I'll keep this review relatively brief because I think most of my points have already been covered more completely in other 2-star reviews. I bought this book on day 1, and I wanted to give it some space to settle before putting down my thoughts on it.
First, some positives. The art is gorgeous as always, the lore is fun and interesting, and there are some cool ideas here for playing new types of characters. Non-human characters can be a very exciting addition, and the deeper look into Yobanjin tribes and traditions is very enjoyable. Greater insight into the Dragon is nice, and the Dragonfly - while a pretty simple minor clan - have been given a distinct personality and traditions that make them feel like worthwhile additions to one's table.
But this book does not maintain the quality of previous entries, and for the first release in Edge's run of the game that's concerning. There are no NPC profiles, templates, or demeanors here other than the ones paired with adventure seeds. We have no general monk stat blocks except one obsolete one from the starter set, and despite the many new creatures introduced in this book and the new Yokai Hunter title we have no new yokai to play with.
The Dragon Clan, who feature prominently in this book, don't get a single new school despite the Kitsuki family only having one option. Dragonfly get one school (a fate they share with the Centipede, but still disappointing), and even the new non-human cultures get only one school apiece despite the potential for many varieties, making them feel kind of one note.
More distressing than anything is the "new" game of 20 questions options, re-using content from Path of Waves and not offering any clan/family replacements unique to any of the new character options except for the Dragonfly. Your Shinomen naga is no different from your local lumberjack. This was such a slap in the face that I honestly thought it was a misprint, but after waiting this long for a correction I think I have to accept that it's just the disappointment that it is.
I wanted to love this book. It certainly had potential, but it just feels like a dud. It doesn't bring nearly enough new content to the table to excuse what's absent. I know that Edge inherited a difficult situation and don't hold it against them, but I sincerely hope that future releases give us more to get excited about than this one did.
On a positive final note, the companion adventure Imperfect Land is excellent, so hope lives on.
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