Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
New York : Flatiron Books, 2021.
Description
Romance. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: "Narrator Ali Ahn gives this young adult rom-com fun doses of personality and sass...Ahn's accents and Japanese pronunciations ring true as she clearly differentiates characters of different ages and nationalities." �?? AudioFile Magazine A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB YA PICK! The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians in Emiko Jean's Tokyo Ever After, a "refreshing, spot-on" (Booklist, starred review) story of an ordinary Japanese-American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in�??it isn't easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it's always been Izumi�??or Izzy, because "It's easier this way"�??and her mom against the world. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father's identity...and he's none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess. In a whirlwind, Izumi travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn't all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight. Izumi soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself�??back home, she was never "American" enough, and in Japan, she must prove she's "Japanese" enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairy tale, happily ever after? Look for the sequel to Tokyo Ever After in… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member oddandbookish
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a cute read!
The premise is everything. A Japanese American girl discovering she is a princess? Yes please! As a whole, I thought the premise was well executed. There was a good balance between
I really liked that the book included a family tree with a brief description of everyone in the family. It made the book so easy to follow.
Character-wise, I loved Izumi’s all Asian friend group (nicknamed Asian Girl Gang, or AGG for short). It was so nice seeing a female lead with a large friend group to support her. Also, one of her friends was half-Filipino just like me. I always love seeing Filipino representation in books, even if it’s just a small side character.
I also enjoyed the writing style. It was engaging and flowed well.
The Own Voices aspect was also really strong, especially in regards to feeling like a foreigner. The book highlighted how visiting Japan while being Japanese American feels strange since she’s not “Japanese” enough. That is so true. Being American is an added layer of identity and affects how others perceive you. I’m Filipino American and there is a difference in how people in the Philippines view you if you’re American born versus Philippines born.
However, the book is on the predictable side. If you’re familiar with the lost royalty trope or have seen The Princess Diaries movies, then a lot of the plot points are nothing new.
Additionally, the romance in this book is a little insta-lovey. I felt like the book didn’t even need a romance sub-plot; it was already strong on its own.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this Own Voices take on lost royalty! I recommend it if you love stories about royal families.
This was such a cute read!
The premise is everything. A Japanese American girl discovering she is a princess? Yes please! As a whole, I thought the premise was well executed. There was a good balance between
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the humorous adjusting to royal parts and the more serious discovering who she is parts. I really liked that the book included a family tree with a brief description of everyone in the family. It made the book so easy to follow.
Character-wise, I loved Izumi’s all Asian friend group (nicknamed Asian Girl Gang, or AGG for short). It was so nice seeing a female lead with a large friend group to support her. Also, one of her friends was half-Filipino just like me. I always love seeing Filipino representation in books, even if it’s just a small side character.
I also enjoyed the writing style. It was engaging and flowed well.
The Own Voices aspect was also really strong, especially in regards to feeling like a foreigner. The book highlighted how visiting Japan while being Japanese American feels strange since she’s not “Japanese” enough. That is so true. Being American is an added layer of identity and affects how others perceive you. I’m Filipino American and there is a difference in how people in the Philippines view you if you’re American born versus Philippines born.
However, the book is on the predictable side. If you’re familiar with the lost royalty trope or have seen The Princess Diaries movies, then a lot of the plot points are nothing new.
Additionally, the romance in this book is a little insta-lovey. I felt like the book didn’t even need a romance sub-plot; it was already strong on its own.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this Own Voices take on lost royalty! I recommend it if you love stories about royal families.
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LibraryThing member SJGirl
There was one area where I wanted this to dig a little deeper, but overall I enjoyed it.
I liked Izumi a lot, how she approaches things with a sense of humor and heart.
There’s more focus on romance than I expected so keep that in mind if you are or are not a romance fan. While I would have
Some of the best scenes were those Izumi shared with either of her parents, still I wanted more of them and more from them, to me it felt like this didn’t explore the family drama as thoroughly as it could have. I’m hoping the sequel will put Izumi’s newfound family dynamics front and center, get more into the messiness that surely comes with a paternity secret/reveal, I’d imagine that sort of situation isn’t generally as easy to navigate as Izumi and her parents made it seem here. It isn’t that I want the fluffiness to go away, I liked the fluffiness, I just would love to see a little more of the complicated emotional stuff in addition to the fluffiness, and the moments that were a more serious like when Izumi confronts her mom about her dad’s identity
I liked Izumi a lot, how she approaches things with a sense of humor and heart.
There’s more focus on romance than I expected so keep that in mind if you are or are not a romance fan. While I would have
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preferred that the animosity between Izumi and her love interest went on a little longer, I still very much liked their chemistry from start to finish. Some of the best scenes were those Izumi shared with either of her parents, still I wanted more of them and more from them, to me it felt like this didn’t explore the family drama as thoroughly as it could have. I’m hoping the sequel will put Izumi’s newfound family dynamics front and center, get more into the messiness that surely comes with a paternity secret/reveal, I’d imagine that sort of situation isn’t generally as easy to navigate as Izumi and her parents made it seem here. It isn’t that I want the fluffiness to go away, I liked the fluffiness, I just would love to see a little more of the complicated emotional stuff in addition to the fluffiness, and the moments that were a more serious like when Izumi confronts her mom about her dad’s identity
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
Adorable!!! Do you miss the Princess Diaries, or want to introduce someone you love to this wonderful heartfield story but they say it’s “old”? Well, step right up because I have a new version and it is Tokyo Ever After. Izumi is a teenager who just wants to know more about the father she has
Izumi is taken to Tokyo to meet dearest dad and claim the life of a princess she should have always had. But this life is not easy. She does not speak the language, know the customs, etc. And studying for it is just like studying for a test! UGHHHH!. Plus she now has a royal entourage of Lady in Waiting and an annoying as heck security chief who is also super cute.
Life is not easy when you are playing catch up. Being a princess is not all tiaras and parties. It’s messy relationships, tabloids, and politics. It’s a tough life, especially when you think all you should be worrying about is graduation a few weeks away and getting ready for college.
This book was just heartwarming. It was such a fun read. Yes it was very YA, and that is the draw. It can be read by upper as well as lower YA and even some MG with little to no complaints.
Now that I have read this book I really want a Princess Diaries 3 movie that tells this story, but Anne Hathawy and Chris Pine show up at the wedding ( as Mia of course) to give a little advice about being a surprise princess. Disney PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
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never met. And with some help from her friends, and a little nudging of her mother she tracks him down. Surprise!! He is the Crown Prince of Japan. Set to rule upon the Emperor’s death. And dad has no idea she exists.Izumi is taken to Tokyo to meet dearest dad and claim the life of a princess she should have always had. But this life is not easy. She does not speak the language, know the customs, etc. And studying for it is just like studying for a test! UGHHHH!. Plus she now has a royal entourage of Lady in Waiting and an annoying as heck security chief who is also super cute.
Life is not easy when you are playing catch up. Being a princess is not all tiaras and parties. It’s messy relationships, tabloids, and politics. It’s a tough life, especially when you think all you should be worrying about is graduation a few weeks away and getting ready for college.
This book was just heartwarming. It was such a fun read. Yes it was very YA, and that is the draw. It can be read by upper as well as lower YA and even some MG with little to no complaints.
Now that I have read this book I really want a Princess Diaries 3 movie that tells this story, but Anne Hathawy and Chris Pine show up at the wedding ( as Mia of course) to give a little advice about being a surprise princess. Disney PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
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LibraryThing member hawaiianmermaid701
This book was so good! Izumi felt like a real person, she was so well rounded. I just wish I could have spent move time with her friends in California. I get why we didn't because she needed to grow and get used to her place in the world as an individual, but they are so fun! I loved this book and
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will look at what is in the works for Emiko Show Less
LibraryThing member reader1009
audio teen fiction (Japanese-American teen from Mt. Shasta, CA discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan, making all kinds of faux pas when she travels there to meet him)
cute, light rom-com.
cute, light rom-com.
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Izumi is from a small mostly-white California town where she feels like she just doesn't fit. When she and one of her best friends discover a love note inscribed in a book in her mom's room, she feels like she may have stumbled on a clue to the father she has never met. As her friend digs into the
There's a romance, a new culture to learn, mis-steps, betrayal, an awesome group of friends, and supportive parents who are trying to figure things out too. A totally fun read and Izumi is a character worth cheering for as she learns to navigate her more complete, more complex identity.
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secret, wow is it a doozy! Her dad is the crown prince of Japan. She reaches out and soon her life is turned upside down. There's a romance, a new culture to learn, mis-steps, betrayal, an awesome group of friends, and supportive parents who are trying to figure things out too. A totally fun read and Izumi is a character worth cheering for as she learns to navigate her more complete, more complex identity.
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LibraryThing member quondame
A young adult romance - a small town Japanese-American finds out that her father is Crown Prince of Japan and soon becomes a fish out of water at the Imperial residence in Japan. Pretty much exactly as advertised, the characters aren't worth going out of your way for.
LibraryThing member smorton11
I don’t read a lot of young adult books anymore, and I don’t read a lot of contemporary YA period. Unless royals are involved. Then I must have it. I don’t know what, exactly, it is that has always driven my royalty obsession – maybe the fact that Prince Harry and I almost share a birthday
Anyway, back to the book! Izumi, Izzy, is a fun and spunky heroine with a big heart. As a Japanese-American teenager, she has never really felt like she was fully accepted as an American and so she searches out her father and she and her best friend discover that he’s the crown prince of Japan. Izzy, wants nothing more than to find her home, the place that fits, the place where she’s accepted into society. When her father, thrilled to discover she exists, invites her to visit, she jumps at the chance to go to Japan.
In typical YA narrative structure, Izzy goes to Japan, makes a few friends, struggles to fit in, meets a cute boy, is betrayed by someone close to her, discovers her real family is at home, runs away, and then prince charming (her dad), comes back to show her he cares. It’s trope-y, it’s predictable, it’s written in first person, it checks more boxes on my list of dislikes than likes. But it is smart. It’s funny. It’s witty. It’s got a fun set of secondary characters that often steal the show.
I read Tokyo Ever After in one setting in a couple hours on a weekday night, something I haven’t done in who knows how long. Read a book in one sitting on a Sunday? Absolutely. On a Wednesday night? Maybe not since I was in middle school. It pulled me in and kept me hooked – I adore all of the characters and it’s clear how near and dear Izumi is to Emiko’s heart.
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and I fancied him when I was a kid? I always did think he’d marry an American, but had hoped it’d be me! But I think my husband is better than a prince.Anyway, back to the book! Izumi, Izzy, is a fun and spunky heroine with a big heart. As a Japanese-American teenager, she has never really felt like she was fully accepted as an American and so she searches out her father and she and her best friend discover that he’s the crown prince of Japan. Izzy, wants nothing more than to find her home, the place that fits, the place where she’s accepted into society. When her father, thrilled to discover she exists, invites her to visit, she jumps at the chance to go to Japan.
In typical YA narrative structure, Izzy goes to Japan, makes a few friends, struggles to fit in, meets a cute boy, is betrayed by someone close to her, discovers her real family is at home, runs away, and then prince charming (her dad), comes back to show her he cares. It’s trope-y, it’s predictable, it’s written in first person, it checks more boxes on my list of dislikes than likes. But it is smart. It’s funny. It’s witty. It’s got a fun set of secondary characters that often steal the show.
I read Tokyo Ever After in one setting in a couple hours on a weekday night, something I haven’t done in who knows how long. Read a book in one sitting on a Sunday? Absolutely. On a Wednesday night? Maybe not since I was in middle school. It pulled me in and kept me hooked – I adore all of the characters and it’s clear how near and dear Izumi is to Emiko’s heart.
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
This is a cute YA of a Japanese American girl finding out that her unknown to her father is the crown prince of Japan. When her best friend sees an inscription in a book of Izumi’s mom leads to some internet sleuthing to figure out just who the mystery dad is. Izumi’s mom had lied about her
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relationship to her daughter and had never told the prince that she was pregnant after he left Harvard. She does give her daughter the contact info of one of the prince’s friends from collage and she sends an email. Of course the story leaks and the Japanese press is on her doorstep and she soon finds herself off to Japan. The one part that bothered me in all of this is that Izumi never bothered to read or study the binder of info sent to her to prep her for the trip. For a kid that was curious it seems she wanted to go into all of this blind. It does help the story along as she is blundering around in the rarified world. There is a happy ending to all of this and it was an enjoyable book to listen to. Show Less
LibraryThing member eo206
This is a great audiobook to pass the time and to take a break from serious newsy podcasts. I'm excited to have a Japanese American book to share with younger JA preteens and teens. This helps to diversify the narrative around who gets to be a princess and what it means to be an independent person
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while upholding traditions. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenniferforjoy
My two main issues with this book were the character herself and the fact that nothing new was brought to the table with this story. The second issue is self explanatory, but the first is now specific to me.
Izumi speaks like people 15-25 sound on social media. The people I usually cringe at
Izumi speaks like people 15-25 sound on social media. The people I usually cringe at
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despite being around that age myself. It's full of the overly dramatic writing style of Instagram and Twitter and tumblr. I hated it, which made me dislike her, which made me not enjoy the book. I also called the "twist" getting the introduction of a character. Meh. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2024)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2023)
North Star YA Award (Nominee — 2023)
Reese's Book Club (Young Adult — 2021-05 — 2021)
Language
Original publication date
2021-05-18
ISBN
9781250766601