Tamiko and the Two Janitors

I was so eager for this book to come out, but I found myself frustrated. Many interesting characters and plot threads are introduced, but too many characters give the whole thing a rushed feel that left it slightly unfulfilling reading. This saddened me because all the elements were there, but not enough time was given to them, not giving enough time to build a full rapport with a character. Some were built up and then sort of vanished – the battler’s story was so interesting to me and then kind of…faded out with unanswered questions, for example. In a way this could have been 3 good books if it was separated out better. I still look forward to more, but I hope Forthright takes greater care with future tales, leading to the kind of repeated re-readings I do with the first two of the series. Otherwise all that wonderful worldbuilding gets lost in the flood.

Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (book 1) was a huge hit for me. Nailed just about everything I wanted in a fantastical romance: characters, pacing, excitement, world building, etc…. Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (book 2) was a complicated disaster that left me feeling dissatisfied: too many characters, too many (sub)plotlines, awkward pacing, etc…

Tamiko and the Two Janitors (book 3), Generic review without major spoilers

It took a nice step back towards a satisfying read without quite nailing it. I place it firmly between book 1 and 2. There are still too many characters in the ensemble and Forthrights lack of description makes it easy to forget minor characters. (These books could really use a glossary/index at the end of each book for references) She did spend more time devoted to the main characters this time around and I found myself enjoying them each in turn. We got to look deeper at Reaver culture and how Amaranthine are handling the Emergence in America, which was nice. In the last book, Tree Lore was one more frustrating plotline interfering with some much needed character development. This time around it played a much bigger part without really taking anything away from the characters. In fact, I wouldnt have minded spending more time learning about it, though Im sure that will happen in future books. The romances, while still lacking the beauty and intensity of Tsumiko/Argent, were much better handled and 2 out of 3 felt complete by the last page. Bringing in past characters was done well and The overall feel of the book itself was mostly campy. This is not a read that gets your heart racing or leaves you in suspense while you put it down to go make dinner. The final scene in the school felt like a cheesy after-school special, but it fit. Overall, I recommend the book and feel its still worth sticking with the series.

Specific Spoilers/Nitpicks:

What is with the lack of describing how characters look? Is it just me? Do I need more than a sentence or two of visual at their introduction? Is it there and Im just glazing over it because theres just too many characters to commit to memory? I barely have any pictures in my head of who looks like what and what they wear. About the only time we get a solid picture of someone is if theyre Amaranthine. For the most part its just a bunch of names on paper, which is why I think its so confusing to have so many characters (especially with the weird names in some of the clans). Again, a glossary of characters/terms would be perfect for these books.

Tami and Joe were fine characters, but did anyone else feel like they werent 29? In fact, many of the characters felt like the high school students from the last book.

Biddie. Wow, could that character have been fleshed out more and her relationship with Tami. She just suddenly pops up and all we really get is a we love each other and cant really leave each other but theres no real internal thought process to suddenly having a tree twin.

Bestiality. Im still struggling with the focus on the Amaranthine mating with the more animal-like Kith. I know Forthright wants us to think of Kith as being more than just animals, that they too are intelligent, sentient beings, but its still a hard gap to bridge.

Tending…I read plenty of shapeshifter novels and they all have the same commonality that tactile touch is essential to their more animal nature. Its not a foreign concept to me. Again, I think I know what Forthright wants us to think of it. That its not just a romantic/sexual act, though it can be. Maybe its the way she describes it or maybe its because I am not a touchy person, but I cant seem to keep straight who is a couple and who is just interested in getting a bite to eat so to speak. Maybe its the part of me that prefers to read a good romance. When I see something that looks like it could be romance in most contexts, my brain has a hard time viewing it otherwise.

Couple confusion. This leads into who Im not sure is a potential romance or not. Is Joe/Kip headed that way? It seems like it, but maybe not? I was sure Suuzu and Akira had the potential, but now Im not sure. Maybe Im just reading it wrong. Everyone just seems so cuddley with each other that I cant figure out who means it in a romantic way anymore. I was flat out relieved with Tami and Ash came out with I love you YAY! No confusion there.

Oh, and Melissa was a delight. She had some of the best scenes. And favorite quote has to go to, Lock and load. lol, I really got a sense of who she was as a person. Probably more than other characters in the book.

I’ve read all of the Amaranthine saga books & novellas, and I’ve been liking them less and less with each one I read. Forthright has an unusual take on the paranormal and does a painstaking job of world building, but there’s very little in the way of story. The first book had a fairly slight plot, but this one really has nothing, except “here are the paranormals, and here’s how they interact.” There’s far too large a cast of characters and far too little action. Truthfully, it’s pretty boring.

This is a nice story that follows the series pattern. A couple will almost face conflict, but will fall deeply in love with relative ease. There might be some pushback, but luckily everyone will behave properly. Maturity will abound, and everyone will display amazing insight and be surrounded by an excellent support system filled with altruistic individuals. Incandescent happiness abounds.

Its a series I will continue to support, but will also be looking forward to the next evolution of the authors writing.

I am giving this 5 stars because I love this world. The first book is a masterpiece. Incredible intimacy between the main characters. They were delightful. There was danger, conflict, and a problem that was the focus for the book. That was fantastic. The next two book, they are nice, But there are too many couples, not tight stories. Not like the first one. The second one seemed not complete. I find myself wanting to go back to the first couple. I would love another book about them. This book is very nice. Not a real story, but a nice visit with new characters. The world is fascinating. I think the author is trying to introduce so many elements to this very complex world that it is a little all over the place. The main couple is not really the focus of the story. That was disappointing. I wanted to spend more time with them. This author does something I love, but people, I think should be aware that she skirts around male couples. I love it, I wished she would either commit to it or not. Great world. I will keep buying these books. Hope the next book is a real story, with conflict, danger, beginning, middle and end, both the second and third books seem to be a start to a new story then we leave the characters and move in. Never seeing the complete courtship and bonding. Definitely worth it. The author is excellent, although I think she has huge potential. The first book truly is a masterpiece.

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