This was a really interesting read! I watched the animated film adaptation first, and found this after. Overall it's a really neat, in-depth look at this fictional universe. The whole cast is expanded, and there's an in-depth look at all the different clans and their politics and relationships, as well as raising deer and other animals, and fighting disease outbreaks.

Van and mostly Hohsalle are still awesome, and it's fun to see more of Makokan's background. Sae also has a really great background, and her clan is cool. Mostly seeing how Hohsalle's clan has this really great medical network is pretty neat, and how they navigate the divide of wanting to help people and also being curious scientifically, and how that relates back to benefitting the most people with scientific discovery.

The story was kind of slow, which I really struggled with, but it is a very in-depth look at inter-clan politics, ethnic cleansing, and the importance of historic cultural practices in preserving the health of the land, animals, and people.

I look forward to reading the whole series when it comes out in English under Yen Press! In book 1, Van and Hohsalle don't even meet (if they ever do in the books), so I look forward to the rest of the story! Also the film is very good on its own, though I would warn that given its length, it leaves out a LOT, so just be warned if you're a fan of the book series and looking to check out the film. Makokan is a principle POV in the book(s), but he was cut out quite a book for the film, and a number of characters (e.g., Miral), were erased entirely. ( )