He’d spent a lifetime turning to humor in moments of difficulty. It often made the unthinkable endurable.
― Okami ―

After too many duologies review i think i should give you a break and review the novellas instead. Besides, this also the continuations of another duology that i'm going to read next, so yeah it will be another duology fiesta later after this.

I decided to do both of the novellas in one review because it's such a super short novellas for both of them, just like 6 pages... ish? and since both gave the same timeline just based on two different point of view, so yeah.. you got the point. Okay, let's dive in!

Reading Order

 As always, based on our book bible Goodreads, Okami and Yumi both listed as novellas in Flame in the Mist duology, between that main works. Okami is listed as Flame in the Mist #1.25 and Yumi is listed as Flame in the Mist #1.7 which means the plot takes time after the first book and before the second book. 

So definitely read the first book first then this two novellas and then after that continue to the second book of the series. By the plot of the story you can read Okami first then Yumi but actually it didn't really make a big difference if you read Yumi first since the story takes in different places with slightly different time yet didn't really spoil each other if you read it not in order anyway.

What is it All About?

But anyway, the black clan is discovered by Mariko's brother and threatened to kill all the member of black clan, but Mariko asked him to take her to Prince Raiden, her betrothed if he still want to marry her. But not only taking Mariko, her twin brother, Kenshin also taking Okami, as hostage because turns out he's the son of the so called traitor.

Okami is his side POV story when he was captured, in prison wagon heading to Inako, where it's probably become the place for his punishment, probably death. This also become the explanations about why Okami made Tsuneoki use his name, Takeda Ranmaru for years.

Yumi in other hand finally got a letter from her brother, Tsuneoki (who in first book we know him as Ranmaru) and the plot takes three days after Okami's capture. This one took us to the life of a Maiko (i googled it, it's more like junior Geisha, like.. still in training) and her will to help not just a messenger for his brother.

Is It Worth Reading?

Yes i did read each of them twice before i write this review, and yes i also search for the first book recap in order to remembering myself of what happened in the first book because i'm just too lazy to reread the first book again. And yes it's a bit of confusing to really set the character's name since the event of "this guy's name is suppose to be this instead of this one" but after twice reading it i get it. 

My Verdict

There comes a certain point with a hope or a dream, when you either give it up or give up everything else. And if you choose the dream, if you keep going, then you can never quit, because it's all you are.

"Life won't just happen to you boy, You have to happen to it. Remember : the spirit grow sluggish when you neglect the passion."
― Master Hyrrokin ―

"Sometimes ignorance was thewiser choice, and easier on the heart and mind"
― Iris ―