Young Adults

Evaluate with Spoilers for The Puzzle Field

October 24, 2024

I did take pleasure in The Puzzle Grasp, although I additionally had some issued with it. What did I consider this subsequent installment within the collection? Try my Evaluate with Spoilers for the Puzzle Field by Danielle Trussoni!

Graphic for my review of The Puzzle Box with Spoilers. The book's cover, which features a purple Japanese dragon motif, on a bright yellow background

The Puzzle Field by Danielle Trussoni: Jen’s Fast Take

Printed on October 8, 2024 by Random Home; 336 pages
A enjoyable thriller format excellent for followers of books like The Da Vinci Code
Set in Japan, this guide options protagonist Mike Brink trying to open a legendary puzzle field that has remained unsolved for the reason that 1800s.
The Puzzle Field ditched the plot components (bizarre insta-love, extreme info-dumping, haunted dolls) that I felt detracted from the story in The Puzzle Grasp
Do it’s important to learn The Puzzle Grasp earlier than The Puzzle Field? Whereas the books share some recurring characters, I believe you’ll be able to learn The Puzzle Field by itself!

Evaluate of the Puzzle Field With Spoilers

Original graphic for The Puzzle Box Review by Jen Ryland. Th book's cover on a Japanese background of scallops and a floral motif — This graphic reveals *seigaiha*, or infinite waves, which is a design featured within the guide.

If I believe an creator has one thing fascinating to say, I’ll by no means surrender on them after one guide.

I felt that The Puzzle Grasp integrated a number of too many concepts (the cypherpunk motion, Bitcoin, telepathy, Jewish mysticism, female thriller cults, demonic possession, and a haunted doll, to call a number of.)

Plus, I took situation with the instalove: the truth that the primary character, a super-analytical man who designs puzzles, meets and falls immediately in love with a lady locked in a psychiatric hospital for murdering her boyfriend.

Nevertheless it was nearly as if the creator of The Puzzle Grasp learn my thoughts (I believe guide one additionally had a telepathy angle!), as a result of The Puzzle Field has none (properly only a few) of those components. And NO haunted doll!

What did The Puzzle Field have?

A quick paced escapist plot with plenty of motion
Extra deal with Mike and fewer on romance and area of interest mental points
A deep dive into Japanese historical past, together with an enchanting deep-dive on gender and royal succession in Japan
An excellent travelogue round Tokyo, Kyoto, Edo, and Kyushu
References to The Da Vinci code (which this guide undoubtedly jogged my memory of!)

What Occurs in The Puzzle Field by Danielle Trussoni?

Mike and his canine Connie are again
He’s invited to fly to Japan to attempt to open the Dragon Field, a legendary puzzle field created at first of the Meiji interval, a time when Japan remodeled from a feudal society to a “trendy” nation. Emperor Meiji hid an necessary secret within the field.
The field can solely be opened within the 12 months of the Dragon (so each twelve years)
Everybody who has tried to open the field over time has both died or disappeared

Such a enjoyable guide! Dive in after which come again and be part of our Spoiler Dialogue for the Puzzle Field!

The Puzzle Field Plot Spoilers and Plot Abstract

To guard readers who HATE being spoiled you will have to log in along with your e-mail or social media account. By doing so, you may be added to my e-mail record and obtain superior weekly updates about new books! For extra info on why I shield my spoilers, please learn this put up! In case you are having any points PLEASE depart a remark as I wish to assist!

Mike is invited to open The Dragon Field by Sakura, a younger Japanese gamer. She is representing the Japanese emperor.

Sakura and her sister Ume have been raised by their Aunt Akemi after the tragic loss of life of their mother and father. Akemi works for the Japanese royal household and Ume has embraced life working a female-only dojo.

Ume is obsessed by the truth that the lineage of feminine rulers in Japan was ended with the Meiji Restoration, when male primogeniture was instituted. Akemi and Ume desperately need what’s within the Dragon Field

Ume met Jameson Sedge (the evil billionaire from guide one) after her mother and father have been killed. Fast refresher: Sedge ran a bitcoin agency and was a transhumanist, and needed to make use of expertise to grow to be immortal. After Sedge died in guide one, his consciousness was downloaded and he lives nearly by means of his minion, Cam Putney.

Mike is ready to open the Dragon Field, which comprises a scroll of paper in a glass capsule containing bulbs crammed with liquid. If the capsule is opened, the paper might be destroyed.

Mike abruptly leaves the scroll and goes on the run with Sakura. The scroll is a crimson herring.

Mike finds a tile within the field. He and Sakura go on a bodily treasure hunt to seek out different tiles. They’re in search of the jewel of Amaterasu, one in every of a gaggle of artifacts which might be a part of a single textual content. The jewel can also be an emblem of the divine female (I received’t go an excessive amount of into this, nevertheless it’s an fascinating fictional spin on the disenfranchisement of feminine rulers in Japan.)

All of the whereas, Mike and Sakura are chased by Ume and Cam Putney. Rachel (the scholar of feminine cults from guide one) joins Mike and Sakura and naturally is aware of a LOT in regards to the divine female.

The Ending of the Puzzle Field Defined

Sakura fights Ume to offer Mike and Rachel an opportunity to flee and proceed their quest. Surprisingly, Sakura is ready to defeat her well-trained sister.

Rachel tells Mike that she thinks he’s a “tradition hero.” He alone can unlock worthwhile information and Sedge is aware of this. Mike is the important thing to ALL KNOWLEDGE IN THE WORLD. (Rachel begins to sound a bit of nutty right here, however she is CONVINCED.)

Mike finds a ravishing jeweled field, however is found by Cam, who’s uninterested in Sedge’s evil methods and says he desires to assist Mike.

Mike provides the jeweled field to the feminine descendent to Amateratsu, Princess Aiko of Japan (who’s an actual particular person.)

Princess Aiko, “rightful descendant of the Chrysanthemum Throne” opens the field within the presence of her mother and father, the Emperor and Empress, and finds a bit of jade.

Ume will get tried for treason. Sakura and Rachel attempt to inform Mike he must “loosen up” and attempt to be pleased.

What did you consider the guide? Speak to me in feedback! Questions are welcome and spoilers are tremendous!