Where It All Goes Down
Medieval Upland and Downland
If you've ever wondered what medieval times were like, look no further than The Returning. It takes place in a make-believe land of Upland and Downland, where old customs and rituals are valued. We're talking ceremonies for passing into adulthood, festivals for the seasons, and lots of farming.
You'll get a definite feel as you read the book for what these ancient times were like, but if we had to sum it up in one word, we'd probably say brutal. It seems like war is always looming in the background, even though it's just ended. Lord Ryuu is certainly worried about an uprising, and we're not sure we can blame him since people seem to solve their problems with their swords instead of their words around these parts.
If this old timey setting makes you think this book's irrelevant to our lives though, then think again. One of the biggest issues in this book is warfare… and guess what? Warfare remains a massive issue in our society. Don't believe us? Check out the news once in a while. Even though the setting isn't familiar to us, many of the problems it facilitates definitely are.