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Romance of the Imperial Capital Kotogami: A Tale of Living Alongside Spirits
A retro-modern romantic fantasy set in the age of the Kotogami ! After a fearsome beast burns down her company lodgings, Akari finds herself homeless and out of a job. Luckily, the handsome yokai who rescued her from the beast offers her a job as a live-in custodian at a manor in the city. Needing a safe place to sleep, Akari accepts Tomohito’s offer but soon finds that living in a house full of eccentric Kotogami spirits isn’t exactly the sweet deal she was hoping for. With no alternative, Akari resigns herself to cohabiting with her idiosyncratic new roommates. And so begins the heartwarming tale of the trials, new friendships, and blossoming romance of a hard working young woman, living in an age where the Kotogami spirits walk among humans.
236 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2020
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218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2021
This is the densest book Cross Infinite World has brought over to date, which makes it a bit of a slower read. But it's also fascinating in its mythology - basically it takes place in an alternate Taisho period where yokai are "enshrined" (which can certainly be read as "trapped") in kotogatari, or sacred books. Reading the text manifests them and gives them power; unmanifested yokai simply sleep. I wish that the author had explored the idea of yokai agency a little bit more, because this has a lot of potential as an idea, but even without that (and with increasingly modern language as the translation goes on), it's a neat story - and a nice one about people and yokai finding places to belong.
March 4, 2025
Definitely a 5 star read and I recommend this books so light read and enjoyable the characters are very interesting and they all have different personalities that you'll wonder how do they get along.
November 14, 2021
I loved this! It has lots of things I love, books (duh!) and books that somehow manifest something in them into our world (in this case, spirits i.e. kotogami), Taisho period... The story was well-paced although the aftermath of the big end-of-the-book fight was summed up quite quickly. And the characters! I liked them all, especially Akari.
Akari Mitsukuri is independent young woman in Taisho era-esque world (the names are misspelled slightly to show it's kind of the real historical but not quite because there are demons and spirits etc.). One day the company dorm she lives in, burns to a ground and she gets help from a handsome young man who turns out to be a kotogami, a spirit that manifests from special book (kotogatari) when a Narrator reads from it aloud. She is taken to Narration Association where is offered lodging in old house full of kotogatari. She needs a place to stay but there's a problem. She hates fictional stories and has absolutely no wish to become a Narrator even though it seems she has aptitude for it.
She agrees to take care of the house but not do narration and only until she has new place to stay in. But of course a lot of stuff happens and pasts of Akari and the kotogami who helped her, Tomohito, are revealed...
The book's world is very nicely built, you recognize the historical bits, like how women started to work in offices etc. and East and West mixed together but the spirit stuff is woven into that world effortlessly without needing to burden the reader with a lot of explanations (which I wouldn't have minded though).
And like I mentioned, I liked the characters a lot! First, Akari. She's wonderful main character, the further I read the book, the more I liked her. She's headstrong but knows when to back down. She's independent but acknowledges sometimes it's just easier to go with the flow even if she wishes things were different (like when she says Tomohito can accompany her to a restaurant because lone woman gets disapproving looks). And she has some principles more people should take to a heart, for example: manners cost nothing (that doesn't mean she won't voice her opinion though) and if she doesn't like something, she won't go yelling on the barricades (literally with the anti-kotogatari people in this book), she just doesn't engage it.
The kotogami include Tomohito who seems powerful when he first appears but acts later more like Akari's personal servant and is quite emotional (he cries and gets jealous easily). He was quite delightful. And ah, the gap moe. Yes, he has interesting backstory.
House spirit Mayoi was sometimes a bit annoying but since her scenes were here and there, it was okay.
And of course there's a gruffy samurai spirit Kensuke who was exactly like these types of characters are, kinda boorish, likes alcohol but superb fighter when the situation calls for it. And secretly kind and caring. Loved him too.
Yes, this was great read!
Akari Mitsukuri is independent young woman in Taisho era-esque world (the names are misspelled slightly to show it's kind of the real historical but not quite because there are demons and spirits etc.). One day the company dorm she lives in, burns to a ground and she gets help from a handsome young man who turns out to be a kotogami, a spirit that manifests from special book (kotogatari) when a Narrator reads from it aloud. She is taken to Narration Association where is offered lodging in old house full of kotogatari. She needs a place to stay but there's a problem. She hates fictional stories and has absolutely no wish to become a Narrator even though it seems she has aptitude for it.
She agrees to take care of the house but not do narration and only until she has new place to stay in. But of course a lot of stuff happens and pasts of Akari and the kotogami who helped her, Tomohito, are revealed...
The book's world is very nicely built, you recognize the historical bits, like how women started to work in offices etc. and East and West mixed together but the spirit stuff is woven into that world effortlessly without needing to burden the reader with a lot of explanations (which I wouldn't have minded though).
And like I mentioned, I liked the characters a lot! First, Akari. She's wonderful main character, the further I read the book, the more I liked her. She's headstrong but knows when to back down. She's independent but acknowledges sometimes it's just easier to go with the flow even if she wishes things were different (like when she says Tomohito can accompany her to a restaurant because lone woman gets disapproving looks). And she has some principles more people should take to a heart, for example: manners cost nothing (that doesn't mean she won't voice her opinion though) and if she doesn't like something, she won't go yelling on the barricades (literally with the anti-kotogatari people in this book), she just doesn't engage it.
The kotogami include Tomohito who seems powerful when he first appears but acts later more like Akari's personal servant and is quite emotional (he cries and gets jealous easily). He was quite delightful. And ah, the gap moe. Yes, he has interesting backstory.
House spirit Mayoi was sometimes a bit annoying but since her scenes were here and there, it was okay.
And of course there's a gruffy samurai spirit Kensuke who was exactly like these types of characters are, kinda boorish, likes alcohol but superb fighter when the situation calls for it. And secretly kind and caring. Loved him too.
Yes, this was great read!
October 12, 2023
Set in an AU early-20th C. Japan, just assimilating Westernization, where yokai are real. In this case, they can be, and are, sealed in magic books under the control (mostly) of human Narrators, whose reading can call them up. A young woman working as an underappreciated minion for a new-style corporation encounters same, hijinks ensue, her life improves. (Well, there was nowhere to go but up.) Eventually acquires a house and supernatural minions of her very own without having to marry some dude, take that, Romance tropes. Not sure whether to call to it found family or reverse harem.
Plain prose style (at least in this light novel translation) thankfully not too eye-jabbing, some rather nice meta about the nature of stories. Quick read.
Ta, L.
November 30, 2023
It had a very interesting premise regarding the power of words, but needed something more in the writing. It sort of jumped around and Mitsuko’s crazy jealousy came out of nowhere - I don’t recall Akari ever being described as extraordinarily capable and accomplished.
It was also very noticeable (thus distracting) how often the story mentioned sexism - very, very, blatantly, instead of simply showing the attitude through writing about situations, the author really hammered in how it was a man’s world and women were not treated fairly. Again, that’s something that should be reflected in showing, not telling.
Not sure if it was a mistranslation or mistake on the author’s part, but a “silkie” (I assume selkie) is not a house spirit. Far from it.
It was also very noticeable (thus distracting) how often the story mentioned sexism - very, very, blatantly, instead of simply showing the attitude through writing about situations, the author really hammered in how it was a man’s world and women were not treated fairly. Again, that’s something that should be reflected in showing, not telling.
Not sure if it was a mistranslation or mistake on the author’s part, but a “silkie” (I assume selkie) is not a house spirit. Far from it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2024
This novel felt like reading a detailed series outline for an animated series -- I really enjoyed the characters and I would probably LOVE this if it were animated.
But for that reason it was strangely disappointing when (1) it didn't go as deep as I usually expect a novel to go and (2) it ended at what should have been the halfway point, setting up for another batch of episodes after the final main character of the house is introduced.
If a second volume came out, I would certainly read it in hopes of having a least a little payoff for everything that was set up in this book.
But for that reason it was strangely disappointing when (1) it didn't go as deep as I usually expect a novel to go and (2) it ended at what should have been the halfway point, setting up for another batch of episodes after the final main character of the house is introduced.
If a second volume came out, I would certainly read it in hopes of having a least a little payoff for everything that was set up in this book.
March 6, 2022
I bought this book simply because the cover looks gorgeous and it's only one volume, so I think it won't be something needing too much commitment... Only to find that I came to enjoy and love the book so much. The story itself might seem to be simple enough, a light fantasy in an alternate universe, but it's masterfully told, triggering smiles I didn't realise and causing my heart to beat faster with great interest. And now I've been left wanting for more - and for my own Tomohito. If only...!
June 2, 2021
Good story
I loved the story line . it kept me guessing. I finished it in one sitting . I hope there is a next story.
I loved the story line . it kept me guessing. I finished it in one sitting . I hope there is a next story.
June 6, 2021
Really interesting world-building, with characters who are pretty good. 4.5 stars. Shame it doesn't seem like a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
This was a binge read, due to the ending I’m hoping vol. 2 is a possibility. The characters and world building were amazing, it made me laugh and game me feels, just lovely!
March 17, 2023
Exceedingly unique! Definitely a labor of love, one I will revisit and recommend to everyone I can!
October 31, 2023
Seems unfinished, and there really isn't much romance.
February 10, 2022
The beginning is pretty weak, but it gets better.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews