I thought this novel could be it. That this novel would follow in the footsteps of the likes of 'My German Empire' by NeonLights. The start was promising, with the protagonist being aware of the many threats, dangers and opportunities that awaits his future domain - actively building his power base (economically, politically, and militarily). Then chapter 4 happened. The Crown Prince of Austria coincidentally meets a Japanese-commoner girl, instantly has good feelings for her - with the author setting the stage for their future love. There's even MC's monologue about his East-Asian fetish. Meiji era Japan wasn't as restrictive as they were during the Tokugawa period, but there's no way on Earth that 1) A women would be sent overseas for study. 2) That the women going off to study would be off peasant-origin. 3) That she would somehow attend the one of the most prestigious educational establishment in the entire world. All of these forced plot developments is too much. This is also incredibly poor sign of things to come in the future...
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LIKEActually I based her from the stories of women who are able to study abroad during the Early Meiji era period like Tsuda Umeko and Yamakawa Sutematsu but instead in the United States but to Germany. And also a lot of successful Japanese businessmen during that period are from good and powerful clans but I didn't stated it early in the novel for the plot. By the way thank you for reading and the reviews. I hope you would still continue reading :)
Indeed. Authors of the historical genre tend to project their own 21st century (usually Western) values and norms unto everything. Which becomes incredibly frustrating.
Swiftescape:Sigh..... My German Empire was too good. It's unfortunate this novel can't even try to follow in its footsteps.
as one of the legend reader, I tried reading " My German Empire on mtl, unfortunately the translation become so worst that I was even confused the "he,she,they,her,him" and more da pak, i had to stopped o baka masisira ung buhay ko.. sklanyway, for those who are interested in historical type of novel, highly recommended "Kingdom of the Pearl of the Orient" it was the best alternate history tht I've read, u can also check "Sadaam nation" or Tyranny of Steel