The Pearl Hunter
by Miya T Beck (Author)
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.
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Publishers Weekly
Supernatural entities from Japanese mythology propel a young pearl diver on a perilous mission in this immersive otherworldly fantasy set in the fictional Heiwadai Empire. Kai and Kishi are identical twins born into a pearl-diving family, whose female members make risky solo plunges. Stubborn, rule-breaking Kai, who can hold her breath longer, is fascinated by the fairy tales and misses the girls' late, story-spinning aunt. Obedient Kishi, the faster swimmer, is newly interested in boys, especially the village chief's son. When an immortal, skeletal ghost whale interrupts a sisterly diving competition, leading to Kishi's death, Kai journeys to meet with the sea deity Benzaiten, protector of pearl divers, and begs for her twin's life. Benzaiten promises to restore Kishi to life if Kai steals a magic pearl from the supernatural kitsune who gather monthly on Sky Mountain. Aided by a magical compass and bowl, Kai embarks on a quest to save her sister that's complicated by bandits and nobility alike. With a painstakingly built world and a strong emotional thrust, Beck's vivid, fierce-hearted debut fleshes out a flawed, memorable protagonist alongside fearsome mythical creatures. Ages 8-12. Agent: Victoria Wells Arms, HG Literary. (Feb.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
"The elegant prose is descriptive, and the fictional world, inspired by eleventh century Japan, is rich with Japanese myths and legends... the book will especially find an audience with fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Grace Lin." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
JUV030020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Asia
JUV012060 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | Asian
Fantasy
Fantasy fiction
Twins
Sea monsters
Novels
