The Snow Empress

by: Laura Joh Rowland

Published by: St. Martin's Minotaur

Reviewed by Shawn Remfrey

This book took me completely by surprise. After reading a few other reviews on this book, I really wasn’t looking forward to it. They made it sound like the book was entirely about politics and the plot summaries were always confusing. I found it to be a great story that left me wanting more. I plan to search for the rest of the this series, both before and after this book.

Set in feudal Japan, it all begins when a young boy, Masahiro, is kidnapped. His parents of course are crazy with worry. Sano, Masahiro’s father, works for the shogun. When he is told to go to a distant land to take care of a political problem, he also finds that his son is being held captive there. Both he and his wife, Reiko, journey toward their son.

Meanwhile the place they are heading towards is having severe problems of its own. The ruler of the land has gone completely mad over the murder of his mistress. He is holding both his own people and the natives of the land captive in hopes of finding her true killer. Through torture and threats, everyone is frightened.

Once Sano and Reiko land, they find things chaotic and are quickly taken captive of the mad ruler, Lord Matsumae. They strike a deal that Sano will find the true killer of Lord Matsumae’s mistress in return for their lives and freedom. Thus begins their long journey to find their son and solve a mystery no one else can solve.

The author Laura Joh Rowland is the granddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants. She grew up in Michigan where she graduated with a B.S. in microbiology and a Master of Public Health at Michigan State. She resides in New Orleans. She has worked as a chemist, microbiologist, sanitary inspector and quality engineer.

Armchair Interviews says: The Snow Empress is the 12th book Rowland has written in the San Ichiro series.

Author’s Web site: http://www.LauraJohRowland.com