Willy W. reviewed on + 503 more book reviews
As much as I loved Flowers from the Storm, this book, Shadow and the Star was a real disappointment. Off to a slow start S&S introduces us in small steps to the hero and heroine. The style of the writing is nice, each chapter switching between hero and heroine, the hero's exposition happening in the past, chronicling his backstory while alternating chapters move the couple forward.
However over halfway through the book I was still not convinced the couple is meant for each other. He's exceptionally inexperienced with women (a virgin). She's innocent and virginal to the point of silliness at times. I was never convinced of her attraction to him. She thinks he's handsome, but you don't FEEL the intensity of her interest. He wants to have sex with her but you don't get that he has any care for her as a person.
Ultimately they marry but throughout the book he believes himself in love with another. He admits to himself his overwhelming sexual attraction to Leda but he thinks this is wrong, and you are never part of his internal dialogue when he realizes he loves her.
In the end, perhaps because I was so disappointed and frustrated with this book that should have been so good, I started nitpicking the story as well. This man, orphan though he was, was raised by an English couple in mostly Western tradition and a quite happy home. And while he found great comfort in his relationship and apprenticeship with Japanese Dojun, I couldn't quite understand why he was ultimately more comfortable in Japanese style, Japanese tradition, Japanese beliefs. As if the people who raised him had no influence on him at all. He'd never been to Japan, what does he know of any of that?
And Leda simply looked like a foolish ninny by the end. She can't take a hint, acts completely clueless and foolish, and never seems to turn the corner into acting like a woman.
However over halfway through the book I was still not convinced the couple is meant for each other. He's exceptionally inexperienced with women (a virgin). She's innocent and virginal to the point of silliness at times. I was never convinced of her attraction to him. She thinks he's handsome, but you don't FEEL the intensity of her interest. He wants to have sex with her but you don't get that he has any care for her as a person.
Ultimately they marry but throughout the book he believes himself in love with another. He admits to himself his overwhelming sexual attraction to Leda but he thinks this is wrong, and you are never part of his internal dialogue when he realizes he loves her.
In the end, perhaps because I was so disappointed and frustrated with this book that should have been so good, I started nitpicking the story as well. This man, orphan though he was, was raised by an English couple in mostly Western tradition and a quite happy home. And while he found great comfort in his relationship and apprenticeship with Japanese Dojun, I couldn't quite understand why he was ultimately more comfortable in Japanese style, Japanese tradition, Japanese beliefs. As if the people who raised him had no influence on him at all. He'd never been to Japan, what does he know of any of that?
And Leda simply looked like a foolish ninny by the end. She can't take a hint, acts completely clueless and foolish, and never seems to turn the corner into acting like a woman.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
