The Twelve Kingdoms, Volume 1: Sea of Shadow
by Fuyumi Ono
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Book Summary Information
Author: Fuyumi OnoEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-03-13
ISBN: 1598169467
Number of pages: 464
Publisher: Tokyopop
Book Reviews of The Twelve Kingdoms, Volume 1: Sea of Shadow
Book Review: Never thought I'd see it
Summary: 5 Stars
Some time ago I saw the anime version of 12 Kingdoms, which I'd found to be one of the most brilliant and enjoyable anime series I'd ever seen. So it doesn't take much imagination to understand how dreadfully disappointed I was to see that it was never completed. The anime covered only four of the seven story arcs and unless the original novels were ever translated, there was little hope that I would ever see the ending of this wonderful series. That has changed now that Tokyopop is translating the novels too, so I'm more determined than ever to find out what happens at the conclusion.
At the beginning the main character, Yoko Nakajima, is the person everyone imagines when they hear the phrase "good girl". She is polite, well mannered, obedient to her parents, has a lot of friends, does well in school and is even the class president. Everything that one could ask for in a high school teenager's life, right? Wrong. In the night time recently Yoko has been tormented by frightful nightmares, which has made her tired and very unhappy. Then one day after a particularly embarrassing day at school, a strange man shows up at Yoko's school. He kneels on the floor in front of Yoko and swears his allegiance to her. Completely perplexed Yoko does nothing, however the man (called Keiki) is more than persistant and demands that she accept, warning her of great danger that quickly approaches. Scared and not knowing what to do Yoko accepts Keiki's oath as a great battle ensues between demons, Yoko, and Keiki's mythical beast servants. Fast and furious are the events and before Yoko knows what is happening, she is carried off through a "shoku" - a storm that forms a bridge between Yoko's world and the world that Keiki comes from.
The battle concludes, but Yoko wakes up the next day alone and stranded on a strange seashore. Keiki and his servants are nowhere to be found, and neither are Yoko's demonic enemies. Yoko is left to fend for herself in a completely alien world with only a sword and a Hinman (spirtual being) called Joyu that Keiki had infused into Yoko to enable her to defend herself. Being a visitor from the sea - a "Kaikyaku" - makes Yoko a hunted criminal in the new land she finds herself in, so every day is a trial just to survive for Yoko as she faces enemies everywhere - beasts, demons and the most cunning of all enemies: humans. Utterly miserable, Yoko cries every night wanting to go home to her unhappy but "safe" life. Indeed she is a pathetic victim, however her life on the run changes her slowly. With visions shown by the sword Keiki gave her, and strange monkey-like being, Yoko discovers her true self including her own dark side.
Much of this first volume of the series "Sea of Shadow" deals with Yoko's transformation from a meek child of a girl into a fierce demon slayer. It is a rather insightful and inward journey as much as it is an outward journey through a strange land for the reader. Fuyumi Ono creates a richly detailed and real-to-life fantasy universe in Twelve Kingdoms that any fiction reader would enjoy, not just fans of anime or Japanese novels.
Summary of The Twelve Kingdoms, Volume 1: Sea of Shadow
For high-schooler Yoko Nakajima, life has been fairly ordinary--that is until Keiki, a young man with golden hair, tells Yoko they must return to their kingdom. Once confronted by this mysterious being and whisked away to an unearthly realm, Yoko is left with only a magical sword; a gem; and a million questions about her destiny, the world she's trapped in, and the world she desperately wants to return to.More than just a fantasy story filled with horrific monsters, half-beasts, and magicians, The Twelve Kingdoms centers around a world reminiscent of Chinese mythology and rife with civil and political upheaval. Sea of Shadow, the first volume of this ongoing seven-volume epic, takes you on a wild ride that leaves you questioning the bounds of reality and fantasy."An exciting, fast-paced adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats."--BookLoons.com "This is a fantasy novel displaying a grand imagination and soaring adventure."--ActiveAnime.com"Fuyumi Ono weaves a bewitching tale of strength in adversity, bravery despite fear, courage above all, and trust â?" in yourself and in others."--Yabookscentral.comFuyumi Ono was born in Oita Prefecture, Japan. She graduated from Otani University with a major in Buddhist studies. During college she was a member of Kyoto Universityâ??s mystery story club for readers and writers of the mystery genre. In 1988, she made her publishing debut in Kodanshaâ??s teen-targeted X-Bunko Teens Heart series. Besides The Twelve Kingdoms, Ono has written other novels in such genres as mystery and horror.Manga Books
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