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THE TWELVE KINGDOMS NOVEL 2 SEA OF WIND |
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Reviews
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Monday, 26 May 2008 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | TOKYOPOP | | | ▪ | ADAPTATION / ART: | | FUYUMI ONO / AKIHIRO YAMADA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | ENGLISH / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 320 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 03/11/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 05/26/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
A kirin, one of the celestial beings used to choose the next king, is stolen. A guardian and oracle are bereft of their charge. When he is returned to them ten years later, untrained and his powers dormant, the unsure young kirin must find his way past unforeseen perils, politics, and his own uncertainty in order to save a kingdom. An unrivaled fantasy, The Twelve Kingdoms is an incredible tale that transports the reader into an astonishing world filled with wonders. Each novel is self-contained and this one deals with the kingdom of Tai. The young kirin Taiki seems like a mere ten year old boy, but his destiny is one that has the fate of an entire people on his young shoulders. Luckily he has the help of a lamia named Sansi, a beautiful and frightening creature with the upper torso of a woman, the lower body of a giant leopard, and the tail of a dragon. She is his main protector and source of comfort as is the young oracle Yoka. But when the time comes for him to choose the next king, he is unable to awaken the powers within him and has no idea how to proceed. His insecurities feed a terrible sorrow that eats at him. The unlikely friendships that the unusual kirin makes with those around him will prove to either save him or doom all of Tai. Fuyumi Ono’s imagination and rich storytelling are the very best and most impressive of what fantasy has to offer. Rarely have I come across such an immersing tale, let alone one so well written. The world that unfolds is one of marvels, filled with amazing creatures and magic. The world is well written, showing it through Taiki’s perceptions, we are treated to how we see the world of the Twelve Kingdoms through his new eyes. It offers an even more in-depth look at the world than the first novel. It is not so much a story about heroism as it is about the courage to find one’s way against adversity and to discover one’s place in the word despite being timid. All the characters are fascinating and the places and creatures give a mythological flair to a sweeping fantasy epic which is highlighted by Akihiro Yamado’s beautifully detailed illustrations peppered throughout the novel. It is a book that exceeds the expectations of fantasy in every way.
IN SUMMARY:
The second novel shows the kingdom of Tai and the struggles of a young kirin who must find a way to awaken his power and discover his destiny in order to save the kingdom. It is a mesmerizing tale rich with wonder and magic. Truly the very best of fantasy. |
