersAmy is a former programmer turned author after her first trip to Japan in 2017. Now she writes Japanese myth-based urban fantasy to reconnect with the country and culture that captured her heart. She lives with her supportive husband, two wonderful kids, and two wily, crazy ferrets in South Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 30, 2021
~About
Umeji, an ex-Yakuza member, hopes to forge a new life for himself and to forget his sordid past. However, when he encounters a mythical nail tailed fox known as a Kitsune, his new life gets turned upside down. Promising to keep the Kitsune’s secret, she in return promises to train Umeji in the practices of an ancient form of magic. However, danger is close by when a past enemy returns into the Kitsune’s life, threatening all she and Umeji hold dear.
~Characters
The characters in Rise were a wonderful mix.
Umeji, an ex-Yakuza member is just trying to start his life over, however, the world has other plans. Throughout the book, Umeji seemed smart, strategic, and loyal to a fault. Despite his past, which required him to commit unspeakable acts of violence, he fought against any internal violent urges as best he could, and over the course of the novel, really grew as a person.
Nakamura Hisako, an elderly woman who is also a mythical Kitsune, was stern and feisty from the get go. Protective and dutiful, she kept watch over those in her care and never gave up even when things became difficult. She was a fine magic teacher to Umeji and throughout the story, I formed a deep affection for her character and loved how headstrong she was. Learning about her past through several diary passages was fascinating and really helped to give her character a lot of emotional depth.
Ohno, one of Umeji’s co-workers made for a wonderful direct contrast to Umeji’s tough and somewhat reserved character. She was sweet and caring, a breath of fresh air in a world filled with chaos. She was equally as loyal to her friends as Umeji and Nakamura, and possessed a determination of spirit that is hard to rival. Because of this, she was instantly one of my favourite characters.
Finally, we have Date, a relentless rival Kitsune, who was hell bent on the death of Nakamura Hisako and the destruction of all she held dear. I got a strong femme fatale vibe from Date, who used her feminine wiles to try and persuade Umeji to join in on her heinous plans. At every opportunity, Date revealed more of her true nature, conveying herself as a sneaky, deceptive creature, who would stop at nothing to destroy her enemy.
~Likes
Rise: The Liminal Chronicles has a lot going for it, as far as I’m concerned. As usual, I have listed my core likes below via a bullet point format.
-The first-person, present narration gave the story an immediate and intimate feel, which emphasized every deep-seated emotion that Umeji and Nakamura felt as their stories unfolded.
-The Japanese mythology was really interesting and the culture in general was fascinating to me. The author mentioned to me that they did extensive research in this area after visiting Japan years before, so it was amazing to see how they included this in the story.
-The author has a steady and intriguing writing style that flows well, revealing little pieces of crucial information to the reader at a time.
-The scenes were wonderfully evocative. They were intense, emotional, and held a deep sense of meaning throughout the story. Furthermore, there was good use of imagery made throughout, which helped to create a clear picture of what was happening in my mind’s eye.
~Memorable Quotes
As always, I kept my eye out for little snippets of wisdom as I read Rise. Eventually, I settled on five quotes that really spoke to me.
1) ‘We all make choices that lead to where we are.’
2) ‘Words you allow your mind to focus on are what you end up saying about yourself.’
3) ‘The power of the word truly was a double-edged sword.’
4) ‘Everyone carries scars from the past- a reminder of how we healed.’
5) ‘Having people willing to stand at my side- that’s what made the difference.’
As I read on, I identified several recurring themes such the power of friendship, our painful past memories, and the choices we make, all of which are reflected in the above quotes.
~Overview
Overall, Rise: The Liminal Chronicles was a fascinating read that explored ancient magic, Japanese mythology and culture, and deep down, the ability of one man to start over anew. The story was well written and engaging, and had me constantly wondering what would come next. It was a story about change and redemption, one that touched both my heart and soul.
My Rating: 5 stars.
Recommended to: Lovers of urban fantasy and Japanese mythology in particular.
April 30, 2021
Imagine a world where all your favourite stuff about Japanese mythology, anime, and magic kung-fu movies come together with gritty urban fantasy in modern Japan. This is the world of the Liminal Chronicles. It's a book I didn't know I needed, but now I need more!
This is Winters-Voss' debut novel, and independently published, so I admit, I started it with a bit of trepidation, even though I had agreed to review it. I hate giving negative reviews (even though you'll see I have given several,) but I believe that my integrity is at stake if I am not honest. Worse yet, the author is part of my personal community, and it's even worse when you have to tell someone you know and like that you might not like what they wrote.
My fears, I am happy to say, were totally unfounded. This was an amazing book! Winters-Voss' prose is liquid and absorbing. She draws you into her world by engaging all the senses, and immediately makes you invested in the characters and their struggles. You are kept reading by a mystery to solve, and by the time it has unfolded, you are deeply emotionally invested. I found myself unable to put it down. I missed sleep, laughed, and cried. This is everything I want from a book.
Umeji is an ex-yakuza gangster, trying to build a new life in a new town. You learn that he was driven into it by necessity and poverty, but he is no angel; he does have a violent past, and there is blood on his hands. His desire to start over, however, is sincere, but it is made difficult by the fact that there is a lot of stigma in having been yakuza. A lot of people don't want to give him a chance, especially when his former life becomes known in the small town he is trying to rebuild in.
The aunt of the person who is overseeing his parole learns that he was yakuza, and she makes it very, very clear that he is not welcome in her little town. Then something happens, a mystery is discovered, and the two are drawn together - and I really can't be more specific without totally spoiling it for you, which I won't do. We start out with something very grounded in the reality we know, and then slowly, supernatural elements are unfolded, until we are completely immersed in an enchanted world where anything seems possible.
I was deeply impressed by how beautifully human all the characters were, too --even the non-human ones.
I cannot recommend this book enough, and I am eagerly looking forward to the sequel!
I was given a free review e-copy in return for an honest review.
This is Winters-Voss' debut novel, and independently published, so I admit, I started it with a bit of trepidation, even though I had agreed to review it. I hate giving negative reviews (even though you'll see I have given several,) but I believe that my integrity is at stake if I am not honest. Worse yet, the author is part of my personal community, and it's even worse when you have to tell someone you know and like that you might not like what they wrote.
My fears, I am happy to say, were totally unfounded. This was an amazing book! Winters-Voss' prose is liquid and absorbing. She draws you into her world by engaging all the senses, and immediately makes you invested in the characters and their struggles. You are kept reading by a mystery to solve, and by the time it has unfolded, you are deeply emotionally invested. I found myself unable to put it down. I missed sleep, laughed, and cried. This is everything I want from a book.
Umeji is an ex-yakuza gangster, trying to build a new life in a new town. You learn that he was driven into it by necessity and poverty, but he is no angel; he does have a violent past, and there is blood on his hands. His desire to start over, however, is sincere, but it is made difficult by the fact that there is a lot of stigma in having been yakuza. A lot of people don't want to give him a chance, especially when his former life becomes known in the small town he is trying to rebuild in.
The aunt of the person who is overseeing his parole learns that he was yakuza, and she makes it very, very clear that he is not welcome in her little town. Then something happens, a mystery is discovered, and the two are drawn together - and I really can't be more specific without totally spoiling it for you, which I won't do. We start out with something very grounded in the reality we know, and then slowly, supernatural elements are unfolded, until we are completely immersed in an enchanted world where anything seems possible.
I was deeply impressed by how beautifully human all the characters were, too --even the non-human ones.
I cannot recommend this book enough, and I am eagerly looking forward to the sequel!
I was given a free review e-copy in return for an honest review.
March 28, 2021
Rise follows the redemption arc of a former yakuza, Umeji Tatsuya, as he struggles to find a place in society. Unlike many redemption arcs Umeji is already repentant for his past actions, many taken out of sense of necessity rather than a desire, but the small town gossip about his yakuza tattoos speaks louder than his actions and it seems only a matter of time before this chance of a new start is brought to an end. Especially if his new parole officer's aunt, Nakamura Hasako, has anything to do with it.
As we slowly learn more about Umeji's past we also begin to learn more about the small town of Nonogawa, which is not as sleepy as it appears. Umeji slowly discovers that his choices, and his past, have entwined him in the Spirit Realm's deadly ancient feud for control of Nonogawa and all of Japan.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rise and have read it several times already, the first time staying up all night to finish. The characters have depth with their own motivations for their actions as well as their reactions to Umeji, which the Reader will uncover as the novel progresses. The flashbacks to events during Japan's Pre-Meiji eras serve to drive home the full buildup of the present day conflict while beautifully complimenting the present day action, and the well-foreshadowed twists and turns still serve to surprise. I love this book, and although Amy Winters-Voss graciously provided me with an advanced copy I have already pre-ordered an official version in preparation for its formal release next week and I cannot wait for the sequel.
As we slowly learn more about Umeji's past we also begin to learn more about the small town of Nonogawa, which is not as sleepy as it appears. Umeji slowly discovers that his choices, and his past, have entwined him in the Spirit Realm's deadly ancient feud for control of Nonogawa and all of Japan.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rise and have read it several times already, the first time staying up all night to finish. The characters have depth with their own motivations for their actions as well as their reactions to Umeji, which the Reader will uncover as the novel progresses. The flashbacks to events during Japan's Pre-Meiji eras serve to drive home the full buildup of the present day conflict while beautifully complimenting the present day action, and the well-foreshadowed twists and turns still serve to surprise. I love this book, and although Amy Winters-Voss graciously provided me with an advanced copy I have already pre-ordered an official version in preparation for its formal release next week and I cannot wait for the sequel.
April 5, 2021
I love this book! Umeji is a man struggling to change his life in a town that is reluctant to let him do so. From my understanding honor and pride are very important things to the Japanese male. It's when the two clash that things get interesting. I think Umeji's situation in the early parts of the book are an excellent example of such a situation. The world shown to the reader is one rich with detail, and the view into the supernatural side of Japanese folklore is fascinating. I would recommend this book to any fan of urban fantasy or anyone with an interest in Japanese folklore. I can't wait to read the next installment!
April 30, 2021
I know the author, but I bought the book myself and this is an honest review.
A story of redemption, found family, and Japanese mythology.
I really enjoyed reading this. Characters are the most important part of stories for me and the characters in Rise were really well written. Particularly the two protagonists, Umeji and Nakamura.
The book is set in Japan, though in a fictionalised town with a heavy dose of mythology and magical realism. Japanese culture is handled extremely well and sensitively, and it’s obvious Amy has done a ton of research.
The plot weaves between modern day, in Umeji’s viewpoint, and the past, in Nakamura’s viewpoint. Both plots were really interesting and weaved well into each other. I wasn’t prepared for the amount of magic that there would be, though I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Also this book made me cry. Twice.
I really liked the world building, though in some places I wanted a little more depth. I am hoping some of my lingering questions will be answered in book two! :)
A story of redemption, found family, and Japanese mythology.
I really enjoyed reading this. Characters are the most important part of stories for me and the characters in Rise were really well written. Particularly the two protagonists, Umeji and Nakamura.
The book is set in Japan, though in a fictionalised town with a heavy dose of mythology and magical realism. Japanese culture is handled extremely well and sensitively, and it’s obvious Amy has done a ton of research.
The plot weaves between modern day, in Umeji’s viewpoint, and the past, in Nakamura’s viewpoint. Both plots were really interesting and weaved well into each other. I wasn’t prepared for the amount of magic that there would be, though I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Also this book made me cry. Twice.
I really liked the world building, though in some places I wanted a little more depth. I am hoping some of my lingering questions will be answered in book two! :)
May 1, 2021
Awesome Japanese fantasy with foxes
I really enjoyed the book. The prose is tight and the scenes are crisp. I love the characters. They are well defined individuals who have interesting relationships.read it straight through because it kept me guessing and interested the entire way through. I can’t wait for more stories in this world. It is different than any other fantasy I have read. I like reading about the Japanese culture. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy books or Japanese stuff.
-mergandore
I really enjoyed the book. The prose is tight and the scenes are crisp. I love the characters. They are well defined individuals who have interesting relationships.read it straight through because it kept me guessing and interested the entire way through. I can’t wait for more stories in this world. It is different than any other fantasy I have read. I like reading about the Japanese culture. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy books or Japanese stuff.
-mergandore
February 16, 2024
I assume some of the reasons this didn't vibe with me is that Asian lore or culture doesn't appeal to my taste buds.
September 7, 2021
A priceless piece of urban fantasy. Amy Winters-Voss had crafted a stellar adventure with natural characters and gripping story.
Even for someone with reading difficulties due to ADHD, this book was easy to get through. I particularly enjoyed how natural the characters felt. Everyone spoke and acted as if they were real people with real inner worlds and goals, rather than paper cutouts meant to fill a role.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Fantastic work! The story is gripping, characters are natural and interesting, it's virtually free of tired tropes and it's easy to read, hard to put away.
I was given a free copy of the book in return for an honest review. I am happy to say that I will be purchasing a paperback copy if this book, as such a masterpiece deserves to be in my bookshelf.
Even for someone with reading difficulties due to ADHD, this book was easy to get through. I particularly enjoyed how natural the characters felt. Everyone spoke and acted as if they were real people with real inner worlds and goals, rather than paper cutouts meant to fill a role.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Fantastic work! The story is gripping, characters are natural and interesting, it's virtually free of tired tropes and it's easy to read, hard to put away.
I was given a free copy of the book in return for an honest review. I am happy to say that I will be purchasing a paperback copy if this book, as such a masterpiece deserves to be in my bookshelf.
May 7, 2021
Really good book. I have enjoy the Japanese mythology side of it immensely, because it set it apart for any other urban fantasy book I have read.
The main character are well thought and I could heard them clearly in my mind. The romance is a little bit rushed but not too much.
The plot is good, with a few twists, I didn't expect and the ending let me wanting to read the next book straight away.
The main character are well thought and I could heard them clearly in my mind. The romance is a little bit rushed but not too much.
The plot is good, with a few twists, I didn't expect and the ending let me wanting to read the next book straight away.
August 6, 2021
I.. wasn't sure how to rate this, truth be told. I was incredibly excited to read this book, I adore Japanese mythos and culture, and I've heard so many good things from people who have read it. However, when I went to read it I discovered, to my dismay, that it was written in present-tense, which I have a personal loathing for. Nothing against the book itself, or the author, it's just a personal tick that I cannot get over. So, even though I tried very hard to get over my weird tick, I ended up DNFing it not far into it. What I did read was good, and you can tell the author worked really hard on getting Umeji's voice right. I really felt like I was in the head of an ex-yakuza just from the sentence structure. The story also pulled you in right away, and the writing itself was good as well. So I ended up giving it a four-star rating. What I did read was quite good, and it's not the author's fault by any means that I have a weird hang-up. I just wish I could give it a more accurate rating than this.
May 18, 2021
Rise is the first published novel of Amy Winters-Voss. It had me hooked and quickly drew me into the redemptive arc of its main character, Umeji Tatsuya, and the impact he has on those around him and, perhaps more importantly, the impact they have on him.
I enjoy urban fantasy and found that the Asian setting used in this story made the genre new to me. The story revolves around a former yakuza who was trying to move beyond his past and having trouble doing so. During these struggles he meets an old woman who becomes a mentor to him, as well as several other friends who, as they get to know him better, offer him support as he tries to turn his life to a better path, despite the lack of confidence that his past throws at him. Through all of this he must find his place in a 150-year-old struggle. The story is full of magic, mythical creatures from Japan’s rich history and folklore, and a cast that is easy be drawn in by.
I also have a great respect for the author’s treatment of Japanese culture, history, and mythology. My wife is from Japan, I lived there for two years, and we visit there every few years with my kids. I have a great love for the people and culture. The author did a great deal of research and you can feel her own love of the country and culture come through in her presentation of them.
If you’re looking for something new in the urban fantasy genre, or a great story set in Japan, Rise is a book that I highly recommend.
I enjoy urban fantasy and found that the Asian setting used in this story made the genre new to me. The story revolves around a former yakuza who was trying to move beyond his past and having trouble doing so. During these struggles he meets an old woman who becomes a mentor to him, as well as several other friends who, as they get to know him better, offer him support as he tries to turn his life to a better path, despite the lack of confidence that his past throws at him. Through all of this he must find his place in a 150-year-old struggle. The story is full of magic, mythical creatures from Japan’s rich history and folklore, and a cast that is easy be drawn in by.
I also have a great respect for the author’s treatment of Japanese culture, history, and mythology. My wife is from Japan, I lived there for two years, and we visit there every few years with my kids. I have a great love for the people and culture. The author did a great deal of research and you can feel her own love of the country and culture come through in her presentation of them.
If you’re looking for something new in the urban fantasy genre, or a great story set in Japan, Rise is a book that I highly recommend.
October 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I'm an absolute newbie to the genre of Japanese mythology and urban fantasy, so I don't have a history with many of the creatures or their magical abilities. There was a learning curve for me regarding that and I was challenged to keep all the characters' names and nicknames straight, but the characters were well-rounded and the story was paced well, which kept me engaged. I love redemption stories, so Umeji's character was my favorite, but I enjoyed all of them. I can't wait to read the next one!
I do know this author personally, but I purchased the book on my own and this is my honest review.
If you love Japanese culture and mythology and/or urban fantasy, you'll enjoy this great debut novel!
I do know this author personally, but I purchased the book on my own and this is my honest review.
If you love Japanese culture and mythology and/or urban fantasy, you'll enjoy this great debut novel!
October 9, 2022
I found this book to be fantastically done. The 'redemption' of the main character was very well done, and the humor was fantastic. I absolutely adored when he is found with the old lady - I laughed until I cried!
The weaving of lore was also phenomenal, as was finding a way to go 'if magic is real today, why do we not know?"
The mesh of modern fantasy and Japanese lore was something that was unexpected, and yet absolutely thrilling!
The weaving of lore was also phenomenal, as was finding a way to go 'if magic is real today, why do we not know?"
The mesh of modern fantasy and Japanese lore was something that was unexpected, and yet absolutely thrilling!
October 12, 2023
I think this is my first Japanese folklore book - Kitsune and it was good.
This book is about redemption, friendship and trust. There were little throwbacks as well.
I usually find either side characters are too annoying or unrealistic or in this case, they're all are loveable and there were no force chemistry especially between Umeji and Nakamura.
I will be reading book 2 soon!
This book is about redemption, friendship and trust. There were little throwbacks as well.
I usually find either side characters are too annoying or unrealistic or in this case, they're all are loveable and there were no force chemistry especially between Umeji and Nakamura.
I will be reading book 2 soon!
October 14, 2023
Highly recommend
I grabbed this book while recovering from an accident and it was an excellent escape. Whisked away to Nonogawa I was enthralled with all the characters and the beautiful setting. I’m definitely grabbing the second book!
I grabbed this book while recovering from an accident and it was an excellent escape. Whisked away to Nonogawa I was enthralled with all the characters and the beautiful setting. I’m definitely grabbing the second book!
October 8, 2024
The Liminal Chronicles by Amy Winters-Voss is the first in an urban fantasy series inspired by Japanese culture. Right off the top, I must confess that I’m not that well versed in the urban fantasy genre, so take my review with that in mind.
I thought the characters were interesting. However, because of the first-person point of view, I found it difficult to get into most of the supporting character. We learn a lot about Umeji, his past, his insecurities, and his hopes for the future. We also get some insight into his mentor, Nakamura, from the stories she tells about her history. It would have been interesting to see what was behind the motivations of some of the other important characters who actions are described but feel incomplete within the bounds of the story.
I also found some of the dialogue difficult because of my lack of Japanese culture knowledge. I understand where the author is coming from, and that she explains the rules and reasons for the character’s titles. I would have enjoyed the story more if I would have had more cultural knowledge going into the story.
The beauty of this story is the way our protagonist Umeji must defeat an older and difficult antagonist, while learning his heritage on the fly. His intuition both helps and hinders him as he explores new powers and learns to deal with the consequences. The magic is rich and detailed.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but it would probably be better as a re-read. I would lose some of the magic of the surprises, but I would gain a better understanding of the culture. I applaud the author for the challenge she gave in writing this story (and series). Four of five stars on Goodreads.
I thought the characters were interesting. However, because of the first-person point of view, I found it difficult to get into most of the supporting character. We learn a lot about Umeji, his past, his insecurities, and his hopes for the future. We also get some insight into his mentor, Nakamura, from the stories she tells about her history. It would have been interesting to see what was behind the motivations of some of the other important characters who actions are described but feel incomplete within the bounds of the story.
I also found some of the dialogue difficult because of my lack of Japanese culture knowledge. I understand where the author is coming from, and that she explains the rules and reasons for the character’s titles. I would have enjoyed the story more if I would have had more cultural knowledge going into the story.
The beauty of this story is the way our protagonist Umeji must defeat an older and difficult antagonist, while learning his heritage on the fly. His intuition both helps and hinders him as he explores new powers and learns to deal with the consequences. The magic is rich and detailed.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but it would probably be better as a re-read. I would lose some of the magic of the surprises, but I would gain a better understanding of the culture. I applaud the author for the challenge she gave in writing this story (and series). Four of five stars on Goodreads.
March 14, 2022
Rise was a great read with a fascinating story. Taking place in a fantastical Japan it brings to life various mythological creatures and is embedded in its history and culture.
The story brings together an interesting cast of characters that each have their part to play. The plot is well paced and easy to follow with some expected and some not so expected turns!
I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in the supernatural, Japan and redemption stories!
The story brings together an interesting cast of characters that each have their part to play. The plot is well paced and easy to follow with some expected and some not so expected turns!
I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in the supernatural, Japan and redemption stories!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews