The Jade Lioness (Choc Lit)

This book took me into the world of Temperance Marston. I loved how this book takes the reader into a different culture. I love books like this. I have read many books that take place in India but the main character knows a lot about of Japaneses culture. This also made this book a great read. This book is one that will take you on a journey. One that you will enjoy. Plus the cover is beautiful.

The Jade Lioness (Choc Lit)
by Christina Courtenay Genre:  Romance, Women’s Fiction I love books that show an insight into other cultures, especially historical ones. I’m also fascinated by Japan and China, so I was really pleased to receive this for review. Its a fascinating read, and with some realistic characters. Even in the West in this time period women were chattels subject to their male relatives, so seeing how they were treated in Japan wasn’t a surprise, nor how difficult things became for Temi (Temperance) once her secret discovered. Not only were foreign women not allowed in Japan, by order of the Shogun, but Temi has no real rights, no possibility of escape from the awful Haag, one of her cousins Dutch workers, the man who wanted her. He said if she wanted to avoid getting her family into trouble for allowing her to remain with them against the Shogun’s decree she would have to marry him in secret or he would spill all.....
 
She’s been feeling restricted on the island and has sneaked out one evening to swim and met Kazuo. He told her he was an outlaw, but they struck up an unlikely friendship anyway. Temi is unusual for a female in that age, fearless to have undertaken the journey to Japan from England, educated and intelligent, and she somehow just trusts Kazuo. Temi has picked up the language and is able to converse with him ( and later other Japanese natives) and he says he’ll look out for her next time he’s that way. He tells her he’s on a mission to clear his family's name and honour, though its a precarious journey with no promise of success. Honour is very strong to the Japanese though, and his family were important and close to the Shogun until his father was framed for theft. He’s trying to find out and prove the truth. After she’s found out to be a woman by Haag, she sneaks out once more to where she met Kazuo, hoping to see him again, but is caught by more outlaws and sold on to become a concubine....Its fascinating reading this part, of the rural countryside, of the “tea houses” and the people they contained, children sold by their parents at only 5 or 6 years old sometimes, trained to work when they are older. You get a real sense of the poverty, of how dire times were for some families, how they had no other option, and oddly how often the children just accepted their fate. Its as if it’s so common they seem to feel its normal – and to a degree it is. In the 1600’s I guess it wasn’t so strange as here in the UK kids were being used as child labour, and families struggled to feed them so they were sold or hired out at a young age. I loved too the description of the houses, of the wooden frames and rice paper walls and windows, of the beautiful decorations the wealthy had in their homes, and how different life was for them from those at the bottom of society. Like that everywhere in a way, even now but still interesting to read about life then. I loved the rapport between Temi and Kazuo, right from the first meeting it felt like there was something special between them. Then when he’s deep in his mission he sees that the Lord his is working for, a cruel man and one he feels took part in framing his father, has bought Temi. He can’t bear to think of what’s in store for her and yet if he’s to rescue her then what of his mission, his family and their honour? It’s a precarious journey they take together, pursued by the Lord who bought her, and along the way they also run foul of Haag, who’s obsessed by Temi and determined to have her for himself. We see some of the underside of the country. Life from the view point of those at the base, along with seeing the beautiful countryside even though its harsh on them. Temi wanted to see more of Japan, but this wasn’t how she planned on doing it!! Of course over time the dangers they both get thrown into brings the closeness they share into love, and they are determined to save each other and be together. Kazuo though is the eldest son, and if he can clear his family name his father won’t be pleased at him marrying a foreigner. Temi isn’t allowed by law to stay in Japan either,  and that’s supposing they manage to escape with their lives anyway. Its a hard journey and a fascinating read, and a story I really enjoyed. Its got the perfect ending too, wraps things up with a feeling of satisfaction for me.
 
Stars:Five, a fabulous, engrossing read and I’ll look out for more from Christina. ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers.
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This book transports you to another place and time- Japan in a different world! The scenes were so well described that you can imagine the people and settings.

Temperance travels to relations in Japan in search of adventure. She learns Japanese fairly easily. She has travelled as a boy and needs to keep her identity secret. She feels a bit`restricted and meets Kazuo when she manages to sneak out one day.

Japan is a dangerous place to be for foreigners during this time and if found she could be in severe trouble.

We go on a tense journey with the pair later in the book- and you keep turning the pages wondering whether everything can be resolved.