4.5*
This story is set in Japan during the 1600's. Based off of actual history, we follow Father Joaquim as he tries to live, fight and protect his village against the Shogun's forces. Father Joaquim is a Christian, a Jesuit, who helps guide his village in this faith, the Shogun however, despises Christians (who are outlawed) as he believes they are there to spy on him and his country in order to help an invasion. Thus, he routinely sends his forces to find, torture and execute all Christians, particularly those who are not Japanese.
Shaun Curry does an excellent job at portraying the brutality that occurred throughout Japan and does not use flowery language, instead he opts for graphic detail and descriptions that, though not for the weak-hearted, truly grab the reader and let them see the true horror of these acts.
Moreover, the story is separated into short chapters that allow you to read with ease and without getting bored. Though some parts of the book felt very 'info heavy' this is not enough to put you off and in the end is extraordinarily beneficial to your understanding of the book, the events and the power structure in Japan.
At the books core i believe there is a deeper message of love and cohesion; with opposing religions aiding one and other and the Christian characters constantly extending the hand of cohesion and mercy instead of death, there is a lot to this book than the simply opposition of the Shogun and the Christians. Moreover, though the book is filled with religious ideas and passages, the primary focus is on the individual and how you can better yourself, an interesting sentiment that the main characters adheres too.
Despite the book being set in the 1600's and in another country (UK reader here :D), they are easy to connect with and you truly feel for them. I enjoyed this book and thought it was very original and interesting and look forward to reading more.
*I received an advance digital copy from Netgalley (publisher - HarperInspire/HarperCollins UK) in exchange for an honest review*
This story is set in Japan during the 1600's. Based off of actual history, we follow Father Joaquim as he tries to live, fight and protect his village against the Shogun's forces. Father Joaquim is a Christian, a Jesuit, who helps guide his village in this faith, the Shogun however, despises Christians (who are outlawed) as he believes they are there to spy on him and his country in order to help an invasion. Thus, he routinely sends his forces to find, torture and execute all Christians, particularly those who are not Japanese.
Shaun Curry does an excellent job at portraying the brutality that occurred throughout Japan and does not use flowery language, instead he opts for graphic detail and descriptions that, though not for the weak-hearted, truly grab the reader and let them see the true horror of these acts.
Moreover, the story is separated into short chapters that allow you to read with ease and without getting bored. Though some parts of the book felt very 'info heavy' this is not enough to put you off and in the end is extraordinarily beneficial to your understanding of the book, the events and the power structure in Japan.
At the books core i believe there is a deeper message of love and cohesion; with opposing religions aiding one and other and the Christian characters constantly extending the hand of cohesion and mercy instead of death, there is a lot to this book than the simply opposition of the Shogun and the Christians. Moreover, though the book is filled with religious ideas and passages, the primary focus is on the individual and how you can better yourself, an interesting sentiment that the main characters adheres too.
Despite the book being set in the 1600's and in another country (UK reader here :D), they are easy to connect with and you truly feel for them. I enjoyed this book and thought it was very original and interesting and look forward to reading more.
*I received an advance digital copy from Netgalley (publisher - HarperInspire/HarperCollins UK) in exchange for an honest review*