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Onryou: A Japanese Ghost Story Trilogy
A Japanese Ghost Story Trilogy—where love, betrayal, and vengeance transcend death, and the living are haunted by the deadly passions of the dead.
In the shadowed corridors of Himeji Castle, where secrets and sorrow whisper through the stones, a forbidden love blooms between the servant Okiku and a prisoner, the enigmatic ronin Shinji. Tasked with the care of both the dungeon’s captives and the castle’s precious Delft plates, Okiku’s heart is torn between duty and desire. Yet in the darkness, another force stirs—the twisted ambitions of the samurai Aoyama Tessan. Aoyama covets Okiku, and his obsession knows no bounds. When a single plate goes missing, the fragile thread of Okiku’s life unravels. Betrayal, jealousy, and murder follow, and Okiku is thrust into a nightmare beyond death. She returns as an onryou, a vengeful spirit, her heart still bound to Shinji. But can love conquer the fury of the afterlife, or will vengeance consume her soul?
The haunting continues in a tale of tragic love and treachery—The Ghost Story of Yotsuya. Oiwa is a woman trapped in a life of shattered dreams, bound to Iemon, a ronin whose vices drown them both in misery. Poverty steals the life of their child, and though Oiwa’s heart is heavy with grief, she remains with her husband, clinging to his promise of revenge for her murdered father. But darkness lurks in the shadows, embodied by Oume, a woman determined to claim Iemon for herself. A poisoned ointment is Oiwa’s undoing, disfiguring her once-beautiful face and setting in motion a chain of deceit and death. Oiwa’s spirit, wronged and broken, rises from the grave as an onryou, her vengeance as twisted as her love for the man who betrayed her. And yet, her childhood friend Kentaro, who has always loved her, lingers in her heart—will her fury destroy him too?
In the final tale of The Peony Lantern, the wandering exorcist Ren Itou is haunted by visions of doom. His dreams lead him to Nezu Village, where death waits in the form of Otsuyu, an onryou whose ethereal beauty masks a decaying, monstrous truth. The samurai Ogiwara is caught in her deadly embrace, entranced by the allure of the dead. Ren, burdened by his past and his own lost love, must face the spectral terror that Otsuyu has become. As the line between life and death blurs, Ren is thrust into a battle not only for Ogiwara’s soul but for his own. Will he emerge victorious, or will the ghostly ties of the past drag him down into darkness forever?
In the shadowed corridors of Himeji Castle, where secrets and sorrow whisper through the stones, a forbidden love blooms between the servant Okiku and a prisoner, the enigmatic ronin Shinji. Tasked with the care of both the dungeon’s captives and the castle’s precious Delft plates, Okiku’s heart is torn between duty and desire. Yet in the darkness, another force stirs—the twisted ambitions of the samurai Aoyama Tessan. Aoyama covets Okiku, and his obsession knows no bounds. When a single plate goes missing, the fragile thread of Okiku’s life unravels. Betrayal, jealousy, and murder follow, and Okiku is thrust into a nightmare beyond death. She returns as an onryou, a vengeful spirit, her heart still bound to Shinji. But can love conquer the fury of the afterlife, or will vengeance consume her soul?
The haunting continues in a tale of tragic love and treachery—The Ghost Story of Yotsuya. Oiwa is a woman trapped in a life of shattered dreams, bound to Iemon, a ronin whose vices drown them both in misery. Poverty steals the life of their child, and though Oiwa’s heart is heavy with grief, she remains with her husband, clinging to his promise of revenge for her murdered father. But darkness lurks in the shadows, embodied by Oume, a woman determined to claim Iemon for herself. A poisoned ointment is Oiwa’s undoing, disfiguring her once-beautiful face and setting in motion a chain of deceit and death. Oiwa’s spirit, wronged and broken, rises from the grave as an onryou, her vengeance as twisted as her love for the man who betrayed her. And yet, her childhood friend Kentaro, who has always loved her, lingers in her heart—will her fury destroy him too?
In the final tale of The Peony Lantern, the wandering exorcist Ren Itou is haunted by visions of doom. His dreams lead him to Nezu Village, where death waits in the form of Otsuyu, an onryou whose ethereal beauty masks a decaying, monstrous truth. The samurai Ogiwara is caught in her deadly embrace, entranced by the allure of the dead. Ren, burdened by his past and his own lost love, must face the spectral terror that Otsuyu has become. As the line between life and death blurs, Ren is thrust into a battle not only for Ogiwara’s soul but for his own. Will he emerge victorious, or will the ghostly ties of the past drag him down into darkness forever?
95 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2024
3 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
KuroKoneko Kamen
103 books50 followersKuroKoneko Kamen is the bestselling author of the scintillating Demons and Judges paranormal romance series - Wicked Bartender, Incubus Chocolatier, Hollywood Merman, Druid Vampire, Highlander Hellcat, Vampire Punk and Galactic Goth - where the true love of a Judge has the power to redeem a Demon or Vampire of their sins. With a degree in English literature and experiences gained through worldwide travel under her belt, she excels in world building and creating unforgettable characters. Due to her Japanese heritage she’s always possessed an interest in Japanese culture from ancient folktales about yokai, demons, to modern fantasy anime and manga. Even when in the midst of a swashbuckling pirate novel expect a samurai warrior to be thrown into the mix. Keeping her company as she writes are her several dogs and cats, some of which are rescues.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 16, 2025
A Japanese Ghost Story Trilogy
by KuroKoneko Kamen
Narrated by Calen Golden
Again I was lucky enough that this author asked me to read another of her fantastic stories. This was such a unique book. I love good suspense Horror books. Calen Golden did such a fantastic read of this audiobook. He caught me from the first-word witch which doesn't happen often. I wanted to cry for Okiku and Ronin Shinji. To love him but not to be able to be with him. Watching him be imprisoned was so hard for Okiku. I so didn't like Aoyama Tessan. He wanted Okiku and didn't want to take no for an answer because she did not want to be with him. What happened next made me want to cry and do bodily damage to him lol. I couldn't stop listening to this book till I read the last word. I have fallen in love with KuroKoneko's books. She is an auto-read for me. You won't be sorry if you pick this audiobook or ebook up..
Nicole Harvey
by KuroKoneko Kamen
Narrated by Calen Golden
Again I was lucky enough that this author asked me to read another of her fantastic stories. This was such a unique book. I love good suspense Horror books. Calen Golden did such a fantastic read of this audiobook. He caught me from the first-word witch which doesn't happen often. I wanted to cry for Okiku and Ronin Shinji. To love him but not to be able to be with him. Watching him be imprisoned was so hard for Okiku. I so didn't like Aoyama Tessan. He wanted Okiku and didn't want to take no for an answer because she did not want to be with him. What happened next made me want to cry and do bodily damage to him lol. I couldn't stop listening to this book till I read the last word. I have fallen in love with KuroKoneko's books. She is an auto-read for me. You won't be sorry if you pick this audiobook or ebook up..
Nicole Harvey
February 24, 2025
Three short interesting stories. I listened and enjoyed listening to these stories.
March 5, 2025
I loved Onryou and struggled to put it down. The story is amazing and I enjoyed each ghost story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews