Silken Shadow

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In ancient Ottopon, a genius weaver of silk is more than a nameless artist, she pulls the strings of status and social mobility in a rank-obsessed kingdom. Her own beginnings are a mystery. But unraveling her origins will vault her to the pinnacle of power. But it will threaten everything she holds dear.

As Furi labors at her loom, these things are more than they appear:

Ansei, a rootless gardener with a life-saving touch;

Madame Sato, a noblewoman and kitsuke artist who would fashion Furi after the image of her own dead daughter;

The princess of a figurehead emperor with treasonous loyalties;

A plague with a mysterious death route; and

The rumor of war with an unknowable aggressor.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Bookerlunds

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 5.0/ 5.0
Followers: 10
Views: 12,754

Reviews

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Community Reviews(2)

Ever_MORTRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story reminds me a bit of Unsouled. The use of language is lovely, and the coldness of everyone the MC is surrounded by draws a cruel, though structured, landscape. I liked how she only half-heartedly "Hated" the new gardener. Her reasoning was sound, but her conviction wavered. I liked how much she seemed to love the garden.
SachinSHebbarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This tale of a slave weaver, with supernatural and Japanese folklore elements, makes for a very compelling read. The story unfolds slowly, but the slow-burn feel is very satisfying and gives the reader time to soak in the world and the characters.
Style: The first-person POV is very well done. The author has done an excellent job of building up the supernatural and the vibe or the suspense the story needs.
Story: The story takes you to the ancient times in Japan when the rich and powerful enslaved and abused the poor and weak for monetary benefits. The story does a great job of introducing the life of a slave and slowly pulls you into the world of supernatural. The slow-burn and the unraveling of the mysteries in the story keeps you wanting for more.
Grammar: The writing is a smooth sail, with no grammatical errors to disrupt the flow. It's a comfortable and immersive read.
Character: The characters in the story are fascinating. Furi, the MC, is very well written. Understanding the world and other characters through her perspective is an exciting read. Ansei holds the supernatural and suspense of the story. The characters of Ozawa and Satomi are well-written and remind you of the brutal slave owners from history.