Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean Book Review

C. 

Grade 7

The Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean

5/5

The Empress of All Seasons is a vivid novel based on Japanese mythology. It is set mainly in Palace of Illusions, in Tokkaido, the Imperial City.

This book follows three characters: Mari, an Animal Wife yōkai (demon or monster) from the village of Tsuma; Akira, the Son of Nightmares, who is a half human-half yōkai outcast; and Taro, the Imperial Prince who disagrees with the emperor’s opinion that yōkai are dangerous monsters that should be enslaved.

In this story, one of the main events is the competition in which girls struggle to conquer the seasons and wed the prince. The competition is held because of the first Empress, who sparred similarly and married the emperor when she drew blood from him during their duel. Mari is competing because her mother forced her to; she really has no interest in marrying Taro. Being an Animal Wife, her job is to marry and then steal his fortune. Then, she will return to Tsuma with the stolen treasure.

Taro doesn’t have any interest in being a prize to be won, either. He plans to run away from the palace on the night when the competition starts. Little does he know that something will stop him.

Meanwhile, Akira watches from the shadows. He wants to become stronger and worthy of Mari’s love. In order to do that, he joins the Weapons Master, Hanako, in the yōkai Resistance.

Aside from the violent competition and wild yōkai, the story also includes romance. It shows a love triangle, a classic event in most romance stories. In the love triangle, Akira and Taro both have feelings for Mari. Mari does not feel attraction towards either, though she considers both as close friends.

I believe that teens would enjoy this novel, especially if they take an interest in mythology.