Shogun meets Game of Thrones in the blockbuster epic fantasy event of the year
‘Family feuds, political savagery and complex characters on both sides of an epic, unfolding war . . . I loved it’ Nicholas Eames
‘A sprawling, complex fantasy epic that builds toward a brutal finale’
Fonda Lee
Sen Hoshiakari is an exiled prince of a clan that lost everything in his father’s failed rebellion. Deprived of his birthright, Sen is determined to restore his family’s lands and honour at any cost.
Rui is a peasant girl who saved Sen’s life on the night his family were put to the sword. But now, she is adrift and unsure of her place in the world, not knowing that the gods themselves have plans for her.
As civil war throws the empire into chaos, and demons seek vengeance on the living, Sen and Rui must fight for both their clan and their shared future . . .
But vengeance demands a bloody price.
Debut author A. S. Tamaki weaves a powerful tale of ambition, vengeance and sacrifice in this masterful fantasy retelling of an ancient Samurai saga, packed with memorable characters, stunning worldbuilding and epic adventure
‘The Book of Fallen Leaves is lyrically told, rife with history and political intrigue . . . a book that is both vast and intimate – with battles that leap off the page and characters who yearn to do what’s right’
Andrea Stewart
REVIEW
‘ve always said I wanted Japanese style settings in fantasy. Or, in any form of fantasy, I want a move away from the typical medieval mishmash of Medieval England for a while, to focus on other parts of the world with rich histories to tell. Japanese medieval history is a fascinating era of Game of Thrones in so many ways that it boggles the mind. A.S Tamaki has done a fantastic job of bringing this new world to life. Of showcasing the most brutal period of the Samurai in a fantasy context.
Sen Hoshiakari has to endure many struggles: the failure of his father’s rebellion, the loss of his clan, and the loss of his birthright. Yet throughout the novel, I noticed that life was not fair. Life is never fair to the son of a lord who has failed, nor to his family. And this is politics. The strong overcome the weak in this world, and Sen Hoshikari has to navigate it. There’s a concept in Heaven that life is eternal, life is pleasure, life is everything. But it is essentially a boring concept. Sen Hoshiakari needs that life, he needs the life of struggle, or else he will never be able to grow. And Rui? She is perhaps one of the most fascinating characters in this novel; she may be a peasant girl, but I feel she holds a mystery many may overlook.
The world has an excellent cast of good side characters that really bring the world to life, but it is a massive world and a massive story. The Book of Fallen Leaves is an amazing title, but my recommendation for the next title is the Book of Shattered Leaves. That’s my spin on it. If you love Medieval Japan, if you love fantasy set in a fresh, new, exciting world, then this is the one. I am really glad that Orbit is taking the risks to publish new fantasy in exotic settings. We need more of this. This is a fantastic book, and I give it a 10/10.
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