From the Valley of Orchids: 1 (The Legend of Saru) Paperback – 24 April 2023

From the Valley of Orchids by Niels Saunders mixes Japanese myths, fairy tales and history to create an enchanting story full of conflicted gods, tragic heroes and terrifying villains. Unlike other fantasy books which overload you with information, the world here is carefully introduced and the various backstories feel gripping and important to the overall story. I really enjoyed the chapters where the characters cross into the realm of thoughts and how the various subconscious minds were depicted. My only minor complaint would be there are a few mysteries that remain unresolved at the end like the nature of Akame’s relationship with the bloodied woman, but I'm guessing they’ll be covered by the future books.

From the Valley of Orchids is a richly imagined Japanese mythology full of well fleshed out characters, and there are plenty of characters all with a cracking back story. These back stories are often discovered when the main character, a monkey called Saru, crosses the realm. This is a way of travelling into the subconscious of others and watching their lives play out. It's really interesting to discover how some of the books cast change dramatically through their lives, and why, when Saru crosses the realm.There are dark moments throughout and genuine moments of horror; Akame is a real piece of work and my dislike of him was intense! This is a compliment. The detail in this story, be it about the people, places or even objects, is superb and really captures a time, helping to further shape this fascinating story.It's a big departure from anything else that I've read from this writer and though I've enjoyed his previous work immensely I will happily hoover up the rest of this series with relish.

Set in a magical, medieval version of Japan called Yamato, From the Valley of Orchids is a mysterious, dark and fascinating fantasy tale. It reminded me of Studio Ghibli films…if they were made for adults and had some creepy moments. The main character is Saru, a monkey god who is the embodiment of hope. In his journey, he meets all sorts of compelling people, creatures and other gods. Some of my favourites were Karasu, the cynical crow god of vengeance, and the emperor of Yamato who seems to be hiding all sorts of strange secrets. One of Saru’s powers is being able to enter the minds of humans to explore their memories and even change their personalities, similar to the movie Inception, but set in a fantasy world. There are several shocking and surprising moments that I don’t want to spoil, but the ending definitely makes you want to keep reading, and I can’t wait until book 2. Whether you’re a fantasy reader or a lover of Japanese culture, there’s plenty here for everyone. Highly recommended!

This is such a lovely read which follows a snow monkey is born. He will travel to a village where life may not be so easy but it will lead to lesson for everyone around him. See where it will all take youI received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

If you’ve read the blurb of this book, you’ll know what to expect in the first 50 pages or so, but that’s just a glimpse of this sprawling, dark and gripping story. Alongside the animal gods which make up the main cast, there are also humans, ghosts and various magical creatures who play important roles. The tengu in particular are fascinating: giant red-skinned monsters who exist beyond the human understanding of morality, emotions and even time itself.I loved the exploration of deep themes throughout the story and the constant moral greyness at play. Characters who first appear as villains may not be as evil as they seem, particularly the emperor who made me question some of my own ethical views. The world in From the Valley of Orchids is based on medieval Japan, and it definitely feels like an authentic portrayal, but Saunders has also made it very much his own with a unique and compelling mythology. Finally, the prose is very well written with beautiful descriptions which cleverly contrast with the moments of horror.If you’re looking for some different, or just an excellent fantasy story, you’re in for an absolute treat.

"When I think upon my enemies, I can't tell right from wrong.""Such is the nature of pain. It is easier to act when we know little of our foes, so simple when we loathe them unconditionally."I've just finished reading this thanks to a review copy from @Netgalley, and had to share my thoughts right away. This is definitely in my top 3 books of 2023 (and the cover art is spectacular).Sometimes when humans pray to the spirits, their gods are born into reality in the bodies of seemingly normal creatures. Saru the snow monkey is one of these extraordinary beings, and with the help and mentoring of Neku the cat amongst others, he sets out to learn about his powers.What starts with Saru's desperate flight from the Valley of Orchids becomes a story of revenge and forgiveness all set against a gorgeous backdrop of Japanese folktales and mythology.Full of vengeful ghosts, mischievous tengu, heroic warriors and spirit animals, this really is a mythology lover's dream.As with any folktale inspired story there are highs and lows and this one gets incredibly dark at times. Seeing the atrocities caused by Akame the demon monk really made me feel a visceral hate for him.The fact that Niels also manages to make me feel sad for Akame is amazing. It's these fully developed and rounded villains that make it really difficult to tell who is good or evil. It makes you realise that with very few exceptions most of these characters can be seen from multiple angles.This initial book in The Legend Of Saru series released on 22nd May, but the remaining 8 books in the series are already ready to go! They'll be releasing monthly this year and I absolutely cannot wait to read them all.I'm so excited to see the gorgeous special editions that I'm sure this book will receive over the coming years, maybe even a rebinding of my own 👀

This story gripped me from the start! I don't know much about Japanese mythology, so the character are some I've never encountered. Scary, thrilling and ever so interesting! I can't wait to start book 2!!

A unique and original gem nestled in the dark bowels of fiction. The cover & title are in stark contrast to the contents of this novel.Not only is the main character and point of view an animal, the story is riddled with tragedy, despair and horrific events.Niels Saunders pulls very little to no punches. He dives down to places where the average mind and imagination would be unwilling to go.You're plunged into a fantastical world, fleshed out through character vignettes. A clever story mechanic helps expand the world and creates character depth.A character-driven story of self-discovery & exploration, delivered with impressive prose. An accessible, philosophically eloquent writing style that packs a serious punch.This tale is dotted with beauty and hope, friendship and love. But like a star-filled night sky, these moments seem but pinpricks in a dark expanse.They're worth all the more because of it. Made significant and memorable also by Saunder's apt writing.It portrays the multifaceted meaning of 'ghosts'. How a small kindness or transgression can influence time, and how memories affect our lives.A genuinely captivating read, utterly immersive, and one that uses your emotions as a punching bag.It's the first installment in a 9 book series. So, while it doesn't tell an entirely conclusive story arc, it certainly is a satisfying read on its own.If you like a non-Western setting, Asian mythology, dark fantasy, pleasant philosophy, and an overall creepy tone & atmosphere; I fully recommend this one. - My rating : 8.75/10