Mundie Moms

Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Name of the Blade by Zoe Marriott, Book Review of U.S. Edition


Synopsis: Ancient Japanese gods and monsters are unleashed on modern-day London in this first book of an epic trilogy from acclaimed fantasy writer Zoƫ Marriott.

When Mio sneaks the family's katana -- a priceless ancestral sword -- from her parents' attic, she just wants to spice up a costume. But the katana is much more than a dusty antique. Awakening the power within the sword unleashes a terrible, ancient evil onto the streets of unsuspecting London. But it also releases Shinobu, a fearless warrior boy, from the depths of time. He helps to protect Mio -- and steals her heart. With creatures straight out of Japanese myths stalking her and her friends, Mio realizes that if she cannot keep the sword safe and learn to control its legendary powers, she will lose not only her own life . . . but the love of a lifetime.


I reviewed the U.K. version of this book (under the original title, The Night Itself) last December here on Mundie Moms, and I am SO excited that the U.S. version was just released by Candlewick.

Here's what I said about it:

Rating: 5 out of 5 brilliant stars!!

Okay, after that synopsis do you really need my review? Here's what I wrote on goodreads immediately after I finished reading The Name of the Blade:
Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! I need more than 5-stars! Also U.S. publishers someone please, please pick this series up now!

What a brilliantly told urban fantasy story. I'm fully immersed in Zoe's Japanese-myth inspired world. I kinda don't want to leave it for another story.

Full review to come, but you guys, you need to meet Mio. She's one heck of a heroine. LOVE her, her uncertainty in critical times and her choice of Hello Kitty undergarments (HA! That image still makes me giggle!).

And Shinobu, my beloved Hot Boy with Sword character type. But in Zoe's hands, he has a lovely back-story and oh boy, is he ever swoony.

Oh wait, I need to mention Jack and Hikaru for making me laugh and gasp at their antics and well timed loyalties.

LOVED IT ALL.

All I really need to add to this is while I was reading it (and I do mean the entire time), I kept thinking about the very first time I read City of Bones and how hard I fell in love with Cassie's characters. I haven't experienced that feeling (fully) until I picked up The Night Itself. And now you're going to wonder, but what about the romance? Because Cassie always has that, right? Well, all I will tell you is that Zoe wrote in this moment, this little, innocent, sweet moment where my heart just went BOOM. Complete and utter BOOM. And I know you Mundie Moms know that level of BOOM.

So, if you love YA urban fantasy stories like I know you do, don't hesitate to pick up The Name of the Blade. You may have to chase it down a little and I've included the purchase links. But the chase is worth it. It's a must-read for all Mundie Moms. And yes you guessed it, I may be re-reading said BOOM moment, right now.
Every word of the review holds true for the U.S. edition, and to prove that to you, I've already ordered the sequel, Darkness Hidden from amazon.uk. Yes, I'm that impatient and yes, the story is that good.

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