Hey there, bookworms! Happy hump day! Today is a weird day where I’m from. The weather can’t make up its mind and I was awake until after 4am finishing a book that I just couldn’t put down. Now that I’m almost completely non-functioning, why not bring you guys a book review?
I feel like I’ve been reviewing a lot of romance novels lately, so we’re going to pause that and get to some crime fiction. Return to Hiroshima is the first book I’ve read by author Bob Van Laerhoven and it did not disappoint. I’m extremely thankful he was kind enough to reach out and see if I would give this book a go. I just hope I do it justice in my attempt to review.
Goodness, I seriously can’t think of where or how to begin. This is an intricate and very well thought out novel. Hiroshima tells the story of Japan’s current culture while it somehow holds onto the past. In following several characters and their journies, we as readers get a well-rounded perception of life In Japan.
Shrouded in darkness and mystery right from page one, I was intrigued to progress through the text to see what I could uncover while somehow remaining cautious and a little timid to find out what would happen. It may be fifty years post-bombing in this novel, but the ominous feeling lingers heavily for the people in their day-to-day.
Whether I was with Mitsuko (who I really loved despite her dose of crazy) in the search for her father’s identity, or Inspector Takeda going deep into Japan’s corruption and underbelly during a murder investigation, Xavier and his experience with his return home after being away for some time, Rokurbei the historic demon who may have taken on human form as he wanders the streets, or Reizo and his excentricities during his time writing his novel, I was in for a dark adventure.
The characters were intricate and the plot was heavy, but because of that weight I felt as I was reading, I also felt the need to push on and learn more. There was an eerie element woven through this entire tale that seemed to leap off the page and wrap around me. Yet, I got an inside look to another angle of Japan’s culture and grim history.
I loved so many things about this book. The writing was stunning and while I made my journey through a subject matter I didn’t know much about, I was completely informed and entertained. While the doom and gloom may not be seen as a positive aspect of a text in many regards, for me, it was exactly that. The history mixed with fictional elements built this really intense tale that read like a solid mystery or horror novel. It had all the elements to teach you a little something while also sending chills down your spine.
There’s a lot to be learned and retained from a novel like this one, and I’m glad I got a chance to read it when I may have otherwise not known about it. Bravo and kudos to Bob for being so creative and insightful and building such a fantastic yet terrifying world. What a ride!
To get a copy of this story and begin your own mysterious journey, click on the book below!
My Final Rating: four out of five stars
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