In twelfth century Japan, Seiko Fujiwara, a young woman believed to be a sorceress, is caught in a deadly conflict between the Heike and the Genji, two clans battling for control of the throne. The peaceful Heian period is giving way to the rise of the Samurai; Japan teeters on the edge of a time of darkness. Seiko's mother, priestess of Inari, the deity of abundance and sorcery, predicts that if Lord Kiomori's daughter Tokushi, Seiko's closest friend, becomes Empress and gives birth to the next Emperor, their world will be saved. If he lives... It is Seiko's responsibility to make sure the prophecy comes true. Journey with Seiko as she navigates through a world of assassins, palace intrigue, warfare and enchantments, struggling to honor her giri, her sacred destiny, while longing for the fulfillment of love.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By B. Davis
Format:Paperback
This beautiful book deserves no less than 5 stars. It is so elegantly written that the reader feels an instant connection with the story and can't let it go until the last word is read. Set in twelfth century Japan, it takes the reader into the world of royalty, war, the quest for great power, and love. It's a tale that will not let you go.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In this deliciously absorbing book, set in 12th-century Japan, the protagonist Seiko is a young brilliant, talented poet and healer whose uncommonly eventful life takes her from the wilds of her sorceress mother's temple, to studies of poetry and eloquence with her erudite father, to captivity in a dangerously abusive marriage, to the height of luxury and power as a lady of the Empress's court. It is in the Kyoto palace, as a friend and confidante of the Empress, that Seiko's life unfolds fully -- as a renowned poet, as a court healer/priestess, and also in the ways of love, passion, and romance.
12th-century Japanese life comes vividly alive in Fallingstar's writing -- not in a quaint or intellectual portrayal, but as living, breathing people and events that feel so real and so yummy you feel their presence deeply and think about them long afterwards. I finished the book in a few days, missing an entire night's sleep to complete it (yes, it's that unputdownable), and have since been re-reading my favorite passages.
This one-of-a-kind book is deliciously hard to describe adequately, as it takes the reader from the height of beauty and eloquence to the depths of passion and desire, from the subtle planes of love and poetry to occasional life-threatening danger and suspense -- all while treating the reader to a fascinating distant time and culture that is alien, and yet so tangibly real and inviting.
12th-century Japanese life comes vividly alive in Fallingstar's writing -- not in a quaint or intellectual portrayal, but as living, breathing people and events that feel so real and so yummy you feel their presence deeply and think about them long afterwards. I finished the book in a few days, missing an entire night's sleep to complete it (yes, it's that unputdownable), and have since been re-reading my favorite passages.
This one-of-a-kind book is deliciously hard to describe adequately, as it takes the reader from the height of beauty and eloquence to the depths of passion and desire, from the subtle planes of love and poetry to occasional life-threatening danger and suspense -- all while treating the reader to a fascinating distant time and culture that is alien, and yet so tangibly real and inviting.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By E. Kalfsbeek
Format:Paperback
Cerridwen Fallingstar's second historical novel, "White as Blood, Red as Bone: The Fox Sorceress," is by far one of the best reads to come along in a while, historic fiction or otherwise. The novel takes place in 12th century Japan during the Gempei Wars and is told from the point of view of Seiko Fujiwara, daughter of the High Priestess of Fukushima Shrine, who inherits her mother's healing powers. When both her parents die at a young age, Seiko rushes into the marriage of her dreams until it turns into her biggest nightmare. When her husband is murdered, she is forced to leave her daughter behind as she departs her mother-in-law's home.
Eventually, Seiko mercifully finds her way to Japan's court at Kyoto where her best childhood friend, Tokushi, is now the Empress. Seiko finds her place as the court's healer and Tokushi's right hand lady, while finding love in unlikely characters along the way.
Action from page one, //White as Bone, Red as Blood// is an engaging tale, with intricate historic detail, leaving readers awed.
Though character driven as well as plot driven, the book has what any reader wants in a story: love, deceit, betrayal, murder, passion and even erotica. The ending will leave readers thirsty for the sequel, "White as Bone, Red as Blood: The Storm God," due early next spring.
--San Francisco Book Review, October 2009
Eventually, Seiko mercifully finds her way to Japan's court at Kyoto where her best childhood friend, Tokushi, is now the Empress. Seiko finds her place as the court's healer and Tokushi's right hand lady, while finding love in unlikely characters along the way.
Action from page one, //White as Bone, Red as Blood// is an engaging tale, with intricate historic detail, leaving readers awed.
Though character driven as well as plot driven, the book has what any reader wants in a story: love, deceit, betrayal, murder, passion and even erotica. The ending will leave readers thirsty for the sequel, "White as Bone, Red as Blood: The Storm God," due early next spring.
--San Francisco Book Review, October 2009
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking book!
Even if you know nothing about Japan in the 11th century, this book is both fascinating and beautifully written. Rading this book (and it's sequel! Read more
Published 12 months ago by Loryn Heath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book
I was so excited to see that Cerridwen Fallingstar has this new series. I adore The Heart of the Fire by her. Read more
Published on December 24, 2009 by Mizdeegz
4.0 out of 5 stars
`A hundred years ... a hundred hours would be too long.'
This novel is set in 12th century Japan, just as the most artistic age in Japanese history is making way for the age of the samurai. Read more
Published on December 17, 2009 by J. Cameron-Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting and excellent read for fantasy fans with an interest in...
The rise of the Samurai in Japan was not a peaceful occurrence. "White as Bone, Red as Blood" is a fantasy set back in Japan of hundreds of years ago as the clans of the Heike and... Read more
Published on November 9, 2009 by Midwest Book Review
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