Hearn's vibrant characters are equally mythic and human, and this is indicative of her narrative approach. Much like the Japanese heroic literature that has so obviously influenced her work, Hearn's tale blends the ephemeral spirit realm with the concrete physical world. Battles turn as much on the whim of a surly sorcerer or a twist of luck as on a warrior's skills.

The narrative perspective shifts constantly. Occasionally, significant events affecting one character are mentioned only briefly in passing by another, which distances the reader. This calls to mind both the Japanese and Western fairy tale traditions, but it may put off some contemporary fantasy readers who expect to be always in the thick of the action. The climax also feels rushed and there is no real sense of resolution, which makes this instalment feel more like the first half of a single text rather than Book One of a series. The Tale of Shikanoko would hardly be the first fantasy novel published in two halves, and given how fine this first half is, it is a good thing we don't have to wait long for the second half. Lord of the Darkwood concludes the tale in August 2016.