Customer Reviews

Time Of Dragons Book1 (Shike Book No 1)

5 star:		(7)
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I have read both Shike, Book 1 & 2 twice. I was swept away into that period. I too felt the love, passion, hate, fear, pain, anguish, frustrations, triumphs, victories, strengths and weakness of the hero and heroin. I saw Fuedal Japan as it was then. I was there in the midst. There are really no words to describe the experience. Snow capped Mt. Fugi, the Cherry Blossoms, the antient temples, and much, much more are painted pictures in my mind that makes me want to go there again.

I would love to recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the Japanese/Samurai Genre. It isn't a Samurai book per se, but it has the feeling that I truly love. I blazed through this book fairly quickly as the pacing flows well. It took quite a bit of digging to find this book, but it was well worth the search.

A powerful story of love and hate, peace and war. Set in the time of the great Kublai Khan, it takes place in China, Japan and Outer Mongolia. Jebu, a young monk of the famous Zinja tribe of fighting men, is sent to escort the beautiful Lady Taniko to a marriage with a cruel nobleman, much older than herself. They fall very much in love and in spite of their different backgrounds their paths are destined to cross again and again. Jebu achieves renown as a warrior while Taniko's husband disowns her and she becomes mistress of Kublai Khan and a most powerful figure inthe land. Yet their love for each other remains true and stands the test of time.

I found the books to be very absorbing. You really do get wrapped up in them. However as far as history, they are a bit mixed up. The author tried to combine two periods of Japanese history into one and did it succesfully from a fictional point of view, however the dates for the Mongol invasions and the Taira/Munamoto conflicts which he puts within 30 years apart were in reality several hundred years apart. I had to keep reminding myself that it is a fiction book. It is that good. Truly enjoyable.

The other reviews have beautifully captured the essence of this incredible classic. I too cannot believe it never became a bestseller. I own two tattered copies myself and read the novel for the first time in high school. Now in my 30's, the book's timeless, mythic tone is still with me today. You will love it!!!

I just finished this book. I can't believe it is both out of print and never became a best seller. The topic may seem to have a limited appeal to readers, but if you actually read it you see that this book deals with the most compelling themes found in other great literature or movies, like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Shogun and the rest of Clavelle's Asia saga, and more. These are themes like love/devotion, coming of age, man versus man and man versus nature, and the idea of a "chosen one", among many other classic themes. In spite of some of the fantasy aspects, you will also learn of China, Japan, and Mongolia (and many cultures) though the writer compresses about 200 years of history into 30 years.

There is wonderful detail in the fights and battles and there is a lot of intensity. At the same time, there is a beautiful love story and there just seems to be something in here for everyone. If you liked Shogun and other Clavelle works, you will love this. Engrossing and fast paced.

Bear in mind it is extremely well-written when I give my only criticism: the editing seems lacking and I noticed about 20 type-o's and the like.

I can't believe it is selling for like $18 either. I paid like 25-cents at a used book store. I guess it is rare now and I got lucky.

My review is that I am desperately in search for a copy of this fabulous book and I can't find it anywhere,. . . .. .. . any tips?