Book: The Book of Fallen Leaves
Author: A. S. Tamaki

Firstly, thank you to Orbit Books and the author, Alex Tamaki for trusting me with an ARC of The Book of Fallen Leaves, in exchange for an honest, un-biased review.

The Book of Fallen Leaves is an epic, east-Asian fantasy, filled to the brim with adventure, excitement, political rivalries, rival clans, Gods and Demons.

Somewhere between Game of Thrones and Shogun, this is not for the faint-hearted. It is a complex, and layered story, with a multi-narrative perspective that provides thorough insight into all sides of the warring factions that you can understand the reasons for all sides of the conflict.

At it’s heart, The Book of Fallen Leaves is a story of dualities. From Sen and Rui, two young children cast off together, and their journeys into becoming more than each of them ever thought they could be – one high-born, one low-born, each destined to walk a different path. To two rival clans, each vying for the right and power to lead their people to victory. To the Gods and Demons that reside in the shadows, watching and waiting.

I want to reiterate that this is a complex story. There is a very heavy focus on the politics that have both preceded this story, and the ongoing tumult of both class, birth right, and duty, and it really needs to be savoured. This isn’t a story you can speed your way through, it should be digested slowly and steadily.

In addition to the complex political landscape, there are a lot of characters, and thanks to the handy character summaries included at the start of the book, that does make it much easier on the brain when perspective shifts. But at times it be confusing, especially when these characters cross paths.

That said, I adored it.

It was everything I wanted from an epic samurai fantasy. It’s visceral, it’s real, and it’s dark.

I genuinely think this book is going to blow up on release and everyone will be talking about it.

The Book of Fallen Leaves releases March 2026, I’d highly recommend giving it a look and adding to your TBR.

It is not perfect, but I think that is mainly due to the complexity. That could entirely be me, and that it took me a good 4-5 weeks to get through this because of life, and a desire not to rush.

4.5/5.0