Gate to Kagoshima

Gate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki

website: www.poppykuroki.com

This book was interesting. I was confused by the story with the back detailing one thing, and the inside meat of the story telling the same thing. Now they both say the same thing, but the way the story was written is different from a lot of other books that I have read that would follow this sort of story/genre. That aside, I really enjoyed the book.

The only part I didn't like is the end...not because it ended, but how she wrapped it up. I don't want to give away the story if you are interested in reading it. I highly recommend the book, but I feel the ending could have been done differently. But I can see how it was the only way to make it work, probably, so that everyone could have a happily ever after. (This includes the reader.) The author stayed true to the samurai code, or very very close to it. I'm not a samurai and thus do not have an authority on the subject.

The story followed events like a history timeline. This happened and this, then this. That sort of thing, which in regular books in a smaller way is not okay. 'She wiped her hands on the towel then folded it and put it down gently...' From what I understand that sort of writing is not okay with agents. This book did sort of the same thing, but with bigger events.

Here's the kicker, IT WORKS for this book. It wasn't tiny events that she described, she followed a timeline because in the past all things lead up to the event and she needed to travel that timeline to move forward. The book stuck with me for days after reading it. I want to read the other book she has out now simply because this one was so well done.

I do not recommend this book for people who don't like when there is even a small event of sexual intercourse in their stories. But it is nothing like either the books or the movies in the Bridgerton series BY Julia Quinn. (Another great author BTW.)

Anyway, go get the book, if you are into that sort of thing and enjoy it. I liked it.