Book Review: “A Thousand Steps Into Night” by Traci Chee

“A Thousand Steps Into Night” by Traci Chee (2022)

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA

Page Length: 400 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper’s daughter. But when Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life. Aided by a thieving magpie spirit and continuously thwarted by a demon prince, Miuko must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again. But with her transformation comes power and freedom she never even dreamed of, and she’ll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her… and perhaps never did.

Review:

I’ve enjoyed Chee’s work in the past so I was excited to delve into A Thousand Steps Into Night. Following our main character Miuko, her life is suddenly changed when she encounters a terrifying demon. Miuko starts to notice how she slowly lingers between the world of the living and the dead and must try to find a way to break the curse before it’s too late. Filled with the lush landscapes and scenery of ancient Japan the novel takes readers on a journey through Miuko’s world in great detail. We traverse through the land of the living and sports, encounter trickster goblins, revered demons, and unsightly ghosts. It’s exciting and dangerous as Miuko has to make the choice if the people she meets will be a friend or foe.

What I love about this novel is the heightened sense of adventure and the aura of mystery. With every turn Miuko and her sidekick, Genki tries to navigate their travels with demon hunters, a vengeful demon prince named Tujiyazai, and ghosts constantly at their heels. The story is rich with Japanese folklore which has been mentioned in countless stories and also introduces them in a way that makes them accessible to new audiences. Though the journey is terrifying and action-packed I like that the fast-paced scenes are paired with a quiet conversation between her Genki (and their budding friendship). This world is new and sometimes scary pulling the reader deeper into the book’s universe with each page.

Miuko the main character is shy and timid. But this journey gives her to chance to ask what she really wants for herself and what path she should take. it is up to her to decide to break the curse or live a new life and the uncertainty scares her. After being silenced for so long we see her grapple with uneasiness but push forward into a more confident self who refuses to take no for an answer.

What an amazing novel full of fantasy, adventure, and rich folklore. I love that there was never a dull moment. The aura mystery of what Miuko would encounter next on her journey was thrilling! This is a fantasy novel that does not disappoint!

Final Verdict: