Under the Amber Wave : A Japanese Folk Horror Series

by Shawn Brooks

There's something in the water. It can give you anything you desire. Can you pay the price?

Junichiro (Juni) Hatayama's life is falling apart. Debt, loan sharks, and a failing marriage are pushing him to the edge. But when Juni's father dies, he finds an unexpected form of salvation in what has been left for him in the will. Returning home to an isolated fishing village in Northern Japan to settle his father's affairs, Juni finds the true secret of his estranged family's wealth, one connected with a terror that dwells in the sea.

Juni soon learns that his new gifts come at a heavy cost. As his true connection to the darkness lying at the bottom of the sea is revealed, he may lose those closest to him. Will he be able to make the ultimate sacrifice for those he loves?

Genres: Horror

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2024

About the author

SHAWN BROOKS loves the dark. He was born in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. After traveling the world he washed ashore in his current home near Kyoto, Japan. He writes horror fiction and non-fiction travel memoirs. His work has been published in the Japan Times. He enjoys hiking with his Siberian husky and paddle boarding serene lakes with unknown terrors below.

Reviews

[Alyssa jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 rounded to 5 ⭐️!!

Shawn Brooks is easily one of my new favorite writers! His writing style is flowy and fantastic, even while creating the most dreadful Japanese nightmares- things my brain certainly wouldn’t ever conjure up on its own.
ie: a man is lying dead on the floor next to you, but then a ghostly form of his upper torso appears up on the ceiling. Then it begins crawling across it...like a spider?!
Um- BYE

This novel was quite different than the first book in the series, but still wonderful in its own way.
I am *so* very excited to see how Brooks’ brain somehow ties all of this horrific folklore together in the end!!

* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (Thank you!)

[Charlotte Mylifeinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐️s
This book was something, I read the blurb and it piqued my interest but I genuinely wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did.

For Juni, life is incredibly hard, his marriage is falling apart and he owes a lot of money. The bank is about to repossess his home and on top of that he owes money to some dangerous loan sharks. He’s at his wits end. But things start to look up when his estranged father dies and he has to travel back to his hometown for the reading of the will. What Juni’s father leaves him is far beyond anything Juni could envisage. This family secret has the power to give Juni everything he could ever want but there’s a cost. He must let the darkness devour him, consume him in every way, he must become it but the price of financial freedom is bigger than he could ever imagine.

I was captivated by this story, the writing was beautiful, the storytelling was everything I wanted and I truly got lost in it. Although the book had me in its grip, nothing prepared me for the ending and my god, it was dark. Dark, but utter perfection. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where the ending landed so well, that last page had me slowly closing the book and staring into the abyss for a good while.

Anyway, go read this book.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5. I enjoyed this second volume in the Black Sun series, though I did not feel the Japanese context as strong as in the first book. OK, this sounds a bit bizarre, since the book is set entirely in Japan, the characters are all Japanese, the lore is Japanese as well, and the associated mythical jargon is Japanese. But the characters felt and acted unrestricted by Japanese tradition and customs, so I could easily picture everything as set in some lake in Michigan or a similar place. However, the story was very good, the pacing far faster than the first book, the plot tighter and far more suspenseful, to the point that I easily overlooked the cultural contradictions. The ending was predictable (to me), though no less fitting to this kind of tale. The author combines folk and cosmic horror with aquatic horror quite successfully, and I eagerly recommend the book to everyone who appreciates these types of horror fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ann Onimaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second stand alone story within the Black Sun series, but it holds tightly to the series’ core themes, most notably sacrifice, in both its literal and figurative forms. This installment centers on Juni, a protagonist who is intentionally difficult to like for much of the story. While the book provides glimpses into his harsh childhood and the ways it shaped his worldview, these moments of vulnerability don’t fully excuse the troubling choices he makes as an adult. Juni’s desperation, tinged with gambling addiction and underscored by a stubborn sense of self-righteousness, creates a character who is fascinating but not necessarily sympathetic. His arc is present and meaningful, but still subtle enough that some readers may struggle to embrace him.

However, Juni’s flaws are exactly what make him an effective vehicle for horror. He is imperfect, emotionally volatile, and often self-sabotaging, traits that heighten the tension and magnify the dread that we expect from the genre. In contrast, the characters who truly pull at the reader’s empathy are his family, especially Haruka and Mai-mai. Their roles add emotional stakes and raise the tension around whether they’ll become collateral damage in a story where sacrifices, intentional or otherwise, loom heavily. And it must be said: Shota is absolutely the MVP of this book. His presence provides a moral anchor and a sense of humanity that Juni alone can’t carry.

One of the standout strengths of this novel is its atmosphere. Brooks paints the landscapes of Japan, both natural and man-made, with a vividness that almost feels cinematic. These serene, beautifully rendered environments make the unfolding horror even more striking. The supernatural elements are richly described, merging unsettling folklore-inspired entities with the visceral fear of the unknown. What elevates this story is how seamlessly the supernatural horror blends with natural disaster. The approaching storm becomes a character in its own right, strengthening the supernatural forces as it intensifies and transforming the island’s small town from a place of community into a crucible of chaos.

While many horror stories isolate their characters, forcing them to confront terror alone or in small groups, this story widens its lens. The unfolding threat spreads from individual encounters to collective confrontation, allowing the entire community to face the encroaching supernatural force together. This shift doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it is executed exceptionally well, creating a layered horror that feels both intimate and expansive.

All in all, although this book stands on its own, it still resonates with the broader themes of the Black Sun series, folkloric horror rooted in animism, human nature, and the burdens and consequences of sacrifice. Juni’s journey, while frustrating at times, ultimately reflects a man trying not to become the thing he fears: a repetition of his father’s failures. Shota represents the better part of him, the piece worth fighting for, and their relationship adds emotional clarity to Juni’s final decisions. Its strength lies in how it intertwines human flaws with supernatural threats, and how the natural world (beautiful, powerful, and merciless), becomes an integral part of the horror. While Juni may never become fully likable, his story comes full circle in a way that feels thematically resonant within the series. This installment adds meaningful depth to the overarching Black Sun narrative while standing firmly on its own as a haunting, immersive tale of storm-born horror and the sacrifices demanded by both nature and the supernatural.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy through BookSirens for free to give an honest review.

Usually it doesn't take me very long to finish a book that's just over 200 pages.
With this one it was quite different. I caught myself at avoiding it, not wanting to go back to this book.

There were several reasons for it.
First of all I disliked the main character Juni very much. I could not relate at all to his problems, but most of all I had big issues with the way he handled them (or tried to). I felt for his wife & daughter as if it were real humans. In that part of the book I still felt close to the characters, though disliking Juni.

The further the story went, the less close I was to the characters in the story. Juni was his own dislikeable self, but the others appearing acted like they were posed, serving a purpose rather than being a character with its own role, wants and needs in the whole.

And as the characters flattened,for me the story lost the last bit of attraction, of feeling that it took me by the hand and made me part of all that was happening.
There are stories that give me goosebumps when I read them, read the horrors that encounter the characters and what they do to survive.
Here I was just reading the words and I kept waiting for the moment they would touch me (again).
But it didn't.

I also read the author's note, with their decision to use miles etc. instead of kilometers, despite that in Japan the latter system is used.
I respectfully disagree with that decision, what's wrong with a bit of strangeness to a book? Something that might even call you out to go and find out how much a pound is, or a kilometer? All those that use them on a daily basis are required to do the same, but in reverse.

And my last thought, hard to put into words, but I'm going to try anyway: throughout the book I had the feeling of missing out on something. For example that the author had something in their mind which was so obvious to them, that they didn't write it down. When someone else reads the story, they get the idea, but miss that spark, the extra that made it great in the author's mind but less so when left unspoken/unwritten.

[Honey Dy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
There's something in the water. It can give you anything you desire. Can you pay the price?

The novel follows Junichiro (Juni) Hatayama, a man on the brink of collapse due to overwhelming debt, relentless loan sharks, and a failing marriage. Just when all seems lost, the death of Juni’s father brings him back to his childhood home in a remote fishing village in Northern Japan. Juni later discovers the dark secret behind his family's wealth, a mysterious force in the water that can grant your every wish, but it comes at a price.

Diving into a world where desires come at a chilling cost? 🐚✨
What an original concept! The synopsis for this black sun book 2 intrigued me from the word GO. It was a magical blend of suspense and horror, and being a fan of eerie tales, this was definitely right up my alley! Also, a massive thank you to Shawn Brooks for sending me my very own copy to Australia!

Shawn did well as he weaved a compelling and magical tale, which gripped me right up until the very end. Although it was a slow burn, the pace really picked up 25% in, and true to his writing style, it all ties in together, making this one novel that will have me thinking about it long after its done.

I was captivated by the vividness of the isolated fishing village and the character development with juni, in particular the inner turmoil and moral dilemma he faced. I found the descriptions of the deaths and the kills to be quite gruesome, but nothing prepared me for the vivid descriptions of the tsunami as it attacked this poor isolated fishing village. It really felt like the world was coming to an end.

The best part about this overall story was the sea creature, aptly named the sea priest - almost like ursula the sea witch but worse. I loved Shawn's descriptions of it attacking the villagers was so vivid, especially one guy in particular, Shun who I relished in the way he was killed. Shawn Brooks has crafted a novel that is both entertaining and moving, making it a must-read for people who love dark fiction.

[Astilbe The Hobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a 3.75 but rounded up!

First of all thank you to the amazing and talented author for offering me an ebook copy of their book to read and review! (especially since I wasn’t able to read it before the publish date)

“There's something in the water. It can give you anything you desire. Can you pay the price?”

I did end up overall enjoying this book and I do feel some of you could really enjoy this one as well! I can say my rating on Goodreads was what it is because there were a few dialogue choices that personally took me out of the story as well as although this story was set in Japan, mostly the first half for me at least, had me feeling like I wasn’t even in Japan with Japanese Characters. There is an author's note in the back that does explain some choices made to cater to his larger American audience to help with their enjoyment.

Now, however, I did still enjoy the overall story and the horror elements that were in this one! Honestly, with keeping this spoiler free, “the something in the water” really reminded me of some of the monsters in the famous eldritch horror stories and has a very lovecraftian type of feel with the descriptions. I personally really loved it, those are some of my favorite kinds of monsters. I enjoyed the writing style. I enjoyed the setting of the small finishing village and that ending was seriously so good and worth it.

I seriously feel if you have any interest in this you should go read it! I do know this is a “series” but it’s one where the author wants you to be able to still read it out of order and enjoy it so if you’re unsure on this one, I would still recommend looking into the first one. I’d still look forward to seeing what else the author can write and create and I can’t lie that I was looking into the first one.

[Miesha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via BookSirens and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book started off strong! I was hooked from the first few pages. However, that lasted only until what I thought and what felt like was the climax of the book. Since I do not like including spoilers in my review I will say there were just too many elements added that took away from the plot. It felt like there was something missing and I can't quite put my finger on it. I kept reading, although I wanted to stop about 1/3 of the way through. There was just too much going on without an actual explanation so it all seemed pointless. Even arriving at the end and kind of having an aha moment, still made all that happened up until it seem pointless.

The bouncing between perspectives was not smooth and so it was a little disjointed having to read for a bit before I figured out who's perspective. There was also the way in which the main character was written. I don't know, it just seemed too convenient. And there were so many things repeated without explanation. For example - he understood he wasn't going to die. Paraphrasing so as not to ruin anything. I read spmething similar one too many times that it grated my nerves because how did he know?
Maybe it would have made more sense to have background on his father and the others involved to understand why the readers are taken down the specific journey. (That's what it's missing. More info of the past.)

While I enjoyed reading about Japanese folk, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked as there was too much going on without explanation. By the time it was kind of explained, all that happened still didn't make sense.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the Amber Wave is a creative folklore-based horror that pulls its strength from the fear of the unknown in the natural world as well as the depravity of human nature.

It was refreshingly different from other horrors I’ve read. It’s set in Japan and has the feel of a modern setting rooted in folklore. I haven’t read many books set in Japan, so I really enjoyed this aspect. I also loved that the Ocean was central to this story alongside a cast of characters who make horrible decisions. Failures are often generational.

The characters are multifaceted and feel pretty realistic, they deal with hard life situations and impossible choices, much like us all. There are a lot of villains here which gives this book a sharp edge. 🤌🏻

The setting is immersive and visceral - it grips you without weighing you down with too much detail. Descriptions were on point! For example, “A memory came back to him… It was poking its decomposed fingers through the soil of his mind.”

The first half of the book had excellent pacing as the author parcels out intriguing tidbits at exactly the right time, making the reader want to know more. The third quarter lagged a little, but then the ending is a thunderstorm that goes out with a bang.

That last chapter I was screaming Nooo! I wanted a different ending, but I appreciate where the author went with the story. It was very fitting with the horrors of humanity.

Thanks to BookSirens and the author for a free copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Evelyn Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

*rating: 4/5 stars*

Under the Amber Wave delivers an immersive dive into a richly layered world infused with Japanese folklore and mystical ambiance, just like the first book in the series.

The narrative's seamless blend of cultural mythology and character-driven storytelling creates a world that feels both ancient and alive. The atmospheric setting adds to the allure, making every scene a visual and emotional feast. The central conflict and character dilemmas are as intricate as they are compelling, keeping the fast pace throughout the whole book.

Though for me, yes we could feel how Juni was attached to his daughter, but I'd have appreciated a deeper exploration of these emotional connections, this could have added an even richer layer to the story's emotional core. Another thing that completely caught me off guard is the ending, it left me so conflicted—it was bold, and such an unexpected turn in character development.

This book makes one thing clear, though: People get lost chasing their dreams, and forget that true success comes from the connections we build and not the attention(and the money) we seek.

Overall, a solid 4-star read that I enjoyed reading so much, a read that continues the series with strength and style, while leaving me already craving more of the eeriness and magic woven in Shawn's worlds.

[Vivian Mora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawn Brooks' “Under the Amber Wave” is a masterclass in folk horror. Set in a remote Japanese fishing village, the story weaves a tapestry of suspense and supernatural intrigue. The atmospheric writing and vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there, experiencing the eerie events alongside the characters.

The plot follows Junichiro (Juni) Hatayama, a man grappling with debt, a crumbling marriage, and the recent death of his father. Returning to his ancestral village to settle his father's affairs, Juni uncovers a dark family secret linked to a malevolent force lurking beneath the sea. As he delves deeper, he discovers that the power he seeks comes at a harrowing cost, forcing him to confront his deepest fears and make unimaginable sacrifices.

This was my first encounter with Shawn Brooks' work, and I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed. His writing style is both engaging and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and nightmare is beautifully blurred. I feel extremely grateful to have gotten a chance to read this masterpiece and it being my first encounter with Japanese folk horror.

—I received an advanced review copy for free from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.—

[Kisa Rayen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm never disappointed with Shawn's work. The first book was probably my favorite but the story was different and with Under the Amber Wave, it just hit different. I felt a connection to Juni. I feel like he went through a lot in life and I felt sorry for him. The struggle bus is never fun and I think that having to travel back to his childhood home was the part that reeled me in the most. The Japanese folklore woven into the story was also my favorite aspect. I really love the Japanese culture, which is why I feel like Shawn's books are always so compelling to me. I was super excited I got to read this and can't recommend it enough. I needed this to break up my reading funk and this was just the book to do it. Horror will always be my heart and the way Shawn describes the events in his books, especially this one, had my heart pounding. Especially chapter 26. Thank you Shawn for another amazing adventure. I look forward to more in the future and can't wait to own this on my shelf. Fabulous job!

[Jamie Mustard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Booksirens.

I was going to give this book 2 stars because it was very lacking.

The story is about a man names Juni who has got himself into some debit issues and needs a way to pay everything and everyone back. Also his father dies and he is to return home to take care of the Will. He gets his dad journal and from there his life takes a very unexpecting turn.
He must not only save his life and his daughters but he must save a whole town from the destruction that he has caused.

The story is very good and I kept wanting to know more about this Japanese Myth but the way it was written in this book was lacking. I felt that there were areas in the book that really didn't need to be there and there was plot holes that never made much sense. I was hard to side with Juni because of the kind of guy/father he is and most of the book I kept thinking to myself "well ya kinda deserved it."

I have not decided if I am going to read the other books in this series.

[ChanaReadsHorror · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of Shawn's that I read and the first in the Black Sun series. I really enjoyed being in a world full of Japanese culture and mystery. In the book we follow Juni who is down on his luck in some many ways and is unsure of how he will be able to get himself and his family out of the troubles they are in. When he receives word his father has passed away, he believes he will gain that inheritance and all his problems will be forgotten. As the will is read, not only is Juni faced with the fact that he did not get anything. he was left with an odd task from his father that could led him to what he desires most. As the trial his father has left for him goes on, the village that he grew up in faces a terror that they have only heard about in stories of old. Can Juni and the village survive so her can get his family to life he wants more than anything, or will the sacrifice be too much to handle.


I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Hunny Vie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, the book itself is amazing! I love the flow of the story, writing is easy to understand and every event connected till the end. I'm very impressed by how well the Japanese folklore written in such respectful manner (not 100% accurate) and I can imagine how every characters, the "sea priest" and all the places describe played in real Japanese setting.

For the story, you'll meet Juni, the MMC of the story. He struggled financially until he received a will from his estranged father that forcing him to go back to the place he hates the most. He was promised something better than all the wealth but no doubt is asking something in return. Though people in the village warned him about the 'curse', he decided to go with his instinct and well...his instinct sucks.

Overall, I have a great time reading this book and looking forward for the next story because now I'm invested. I'm going to do some research about Japanese folklore myself too.

[KDub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting! I don’t know much about Japanese folklore, so I enjoyed those aspects of the story. What kept it from being 5 stars for me is that the middle ~60% of the book felt like one big rush. Maybe it’s supposed to feel like the title? Like a giant wave coming after you, unrelenting. It felt a bit suffocating at times and I just wanted a bit of a lull in the story for a bit. At the same time, I really wanted more backstory. Once Juni made it to his father’s house, it felt like things could have been explained and explored more instead of one thing happening after another, constantly. Just my two cents.

Also, Juni is a giant asshole, and he was hard to relate to. I wouldn’t want a “friend” like that in my life!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sanela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book with high expectations. The blurb sounded intriguing and the reviews were glowing, so I was certain I would enjoy it. Unfortunately, no matter how much I wanted to, I simply couldn’t get into the story.

First of all, I strongly disliked the main character, Juni. I found it impossible to relate to his problems, but what bothered me even more was the way he dealt with them. As the story went on, I felt less and less connected to the characters. Juni remained unlikable throughout, and the others felt more like props serving a function than real people with their own voices, desires, and roles in the narrative.

What could have been a compelling read ended up falling flat for me because of this lack of authentic character development.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[H. Mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a lot of fun reading this one--Shawn really ramps things up quickly and takes you on a delightfully dreadful ride. That opening scene out in the middle of the ocean pulled me right in.
I have a strong love/hate relationship with any Faustian tale where the reader is forced to witness the protagonist's own self-destruction, so this was an exceptionally pleasing read for me. The inner demons we have always seem to make me cringe more than the stories that focus on gore and malevolence, which this has plenty of both as an added bonus.
Fans of Lovecraft will definitely enjoy, as well as anyone interested in reading a unique horror on the ancient evils of rural Japan. Can't wait to follow the rest of Shawn's series.

[Lia's Haunted Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This story immerses readers in Japanese folklore, blending myth with horror in a haunting, atmospheric setting. Juni returns to his estranged hometown after his father’s death, only to discover a dark family secret tied to the ocean’s depths. The “gifts” he gains from this connection come at a high price, challenging him to make tough choices to protect those he loves.

The attention to Japanese culture and mythology made this an intriguing read. While I felt it could have been slightly shorter, I appreciated the author’s detailed storytelling, which enriched Juni’s journey and the eerie village setting. It’s a unique horror tale for those who enjoy folklore-based suspense.

[Kalee McFall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this authors first book last weekend so I had to read the second. I love horror and mythology/folklore this author melded the two seamlessly. In this book we follow Juni a man down on his luck with more debt than he can handle, he attempts to fix this using loan sharks and gambling. He only has a few days to get it figured out before the loan sharks try to collect. Then Juni gets word that his wealthy father passed away and he sees his payday. But it’s not what he thinks. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julian Smith]

This is a highly-readable book, the pacing is fast and I never felt bored. It feels more Japanese than the first book in the series — Endless is the Night. The coastal Japanese setting was an interesting location. The characters were believably Japanese. The creature that the hero battles against has elements of "The Grudge" (Juon), which felt a little derivative but also made it more Japanese. The story has a great ending with a nice twist. What keeps it from getting 5 stars is a small section where the story meanders for a while, without significantly advancing the plot.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rosalie Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I even begin? The course of this novel sent me on a whirlwind of events and emotions. I highly recommend Under the Amber Wave. From the beginning, you'll be sucked in and turning pages because you want and need to know the answers to your building questions. Juni is an interesting protagonist, with interesting choices and dilemmas that leave you cheering and screaming. The closer the finale gets... so does the danger. You'll find yourself rooting and cheering for characters not expected, mourning, and disgusted. A beautifully written novel!

I was gifted a copy of Under the Amber Wave, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anastasia Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good read. I enjoyed the setting and the mythology and it was definitely different than a lot of what I've been reading recently.
But, as with the first book in this series, the characters themselves didn't really interest me. Juni reminded of the main character of Squid Games, with his massive debt, gambling and relationship with his daughter.
While I wasn't that interested in the characters themselves, the book kept me interested to find out what exactly was in the Wave and how everything would end.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had enjoyed Endless is the Night from Shawn Brooks and was excited to read the next book in the Black Sun series. This book had that element that I wanted from the first book and genre. It had that tense atmosphere that I was looking for and enjoyed the horror element to this. I was engaged from the first page and how the characters worked overall in the story. Shawn Brooks wrote this well and was wanting to read more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

i really enjoyed reading the second book in this series. i have to say i liked the first one a bit more but this one was also good. especially Juni and how he changes throughout the book. it was a good spooky read.

[Sean Northage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Under the Amber wave by Shawn Brooks is the second book in the Black Sun series.

While not familiar with the Japanese folk lore in Shawn’s work which I first got to know through the equally brilliant Endless is the night I find his writing brilliant and has me gripped from page one.

[Adam Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review - Under the Amber Wave, by @shawnbroookswrites When the author asked if I would like to be sent a Japan-set folk horror to read, it was an immediate yes for me. I love folk horror and learning the folklore and history of another country is definitely my idea of a good time. And this one did not disappoint! Look up “umibozu” and check out the images and you will get a taste of the horrors that will greet you in this atmospheric and dread inducing novel. Our extremely flawed MC, Juni , travels back to his hometown after his father dies to claim his inheritance, and boy howdy is it one hell of an inheritance. The less said about the rest the better, but I will say it builds up to a seriously exciting climax involving creatures, typhoons, and some very human monsters, too. The ending will definitely leave you shook, more than once.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a thriller.

Shawn Brooks has done it again. He’s curating a series of standalone books in a series of five in which each story tells of a different Japanese folklore. In book two - Shawn delivers.

We see a small seaside town become the victim of one’s man battle to protect himself and his family but also understand who he is and where he came from. Will he give in or would he survive. In a book with twists and turns and moments that make you think did that really happen? This one you’ll not put down.

An excellent book and one I would recommend.

As such I’m leaving this review on my own accord and had received an advance copy for free.