DRC Review: The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki
- Story Eater
- 28 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Release date: 17 March 2026
Rating:4/5
Book box(es): Goldsboro Fellowship April 2026, FairyLoot Epic Fantasy Quarter 1, The Broken Binding Special Edition
Synopsis: 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 honor 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.
Review
Beautifully lyrical with a wonderfully complex, multi-layered plot and story that has enough intellectual stimulation for the bored in heart with the fantasy genre of late, The Book of Fallen Leaves is a breath of fresh air. I'm reminded of multiple classics but not exhausted with derivation. Promoted as Shōgun meets Game of Thrones, I heartily agree with the juxtaposition, with the slight amendment adding Princess Mononoke in there for a more accurate vibe for the fantasy elements. Set in a world resembling pre-Edo-feudal Japan but definitely in a fantastical universe, Tamaki's debut impressed me immensely.
Tamaki's prose is some of the most beautiful and poetic I've read in fantasy novels. It coats the narrative blade in a paralytic before driving it right through the heart. I pulled so many good quotes from the book that I just gave up highlighting them all and just started adding bookmarks to mark the start of each succession of them. With the complexity of the plot and the abundance of characters, I feel those who are overwhelmed with such things about fantasy novels may find it easier to power through the amount of keeping track of elements and characters required in order to understand the story because of the wonderful the writing style.
I love the characters, and I don't mind a large cast. Usually, one or two characters stand out from the crowd and make life interesting for the rest. Rui stood out for me most prominently, and Sen, especially when paired with Rui, follows as a close second. The character development with these two, moving in correlation with one another but in opposite directions, gives great fodder for analysis. One, a noble, who lacks the moral fortitude to lead and not succumb to bad influence; and the other, without rank, who shows a command of integrity to live with honor no matter the cost and despite past mistakes. And that's just two of the characters. Don't get me started on The Poet.
Overall, 4/5. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel. This book was such a great read. It wasn't perfect, to be sure. The modern "real life" elements pulled me out of the story often; but the complex, engaging, and compelling writing and plot were enough to make me keep reading with gusto.
My thanks to Orbit and Hachette via NetGalley for the DRC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.
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