A Thousand Steps into Night

Description

Longlisted for the National Book Award From bestselling and award-winning author Traci Chee comes a Japanese-inspired fantasy perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli. When a girl who's never longed for adventure is hit with a curse that begins to transform her into a demon, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life, but along the way is forced to confront her true power within. In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper's daughter. But when Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life. Aided by a thieving magpie spirit and continuously thwarted by a demon prince, Miuko must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again. With her transformation comes power and freedom she never even dreamed of, and she'll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her... and perhaps never did.

Traci Chee is the New York Times best-selling author of the YA fantasy trilogy The Reader which was shortlisted and nominated for multiple awards and accolades. In We Are Not Free, Chee changes gears, pulling from her own family history in this stunning and evocative novel, one that resonates so deeply against today's tumultuous political backdrop. Visit her at www.tracichee.com, on Twitter @tracichee, and on Facebook and Instagram @TraciCheeAuthor.

"Chee once again creates a lush fantasy world that revolves around a girl discovering her own power... never takes the path that's expected." - School Library Journal (starred review) "Intricate plotting; a vivid, multifaceted cast; and immersive worldbuilding provide plenty for readers to sink their teeth into in this triumphant fantasy." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Unexpected and inventive." - Horn Book Magazine