ADVENTURES OF TAKUAN FROM KOTO

Zhong presents a middle-grade fantasy novel starring a rebellious youngster.

The trouble begins in ancient times in the fantasy realm of Auyasku, where a stone marten (a weasel-like animal) decides she is going to catch the sun. The marten winds up in the Heavenly Realm, where she unwittingly releases evil spirits (“Demons called their brethren from the farthest corners of the world, and soon the Heavens were teeming with demons of all stripes and shades”). When the demons make their way to the Earthly Realm, havoc ensues. Many years later, a blacksmith’s son named Hatsukoi proves to be quite the trickster in his home village of Koto. Hatsukoi is mischievous and clever, always managing to think up an exit strategy in a tight spot. When he runs afoul of a greedy local governor named Tu Fang, however, it would seem his goose is finally cooked. Hatsukoi’s father sends him to a monastery to hide him. At the monastery, Hatsukoi takes on the name Takuan and gets up to his old pranks, though he also manages to learn some useful things. Takuan goes back to his home village only to learn that his father has been killed and his sister and mother have moved on; he sets back out on the road. The tale of Takuan unfolds in a breezy, fairytale-like fashion. Rather than overburdening the reader with too many details or backstories, the narrative keeps moving forward. Even the somewhat complex tale of the stone marten moves rapidly, helped along by the comedic effect of a marten, of all creatures, causing so much trouble. There is a lot of ground to cover in the 600-some pages of this volume; the narrative often strays from Takuan for several pages, leaving the reader curious about, say, what role a fearful monk named Soliang might play. Yet even with such detours, the pace is sprightly—there is no telling what angry honey badger or sassy demon lies just around the bend.

A rapidly expanding quest with a seemingly endless supply of mischief and surprises.