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Over the Mountain of the Moon: A Tale of a Samurai Consort

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Tetsuya, a young male courtesan, is living a life of relative safety until an unknown samurai called Jin arrives on his doorstep, bringing passion and death. Awakened to the strange paths of destiny, Tetsuya chooses to leave the only place he has ever known to follow a samurai who is on a quest for vengeance. Their heels dogged at every turn by paid assassins, Tetsuya and Jin learn to trust each other as they discover hidden truths which may get them killed before their love has a chance to redeem them both.

296 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 2010

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346 people want to read

About the author

Reiko Morgan

2 books18 followers
Reiko Morgan lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, a place well known for near permanent rain and a robust coffee culture. Having been employed in the fast moving technology field, Reiko once worked for NASA before embarking on a career as a successful artist and author. Fueled by the best coffee in the world and the inspiring natural beauty of the northwest, Reiko is a constant blur of creativity.

A firm believer in love at first sight and the power of love to overcome all obstacles, Reiko's stories of m/m romance are written for a female audience in a distinctive style of emotional characterization and flowing narrative. The settings for most of Reiko's stories are decidedly non-American in nature and hint at the many spiritual beliefs that are common within her own Native American and Oriental cultures.

When Reiko is not chained to her lap top or up to her elbows in oil paint, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. She enjoys hockey as much as opera and has a fondness for old movies, mysteries and ghost stories. She also admits to having a rabid obsession for Japanese anime, especially the ones filled with “impossibly pretty guys.” Involved with the graphic novel industry, her own artwork and family stuff, she manages to write several novels a year.

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5 stars
43 (29%)
4 stars
57 (39%)
3 stars
33 (22%)
2 stars
7 (4%)
1 star
6 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Mary.
Author 125 books5,017 followers
October 11, 2011
I'm a big fan of the adventure and the journey but what I don't like is the long drawn out plot line where the main characters don't know how the other person feels about them. This isn't like that. Tetsuya is so beautiful and fragile but once he decides to love Jin he does it heart and soul, leaving behind everything, all the safety he has in the world, to follow after the man who is now eveything. It reminded me of Musashi and his faithful love and I was enchanted. You get swept up in this, it just takes you away and I hated putting it down every single time I had to. I loved Jin, he's so fierce in his protectiveness but didn't do Tetsuya's thinking for him, but let himself be loved. After they meet they stay together most of the time and I like that, the builiding of the life not the whole Penelope waiting at home syndrome. And Tetsuya saved Jin as much as Jin saves him and that showed his committment. The end was so good becasue Tetsuya eventually has to try and do what he thinks is best and honorable and...I won't ruin it but I loved it. Samurai, romance, a beautiful plucky bottom and a strong alpha, it's lovely.
Profile Image for Feliz.
Author 59 books108 followers
February 16, 2011
This was a beautiful and very emotional story, a romance in the best sense of the word. I'm normally not a big fan of insta-love, but I didn't mind it much here because I found it fitting. Although the heroes fell in love practically on first sight, it wasn't all flowers and rainbows for them afterwards; they had to work hard for their happiness. For one, there were many adverse circumstances to overcome, attempts at their lives, injuries, sickness, rough streets and bad weather, torture, separation, and a society that condemned their love. For another, there were the inner obstacles, which were almost harder for them, since both were very much set in the ways of their mutual social classes.
I don't know much about ancient Japan, but for all I know, social boundaries were hard to overcome then and there. Tetsuya, in particular, had the idea of self-sacrifice internalized to a point where he allowed himself caged into Jin's golden cage, profoundly unhappy and yet convinced he had to submit completely to his lover's wishes. Jin, on the other hand, had firsthand proof of Tetsuya's resilience and inner strength - Tetsuya saved Jin's life more than once, after all. Yet, Jin was so set in his role as protector and nurturer that he didn't realize how much his overbearing threatened to smother Tetsuya beyond recognizability until it was almost too late.
This inner conflict and the resulting inner growth both heroes had to go through went a long way to create a distinctive "Japanese" feeling for me. It also went along very well with the worldbuilding.
Again, I can't say much about historical accuracy. The author placed a foreword to the story where time and setting are explained, and the story fit perfectly to this, so I could just go with the flow and enjoy the author's skill at painting pictures of her world with words like this:

"When the large silver globe of the full moon crested the darkness of the imposing mountain, the scene changed in front of Tetsuya’s eyes as if somehow another world had come to life. The snow lying silently on the sloping mountainside refl ected the soft moonlight from its depths. The light sparkled and danced with a life of its own, making the shadowed valley an ocean, lighted with silvery blue."

In the end, though, despite all the exotic setting, the vivid fighting scenes and the passionate lovemaking, it all came down to the old truth that nothing should be taken for granted and every love worth it's name is worth fighting for. Over the Mountain of the Moon is a beautiful story that transported me far out of my everyday life, and I can heartily recommend it to everyone who wants to escape reality for some very enjoyable hours.

Read the full review at reviewsbyjessewave.com
Profile Image for Cristina.
Author 38 books108 followers
November 2, 2018
This was a surprising historical novel set in the world of feudal Japan.

Following the template of the 'geisha and samurai' story, Over the Mountain of the Moon focuses on Tetsuya, a young courtesan, sought after for his beauty and androgynous looks, and Jin, a mysterious samurai on a revenge mission.

The first three-quarters of the novel recount Tetsuya and Jin's journey towards Jin's birthplace and they have a beautifully slow and suspended quality. While the two characters proceed on foot and by horse to their destination in a landscape rendered timeless by the continuous heavy snowfalls, they get to know each other and grow closer by assessing their strengths and weaknesses, Tetsuya's apparent helplessness and Jin's single-mindedness.

The characters' development was for me the strongest aspect of the book. Tetsuya starts out as rather defenceless, keen to face Jin's enemies but in a rather chaotic manner, and then gradually comes into his own. The scene where .

Jin, on the other hand, appears as solid as the mountains he grew up in but hides unsuspected depths of melancholy and frailty that are brought to the surface only thanks to his interactions with Tetsuya. There are a couple of scenes in which he frantically strives to take care of his companion revealing the real depth of his fears that really contributed to making him more human and compassionate.

In a way, some episodes in the novel - especially in the last quarter - seem to repeat themselves or at least to follow the same narrative pattern and I think the book would have benefited from a stricter editing process to remove some repetitions.

However, the beautiful characters, the elegiac quality of the landscapes, and the writing giving to the book almost the atmosphere of an ancient scroll unfolding in front of the readers' eyes give to this novel a timeless and otherworldly quality for which I'd recommend it.

A very solid 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

August 29, 2011
Normally, whenever I read about a young male character who's both too beautiful and too helpless, I wince. But Tetsuya is actually a lot more than that and I actually liked him, though he did have way too many weepy moments. Still, when it came to defending the man he loved, a noble samurai named Jin, he could hold his own. My only complaint--WHERE THE HELL WAS THE LUBE? If you're going to write M/M romance, do not forget that the anus DOES NOT create its own secretions. Every sex scene between Jin and Tetsuya had no preparation whatsoever. That's a total pet peeve of mine. Other than that, Morgan has a real feel for feudal Japan with its codes of honor and endless warfare between rival factions. It's bloody, heartwrenching at times but very gripping. I'm definitely going to read more from her. I just hope she remembers THE LUBE!!!
Profile Image for Cori.
85 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2010
This was a great book. I was a bit worried about it being almost 300 pages, but the pacing is perfect, so you're never bogged down with too much information or drumming your fingers waiting for something to happen.

One of my biggest gripes about historical novels is that the ones I've read seem to have a specific formula and they seem a bit redundant, so I usually avoid them. This book surprised me - the plot was not what I had in my head.

I would love to see this made into a movie and would recommend anyone read this - even if you're not a fan of historicals. It's wonderfully written and very engaging. I will definitely be looking for more by this author!
Profile Image for Heidi Cullinan.
Author 50 books2,875 followers
October 24, 2011
I absolutely, completely and thoroughly enjoyed this book. My attention was riveted from word one and held until the end. I enjoyed the journey of the two main characters, both in Jin's need for revenge and Tetsuya and Jin's relationship.

The setting was particularly exquisite; tangible and yet not overdone in description. The style was crisp and clean; my only complaint was that at the end we exploded into a strange number of POVs when we'd been just Tetsuya for so long. Even so, this is one of my favorite books I've read this year. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
742 reviews41 followers
December 11, 2011
This is a very enjoyable romanticized version of an action adventure samurai tale. The Samurai in this story, Kin, is extensively skilled with almost super human abilities and senses. He encounters Tetsuya who he finds himself attracted to but decides not to pursue him as he has a task he wants to focus on. However Tetusya and Jin do come together as Tetsuya rescues him from danger. Afterwards, Jin agrees, despite his reservations, to take Tetsuya along with him. While they encounter danger on the way, Tetsuya finds along with his growing feelings for Jin, that there is more to Jin than he appears. Jin and Tetsuya, however, find themselves falling more in love with each other.

There are some caveats with this story. Despite the fact that this is told as an m/m romance with Tetsuya a male courtesan, Tetsuya very rarely comes across as a man you'd encounter in real life. He's brave and smart and would do anything for Jin, but this is one of those stories where you could make Tetsuya a woman and not have to change anything. There are numerous sex scenes but they're written sensually, romantically and leaves out a lot of the messy details like lube or the need to clean up. Tetsuya and Jin declare their love, sentimentally, poetically and romantically numerous time. If things like this bothers you then you may not enjoy the story. But I wasn't really bothered by it. This is a gripping story with lots of action, angst and romance.
2,835 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this novel. The author did a wonderful job with the research and obviously enjoys writing about this era and it shows. Tetsuya, a concubine in the beginning, undergoes a metamorphosis from a soft, sought after beauty who distances himself from emotions to a person who gives up everything for the samurai he loves. Reiko Morgan's writing makes you believe in his transformation and in his love for Jin. I loved this story and was with the characters emotionally thru their trials and journeys.
Profile Image for ConM.
948 reviews9 followers
March 1, 2015
I enjoyed this a lot, a lot.

It was a slow read, but it was calming to read, the language was wonderful. Once I get into the style of writing, and speaking, which is exaggerated and overblown, I loved it. The style fits with the Japanese setting, and I was brought back to all that Anime I enjoy.

Profile Image for Antonella.
1,534 reviews
March 21, 2023
They meet, fall in (insta-)love, travel and fight. Also the sex scenes are repetitive. There are some beautiful nature descriptions, but I can't give a higher rating because of that.
Profile Image for Sam Ashworth.
23 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2017
I was a little hesitant to read another “courtesan” story, but this book’s preview chapters were so immensely compelling that I dove right in! The story remained compelling throughout, moving at a fast pace, with a new danger or difficulty around every corner that’s sure to keep you glued to your seat.

Over the Mountain is probably the most sentimental and romantic book I’ve read in a while. I don’t say that as a negative, but I was a little surprised! The speed of Tetsuya and Jin’s romance was possibly too fast at the beginning, a little incredulous perhaps, but as time went on it became clear just how well suited they were for each other, and how good they were for each other. So perhaps there is such a thing as love at first sight, and this is it!

The setting of the book was just lovely, and Morgan’s descriptive writing is beautiful. There was no excessive, forced, this-is-Japan description; it simply was Japan (probably best to leave your history lessons at the door, though; I don’t think strict historical accuracy was the goal here- and it wasn’t necessary!). The story takes place in winter, with the snow and ice a permanent feature and background throughout the book. It was gorgeous. And as someone who has a serious love of (almost fetish for!) kimonos, all the silk was an absolute delight.

One downfall of the fast pace of the book was, I felt, the sheer frequency with which our main character found himself in peril. And yes, he did learn to defend himself and contribute towards his own (and Jin’s) saving more than once, yet the book does have a slight damsel-in-distress feel that didn’t sit quite right with me. I have to say that I’ve also come to appreciate how in many recent M/M romances, the roles (all kinds, including sexual) both men play vary so much, and are so balanced; yet in this book, Tetsuya is clearly, determinably, coded female, and the weaker partner. Still, both characters were compelling, and there was a lot to enjoy in their romance.

Overall this book was very enjoyable, and the setting was just beautiful. I look forward to reading more of Morgan’s work!
Profile Image for LD  Durham.
334 reviews39 followers
April 26, 2012
I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book. But its length stalled itself out.

I'm not one who enjoys fluffy stories, and on the outside, taken without cultural context, this could probably be classified as a hurt-comfort fluff bunny story. There are a lot of tears and the devotions of love are rampant. However, I fell head-over-heels in love with this story. This book read just like a Japanese TV drama, which I am a fan of. Over the top scripts and high emotion are a hallmark, so this book was perfect in tempo and tone.

The prose was beautifully crafted, the author utilizing nature as a true character. Some of the phrases and descriptions were simply gorgeous. The emotions in the characters are beautiful, even in their effusiveness. It's such a high and pure love, it's uplifting to witness.

What downgraded this book for me, though, is that the last third of the book was unnecessary. The characters go through their changes for so long, then stall out. They are stuck and the conclusion of the book didn't resolve it because it just ends with another promise of undying love, which was no different than the ones in the previous chapters. It dragged on too long with no real reason other than to torture the characters some more. Hey, I am all for torturing characters, believe me. Hurt-comfort is some of my favorite guilty pleasure reads. But when there is no growth? It just got boring toward the end. Which was a real shame.

However, I would still recommend this as a good read. Especially if you are a Japanophile or yaoi fan, which sort of goes without saying.
Profile Image for Monika .
2,340 reviews39 followers
January 30, 2016
In lieu of writing reviews – I’m taking an extended break – I decided to leave this list showing the reasons for the stars I’ve given to the stories I’ve read.

5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters, had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried.
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.

I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
Profile Image for Carycleo.
64 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2011
Yaoi. A terrific opening few scenes. Starts strong, turns quotidian. Samurai who is really a prince (or Japanese equivalent) and a male geisha. Charming in beginning, and then their relationship and the sex is So Repetitive that I just got tired of it. And the grooming details, over and over. Way too long and bogs down in boring narrative in the middle. Hurt-comfort in unrealistic, they-get-well-way-too-fast way. Boring and trite, after a very, very good start.
Profile Image for Michael Joseph.
Author 10 books40 followers
July 25, 2011
I really liked this book. It engaged me much more than any story has for quite some time. It becomes a real roller-coaster ride, especially near the end, when you're not sure if the two characters will live, or stay together. It's not perfect, though. There are several modern anachronisms in the writing, which for some people might be disturbing, but it didn't bother me too much.
Profile Image for Juliebookworm.
26 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2012
I wanted to love this book. I really, really did. The writing itself was very good, but the problem that kept me from loving it were some historical and cultural details that weren't accurate, and those pulled me out of the story. But overall the story was entertaining and I enjoyed it, and I'll look for more works by this author.
Profile Image for Bishonen.
121 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2022
This is one I Reread

I have re-read this book half a dozen times now, and I'll probably read it again. The characters have a reason to exist in my heart. I wish this Author had written a sequel.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
36 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2011
I couldn't get through this book. Insta-love followed by overly flowery speech and a samurai who just "somehow knows" when the MCs are going to be attacked read too much like fan fiction for me.
Profile Image for Amy.
75 reviews
January 18, 2012
I am a very big fan of Japan like story like this one. This book left me speechless! It such a sweet book.
Profile Image for Evamaria.
407 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2014
Jin and Tetsuya were so often in tears - I was in serious danger of drowning.

The story was well written but had a bit too much "manga-feeling" for my taste.
Profile Image for Elisa Rolle.
Author 107 books237 followers
October 25, 2015
2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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