Amy Tasukada

Pros: well researched setting and depiction of organized crime in Japan. I loved the tea house setting. The entire story was vividly described in visual terms. I always find that enjoyable to read.
The secondary characters were well drawn, so the book didn't read like two lovers in a world of cardboard cutout characters.
I liked the depiction of the Koreans' position in Japanese society and though this was very credible.

Cons: I felt like the main characters weren't emotionally consistent. Both of our heroes are incessant liars, but that alone wouldn't necessarily be a mark against the book, considering their occupation. The part that really threw me is how Nao switches to momentary violent action and enjoys it at a deep visceral level. The combination of this with his usual fearful and shy disposition doesn't come across believable to me. I also think the sense of duty and debt should have been more heavily emphasized in his inner dialogues. A little PTSD would not have been out of place in a guy who's witnessed what Nao has.

I imagine this plot could be written in an entirely different way as a hard-boiled crime novel, where Nao is as cynical and dark as they come. That would perhaps be a more credible depiction of someone who's committed cold blooded murder and seen terrible things. He could still feel sorrow, lust, even love, but all in the context of a sort of brutal realism.… (mere)