Overall, this was an OK novel. The author did a great job in capturing the essence of this family. The characters and storyline seemed realistic as if the reader was invited into to take a personal glimpse into real lives. However, I steadily became frustrated and disappointed by the lack of development of the characters and the story. I felt like pieces were missing that weren't shared and needed to be shared about these people. Also, I found myself wanting to learn more about the culture and religious practices that were so much a part of their lives but not fully explained to an outsider such as myself. The book had lots of potential that was not attained to increase it's enjoyment.

This novel provides the reader with the unique and enjoyable experience of learning about the particular practices of Japanese royalty. The opportunity to enter this culture was the most positive feature of the book for me. However, even in this regard, the author failed to provide enough depth. More explanatory historical information would have been helpful. This could have been accomplished in a manner that would have not detracted from the plot. It probably would have enhanced the plot's enjoyment. Depth was also lacking in character development. The novel's narrator, Haruko, is a strong-willed and memorable character. However, she seems distant from the reader; it was hard for me to feel drawn to her emotionally. The same is true for the other central characters. This is likely a good choice for book clubs but not for individual readers yearning for thought-provoking insight into the emotional conflicts faced by those in Haruko's culture and in her position.