Series: The Beast Player #1
Published by Henry Holt & Company on March 26, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Publisher
An epic YA fantasy about a girl with a special power to communicate with magical beasts and the warring kingdom only she can save.
Elin's family has an important responsibility: caring for the fearsome water serpents that form the core of their kingdom's army. So when some of the beasts mysteriously die, Elin's mother is sentenced to death as punishment. With her last breath she manages to send her daughter to safety.
Alone, far from home, Elin soon discovers that she can talk to both the terrifying water serpents and the majestic flying beasts that guard her queen. This skill gives her great powers, but it also involves her in deadly plots that could cost her life. Can she save herself and prevent her beloved beasts from being used as tools of war? Or is there no way of escaping the terrible battles to come?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Beast Player compiles volumes 1-2 of the four-volume series by Nahoko Uehashi. I was drawn to this book because of the epic scale of this fantasy novel and because it’s a Japanese novel in translation.
The Beast Player reads like the telling of a legend. While it does dip in the minds of characters other than Elin, it doesn’t delve deeply into the characters’ thoughts or relationships. The side characters in particular are not well developed; they exist only to serve their purpose for specific times in Elin’s life. The focus is instead on events that push Elin forward as she seeks to understand why her mom makes the choices that she does given the knowledge that she has.
Elin’s most defining trait is her curiosity and subsequent pursuit of knowledge, knowledge that is questionable at best and dangerous in the wrong hands. That said, there are fun teaching moments in Elin’s life. I especially enjoyed learning about beekeeping and reading about the creative solutions she comes up with through her observations of the world around her. As an animal lover, I also loved reading about the bonds she forms with the beasts that come into her life.
What I appreciate most about this novel is how it explores themes of knowledge, environmentalism, and human greed and desire for power. Though Elin demonstrates herself to be staunchly pro-science, she is unable to fully understand or communicate with the beasts she loves, and there are others who would exploit her knowledge for their own purposes. Through Erin’s example, this novel serves as a warning on how far humans can take their curiosity, their desire to understand and control the forces of nature, and their greed for power and resources.
I am content with the way events conclude at the end of The Beast Player. In some ways, I think that it’s better to end it here and let readers imagine possible futures that the people take following the events of this novel. Nevertheless, I would be interested in reading a translation of volumes 3-4 to see how Nahoko Uehashi further expands upon the themes she introduces in The Beast Player.
Comparison to the anime
To my surprise, I realized upon opening this book that I’ve watched the 50-episode anime adaptation The Beast Player Erin (獣の奏者エリン Kemono no Sōja Erin). The anime adaptation is based on the first two volumes, both of which have been compiled in this translation of Nahoko Uehashi’s work.
The anime follows the events of this novel closely. The largest difference is that the anime adds some scenes to Erin’s childhood. I appreciated this because (1) it teaches us more about Erin’s world and (2) it builds more empathy for Erin, so I more strongly felt for her sudden departure from her home.
Content
- Some sexual advances (man approaching a young woman expecting her to like him; man comforting a young woman with ulterior motives in mind, but no inappropriate touching)
- Some violence (beasts attacking men and other “magical creatures,” men attacking other men)
You may also enjoy…
- Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi (novel translation or anime adaptation)
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki
- Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki
Chat With Me
Have you read any of Nahoko Uehashi’s work? Watched the anime adaptation of Beast Player or Moribito?
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
Awww I was sooooo excited to see you reviewing this Crystal!! This is my most anticipated but still not read novel!! I am sad to hear the side characters weren’t well developed but it sounds like Elin’s journey is worth following. I love the idea of bonding with animals. And including themes such as environmentalism is such a great opportunity for readers to understand out impact. ❤️
Crystal says
I’m so happy to hear this is a book you plan to read. It’s one I’d definitely recommend to readers who enjoy anime and manga because of the style of writing. It felt like I was reading the anime play out (note: I do have a bias since I watched the anime first). While the characters aren’t well developed, it’s definitely worth a read to see events play out, and I do feel like the focus is on more on the questions explored than Elin herself, much less the other characters. I also love how it features bonding with animals, and yes, the themes explored are fantastic and so, so important ❤️
Sakuranko says
Oh this look like a nice book darling
xx
Crystal says
It is! I especially recommend it to readers who enjoy anime and manga 🙂
Sophia Rose says
I thought this looked familiar and it was. Another book pal read and gave it a favorable review so I put it on my list to read. Love your analysis of the characters at the heart of the story, Crystal!
Crystal says
Thank you, Sophia! I hope you enjoy The Beast Player!