Red River: Vol. 13

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Yuri, a teen of the twenty-first century, has been transported to ancient Anatolia as part of a scheme by the evil Nakia, Queen of the Hitties. Only the intervention of Nakia's stepson, Prince Kail, saved Yuri from the Queen bloodthirsty intentions. As an unintended consequence, the people of the kingdoms of Anatolia are now convinced that Yuri is the incarnation of the great war-goddess Ishtar.

Yuri finds a way for her and the Hittite army to take the castle city of Beykal without bloodshed. In the course of this conquest she also gains a powerful new ally. Nakia, however, plans to thwart Yuri's eventual return to Japan by building a temple over the spring from which Yuri sprang! Responding to this new threat to his beloved Ishtar, Kail makes a decision that not only brings a fresh challenge from Egypt but may cost him his life!

Review
Things really come to a head in this volume. Yuri wants to go home, of course, so we get never ending scenes of angst, and her saying how much she wants to go home, but she loves Kail, but she wants to go home, but she still loves Kail, and -- oh, she misses her family so much, but she'll never forget Kail! Bleh, spare me. I keep complaining that she won't decide, but I guess she has -- she chooses to go home. It's really the childish choice. When people grow up, it's natural to grow apart from your family, and create your own life, and your own family. But whatever. I can't wait for her to get back to Japan and have a boring, boring life. School, work, marrying a man you don't love. Ha. What's also utterly ridiculous is Hadi, her servant, makes a comment about how Yuri has to decide, not her friends, and not Nakia. Keep that comment in mind.

So now Nakia has a new dastardly plan to keep Yuri there. She's going to destroy the spring where Yuri first arrived in Hattusa. Although, I fail to see why if Kail sends Yuri back, why Nakia can't just re-summon her. But I think too much. Seriously, if there's really a reason why it must be Yuri who is the sacrifice, why doesn't the author tell us? As it is, it just seems like a case of not following the Evil Overlord's Handbook.

I should mention that Yuri actually was clever in her capacity to conquer the towns of Arzawa, by posing with the sisters and Ilbani as traveling musicians, with her as the dancer. I don't know how well this would work as a tactic, but it is pretty ingenious. Too bad she's not this clever all the time.

Also, it looks like Ramses may have killed Kail. Or, if you know history, you know he doesn't. So much for that suspense. Yuri doesn't know, but through that magic of stories, she can tell because the headband he gave her broke. I wonder if she'll still choose to go home or will she rush to his side?

Final thought: I'll keep criticizing.

Red River: Vol. 12

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Yuri, a teen of the 21st century, has been transported to ancient Anatolia as part of a scheme by the evil Nakia, Queen of the Hitties. Only the intervention of Nakia's stepson, Prince Kail, saved Yuri from the Queen bloodthirsty intentions. As an unintended consequence, the people of the kingdoms of Anatolia are now convinced that Yuri is the incarnation of the great war-goddess Ishtar.

Kail's forces are triumphant in Alinna. Back in Hattusa, the victorious prince is declared the new king of the Hittites, even as Yuri uncovers a web of subterfuge woven by Queen Nakia that threatens the entire Hittite empire. Making matters worse, the neighboring nations of Arzawa and Ugarit have launched a two-pronged attack that compels the Hittites to field two countering forces -- one led by Kail, the other by Yuri!

Review
So it seems like any implication of Nakia in the last king's murder that was introduced in the last volume has been completely forgotten. Surprise, surprise. She's also apparently behind spying in the palace, and probably the two countries that are attacking at the same time. Something really needs to be done about her, but it won't be. As for her lackey, Urhi, they'd almost captured him, but he committed suicide by diving into a fast moving river. Except, that he didn't die, as we find out later. Yeah, right.

Most importantly, Kail is now the king. I wasn't surprised, though, history played out that way, so he had to become king. Be careful reading history books, though, you might get spoiled.

They still talk about Yuri going back to Japan. I am so sick of hearing about it. Every time I see it, it's like a knife being stabbed into my stomach, because it's so annoying and fake. Why can't they be together? How would this have changed the story?

Finally, I have to mention the reason this volume is the first to be rated with "explicit content." When I first read this book, I thought, "Finally!" ...no. I won't go into detail, but it's kinda weird, sad, and frustrating at the same time. I honestly cannot understand Yuri's reaction. I mean, I don't condone Kail's actions, but I felt like I empathized with him more. It must get frustrating to be rejected all the time. And I don't know about anyone else, but I was certainly not so frigid when I was 17. I guess it goes back to the classic "women have no sex drive" cliche. This series teases way too much.

Final thought: I dread the upcoming books.

Red River: Vol. 11

by Chie Shinohara

Synopsis
Yuri, a teen of the twenty-first century, has been transported to ancient Anatolia as part of a scheme by the evil Nakia, Queen of the Hitties. Only the intervention of Nakia's stepson, Prince Kail, saved Yuri from the Queen bloodthirsty intentions. As an unintended consequence, the people of the kingdoms of Anatolia are now convinced that Yuri is the incarnation of the great war-goddess Ishtar.

But even a goddess has no immunity from persecution when she's falsely accused of the murder of the Hittite king. Forced to flee to Alinna, Yuri must deal with treachery, abduction by the Egyptian military commander Ramses, and someone's tragic self-sacrifice. And in the midst of all this turmoil, Yuri's potent feelings for Prince Kail, ever fraught with uncertainty, are shaken to their very foundations!

Review
This was actually a very good, very sad volume. Yuri runs away, in an attempt to escape Nakia's forces surrounding Alinna, and stupidly gets kidnapped by Ramses. This distracts Kail, who now runs after Yuri to rescue her. While all this distraction is going on, Ursula, the false-Ishtar-turned-maid, decides that she believes in the dream of a peaceful empire enough to sacrifice her own life for it. When she confesses, she also implicates Nakia, but I guess we'll see if anything comes of that. When she was executed, even I admit that I felt sad.

But also, Yuri is kidnapped. Again. And almost raped. Again. And she needs to be rescued. By Kail. Again. This is getting a bit predictable and tiresome. The kidnapping thing is stupid enough, but it'd be nice if she could rescue herself for once. I think it was set up this way so that Ursula could turn herself in without Kail or Yuri knowing, and most likely, stopping her. But what a ridiculous way to distract the characters. Couldn't the author have thought of something other than the kidnapping trope?

Also, Nakia sacrificed Urhi to save herself, but this volume ends on that cliffhanger, so we'll have to wait and see what becomes of that. I suspect it's not that easy, though.

Final thought: I'll rip apart some more.