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Reviews

PRAISE FOR KOKUN: THE GIRL FROM THE WEST ★ ""This is an epic fantasy unlike any other, combining the fantastical environmentalism of works like Miyazaki's film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Rachel Carson's lyrical descriptions of nature, and the court intrigue of Game of Thrones or N. K. Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010). It's a rare book that creates both a fascinating story and a timely metaphor about the importance of ecological balance, the dangers of poor regulation, and the way homogenized crops can lead to agricultural disaster.""--Booklist (starred review) ""A fantasy abounding with imperial intrigue and ecological sensitivity... The attention to sensory detail and the theme of history as deception make this an enveloping read. You might be surprised how much dramatic tension can arise from crop layouts. An unconventional but exciting start to a fantasy epic.""--Kirkus Reviews ""This astute ecological science fantasy from Uehashi explores the literal roots of an agrarian empire. Uehashi uses this nuanced tale to raise sharp points about imperial power, monopoly control of vital resources, and how even well-meaning individuals can wind up choosing cold calculation ahead of compassion. A cliff-hanger ending feels shockingly abrupt, but will leave readers anxious for the next installment. Itʼs a strong start.""--Publishers Weekly ""This is a fantasy novel that should be read by adults who live in the real world. This novel certainly reminds us of the smell of grass, the sound of insects, the feeling of the wind, and the feeling of stepping on the earth that we tend to forget.""--Miyake Kaho, Books Bunshun ""The appeal of this work is that it allows readers to experience both the rationality and mystery of the natural ecosystem... This is yet another overwhelmingly powerful novel that energizes the reader.""--Shosetsu Houseki ""The charm of this work is that it allows readers to experience both the rationality and the wonder of natural ecosystems... This long novel continues to provide tremendous strength and vitality to the reader.""--Asayo Takii ""A magnificent fantasy is born, depicting the ecology of plants and insects as its theme!""--The Bunka News ""This is not a story about someone with transcendental abilities magically saving the country. It is about people imagining, observing, complementing each other, and making choices in the face of disaster.""--Asahi Books Praise for Nahoko Uehashi ""Uehashi's vivid storytelling, beautiful prose, and shifting perspectives that cover a broad scope of events will have readers relishing every detail of her lush world building.""--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review for The Beast Player ""The beauty and power of the natural world is at the core of this intriguing fantasy, whose abrupt ending guarantees a sequel.""--Kirkus Reviews on The Beast Player ""Magic, nonstop action, swordplay, a puzzling myth, dangerous plot twists, and a strong-willed, flawed hero on a quest.""--Booklist for Moribito (Book I) ""Once again, Uehashi immerses readers in the culture, traditions, mythology, even diet of the populace, creating a full, captivating world.""--Publishers Weekly, starred review for Moribito II ""Though a sequel, Moribito II stands on its own as an engrossing story of redemption... Fast-paced action scenes (frenzied but not overly violent) help lessen the weightiness of this epic, where themes like a boy's coming of age, family betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked ambition are also explored.""--School Library Journal for Moribito II

PRAISE FOR KOKUN: VOLUME 1 ""This is a fantasy novel that should be read by adults who live in the real world. This novel certainly reminds us of the smell of grass, the sound of insects, the feeling of the wind, and the feeling of stepping on the earth that we tend to forget.""--Miyake Kaho, Books Bunshun ""The appeal of this work is that it allows readers to experience both the rationality and mystery of the natural ecosystem... This is yet another overwhelmingly powerful novel that energizes the reader.""--Shosetsu Houseki ""The charm of this work is that it allows readers to experience both the rationality and the wonder of natural ecosystems... This long novel continues to provide tremendous strength and vitality to the reader.""--Asayo Takii ""A magnificent fantasy is born, depicting the ecology of plants and insects as its theme!""--The Bunka News ""This is not a story about someone with transcendental abilities magically saving the country. It is about people imagining, observing, complementing each other, and making choices in the face of disaster.""--Asahi Books Praise for Nahoko Uehashi ""Uehashi's vivid storytelling, beautiful prose, and shifting perspectives that cover a broad scope of events will have readers relishing every detail of her lush world building."" --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review for The Beast Player ""The beauty and power of the natural world is at the core of this intriguing fantasy, whose abrupt ending guarantees a sequel."" --Kirkus Reviews on The Beast Player ""Magic, nonstop action, swordplay, a puzzling myth, dangerous plot twists, and a strong-willed, flawed hero on a quest."" --Booklist for Moribito (Book I) ""Once again, Uehashi immerses readers in the culture, traditions, mythology, even diet of the populace, creating a full, captivating world."" --Publishers Weekly, starred review for Moribito II ""Though a sequel, Moribito II stands on its own as an engrossing story of redemption . . . Fast-paced action scenes (frenzied but not overly violent) help lessen the weightiness of this epic, where themes like a boy's coming of age, family betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked ambition are also explored."" --School Library Journal for Moribito II

Author Information

A fantasy writer and cultural anthropologist with a PhD from Rikkyo University, Nahoko Uehashi is an associate professor at Kawamura Gakuen University. Her research focuses on the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Her books include The Beast Player and the multivolume Moribito series. She lives near Tokyo, Japan. Cathy Hirano is a translator of Japanese fiction for young adults. She has twice won the Batchelder Award for her translations of The Friends by Kazumi Yumoto and Morito: Guardian of the Spirit, also by Nahoko Uehashi. Born in Canada, she lives in Shikoku, Japan.

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