Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal

Amaranthine Saga, Book 2

By: Forthright

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

She wasn't aware of her gift's significance, yet he expects to be courted.

Kimiko enrolls at the In-between's prestigious new high school, which is designed to promote the integration of the human and inhuman races. As a reaver, she's supposed to act as peacemaker, bridging a formidable cultural gap, but the other two members of her triad don't need any help in that department. Akira and Suuzu have been friends since middle school.

Instead, the boys must rally behind Kimiko when she inadvertently initiates a courtship with Eloquence Starmark.

©2018 Forthright (P)2019 Tantor

Love this series!!!

The 1st book drew me in and the 2nd book has me purchasing the next one. I really enjoyed the mixing of fantasy and reality. i want to see each character's arc!!!

Love it and can't wait for the next book!

I love the expansion on the world, politics and the way the cultures are meshing together.

So, so good

This second installment upheld the promise of the first book, while introducing new characters to intrigue and delight. I’m starting the third book right now!

Lovely, but not syrupy

Great second book in the series and, while not absolutely necessary, best enjoyed if you’ve read book one, as there are repeat characters. Again, this falls somewhere between fairytale, manga and romance, yet is set in “present day” as the subway is mentioned.
Kimiko has been accepted in the new high school where humans, Reavers and Amaranthine attend together. While she considers herself and her family to be ordinary, Kimiko has made a point of learning the physical language of the Amaranthine.
With her positive attitude and actions, she is gradually recognized for her strengths. With her good deed, she finds herself engaged by accident with her classmate, who would never have had the option to marry and have his own family. Kimiko’s engagement creates new opportunities for her sisters in the marriage market.
Of note is the closeness of the relationships between brothers, sisters, and pack; and the respect between characters.

I usually listen at 1.5 speed, but I actually had to slow down to 1.0 to appreciate all the nuances in this one.
Baldree does a good job of narration, as this story is not wholly English or Japanese.
Recommend

Pure delight

I want to live in forthright's universe, where love and kindness is the universal underpinning, while there is no shortage of longing, struggle, and thwarting circumstance driving the story. Listening is a healing infusion of goodness and love, carried by Travis Baldree's perfect voice.

Addictive and so Amazing loved it

so sad there wasn't more had that homesick feeling afterwards q.q.... i want more onto the next!

this sopthmore novel was solid

this was a great addition to the series, I do feel like it's skipped between characters more than they first, which was not as much to my liking. but I feel like the author is setting things up for future books.

A disservice to the narrator.

Too many unusual names, creatures. I felt as though I was beginning the series from book 5. The story takes place in Japan and the humans are supposed to be Japanese, but they have blonde hair and blue eyes?!? This requires further explanation. Even Book 1 did a poor job of world building and character development. Travis Baldree is my favorite narrator, but not even he couldn’t save this book. The book was free, but I still feel like I’ve been ripped off.