Review by Booklist Review
Isla MacKenzie, drawn to Japan by her samurai ancestry, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The story begins in 2005, during the era of Motorola Razr phones and MySpace. While researching the Satsuma Rebellion, Isla is caught in a rainstorm and stumbles upon a white torii gate, which unexpectedly transports her to nineteenth-century Japan. There, she warns locals of an impending attack and forms a deep bond with Keiichirō, a noble samurai, adding a tender romance to the adventure. As they march together into the Siege of Kumamoto Castle in 1877, Isla's connection to her past deepens. Gate to Kagoshima is steeped in rich historical detail, blending samurai battles with a heartfelt romance that heightens the stakes. The novel's smooth pacing and immersive setting will captivate fans of historical fiction, especially those drawn to time-travel stories with a balance of action and emotional depth. Perfect for readers who appreciate both history and love woven into their adventures.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Kuroki (the Black Diamond series) launches a historical romantasy series with this addictive, high-concept epic that travels from the modern day to 1870s Japan. Isla Mackenzie heads from Scotland to Kagoshima, Japan, to research what became of her great-great-great-grandfather, Hisakichi Kuroki, whose story has been lost to time. While searching through shrine grounds on a stormy night in the city, she's unexpectedly transported to 1877, the last days of the samurai. She soon meets samurai Keiichirō Maeda, and a doomed romance blossoms. Isla knows all too well that the samurai do not survive the bloody Satsuma Rebellion after their leader Saigō Takamori is killed. Now she must choose: return to her own time, stay with Keiichirō and die alongside him--or try to change the course of history. Isla's foreknowledge keeps the stakes of the love story sky-high against the vivid, wonderfully detailed backdrop of feudal Japan. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Agent: Jason Yarn, Jason Yarn Literary. (Feb.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Isla is determined to uncover the truth of her Japanese ancestors and leaves her beloved Scotland behind to investigate. Not long into her visit, however, she gets trapped in a strange storm that transports her nearly 130 years into the past. Isla's situation becomes even more complicated as she realizes she is now living in the time of her ancestors, as well as the last days of the honorable samurai. As she builds connections to the samurai and their families, she has to consider if she can bear withholding her knowledge of the violent demise looming closer or if she should interrupt history to save those she's come to love. It's apparent that Kuroki spent time researching her subject matter and illustrates it with care and respect. Readers may regret some stilted dialogue and inconsistent pacing, but those who like timeslips and historical romances will find familiar footing here. VERDICT Fans of Outlander will appreciate Kuroki's ("Black Diamond" series) treatment of a familiar story, while the Japanese setting, language, and culture sprinkled throughout are a fresh addition to the genre.--Gina Collett
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
While in Japan to learn more about her family history, a young Scottish woman is transported 128 years into the past, finding herself on the brink of the Satsuma Rebellion. Born and raised in Scotland, Isla MacKenzie has traveled to Japan to learn more about the Japanese branch of her mother's family. She hopes to discover whether family lore is true and she's descended from a warrior who served alongside legendary rebel samurai leader Takamori Saigō. When a strangely out-of-season typhoon hits the town of Kagoshima, where she's staying, Isla gets caught in the blinding rain and wind; she stumbles across a white torii gate, but as she approaches, hoping to find shelter, things begin to feel weird. As the storm subsides and Isla looks around, her surroundings seem foreign--Kagoshima's busy streets and cafes have been replaced by woodlands. When a woman sees Isla and screams, claiming to have discovered a demon in the forest, samurai Maeda Keiichirō is one of the first to answer the call. He's the voice of reason, recognizing Isla as a young woman, not a demon, even if she looks bizarre. As Isla figures out that she's been transported back in time, she comes to realize she's on the cusp of the deadly Satsuma Rebellion, which lasted nine months and ended in the death of its leader, Saigō. While she adjusts to life in the 19th century and searches for a way to make it back to the 21st, she grows closer to Keiichirō, her de facto protector. Like the protagonists of many time-travel romances, Isla struggles with the lack of modern comforts and with growing close to a man she may have to abandon. Also, of course, she knows how the rebellion ends, and is conflicted about using her knowledge to potentially change the course of history. There are the bones of an interesting romance here, especially given the fascinating time period. Unfortunately, the writing feels unpolished: Nine months doesn't seem like enough time for our leads to make a meaningful connection, but also, not much happens in that timespan. Balancing historical context with a romance that possesses both cultural differences and an impending deadline is a tall order, and Kuroki doesn't quite manage it. This time-travel romance doesn't live up to its intriguing setting. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
