Spirits of the Noh

Gr 7 Up—Kara, an American expat attending high school in Japan, again finds herself pitted against a demon from Japanese mythology that has come to life and is threatening her friends. Despite this inventive and intriguing premise, the narrative is often bogged down by an overabundance of explanations about the characters' motivations. Moreover, heavy-handed foreshadowing in the prologue diminishes any sense of tension as readers immediately know who and what are behind the attacks, and are merely left waiting for the characters to piece together the puzzle. Although the writing, characterization, and pacing leave something to be desired, the author's attention to cultural authenticity brings richness and texture to the story. Details of Japanese school life such as osoji, the students' daily ritual of cleaning their school, are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, and the traditions of Noh theater, so integral to the plot, are outlined with clarity and ease. Also, the beautifully described setting of Miyazu, home to one of the three most famous vistas in Japan, allows readers to expand their knowledge of the Japanese landscape beyond Tokyo. The paranormal aspects of the story and the excellent portrayal of both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture will draw in an audience, especially among manga and anime fans.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA