I copied the following from Japanator's 5-11-13 review. Found here: http://www.japanator.com/review-kojiki-by-keith-yatsuhashi-28639.phtml
Ms. Pino says it reminds her of Summer Wars, so I'll relate it to that anime ;)
A debut novel inspired by Japanese myth and anime
Kojiki is the title of an old Japanese text which attempts to explain where the islands of Japan came from. Among other things, it recounts the stories of the gods and their part in creating the land.
I found that, while reading Keith Yatsuhashi's Kojiki, a modern novel that is by no means an adaptation, though somewhat related (like a distant cousin), curious co-workers around me all asked if I was reading the old book. These myths, the stories of the gods, are so ingrained in history and culture, that it makes the title even more fitting for its content.
Initially, Kojiki follows the story of Keiko Yamanaka as she tries to figure out what she will do with her life following the death of her father. He leaves her with some vague instructions and a death poem, a camera, and a one-way ticket to Japan. Once she gets there though, she starts to realize that the ominous warning of spirits she was left with is more real than she gave it credit for.
Suddenly, Japan is a battleground.
Kojiki
Published by: Musa Publishing
Written by: Keith Yatsuhashi
Cover art: Kelly Shorten
Release date: April 19, 2013
MSRP: US$5.99 [Buy]
Though we are introduced to Keiko and then Yui as the main heroines, the book is formatted in such a way that each chapter, or section of a chapter, is narrated from the perspective of one (different) character a a time. We get to see a more complete (and complex) story unfold as we read about what's going on with different people around the same time. Keiko and Yui may be the main focus as characters, but I loved that the story is evenly spread out between many players.
Keiko and Yui are young, and have lived their loves very differently. Keiko has enjoyed a fully American lifestyle, far away from Japan and spirits and their kind. Yui is the youngest spirit, and has lived her life being trained for the eventuality of "The Weakening," an event which would herald the return of a once-great spirit who went mad and means to destroy the world. Everything is set in motion years and years before Keiko is born, but both she and Yui become integral parts of the struggle when she accidentally steps through a spiritual boundary in Tokyo and enconters the villain himself.
This book was publicized as being inspired by Japanese anime, and I can confirm with absolute certainty that Keith has delivered in that respect. The imagery and descriptions are perfectly suited for it, and in my head everything played out, art-wise, like a cross between the style of Wakfu and Summer Wars. After reading Kojiki, I admittedly spent a little time imagining what an animated adaptation of the story might look like.
There are very few things that hold the book back. There is a heavy assumption being made by the author that his intended audience, presumably anime fans, are familiar with a few daily or commonly used phrases in Japanese. I feel like peppering character dialogue with a foreign language can work, but only if it's apparent to the reader what you are trying to say, regardless of their understanding of the real or made-up language tossed in there. The Japanese words weren't simply brought into dialogue, but also used in the general narrative, including one unnecessary instance of the term "gaijin" rather than sticking to "foreigner" or "non-Japanese."
That being said, it's a given that this book would appeal to fans of anime or enthusiasts of Japan in general. The story is compelling and falls into the realm of fantasy, although it largely takes place in the real world. Just add elemental guardian spirits like huge thunderbirds and fire dragons - basically lots of magic - and you've got the world as written by Keith here. Also, as I said earlier, there are call-backs in this story to the accounts in the original Kojiki, which adds a nice little myth/historical dimension for reads familiar with Japanese legends.
I read this book on Kindle, and you can purchase a copy directly from the publisher for only US$5.99 in any digital format.
[8.5 – Great. Beautifully crafted; well-written, with a loving attention to detail. Among the best of its genre.]
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