Wow...just WOW. I never thought I'd ever feel sorry for Hatsumomo, but as I began to read the last chapters, I couldn't help but dread the ending I knew was coming. In MoaG, she was just an antagonist that you wanted to see BURN for the way she treated others, especially Seiyurin. But here... I may hate her methods, but all in all, she was just another geisha trying to survive and become worth something. In this respect her story is a lot like Seiyurin's- only Hatsumomo didn't have someone like the Chairman watching over her. She had to claw and scrape to become the Geisha she was. There's a kinder side of her here, one that felt guilt for the way she betrayed Hatsouki and genuinely cared about her apprentices' success.

You still manage to keep Hatsumomo in character. She is a woman who relied on destroying others to stay on top, and when she no longer had the power to keep her enemies at bay, her past came back to haunt her in the worst way. But now it's much more tragic, because the reader sees how she got that way and where she's coming from. You handled the transformation from starry-eyed maid, to crafty and ruthless apprentice, to "the empress of Gion", and finally to defeated prostitute perfectly. I can't wait to read your sequel!

Can you believe it? I've read this story, whole 159k words, in less than 4 hours, in a fashion. I searched for it yesterday afternoon, started reading it in the evening and then had to stop for cooking and dinner. And then had o turn in for the night early. Been reading it ever since I woke up at 7 am. It's exactly 9:30 am now and I'm finished. I'm feeling thoroughly satisfied, yet sad to see I end. Hope you post the dearly awaited sequel as soon as possible.
Regards
Sarah Rose

I love this story almost as much as I love the original one. You, my desr, are a terrific author and I sincerely hope that you write more of your wonderful stories for me to read. I loved the high quality drama and the emotional roller coaster, that was the life of Hatsumomo. It's an eye opener and I sincerely wish you my heartfelt congratulations and gratiude.
Regards,
Sarah Rose

I'm absolutely in love with your amazing story :) You are such a good writer!

CC -xxx-

After reading Memoirs countless times over I was searching for more. As we both know there was no follow up to the book, thus began my search for possible fanfics and found your lovely story. I loathed Hatsumomo in the book and seeing that she was the focus of this fic was intriguing. I'm sad that I've read through all 46 chapters but would more than love to read a sequel. It is a brilliant idea! Please, please, please make a sequel!

I absolutely loved this! This was most definitely one of the best fanfic reads I've had. Also, I really want to see a sequel! I can't remember that in the middle of the book Hatsumomo said that she managed to save her and her aprentences, but it never told us how. I definitely want more.

This was amazing! Just like a real book, I can't wait to read more.

Sounds pretty good :] But the name that Hatsumono was given at the beginning sounds pretty similar to Chiyo, Sayuri as a child. Was it on purpose to show how they were both abandoned in a sense, or just a coincidence?

Wow... beautiful. Loved the story so much. I can't wait for a sequel.

i know many people enjoyed your fanulous writing style, myself being one of them, but i do believe this is a good ending

wow...

Wow! how the tables have turned, Hatsumomo has such potential she could start her own okiya. Instead she's pining for her glory days and hating on Sayuri, but what i find funny is how she immediately compares herself to the lowest status (Auntie and pumpkin) it's like if she can't have her top status then she's the lowest of the low there's no in between for her she HAS to be the top geisha. God this is so believable

Hatsumomo had never grown up. she throws tantrums like a petulant child and feels entitled to everything

I don't know how you did it, but you have managed to make Hatsumomo,one of the most enigmatic characters of this story, have an interesting back story! Hatsumomo's many antics have kept me interested from chapter one! You are a literary genius my dear.

A beautiful work; I enjoyed every bit of it. Definitely my favorite fanfiction. It was imaginative, flawlessly integrated with the book...you kept a consistent, realistic tone that flowed well with the book, but you still kept your own voice. You made us sympathize with Hatsumomo without changing her character at all. You're truly a fantastic writer and I hope you never stop. 3