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The Pearl Hunter
Set in a world inspired by pre-Shogun era Japan, this is a stunning debut fantasy in the vein of Grace Lin about how a young pearl diver goes to the ends of the earth to rescue her twin sister, who has been stolen by a ghost whale.
Kai and Kishi share the same futon, the same face, and the same talent for pearl diving. But Kishi is the obedient daughter, while Kai tries to push the rules, and sometimes they fight. Still, when Kishi is stolen and killed by the legendary Ghost Whale, nothing will stop Kai from searching for her, deep in the ocean, hoping for a way to bring her back to life.
But such a rescue is beyond the power of an ordinary mortal. Kai strikes a deal with the gods: she’ll steal a magic pearl in exchange for her sister’s soul. As she journeys across treacherous land scape, Kai must navigate encounters with scheming bandits, a power-hungry war lord, and a legion of conniving fox spirits. And when a new friendship becomes something almost as powerful as her love for her sister, Kai must make impossible choices and risk everything just to get home again.
Woven through with Japanese culture and legends, this many-layered story will grip readers of all ages.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 13, 2023
Kai and Kishi are twins who are both pearl divers like their mother. They’ve been fighting and more competitive with each other lately, so when a tragic accident occurs while they’re diving together, Kai can’t help but feel guilty. After attempting to rescue her sister, she realizes she must strike a deal with the gods to save her. Tasked with stealing a magic pearl from a powerful fox, she is exposed to dangers, criminals, and underhanded dealings, risking everything to try and save her sister.
This work is set in a world inspired by Japanese culture, folklore, and legends. The worldbuilding was engaging and well written – the author incorporated folklore and cultural details throughout the story and characters in a way that brought the setting to life. However, I did feel that the author tried to incorporate a bit too much of this into this book, and that it would have been more powerful to limit the number of fairytales/lore that were included and focus a bit more on some typical worldbuilding (better situating the story in time, a little more info about the empire/factions, etc.). The characters were also well written, with unique motivations, voices, and feelings, which made them all feel like real people. I enjoyed Kai’s growth throughout the story, and while she still didn’t necessarily make the best choices by the end of the work, they were in line with her character and understandable.
There were a few things that felt inconsistent in this story, though. One big one was the fact that most people in the world don’t believe in the gods/goddesses, but near the beginning of the work, the protagonist acts like it’s not surprising that they’re talking to her and offering her aid. The ending was atypical for YA fantasy, and while I enjoyed how bittersweet it was, there was also a part of it that was deeply unsatisfying and left many unnecessary unanswered questions. As far as I’m aware, there is no planned sequel, so it was a shame to get through the whole work and be left with that feeling.
Overall, this was an enjoyable YA fantasy read – I loved the setting and the world but felt cheated by the end. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Book for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This work is set in a world inspired by Japanese culture, folklore, and legends. The worldbuilding was engaging and well written – the author incorporated folklore and cultural details throughout the story and characters in a way that brought the setting to life. However, I did feel that the author tried to incorporate a bit too much of this into this book, and that it would have been more powerful to limit the number of fairytales/lore that were included and focus a bit more on some typical worldbuilding (better situating the story in time, a little more info about the empire/factions, etc.). The characters were also well written, with unique motivations, voices, and feelings, which made them all feel like real people. I enjoyed Kai’s growth throughout the story, and while she still didn’t necessarily make the best choices by the end of the work, they were in line with her character and understandable.
There were a few things that felt inconsistent in this story, though. One big one was the fact that most people in the world don’t believe in the gods/goddesses, but near the beginning of the work, the protagonist acts like it’s not surprising that they’re talking to her and offering her aid. The ending was atypical for YA fantasy, and while I enjoyed how bittersweet it was, there was also a part of it that was deeply unsatisfying and left many unnecessary unanswered questions. As far as I’m aware, there is no planned sequel, so it was a shame to get through the whole work and be left with that feeling.
Overall, this was an enjoyable YA fantasy read – I loved the setting and the world but felt cheated by the end. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Book for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 17, 2023
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got an eGalley of this book through NetGalley to review.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It's a fun adventure and I enjoyed Kai and Ren as characters. There are some issues here right out of the gate. There are inconsistencies with timing during travel and things like that. There were also some things that happened that didn't seem plausible, like the meetings with the Gods at the beginning...for some reason no one else in the world really believes they exist but our main character just takes interacting with them for granted?
The story follows Kai as she seeks to recover her sister from a legendary Ghost Whale by stealing a pearl from a legendary fox. Her adventure leads her through many trials and she makes an important friend along the way. There are heavy coming of age themes and also discussion of twins who start to grow apart. The world-building has a heavy Asian influence to it.
I would have rated this four stars except for the ending. I mean what the heck?! The author ruins this book in the last paragraph. It ends up feeling incredibly unfinished and leaves the reader with a million questions. The very end of this made me feel like I wasted my time reading this. This definitely could have used some better editing and consistency throughout the story and the author should have re-thought that ending for sure.
SPOILER ALERT---------------------
I absolutely cannot understand how the last two sentences are supposed to undo everything that happened earlier in the book. Why didn't Kai forget everything too? Is the General still alive and coming to invade their village now or did he stay dead? Is Ren still stuck with the bandits and miserable? Just so many questions, it really pissed me off.
SPOILER END-----------------------
My Summary (3/5): Overall this was a decent middle grade fantasy read with a lot of adventure and magic. The book is engaging and decently written. Some inconsistencies throughout the story and a horrible ending made me drop this from a 4 to a 3 star rating. Personally I would skip this, but I did like some aspects of the story so I might try and read something by Beck in the future, as she matures as a writer.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It's a fun adventure and I enjoyed Kai and Ren as characters. There are some issues here right out of the gate. There are inconsistencies with timing during travel and things like that. There were also some things that happened that didn't seem plausible, like the meetings with the Gods at the beginning...for some reason no one else in the world really believes they exist but our main character just takes interacting with them for granted?
The story follows Kai as she seeks to recover her sister from a legendary Ghost Whale by stealing a pearl from a legendary fox. Her adventure leads her through many trials and she makes an important friend along the way. There are heavy coming of age themes and also discussion of twins who start to grow apart. The world-building has a heavy Asian influence to it.
I would have rated this four stars except for the ending. I mean what the heck?! The author ruins this book in the last paragraph. It ends up feeling incredibly unfinished and leaves the reader with a million questions. The very end of this made me feel like I wasted my time reading this. This definitely could have used some better editing and consistency throughout the story and the author should have re-thought that ending for sure.
SPOILER ALERT---------------------
I absolutely cannot understand how the last two sentences are supposed to undo everything that happened earlier in the book. Why didn't Kai forget everything too? Is the General still alive and coming to invade their village now or did he stay dead? Is Ren still stuck with the bandits and miserable? Just so many questions, it really pissed me off.
SPOILER END-----------------------
My Summary (3/5): Overall this was a decent middle grade fantasy read with a lot of adventure and magic. The book is engaging and decently written. Some inconsistencies throughout the story and a horrible ending made me drop this from a 4 to a 3 star rating. Personally I would skip this, but I did like some aspects of the story so I might try and read something by Beck in the future, as she matures as a writer.
February 21, 2024
This book was nice and short and had a lot of adventure packed into it. I loved the characters and all of the settings but it seems like it was either an open ending or an ending leaving room for the author to write another book.
This book is one of the short ones helping me accomplish my reading goal, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
This book is one of the short ones helping me accomplish my reading goal, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
May 6, 2024
Die Story klang zunächst wirklich vielversprechend, aber leider war das Buch sehr bedrückend und es zieht sich alles unnötig in die Länge. Die Zwillinge sind nicht besonders sympathisch und von Verbundenheit zwischen den beiden habe ich jetzt nicht viel gespürt. Wer sich für Japanische Märchen interessiert, hat mit Sicherheit Spaß am lesen, für mich war es leider nichts.
May 29, 2023
البطلة كاي تسوي كل شيء عشان تنقذ أختها، القصص اللي محورها رحلة عشان أنقاذ صديق او عائلة أحبها جدا الوفاء و الاصرار و الامل اللي يتحلوا به مهما عانوا اهخخ احب احب، هالكتاب يُقترح للاطفال و الكبار حبيته جدا، مليان سحر و اساطير و رابطة قوية بين التوام كاي و كيشي و شفت ان تصوير علاقتهم كان جدا واقعي برضو بناء العالم كان رائع. الشيء اللي ازعجني استعجال النهاية ( وفاكت انها ما عطت لامها و ابوها خبر لما تركتهم بعد الحادث قيرلل خير يعني كانهم ناقصين مأساة ؟؟؟ )
March 21, 2023
1.5 Stars
*I've decided I won't write long book reviews for books under two stars unless it's a rant or I have a lot to say!*
<< *Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticizing your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.>>
Here's another addition to the anticipated releases that were a sore disappointment. I'm going to keep this as short as possible. Miya T. Beck had a nice writing style. The mythology was gorgeous and beautiful. The historical setting was immersive and atmospheric. Despite all this, I couldn't find myself gripped by the story or invested. I enjoyed the beginning, despite finding both Kishi and Kai immature. I honestly couldn't see the appeal of Kishi. If my twin sister treated me like that, I wouldn't allow her to treat me like that.
It felt a lot like Kai loved Kishi a lot more than Kishi actually cared for her. The pearl diving aspect was interesting. It was authentic, but not a huge part of the story. I expected Kai's swimming skills to be relevant to the climax of the story, but they weren't. Kai is given a handful of tasks that seemed to create an interesting plot line, only for it to be all mashed up in the very last part of the book. Kai gets kidnapped and stays kidnapped for half the book. She makes no attempt to escape, nor does she seem to be in a huge state of distress or urge to leave.
She becomes an all-star archer, managing to achieve what professionals couldn't, and Ren, the boy who bested her in the beginning, couldn't either. Then there was Ren. A character who felt like every other character who was barely explored. I liked his character, but I still got the impression that he cared for Kai more than she cared for him. The ending was... absolutely upsetting for me. It was vague in a way that didn't leave me feeling awed but rageful. I want to know what happened to Ren. I want to know if he The romance, despite using so many tropes that I loved, lacked chemistry.
In conclusion, this was not for me, and the ending really cemented my decision.
⛔PLOT
⛔PLOT TWISTS
⛔CHARACTERS
*I've decided I won't write long book reviews for books under two stars unless it's a rant or I have a lot to say!*
<< *Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticizing your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.>>
Here's another addition to the anticipated releases that were a sore disappointment. I'm going to keep this as short as possible. Miya T. Beck had a nice writing style. The mythology was gorgeous and beautiful. The historical setting was immersive and atmospheric. Despite all this, I couldn't find myself gripped by the story or invested. I enjoyed the beginning, despite finding both Kishi and Kai immature. I honestly couldn't see the appeal of Kishi. If my twin sister treated me like that, I wouldn't allow her to treat me like that.
It felt a lot like Kai loved Kishi a lot more than Kishi actually cared for her. The pearl diving aspect was interesting. It was authentic, but not a huge part of the story. I expected Kai's swimming skills to be relevant to the climax of the story, but they weren't. Kai is given a handful of tasks that seemed to create an interesting plot line, only for it to be all mashed up in the very last part of the book. Kai gets kidnapped and stays kidnapped for half the book. She makes no attempt to escape, nor does she seem to be in a huge state of distress or urge to leave.
She becomes an all-star archer, managing to achieve what professionals couldn't, and Ren, the boy who bested her in the beginning, couldn't either. Then there was Ren. A character who felt like every other character who was barely explored. I liked his character, but I still got the impression that he cared for Kai more than she cared for him. The ending was... absolutely upsetting for me. It was vague in a way that didn't leave me feeling awed but rageful. I want to know what happened to Ren. I want to know if he The romance, despite using so many tropes that I loved, lacked chemistry.
In conclusion, this was not for me, and the ending really cemented my decision.
⛔PLOT
⛔PLOT TWISTS
⛔CHARACTERS
August 20, 2024
Im deutschen wurde dieses Kinder-/Jugendbuch von Knesebeck verlegt, welche dafür bekannt sind, dass sie anspruchsvollere Bücher für junge Leute verlegen. Und es ist wirklich ein etwas anspruchsvolleres Buch, von Themen bis Sprache. Es ist nun mal ein Buch empfohlen für 10+ (zumindest haben wir es so auch in unserem Buchladen einsortiert).
Es war ein wundervolles Leseerlebnis welches ich innerhalb weniger Tage fertig gelesen habe, obwohl ich über dem empfohlenen Alter bin.
Da ich die Originalversion nicht gelesen habe, kann ich nicht sagen wie originalgetreu oder gut das Buch übersetzt wurde, aber die deutsche Übersetzung las sich sehr schön.
Doch immer wenn ich über ein komplexeres Wort stolperte, musste ich darüber nachdenken dass dies ein Buch für jüngere Menschen ist.
Die Plots in diesem Buch sind perfekt und unerwartet. Die Spannung wird gut gehalten und aufgebaut, eigentlich wollte ich es auch nicht weg legen und wenn ich es weg gelegt hatte, wollte ich unbedingt wissen wie es weiter gehen würde. Das Pacing fand ich auch sehr gut, an einigen Stellen ging es mir ehrlich gesagt etwas zu langsam, aber das waren wirklich wenig.
Meiner Meinung nach sind die Fantasieelemente sehr gut eingearbeitet und es ist wirklich toll zu lesen, wie die Protagonistin, Kai, nach und nach lernt damit umzugehen.
Viele Kinder- und Jugendbücher haben ein Ziel und dieses ist es, dem Kind oder Jugendlichem etwas zu vermitteln. Seien es Werte oder verschiedene Vorangehensweisen.
Da es in diesem Buch sehr explizit um den Verlust geht, wird ebenso behandelt wie man damit umgeht. Ob die Protagonistin damit richtig umgeht, sei in den Raum gestellt. Aber ich denke so fühlen sich viele, die vor kurzem jemanden verloren haben, den sie wirklich sehr lieben. Kai lernt aus ihren Fehlern und das merkt man.
Für mich bleibt es wirklich eine 5/5 und ich lege es jedem ans Herzen, der mal etwas Abwechslung von seinem üblichen Lesestoff haben möchte.
Edit: Tatsächlich hab ich das Ende voll verdrängt. Ich stimme den anderen zu, dass es extrem unsatisfying war. Der Aufbau zum Ende hin war schlüssig und gut, aber der letzte Satz hat mich wirklich aus dem Konzept gebracht und mich hoffen lassen, dass doch noch was auf den nächsten Seiten steht (abgesehen vom Nachwort und dem Glossar).
Es war ein wundervolles Leseerlebnis welches ich innerhalb weniger Tage fertig gelesen habe, obwohl ich über dem empfohlenen Alter bin.
Da ich die Originalversion nicht gelesen habe, kann ich nicht sagen wie originalgetreu oder gut das Buch übersetzt wurde, aber die deutsche Übersetzung las sich sehr schön.
Doch immer wenn ich über ein komplexeres Wort stolperte, musste ich darüber nachdenken dass dies ein Buch für jüngere Menschen ist.
Die Plots in diesem Buch sind perfekt und unerwartet. Die Spannung wird gut gehalten und aufgebaut, eigentlich wollte ich es auch nicht weg legen und wenn ich es weg gelegt hatte, wollte ich unbedingt wissen wie es weiter gehen würde. Das Pacing fand ich auch sehr gut, an einigen Stellen ging es mir ehrlich gesagt etwas zu langsam, aber das waren wirklich wenig.
Meiner Meinung nach sind die Fantasieelemente sehr gut eingearbeitet und es ist wirklich toll zu lesen, wie die Protagonistin, Kai, nach und nach lernt damit umzugehen.
Viele Kinder- und Jugendbücher haben ein Ziel und dieses ist es, dem Kind oder Jugendlichem etwas zu vermitteln. Seien es Werte oder verschiedene Vorangehensweisen.
Da es in diesem Buch sehr explizit um den Verlust geht, wird ebenso behandelt wie man damit umgeht. Ob die Protagonistin damit richtig umgeht, sei in den Raum gestellt. Aber ich denke so fühlen sich viele, die vor kurzem jemanden verloren haben, den sie wirklich sehr lieben. Kai lernt aus ihren Fehlern und das merkt man.
Für mich bleibt es wirklich eine 5/5 und ich lege es jedem ans Herzen, der mal etwas Abwechslung von seinem üblichen Lesestoff haben möchte.
Edit: Tatsächlich hab ich das Ende voll verdrängt. Ich stimme den anderen zu, dass es extrem unsatisfying war. Der Aufbau zum Ende hin war schlüssig und gut, aber der letzte Satz hat mich wirklich aus dem Konzept gebracht und mich hoffen lassen, dass doch noch was auf den nächsten Seiten steht (abgesehen vom Nachwort und dem Glossar).
January 2, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Kai and Kishi are twins growing up in a world base on Japan in the Tokugawa period (1603–1867), in a family of divers who collect mussels and oysters containing pearls. Their mother is very strict, especially after the death of her sister, Hamako, in a diving accident. Kai bristles at this and doesn't think the rules make sense, but Kishi is more careful and is a better diver. When a ghost whale (bakekujira) carries off Kishi, Kai must work to rescue her sister. She almost succeeds, but the whale wakes up and almost drowns. She is rescued by Ryujin, the dragon king, but would rather die and join her sister. Ryujin takes her to Benzaiten, the protector of pearl divers, who will decide Kai's fate. Kai begs Benzaiten to help her rescue her sister, and she agrees: if Kai can bring her a pearl from Dakini, the Fox Queen, Benzaiten will save her sister. Kai starts off on her journey, newly imbued with the ability to fly, to Sky Mountain, but is injured and is saved by Ren. Ren is also being held captive by a group of bandits. They take her to General Takagi, who takes her in. Kai is treated well by the women in the family, but anxious to get back to her quest. Luckily, Ren sneaks into the compound and rescues her, and they manage to escape with horses, which help in their journey. Once they find Dakini, however, it isn't easy to make her part with the pearl. Will Kai and Ren be able to fulfill their quest before Kishi is lost forever?
Strengths: The details about Kai and Kishi diving were fascinating, and I would have enjoyed a book that detailed their ordinary life engaging in this pursuit just as much as Kai's adventure! This is a solid hero's quest, and is peopled with interesting magical creatures and destinations. Their seem to be more Indian, Chinese or Korean fantasies, so seeing one with Japanese cultural connections is great. Kai's relationship with Ren is interesting, and her desire to save her sister is compelling. The cover is very attractive as well, so this book will not struggle to find readers.
Weaknesses: I wish the time period had been stated at the beginning of the book; there was definitely a medieval feel, with carts and villages, but I was distracted trying to pin down a time period. That's more of a "me" issue, especially with a fantasy, but it would have strengthened the world building to have more specifics about time and place.
What I really think: This read a bit like a Japanese version of Levine's 2001 The Two Princesses of Bamarre, which used to be very popular in my library, and reminded me a bit of Lim's 2017 The Crystal Ribbon. This will be popular withe fans of the Rick Riordan Presents, especially with this great cover.
Kai and Kishi are twins growing up in a world base on Japan in the Tokugawa period (1603–1867), in a family of divers who collect mussels and oysters containing pearls. Their mother is very strict, especially after the death of her sister, Hamako, in a diving accident. Kai bristles at this and doesn't think the rules make sense, but Kishi is more careful and is a better diver. When a ghost whale (bakekujira) carries off Kishi, Kai must work to rescue her sister. She almost succeeds, but the whale wakes up and almost drowns. She is rescued by Ryujin, the dragon king, but would rather die and join her sister. Ryujin takes her to Benzaiten, the protector of pearl divers, who will decide Kai's fate. Kai begs Benzaiten to help her rescue her sister, and she agrees: if Kai can bring her a pearl from Dakini, the Fox Queen, Benzaiten will save her sister. Kai starts off on her journey, newly imbued with the ability to fly, to Sky Mountain, but is injured and is saved by Ren. Ren is also being held captive by a group of bandits. They take her to General Takagi, who takes her in. Kai is treated well by the women in the family, but anxious to get back to her quest. Luckily, Ren sneaks into the compound and rescues her, and they manage to escape with horses, which help in their journey. Once they find Dakini, however, it isn't easy to make her part with the pearl. Will Kai and Ren be able to fulfill their quest before Kishi is lost forever?
Strengths: The details about Kai and Kishi diving were fascinating, and I would have enjoyed a book that detailed their ordinary life engaging in this pursuit just as much as Kai's adventure! This is a solid hero's quest, and is peopled with interesting magical creatures and destinations. Their seem to be more Indian, Chinese or Korean fantasies, so seeing one with Japanese cultural connections is great. Kai's relationship with Ren is interesting, and her desire to save her sister is compelling. The cover is very attractive as well, so this book will not struggle to find readers.
Weaknesses: I wish the time period had been stated at the beginning of the book; there was definitely a medieval feel, with carts and villages, but I was distracted trying to pin down a time period. That's more of a "me" issue, especially with a fantasy, but it would have strengthened the world building to have more specifics about time and place.
What I really think: This read a bit like a Japanese version of Levine's 2001 The Two Princesses of Bamarre, which used to be very popular in my library, and reminded me a bit of Lim's 2017 The Crystal Ribbon. This will be popular withe fans of the Rick Riordan Presents, especially with this great cover.
February 5, 2024
3.7 stars
The plot is good, blending elements of dragons and sea creatures that i really enjoy. Kai's journey to save her sister is thrilling as she forges new friendships and learns something new, making me appreciate how her character grows throughout the story. While there is some politics, it's not overwhelming which i appreciate as i enjoyed much of her journey. However, i was a bit disappointed with the ending. It feels like all she did was for nothing only stayed in her memory and she doesn't gain much except saving her sister's soul.
Overall, this is a good read with fast pacing. I love every character but I just hope it shows kai's relationship with her family more.
The plot is good, blending elements of dragons and sea creatures that i really enjoy. Kai's journey to save her sister is thrilling as she forges new friendships and learns something new, making me appreciate how her character grows throughout the story. While there is some politics, it's not overwhelming which i appreciate as i enjoyed much of her journey. However, i was a bit disappointed with the ending. It feels like all she did was for nothing only stayed in her memory and she doesn't gain much except saving her sister's soul.
Overall, this is a good read with fast pacing. I love every character but I just hope it shows kai's relationship with her family more.
August 25, 2024
A Maine Student Book Award nominee for 24|25.
Twin pearl hunting sisters Kai and Kishi have lived life as mirror images of one another. They have also lived mirror lives. When Kishi is kidnapped by a spirit whale during one of their pearl diving expeditions, Kai must make a deal with a snake monster and a sea dragon to return Kishi’s soul to her body.
This middle grade fantasy is based upon Japanese folklore and it was so engrossing and fun. I loved Kai’s character.
Twin pearl hunting sisters Kai and Kishi have lived life as mirror images of one another. They have also lived mirror lives. When Kishi is kidnapped by a spirit whale during one of their pearl diving expeditions, Kai must make a deal with a snake monster and a sea dragon to return Kishi’s soul to her body.
This middle grade fantasy is based upon Japanese folklore and it was so engrossing and fun. I loved Kai’s character.
January 4, 2024
Very nice!
March 3, 2024
the ending gagged me a bit i'm not gonna lie
October 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
January 4, 2023
The Pearl Hunter is a book I'm going to recommend for both adults and children alike. Based in the pre-shogun era of Japan, Miya T. Beck takes folklore and mythology into her story to make it so much more meaningful for the characters and the journey that Kai is taking. It reads less like a middle grade book and more like a book such as Bear and the Nightingale, as if it's a story being passed down and told by parents to their children.
On an emotional level, this book deals with loss and grief and understanding those complex emotions in the way of remembrance.
The ending is also ambiguous, I'm currently unsure if this is a standalone or if this will be a duology or series, but there's so much that could happen. Truthfully, I love standalones that end this way, and was very satisfied with the way the book turned out. I'd suggest that this book is read by more advanced readers, since they may enjoy it much more. There's also a few themes of killing as well.
On an emotional level, this book deals with loss and grief and understanding those complex emotions in the way of remembrance.
The ending is also ambiguous, I'm currently unsure if this is a standalone or if this will be a duology or series, but there's so much that could happen. Truthfully, I love standalones that end this way, and was very satisfied with the way the book turned out. I'd suggest that this book is read by more advanced readers, since they may enjoy it much more. There's also a few themes of killing as well.
December 29, 2024
A tale with Japanese influences.
It's ok in all ways but also not outstanding.
It's ok in all ways but also not outstanding.
Read
September 11, 2022Do you love stories with nods to fables? This book is for you. Kai has always seen herself as the ‘bad twin,’ and sees her sister Kishi as the epitome of perfection, a.k.a. the ‘good twin.’ When Kishi is captured by a bakekujira (a ghost whale), Kai strikes a bargain with the Dragon King and embarks on a journey through the magical domain of gods to release her sister from the spirit world. Steeped in Japanese fables, THE PEARL HUNTER teaches lessons of perseverance, the deep bonds between family, and understanding the effect our actions have on the world around us. A captivating adventure for young readers with incredible characters, including a determined lead, and a lot of action to keep the pages turning!
April 14, 2024
Terrible ending
Unless there is a second one this is unredeemable
Unless there is a second one this is unredeemable
March 21, 2023
Kai and Kishi are twins, and pearl divers. Twins are considered unlucky, but her parents kept them both, just the same. One day Kishi is killed by a ghost whale, and Kai goes to the Dragon King to beg to have her brought back to life. She will give anything to have it happen. She says she is the good twin, and should live.
And thus begins, what appears to be a journey to get a magic pearl from the Fox Queen.
And if that was all this book was going to be, it would have been a drag. I hate journey stories. They bore me to tears. But, Kai, along the way, gets captured by bandits, and they intend to sell her to the local warlord. She has to get to the Sky Mountain by the full moon, to get the pearl, and this is just getting in her way.
From there, the story continues to take turns, and go in directions that you can’t expect.
Through it all, Kai wants nothing more than to save her sister, despite others wanting the magic pearl for their own advancement. They can’t understand why she doesn’t see that this is more than family.
But to Kai it is all family.
I loved that she was so determined, and stayed true to her word. I also love the world building bringing in Japanese folktales.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book came out February 7th, 2023. Seek it out. It is a good story.
And thus begins, what appears to be a journey to get a magic pearl from the Fox Queen.
And if that was all this book was going to be, it would have been a drag. I hate journey stories. They bore me to tears. But, Kai, along the way, gets captured by bandits, and they intend to sell her to the local warlord. She has to get to the Sky Mountain by the full moon, to get the pearl, and this is just getting in her way.
From there, the story continues to take turns, and go in directions that you can’t expect.
Through it all, Kai wants nothing more than to save her sister, despite others wanting the magic pearl for their own advancement. They can’t understand why she doesn’t see that this is more than family.
But to Kai it is all family.
I loved that she was so determined, and stayed true to her word. I also love the world building bringing in Japanese folktales.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book came out February 7th, 2023. Seek it out. It is a good story.
January 1, 2023
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!
This was a great high/fantasy, Asian-folklore-inspired story for not only young readers but adult too. I loved how the author wove in several stories and myths into the story, even if that’s just what they were - stories.
Kai is the exact kind of heroine I love - determined but self-conscious, beautiful but humble, intelligent but inexperienced - she’s the underdog badass we all want to root for. And her love for her sister gives her the motivation and ability to move the gods, do the impossible, and achieve her potential.
Great read, highly recommend for any reader middle-school and up.
This was a great high/fantasy, Asian-folklore-inspired story for not only young readers but adult too. I loved how the author wove in several stories and myths into the story, even if that’s just what they were - stories.
Kai is the exact kind of heroine I love - determined but self-conscious, beautiful but humble, intelligent but inexperienced - she’s the underdog badass we all want to root for. And her love for her sister gives her the motivation and ability to move the gods, do the impossible, and achieve her potential.
Great read, highly recommend for any reader middle-school and up.
August 31, 2023
This was a book I bought just because of how stunning the cover looks. I simply had to have it. And it sounded exciting too. I have now gotten to read it, and I'm a bit heartbroken to say that it was hugely disappointing to me. I'm giving it two stars. I wish I could have loved it. But I did not. It was not what I thought it would be.
I'm honestly not sure how to write this review of mine. I have so many thoughts about this story. Will share some of it, as I am not going to write too much. This one was a mix of middle grade and young adult, as the main girl was an age between, but her actual age is not mentioned. Seemed like she just became a teenager.
This book is told from the point of view of Kai. This young girl is a pearl diver. She loves her life with her family in her small village. She has a twin sister, Kishi. They have always done everything together, the best of friends. But it's been different lately, as Kishi have a crush. Kai does not approve. So they are always fighting a little. I liked getting to know them at the start of this book. And their parents seemed nice. Their village did not; they did not care for pearl divers. So rude. Their job seemed so great. And I wish this book had been more about the actual pearl diving, and more of the water. I truly would have preferred that. Sigh. We learn a little of their dead aunt, whom seemed even more awesome. She always told them the best stories. I liked that a lot. The stories are Japanese based, which I enjoyed. I liked the history too.
But that was sadly all that I liked about this book, if I'm being honest. I thought it was going to be epic and fully exciting. It was not. For the most part it was just boring. I wanted much more about these sisters and their bond. We got to see them together so little and I just did not care for either of them, honestly. And I found almost all of the supernatural and fairy tale parts of the book to be silly. Sure, I liked the stories, but the Dragon King was too silly and the foxes were just beyond silly. Sigh. I wish it had been written better.
I'm not sure what to say. Not going to share all of the plot, but I will mention some things. The twins are diving for pearls. Both going down for more mussels to win their competition. And by doing so, Kishi gets taken by a ghost whale. This was weird to me. I sadly didn't find it magical, just weird. Their parents are in a panic. And Kai just wants her sister back, so she rows out looking for her. And actually finds the whale, which was so weird. She gets her sister free; she is dead. And then a dragon drags them out in the water.
Where Kai meets another type of god. One who can bring her sister back from the dead, bring her soul from the underworld. If Kai brings her the pearl of the leader of the magical foxes. Which Kai agrees to do. I just found this whole thing to be silly. I wish I thought it was magical, but I did not. And I also did not really like the writing either. It was okay, but I never felt connected to anything. I did not actually like Kai either. Felt like I did not get to know her or Kishi well enough to actually care about them, dead or alive.
Then Kai get gifts from these gods to take with her on her two-week long adventure. A silver bow. Which she leaves behind almost right away, of course. A magical bowl that can give her any type of food, and that she only truly uses at the end of the book. A special compass necklace that shows her which way to go, which wasn't used much either. And she is told where to find a flying cloak. And then she is shot down with an arrow the next day and never uses the cloak again. Sigh. So. Gifts were pretty much useless, ha.
Okay. She gets shot down by bandits. Two disgusting adults and one teenage boy her age, that seems like a prisoner himself. She falls for him right away, of course. I did like him, but did not feel like I got to know him either. He liked horses. They take her to sell her to a warlord of some kind. Kai spends daaays in that place, getting dressed up and playing games with another child. It was so very boring and I didn't like it much at all. Sigh. I thought it was to be a book about the sisters; Kai doing her best to save Kishi.
She did not. She finally gets away and goes looking for the foxes. And that showdown was also just too boring for me. I wanted more excitement. More danger, more fear. Instead I got silly dancing foxes that possessed humans so that they could make them dance. Yeah. And then the ending of the book. It was stupid. So very stupid. Should have been another half of the book, to be honest. And it was very much a open ending and not a very good one either. Seemed like so much still needed to be told. Disappointed.
I have now written more about this book than I was supposed to. And been a little bit more negative than I had planned. Oops. I just could not stop writing, once I remembered what I didn't like about this one. Still. The Pearl Hunter has such a beautiful cover. Which I love. But this story was not for me and I do kind of regret reading it. Wish it had been more epic and thrilling. Wish it had been more about diving for pearls. More about the sister love. It was not. Still. I would be curious about a book two. You should try it anyway.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2023...
I'm honestly not sure how to write this review of mine. I have so many thoughts about this story. Will share some of it, as I am not going to write too much. This one was a mix of middle grade and young adult, as the main girl was an age between, but her actual age is not mentioned. Seemed like she just became a teenager.
This book is told from the point of view of Kai. This young girl is a pearl diver. She loves her life with her family in her small village. She has a twin sister, Kishi. They have always done everything together, the best of friends. But it's been different lately, as Kishi have a crush. Kai does not approve. So they are always fighting a little. I liked getting to know them at the start of this book. And their parents seemed nice. Their village did not; they did not care for pearl divers. So rude. Their job seemed so great. And I wish this book had been more about the actual pearl diving, and more of the water. I truly would have preferred that. Sigh. We learn a little of their dead aunt, whom seemed even more awesome. She always told them the best stories. I liked that a lot. The stories are Japanese based, which I enjoyed. I liked the history too.
But that was sadly all that I liked about this book, if I'm being honest. I thought it was going to be epic and fully exciting. It was not. For the most part it was just boring. I wanted much more about these sisters and their bond. We got to see them together so little and I just did not care for either of them, honestly. And I found almost all of the supernatural and fairy tale parts of the book to be silly. Sure, I liked the stories, but the Dragon King was too silly and the foxes were just beyond silly. Sigh. I wish it had been written better.
I'm not sure what to say. Not going to share all of the plot, but I will mention some things. The twins are diving for pearls. Both going down for more mussels to win their competition. And by doing so, Kishi gets taken by a ghost whale. This was weird to me. I sadly didn't find it magical, just weird. Their parents are in a panic. And Kai just wants her sister back, so she rows out looking for her. And actually finds the whale, which was so weird. She gets her sister free; she is dead. And then a dragon drags them out in the water.
Where Kai meets another type of god. One who can bring her sister back from the dead, bring her soul from the underworld. If Kai brings her the pearl of the leader of the magical foxes. Which Kai agrees to do. I just found this whole thing to be silly. I wish I thought it was magical, but I did not. And I also did not really like the writing either. It was okay, but I never felt connected to anything. I did not actually like Kai either. Felt like I did not get to know her or Kishi well enough to actually care about them, dead or alive.
Then Kai get gifts from these gods to take with her on her two-week long adventure. A silver bow. Which she leaves behind almost right away, of course. A magical bowl that can give her any type of food, and that she only truly uses at the end of the book. A special compass necklace that shows her which way to go, which wasn't used much either. And she is told where to find a flying cloak. And then she is shot down with an arrow the next day and never uses the cloak again. Sigh. So. Gifts were pretty much useless, ha.
Okay. She gets shot down by bandits. Two disgusting adults and one teenage boy her age, that seems like a prisoner himself. She falls for him right away, of course. I did like him, but did not feel like I got to know him either. He liked horses. They take her to sell her to a warlord of some kind. Kai spends daaays in that place, getting dressed up and playing games with another child. It was so very boring and I didn't like it much at all. Sigh. I thought it was to be a book about the sisters; Kai doing her best to save Kishi.
She did not. She finally gets away and goes looking for the foxes. And that showdown was also just too boring for me. I wanted more excitement. More danger, more fear. Instead I got silly dancing foxes that possessed humans so that they could make them dance. Yeah. And then the ending of the book. It was stupid. So very stupid. Should have been another half of the book, to be honest. And it was very much a open ending and not a very good one either. Seemed like so much still needed to be told. Disappointed.
I have now written more about this book than I was supposed to. And been a little bit more negative than I had planned. Oops. I just could not stop writing, once I remembered what I didn't like about this one. Still. The Pearl Hunter has such a beautiful cover. Which I love. But this story was not for me and I do kind of regret reading it. Wish it had been more epic and thrilling. Wish it had been more about diving for pearls. More about the sister love. It was not. Still. I would be curious about a book two. You should try it anyway.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2023...
August 30, 2023
For a YA novel, it gets a five star. There are many tropes in this hero's journey, but there are just as many twists and turns as well. Coming from someone with a passing knowledge of Japanese folklore, I appreciate both the known and unknown references in the story. I think that there is enough surprises to help with new readers too.
March 10, 2024
This was sooo fun!!! And SOOO so cute! I’m glad I finally got to it after YEARS of putting it off!
September 29, 2023
4.5 stars
April 9, 2023
Wow! What a story! Kai & Kishi share the same futon, the same face, & the same talent for pearl diving. But Kishi is the obedient daughter, while Kai tries to push the rules, & sometimes they fight. Still, when Kishi is stolen & killed by the legendary Ghost Whale, nothing will stop Kai from searching for her, deep in the ocean, hoping for a way to bring her back to life. But such a rescue is beyond the power of an ordinary mortal. Kai strikes a deal with the gods: she'll steal a magic pearl in exchange for her sister's soul. As she journeys across treacherous land scape, Kai must navigate encounters with scheming bandits, a power-hungry war lord, & a legion of conniving fox spirits. & when a new friendship becomes something almost as powerful as her love for her sister, Kai must make impossible choices & risk everything just to get home again. I didn't like our MC Kai for the first 30 pages, but then unfortunately tragedy takes her on a journey that gives her amazing growth/development. So from page 30 on I'd say, I really liked her. I loved the culture & legends/folklore aspects of this so much. Kai goes on quite the adventure to save her sister. She sees & experiences so many incredible, unbelievable things-some good & some bad. Just some of the fascinating aspects in here are: the ghost whale, Pearl Hunting, Benzaiten, the Dragon King, kitsune, the Cloak of a Thousand Feathers, an amazing pendant & a bowl, & more. I absolutely adore the friendship between Kai & Ren. Ren & the Dragon King were my favorites. However, the ending is very confusing & frustrating-
ESPECIALLY if there isn't going to be sequel. There's also an animal death near the end. It's not a dog or cat, but an animal we grow to care for nonetheless, so I didn't care for that. So until the ending, I LOVED the book. BECAUTIFUL cover by Maxine Vee too.💜
ESPECIALLY if there isn't going to be sequel. There's also an animal death near the end. It's not a dog or cat, but an animal we grow to care for nonetheless, so I didn't care for that. So until the ending, I LOVED the book. BECAUTIFUL cover by Maxine Vee too.💜
February 19, 2023
3.5/5
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The past couple of years have seen a lot of YA releases inspired by or related to East Asian cultures and histories, and this book is no exception. It does stand out in the sense that it’s inspired by Japanese history and folktales, whereas most other titles have been written by authors of Chinese descent, with some Korean-inspired releases sprinkled in; however, I’d say that’s where the differences end.
In terms of the plot, I don’t think it brought much excitement to the table. The twin-mystical-connection thing is a bit overdone, and the overarching theme of family ties didn’t feel particularly groundbreaking. It’s nothing new for protagonists to go to the end of the world and back for their families; it’s how they do it that makes their narrative stand out.
That being said, I can’t say there was anything wrong with the narrative either. The storyline is straightforward and the prose is clean and suitable for its marketed age range. And I usually have a lot to say about YA authors’ tendency to produce juvenile writing, but you don’t see much of that in this book.
I just know every reader will have something to say about the ending, so I might as well contribute my bit: It was certainly abrupt. Not enough to make me mad, but I think that may have to do with the fact that my connection to the story didn’t develop enough to warrant my having a significant response.
Overall, just an alright read. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but there’s nothing worth really delving into either. It’s super quick (and this is coming from someone who reads super slow), if that’s any consolation. I’d say this is a promising debut and I’d read something from the author again.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The past couple of years have seen a lot of YA releases inspired by or related to East Asian cultures and histories, and this book is no exception. It does stand out in the sense that it’s inspired by Japanese history and folktales, whereas most other titles have been written by authors of Chinese descent, with some Korean-inspired releases sprinkled in; however, I’d say that’s where the differences end.
In terms of the plot, I don’t think it brought much excitement to the table. The twin-mystical-connection thing is a bit overdone, and the overarching theme of family ties didn’t feel particularly groundbreaking. It’s nothing new for protagonists to go to the end of the world and back for their families; it’s how they do it that makes their narrative stand out.
That being said, I can’t say there was anything wrong with the narrative either. The storyline is straightforward and the prose is clean and suitable for its marketed age range. And I usually have a lot to say about YA authors’ tendency to produce juvenile writing, but you don’t see much of that in this book.
I just know every reader will have something to say about the ending, so I might as well contribute my bit: It was certainly abrupt. Not enough to make me mad, but I think that may have to do with the fact that my connection to the story didn’t develop enough to warrant my having a significant response.
Overall, just an alright read. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but there’s nothing worth really delving into either. It’s super quick (and this is coming from someone who reads super slow), if that’s any consolation. I’d say this is a promising debut and I’d read something from the author again.
October 12, 2024
Miya T. Beck's "The Pearl Hunter" is a sophisticated work of fiction that will enchant its declared middle-grade target audience as well as readers who are rather longer in the tooth. If the children or grandchildren can eventually be persuaded to share "The Pearl Hunter," adult readers who dip into it will find a richly imagined world based on Japanese folklore and mythology. A plucky young heroine draws power and meaning from the myths that have surrounded her since infancy to embark on a classic quest through the wildernesses beyond her native village. In seeking to rescue her twin sister from the afterlife, she forges new dimensions to her own identity and perhaps spins new myths for future generations to tell. Lightly told but with a serious purpose, "The Pearl Hunter" makes the reader hope for more from this talented weaver of tales.
April 29, 2025
This was such a boring book.Sorry I chose to read this book solely on the cover but when I came to read it …it was just a drag and I just skipped through the pages .I don’t really understand the plot and it was kind of boring in terms of hooking you in 😒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2023
So to start this review, I won’t say I loved this book but I did like it. Yes, I know it’s middle grade and it’s a tad bit shorter but the pacing felt a little off. It was too fast in most spots. A conflict would happen and for the most part it would be resolved by the end of the chapter.
What I did really enjoy was the relationship between the sisters and the strong female presence of the pearl diver’s culture.
Women like them are sneered at by other people, other men, but they truly don’t care. They can support themselves and feel no need to dress up in the style of the other women and give up their culture. And the men they do marry become seen as less than, weak. And they don’t care. We love supportive men!
Our main character has a twin and they’re very close. Close in the kind of way where that person has the innate ability to aggravate the absolute crap out of you. They would finish each other’s sentences, tell stories. Now one of them is more interested in boys than that and her sister is feeling left out.
The whole book is our main character’s journey to get her sister back after she is eaten by a ghost whale and dies. At first, I wasn’t even sure she had died, but yeah, no, she was gone. So she makes a deal with a god to get a magical pearl to bring her sister’s soul back from the underworld.
Some events happened too quickly. Like the main character was drowning at one point and the dragon king popped up and gave her gills and she just adapted very quickly to it. Also, they don’t really come in handy much the rest of the story which was a little annoying to me.
The ending makes it seem like it’s setting up for a sequel maybe. I don’t actually know if there is one planned or not. If not, then the ending was rushed and awkward. Even if there is, the ending was still rushed and awkward.
With all that said, I did actually enjoy this book. It was solid enough, and the character’s growth was easy to see. She wasn’t just some resistant block, she was weathered away at by the events and changed but still herself.
All in all, I’m giving this a 3.5. i
I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.
What I did really enjoy was the relationship between the sisters and the strong female presence of the pearl diver’s culture.
Women like them are sneered at by other people, other men, but they truly don’t care. They can support themselves and feel no need to dress up in the style of the other women and give up their culture. And the men they do marry become seen as less than, weak. And they don’t care. We love supportive men!
Our main character has a twin and they’re very close. Close in the kind of way where that person has the innate ability to aggravate the absolute crap out of you. They would finish each other’s sentences, tell stories. Now one of them is more interested in boys than that and her sister is feeling left out.
The whole book is our main character’s journey to get her sister back after she is eaten by a ghost whale and dies. At first, I wasn’t even sure she had died, but yeah, no, she was gone. So she makes a deal with a god to get a magical pearl to bring her sister’s soul back from the underworld.
Some events happened too quickly. Like the main character was drowning at one point and the dragon king popped up and gave her gills and she just adapted very quickly to it. Also, they don’t really come in handy much the rest of the story which was a little annoying to me.
The ending makes it seem like it’s setting up for a sequel maybe. I don’t actually know if there is one planned or not. If not, then the ending was rushed and awkward. Even if there is, the ending was still rushed and awkward.
With all that said, I did actually enjoy this book. It was solid enough, and the character’s growth was easy to see. She wasn’t just some resistant block, she was weathered away at by the events and changed but still herself.
All in all, I’m giving this a 3.5. i
I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.
May 28, 2023
The Pearl Hunter has a lot of positive elements going for it - a story based on pre-Shogun era Japan, strong familial relationships and the changes happening therein, magical creatures and mythical gods, and a classic adventure quest! I enjoyed this story quite a bit until the ending, but first, a couple things to point out:
* I'm not sure how old Kai and Kishi are supposed to be.
* The book reads like a Middle Grade and the writing is lovely and atmospheric, but also light in that way Middle Grade books often are. However, there's a lot of violence, death, blunt threats against our young (?) main character, a casual mention of suicide as the honorable choice (per historic Japanese culture), plus a scene of animal euthanasia
* The pacing moves very quickly and certain events are not given much depth or rumination (which I found fun, but at times felt a bit rushed). Think similar to the pacing in Tolkien's The Hobbit.
Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the story! It read very quickly, and I was invested in Kai's quest to rescue her sister.
Unfortunately, where I had the most difficulty was in the last couple of pages. The book ends abruptly, and it genuinely feels like a chapter is missing. I was expecting a happy ending, given the general tone of the story, but the ending is sour. There is a lot left unexplained and unknown, and it truly left a bitter taste on my tongue, like tea steeped too long. I'm not sure why this particular plot move was made, and while in hindsight I may see a tiny bit of foreshadowing (maybe?), I nevertheless did not find the ending satisfying in the least.
However, I will be looking out for any future books Beck writes, as I did enjoy this debut despite its perceived shortcomings in my mind!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's: Balzer + Bray for the free eARC so that I might provide an honest review!
* I'm not sure how old Kai and Kishi are supposed to be.
* The book reads like a Middle Grade and the writing is lovely and atmospheric, but also light in that way Middle Grade books often are. However, there's a lot of violence, death, blunt threats against our young (?) main character, a casual mention of suicide as the honorable choice (per historic Japanese culture), plus a scene of animal euthanasia
* The pacing moves very quickly and certain events are not given much depth or rumination (which I found fun, but at times felt a bit rushed). Think similar to the pacing in Tolkien's The Hobbit.
Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the story! It read very quickly, and I was invested in Kai's quest to rescue her sister.
Unfortunately, where I had the most difficulty was in the last couple of pages. The book ends abruptly, and it genuinely feels like a chapter is missing. I was expecting a happy ending, given the general tone of the story, but the ending is sour. There is a lot left unexplained and unknown, and it truly left a bitter taste on my tongue, like tea steeped too long. I'm not sure why this particular plot move was made, and while in hindsight I may see a tiny bit of foreshadowing (maybe?), I nevertheless did not find the ending satisfying in the least.
However, I will be looking out for any future books Beck writes, as I did enjoy this debut despite its perceived shortcomings in my mind!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's: Balzer + Bray for the free eARC so that I might provide an honest review!
Read
September 3, 2022Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an advance copy!
tl;dr
A fun adventure that reads like a fable, featuring a determined young heroine.
About
Kai and Kishi are twin sisters who have done everything together. But while Kishi is the well-behaved daughter, Kai finds herself constantly pushing the limits of the rules around her. When Kishi is taken by a bakekujira (a ghostly whale spirit), Kai strikes a deal for her sister's life that will send her on an otherworldly adventure.
Thoughts
What an adventure! I've always liked reading fairy tale amalgam type books - the kind where you can see traces of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all rolled into a new story. This is one of those books, except with Japanese fables firmly front and center. That being said, this book utterly stands on its own, and no familiarity with the original fables is necessary (many, in fact, are recapped within this very book for your reading pleasure). Kai's journey to rescue her sister combined with her personal journey of growth are interwoven very cleanly, and the story moves in a very fable-like manner from one event to the next. There are lot of big action moments, and Kai's hard work and cleverness shines through in those moments. I appreciated the focus on the bonds between family members, but also learning to accept that people sometimes grow apart, and that's not always a bad thing. A lot of Japanese terms are woven in so seamlessly that they don't break up the story at all. I was surprised that most food presented was translated, though (e.g. sliced raw fish instead of sashimi, and tofu pouches instead of inari). The ending is purposefully unclear, mimicking the dreamlike outcome of the fables it's inspired by, which might be frustrating to some readers. Hopefully it just means a sequel! Overall, a great adventure for young readers with a strong-willed lead and a lot of action.
tl;dr
A fun adventure that reads like a fable, featuring a determined young heroine.
About
Kai and Kishi are twin sisters who have done everything together. But while Kishi is the well-behaved daughter, Kai finds herself constantly pushing the limits of the rules around her. When Kishi is taken by a bakekujira (a ghostly whale spirit), Kai strikes a deal for her sister's life that will send her on an otherworldly adventure.
Thoughts
What an adventure! I've always liked reading fairy tale amalgam type books - the kind where you can see traces of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all rolled into a new story. This is one of those books, except with Japanese fables firmly front and center. That being said, this book utterly stands on its own, and no familiarity with the original fables is necessary (many, in fact, are recapped within this very book for your reading pleasure). Kai's journey to rescue her sister combined with her personal journey of growth are interwoven very cleanly, and the story moves in a very fable-like manner from one event to the next. There are lot of big action moments, and Kai's hard work and cleverness shines through in those moments. I appreciated the focus on the bonds between family members, but also learning to accept that people sometimes grow apart, and that's not always a bad thing. A lot of Japanese terms are woven in so seamlessly that they don't break up the story at all. I was surprised that most food presented was translated, though (e.g. sliced raw fish instead of sashimi, and tofu pouches instead of inari). The ending is purposefully unclear, mimicking the dreamlike outcome of the fables it's inspired by, which might be frustrating to some readers. Hopefully it just means a sequel! Overall, a great adventure for young readers with a strong-willed lead and a lot of action.
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