Yamada Monogatari

Starred review from March 9, 2015
Prolific writer Parks's superb supernatural page-turner, the second in the Yamada Monogatari series (after Demon Hunter), takes readers to medieval Japan, where Yamada, a minor nobleman, agrees to help the emperor's wife, Teiko, to dispel rumors about her son's parentage. Yamada enlists the help of his supernatural allies to find a letter that would clear Teiko's name, but this does not prevent the young woman's exile and suicide. When evidence emerges that Teiko was framed, Yamada seeks to right the wrongs of the royal court. Meanwhile, a menacing pall hangs over the city, growing darker with every passing day. Parks creates a fascinating world, where cutthroat court intrigue and the beings of the underworld collide. Yamada and his friends are well-rounded, believable characters, and the witty prose maintains mystery and suspense throughout. Playing with Japanese demonology and political scandal, Parks creates an absorbing and original tale.

October 26, 2015
Parks's second Yamada Monogatari fantasy adventure (after To Break the Demon Gate) follows the demon-hunter Lord Yamada and his priestly friend Kenji in their efforts to stop the rebellious onslaught of the militaristic Abe Clan. Yamada must also contend with the dangerous Lord Tenshin, who holds a grudge against him. When Yamada and Kenji are called by the high noble Prince Kanemore to join an ongoing war, they're daunted to learn that both the Abe Clan and Tenshin are capable of creating shikigami, demons constructed out of paper and the souls of the dead. With a refreshingly conversational narrative, Parks captures the different facets of Japanese mythology and visions of the supernatural. Lord Yamada is a complex and entertaining protagonist, and his personal battles, whether with demons or his relationships with women, are compelling. Parks creates a rich world, further proving that in this series, nothing is as it seems. Suspenseful and often thought-provoking, Parks's work is a delight to read.