In this Japanese folkloreinspired YA fantasy for fans of The Hunger Games, a lowly young woman with a monstrous secret competes to become empress. Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace's enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to competeall except ykai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she werent hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a ykai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit.As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari's fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-ykai outcast. Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of HonokuWinter 2018-2019 Kids' Indie Next List';Dark, daring, and utterly delicious.'C.J. Redwine, New York Timesbestselling author of The Bloodspell';Will latch onto your imagination and sweep you along for a magical and dangerous ride.'Joelle Charbonneau,New York Timesbestselling author of The Testing Trilogy';Jeans world building is incredible.'Booklist';An engaging story that also questions the power structures of heaven and earth, male and female, human and yokai. A narrative that will engage fans of the genre with a much-needed non-Western setting.'Kirkus Reviews
