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Yaseki Monogatari #1
Blood of the Kami
For centuries, the Yaseki have fought the corrupted souls who seek to plunge Japan into darkness. But the fragile balance is now shifting toward the forces of evil.
Ren Fudō, a young Soul Hunter blessed with the blood of the kami, receives a mission from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This simple errand is a spirit-given chance to pay off his debt to the Yaseki.
But as he and his new companion, a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami, take to the road, Ren remembers that spirits never give for nothing. The mission turns more dangerous and crucial with every step.
The future of Japan now rests on their shoulders, and an army of Yōkai stands on their path.
Ren Fudō, a young Soul Hunter blessed with the blood of the kami, receives a mission from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This simple errand is a spirit-given chance to pay off his debt to the Yaseki.
But as he and his new companion, a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami, take to the road, Ren remembers that spirits never give for nothing. The mission turns more dangerous and crucial with every step.
The future of Japan now rests on their shoulders, and an army of Yōkai stands on their path.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2025
45 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 3, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
Get ready to be spirited away on an exciting, action-packed, and dangerous journey through the mystical lands of feudal Japan in Blood of the Kami. Filled with rich culture and mythology, a motley crew of vibrant characters, and tons of humour and heart, this fast-paced YA historical quest fantasy is just a treat for the soul.
Blood of the Kami tells the story of Ren Fudō, a rebellious young soul-hunter desperately trying to pay off his debt to the Yaseki; the secret sect of Yokai hunters who saved him and his mother 5 years ago. So, when a new mission with an insanely high reward is presented by the heart of the Yaseki itself, he jumps on the chance to be the hero. Does he really know what the mysterious mission entails? No. Does he like that he has to team up with a young, troubled shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami? Also definitely no. And did he expect that the mission might change the fate of the nation forever? Absolutely the hell not. But hey, no going back now, so let the quest begin!
Okay hear me out, if Geralt of Rivia was a 17-year-old boy living in feudal Japan, you’d get Ren. He is admittedly quite a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time he is also way too reckless, snarky and broody for his own good. And you know what, that is exactly what made him so irresistibly loveable to me. Experiencing this entire wild ride through his eyes was just so much fun, and all his deadpan reactions or hysterical thoughts during some of the most high stakes scenes had me chuckling and shaking my head more times than I’d like to admit.
Moreover, the entire cast of side characters just absolutely leapt off the page with personality, be they human, animal (companion) or spirit. Even though some of them felt maybe a bit over-the-top in their characterisation, I just couldn’t help but be charmed by the unconventional found family vibes that slowly started to develop as more unexpected allies joined the quest (much to Ren’s chagrin). Especially the increasingly heartfelt dynamic between Suzume and Ren tugged on my heartstrings in all the most unexpected ways, and the way that they both helped each other grow and heal was just beautiful to see.
Now, I do have to say that I personally found the incredibly fast pacing and relentless action of Blood of the Kami to be a bit exhausting, and I wouldn’t have minded some more quiet moments to appreciate this rich world in all its glory. You see, even though all the detailed historical touches, authentic Shinto rituals, and countless interactions with yokai and kami made this story incredibly rich, I found myself not as immersed or emotionally invested as I wanted to be because we just raced through it all so quickly.
Ultimately though, this book is just bloody fun, and I think Pinson Wu absolutely nailed that dangerously addictive ‘just one more chapter’ quality. The prose is smooth (if a bit more modern than you’d expect from a story set in feudal Japan), the banter is entertaining, the stakes are deadly high, and the fun factor is just out of this world. I already can’t wait to go on the next adventure with these characters, especially after that ominously enticing epilogue.
If you think you have outgrown YA, then you better think again. Blood of the Kami is a true breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, and I can’t recommend it highly enough to anyone who just wants to escape into a wild fantasy adventure that feels like a love letter to the most wonderfully magical and darkly mystical parts of Japan.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Get ready to be spirited away on an exciting, action-packed, and dangerous journey through the mystical lands of feudal Japan in Blood of the Kami. Filled with rich culture and mythology, a motley crew of vibrant characters, and tons of humour and heart, this fast-paced YA historical quest fantasy is just a treat for the soul.
Blood of the Kami tells the story of Ren Fudō, a rebellious young soul-hunter desperately trying to pay off his debt to the Yaseki; the secret sect of Yokai hunters who saved him and his mother 5 years ago. So, when a new mission with an insanely high reward is presented by the heart of the Yaseki itself, he jumps on the chance to be the hero. Does he really know what the mysterious mission entails? No. Does he like that he has to team up with a young, troubled shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami? Also definitely no. And did he expect that the mission might change the fate of the nation forever? Absolutely the hell not. But hey, no going back now, so let the quest begin!
Okay hear me out, if Geralt of Rivia was a 17-year-old boy living in feudal Japan, you’d get Ren. He is admittedly quite a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time he is also way too reckless, snarky and broody for his own good. And you know what, that is exactly what made him so irresistibly loveable to me. Experiencing this entire wild ride through his eyes was just so much fun, and all his deadpan reactions or hysterical thoughts during some of the most high stakes scenes had me chuckling and shaking my head more times than I’d like to admit.
Moreover, the entire cast of side characters just absolutely leapt off the page with personality, be they human, animal (companion) or spirit. Even though some of them felt maybe a bit over-the-top in their characterisation, I just couldn’t help but be charmed by the unconventional found family vibes that slowly started to develop as more unexpected allies joined the quest (much to Ren’s chagrin). Especially the increasingly heartfelt dynamic between Suzume and Ren tugged on my heartstrings in all the most unexpected ways, and the way that they both helped each other grow and heal was just beautiful to see.
Now, I do have to say that I personally found the incredibly fast pacing and relentless action of Blood of the Kami to be a bit exhausting, and I wouldn’t have minded some more quiet moments to appreciate this rich world in all its glory. You see, even though all the detailed historical touches, authentic Shinto rituals, and countless interactions with yokai and kami made this story incredibly rich, I found myself not as immersed or emotionally invested as I wanted to be because we just raced through it all so quickly.
Ultimately though, this book is just bloody fun, and I think Pinson Wu absolutely nailed that dangerously addictive ‘just one more chapter’ quality. The prose is smooth (if a bit more modern than you’d expect from a story set in feudal Japan), the banter is entertaining, the stakes are deadly high, and the fun factor is just out of this world. I already can’t wait to go on the next adventure with these characters, especially after that ominously enticing epilogue.
If you think you have outgrown YA, then you better think again. Blood of the Kami is a true breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, and I can’t recommend it highly enough to anyone who just wants to escape into a wild fantasy adventure that feels like a love letter to the most wonderfully magical and darkly mystical parts of Japan.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 23, 2025
Disclaimer: I did the Beta read for this book, and had wonderful conversations with Baptiste regarding it.
Now I need words to make it justice.
It's a YA story set in feudal, mystical Japan, full of colorful characters, human and mystical.
It follows our hero's journey, discovering the plan of the Yokai (spirits, usually evil) to eliminate and enslave humans, to eat them and rein over Japan.
Now, you'll find Pon-Pon and fall in love with him and his wife, and you'll DEMAND more of it, as I did to Baptiste. You will want more of the mystical battles, and more of Maki, the Guardian Lion-Dog.
The story and characters are so vivid you feel yourself instantly immersed in it. The pace, the flow of the prose is superb and despite it "being YA" it's thoroughly enjoyable for adults because it isn't coddling or hand-holding you through the story as it happens many times with other YA books.
You finish this book demanding the second book immediately. And that's the best recommendation I can make for any book in a series. I. NEED. MORE!
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
Now I need words to make it justice.
It's a YA story set in feudal, mystical Japan, full of colorful characters, human and mystical.
It follows our hero's journey, discovering the plan of the Yokai (spirits, usually evil) to eliminate and enslave humans, to eat them and rein over Japan.
Now, you'll find Pon-Pon and fall in love with him and his wife, and you'll DEMAND more of it, as I did to Baptiste. You will want more of the mystical battles, and more of Maki, the Guardian Lion-Dog.
The story and characters are so vivid you feel yourself instantly immersed in it. The pace, the flow of the prose is superb and despite it "being YA" it's thoroughly enjoyable for adults because it isn't coddling or hand-holding you through the story as it happens many times with other YA books.
You finish this book demanding the second book immediately. And that's the best recommendation I can make for any book in a series. I. NEED. MORE!
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
April 2, 2025
This. Was. AWESOME.
I loved, loved, loved this book. It was my first time reading any of Baptiste's work, but it for damn sure won't be the last. He brought this world to life in so many beautiful and creative ways; it genuinely felt like I was travelling through Japan with Ren, Suzume, and the rest.
To start, by far one the sickest covers of all time. I mean, that's worthy a tattoo except I'd go broke getting it done. But holy crap, absolutely gorgeous.
The story itself was wonderfully unique, and full of lore from Japan that I had never really experienced before. Ren is a spirit-hunter essentially, who goes around Japan killing yokai, a type of corrupted soul that inhabits a creature. Each soul he captures not only prevents them from returning to Earth, but helps to pay off his debt to the Yaseki, a secret order who has kept Japan safe for centuries.
Each of the Yokai was so much fun to read about, which is kind of wild because they're all so deadly, but the way he describes them along with the great illustrations in the beginning really helped to see how dangerous each of them could be. Ren starts his journey with Suzume, who VERY quickly becomes much more than meets the eye. They're given a task after hearing about the fall of the imperial family, and in an effort to avoid any plot points or spoilers, that's really all I'll say about it.
The strongest part of the book for me was for sure the characters. Each of them we link up with, including the passing secondary ones, jump off the page with their personalities. How they all interact with each other, and the ways in which they can help (or hurt) the journey they're forced into brings new challenges on each page, and it was a lot of fun watching them all interact.
One of the biggest surprises for me was also the humor throughout the book. I don't know why really, but I didn't expect it to be as funny as it was. There were multiple parts where it made me laugh, which was a very pleasant surprise. The story was incredibly fast-paced and full of action, which made it an insanely fun read for me.
I'm not even sure I have anything borderline-negative to say. Maybe, and this is a SMALLLLLLL issue, the pacing was so fast that it really gave no time to fully dive into the world; even the backstory being explained was while the characters were travelling, but again, I don't consider that a negative but can see where some parts could have benefitted with a bit of a breather to full flesh things out.
OH! I forgot one other thing; the battle scenes. Incredibly well done, and vivid beyond belief. It was like being in the middle of video game watching all the action go down, but it never felt overwhelming. I really enjoyed it all, I've gotta say.
As I finished I was a bit bummed, because my journey with Ren was ending, so imagine how happy I was when I was about to finish and the EPILOGUE showed up, fully showing the scene getting set for book 2! Holy crap, I'm pumped. I was ready to start right away, but alas! They say patience is a virtue, but I sure wish it wasn't; it would make ignoring that even easier.
Well DONE Baptiste, on an incredible book, and you'd got a loyal reader in me going forwards! Truly amazing stuff!
I loved, loved, loved this book. It was my first time reading any of Baptiste's work, but it for damn sure won't be the last. He brought this world to life in so many beautiful and creative ways; it genuinely felt like I was travelling through Japan with Ren, Suzume, and the rest.
To start, by far one the sickest covers of all time. I mean, that's worthy a tattoo except I'd go broke getting it done. But holy crap, absolutely gorgeous.
The story itself was wonderfully unique, and full of lore from Japan that I had never really experienced before. Ren is a spirit-hunter essentially, who goes around Japan killing yokai, a type of corrupted soul that inhabits a creature. Each soul he captures not only prevents them from returning to Earth, but helps to pay off his debt to the Yaseki, a secret order who has kept Japan safe for centuries.
Each of the Yokai was so much fun to read about, which is kind of wild because they're all so deadly, but the way he describes them along with the great illustrations in the beginning really helped to see how dangerous each of them could be. Ren starts his journey with Suzume, who VERY quickly becomes much more than meets the eye. They're given a task after hearing about the fall of the imperial family, and in an effort to avoid any plot points or spoilers, that's really all I'll say about it.
The strongest part of the book for me was for sure the characters. Each of them we link up with, including the passing secondary ones, jump off the page with their personalities. How they all interact with each other, and the ways in which they can help (or hurt) the journey they're forced into brings new challenges on each page, and it was a lot of fun watching them all interact.
One of the biggest surprises for me was also the humor throughout the book. I don't know why really, but I didn't expect it to be as funny as it was. There were multiple parts where it made me laugh, which was a very pleasant surprise. The story was incredibly fast-paced and full of action, which made it an insanely fun read for me.
I'm not even sure I have anything borderline-negative to say. Maybe, and this is a SMALLLLLLL issue, the pacing was so fast that it really gave no time to fully dive into the world; even the backstory being explained was while the characters were travelling, but again, I don't consider that a negative but can see where some parts could have benefitted with a bit of a breather to full flesh things out.
OH! I forgot one other thing; the battle scenes. Incredibly well done, and vivid beyond belief. It was like being in the middle of video game watching all the action go down, but it never felt overwhelming. I really enjoyed it all, I've gotta say.
As I finished I was a bit bummed, because my journey with Ren was ending, so imagine how happy I was when I was about to finish and the EPILOGUE showed up, fully showing the scene getting set for book 2! Holy crap, I'm pumped. I was ready to start right away, but alas! They say patience is a virtue, but I sure wish it wasn't; it would make ignoring that even easier.
Well DONE Baptiste, on an incredible book, and you'd got a loyal reader in me going forwards! Truly amazing stuff!
April 2, 2025
*Originally reviewed on SFF Insiders Blog
Literary perfection, utilizing a flawless combination of lore, spiritualism, action, and the budding relationships of unexpected companions. A true masterpiece.
This is a highly evocative, lush world full of vivid imagery and lore that just sucks you right into the story. From a wide cast of characters who are fully fleshed out in their individuality, to the yokai they fight, the emotional pasts they are struggling to overcome, and the humorous banter in the quiet moments; Pinson Wu has penned such a captivating tale that was utterly impossible to put down. Literally. I was up until 4am one night reading it.
Blood of the Kami is kind of like a darker version of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in a way, where Ren is Link, and Suzume is Zelda helping him take down the skulltula and Ganondorf (the General) in the kingdom of Hyrule. This was just one thing this book put me in mind of, which endeared the story to me even more as Zelda will always be a favorite game/story of mine.
In addition to this, just the vibes this book was bringing with the lush world reminded me of my favorite zone in World of Warcraft for a particularly Asian-inspired expansion ~ Jade Forest (IYKYK. If not, go look it up and you’ll see what I was visualizing). And Ren collecting the magatama (soul shells) from the yokai he defeated made me think of Pokémon (I adored the cartoon while it was on) as the souls were bound into these shells, kind of like Pokéballs. There were just the essences of so many things that I love culminated into this fantastic story.
Also, there were aspects and personality characteristics of other favorite characters/series I've enjoyed in the past reflected in Blood of the Kami. You have the mentor/mentee relationship between Osamu & Ren, which put me in mind of the likes of Dumbledore & Harry Potter, or Gandalf & Frodo. I hadn't really thought about it before now, but that is apparently a trope I really enjoy seeing in books, and was pleasantly surprised to read it in this one.
I very much enjoyed the spiritualism of this book: with all the lore surrounding the kami and rituals, shrines and priests. It was so fascinating to read, and like a breath of fresh air in the ever-crowded fantasy genre that's heavily populated by more medieval European-based worlds. I love reading about cultures and beliefs different from my own, be it in a fictionalized setting or real world. I think this is one of many reasons why I felt so captivated by this book. It was so refreshing to read! And then obviously, BPW writes one hell of a story besides!
Which I may as well talk about next. In the beginning, you're following Ren arriving back at his home temple to deliver his newest batch of soul shells for purification. You're gradually introduced to the varying aspects of this world where soul hunters hunt down and dispatch corrupted souls before they can harm the innocent. Little by little you're drawn into this unique perspective & magic systems built on the faith/worship of their deities, and what gifts those deities bless them with. It was absolutely fascinating reading!
And the idea of a secret society, the Yaseki, hidden in the shadows of Japan that are working behind the scenes to protect the country from the evils of corrupted spirits is always a fun concept to read. And of course there is something particularly dark brewing on the horizon 👀 And things happen that shouldn't have been possible at all…until now.
I really liked the lore behind the Yaseki with their priests, monks, Hands, Bloods, and all other roles in this secret society. It was also a fun idea to have the Bloods limited to 12 based on the zodiacs. There can be no more than 12, but there can be less, depending on if one has died. In which case, then a new Blood will be born to take his or her place. All of this was so imaginatively well done I was just hooked!
And as you're learning about all of this you're also gradually getting very attached to the characters of Ren & Suzume as they go out on a mission together. Along the way the plot thickens as more mysterious & darker things begin happening. BPW stealthily reels you in on this hook that you didn't even initially realize he'd hooked you with. BUT THEN at the midpoint, he starts cranking that reel a little faster, and then faster still as chaos unleashes on our duo, who then become an unexpected group of four. And things just continue to snowball from there, leaving you in a breathless sprint to turn the pages fast enough to find out how it all goes down. And damn, does it ever go down!
I was literally about to start sweating from anxiety about how that climax began to take a bad turn. It was like reading the Helm’s Deep scene in Lord of the Rings where the Rohirim are dying all around, the Deep has been breached, and there's no end in sight of the Uruk Hai army. You, as the reader, start feeling that utter despair that Ren and his friends are feeling. It is so tense, so emotional and engrossing, you just can't look away. It was literally as poignant a scene as Helm’s Deep.
These characters, guys! I'm so attached! Ren, heaven help me, I've fallen hard for that sassy blunt hunter. He shows respect where it's been earned but refuses to kowtow to those who haven't earned it from him yet. He's had a rough start in life but is making the most of it. He’s stubborn and kind, willing to do whatever he must to do the things that need to be done. Even with impossible odds, he gives it his all no matter the consequences to himself. He’s such an admirable character.
I of course have to mention Pon-Pon, even though his appearance on page was very brief. I can't say much without giving anything away, and I truly feel his character needs to be a surprise, but what a delight he is! That was one of the funniest chapters in this book, and I really hope we see more of him in the coming sequels. I need more of him and his pervy humor.
Fuyuko is so much more than a pretty face. If you just take her based on appearance alone, underestimating her because she's a lush, beautiful woman, you will learn the hard way that she is so. much. more. She will kick your face in with her clogs while simultaneously slitting your throat, and you'll never lose the dreamy smile from your face even once you're dead. Don't mess with this foxy lady.
Suzume is such a sweet soul. She's surprisingly innocent despite the rough life she's endured for who knows how many years. Beneath the surface is a young woman full of pain and anger. Sugi makes a fitting complement with her rage and power, seeking vengeance on any who dare threaten Suzume in any way. This duo is a powerhouse that is just finding their stride. I can't wait to see how far they'll go in the future.
Princess Ayake–oh what a little turd she was when we first met her! I was very much on Ren’s side, and sympathized with him greatly in having that spoiled little package dropped on him. But like for Ren, she grew on me by the end. BPW has such a great way of writing his characters so you feel one way about some of them and then he gradually turns it around. And the way the book ended, well, she's going to be a very powerful ally to have in the coming storm. I can't wait to see how she grows into her new role and just how powerful she can turn out to be now that she's in a place she can learn and thrive.
This is a story about saving a country from being overrun by corrupt beings. But it's also more than that. It's about the power and loyalty of friendship. It's about healing past traumas through kinship and understanding and grace. It's about moving forward together and leaving the past where it belongs. And maybe, just maybe, something more can bloom in its place 👀 I see you Ren & Suzume. And I'm hopeful for you.
I want to thank Baptiste Pinson Wu so much for allowing me to read the ARC of this! I’ve been excited about it for a while, so when I saw he had ARC sign-ups open I pounced! I can’t wait to see this beauty take the book world by storm once it is released into the wilds. Blood of the Kami releases April 2nd, so be ready for an epic reading adventure! This has already secured its place in my top reads of 2025.
Literary perfection, utilizing a flawless combination of lore, spiritualism, action, and the budding relationships of unexpected companions. A true masterpiece.
This is a highly evocative, lush world full of vivid imagery and lore that just sucks you right into the story. From a wide cast of characters who are fully fleshed out in their individuality, to the yokai they fight, the emotional pasts they are struggling to overcome, and the humorous banter in the quiet moments; Pinson Wu has penned such a captivating tale that was utterly impossible to put down. Literally. I was up until 4am one night reading it.
Blood of the Kami is kind of like a darker version of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in a way, where Ren is Link, and Suzume is Zelda helping him take down the skulltula and Ganondorf (the General) in the kingdom of Hyrule. This was just one thing this book put me in mind of, which endeared the story to me even more as Zelda will always be a favorite game/story of mine.
In addition to this, just the vibes this book was bringing with the lush world reminded me of my favorite zone in World of Warcraft for a particularly Asian-inspired expansion ~ Jade Forest (IYKYK. If not, go look it up and you’ll see what I was visualizing). And Ren collecting the magatama (soul shells) from the yokai he defeated made me think of Pokémon (I adored the cartoon while it was on) as the souls were bound into these shells, kind of like Pokéballs. There were just the essences of so many things that I love culminated into this fantastic story.
Also, there were aspects and personality characteristics of other favorite characters/series I've enjoyed in the past reflected in Blood of the Kami. You have the mentor/mentee relationship between Osamu & Ren, which put me in mind of the likes of Dumbledore & Harry Potter, or Gandalf & Frodo. I hadn't really thought about it before now, but that is apparently a trope I really enjoy seeing in books, and was pleasantly surprised to read it in this one.
I very much enjoyed the spiritualism of this book: with all the lore surrounding the kami and rituals, shrines and priests. It was so fascinating to read, and like a breath of fresh air in the ever-crowded fantasy genre that's heavily populated by more medieval European-based worlds. I love reading about cultures and beliefs different from my own, be it in a fictionalized setting or real world. I think this is one of many reasons why I felt so captivated by this book. It was so refreshing to read! And then obviously, BPW writes one hell of a story besides!
Which I may as well talk about next. In the beginning, you're following Ren arriving back at his home temple to deliver his newest batch of soul shells for purification. You're gradually introduced to the varying aspects of this world where soul hunters hunt down and dispatch corrupted souls before they can harm the innocent. Little by little you're drawn into this unique perspective & magic systems built on the faith/worship of their deities, and what gifts those deities bless them with. It was absolutely fascinating reading!
And the idea of a secret society, the Yaseki, hidden in the shadows of Japan that are working behind the scenes to protect the country from the evils of corrupted spirits is always a fun concept to read. And of course there is something particularly dark brewing on the horizon 👀 And things happen that shouldn't have been possible at all…until now.
I really liked the lore behind the Yaseki with their priests, monks, Hands, Bloods, and all other roles in this secret society. It was also a fun idea to have the Bloods limited to 12 based on the zodiacs. There can be no more than 12, but there can be less, depending on if one has died. In which case, then a new Blood will be born to take his or her place. All of this was so imaginatively well done I was just hooked!
And as you're learning about all of this you're also gradually getting very attached to the characters of Ren & Suzume as they go out on a mission together. Along the way the plot thickens as more mysterious & darker things begin happening. BPW stealthily reels you in on this hook that you didn't even initially realize he'd hooked you with. BUT THEN at the midpoint, he starts cranking that reel a little faster, and then faster still as chaos unleashes on our duo, who then become an unexpected group of four. And things just continue to snowball from there, leaving you in a breathless sprint to turn the pages fast enough to find out how it all goes down. And damn, does it ever go down!
I was literally about to start sweating from anxiety about how that climax began to take a bad turn. It was like reading the Helm’s Deep scene in Lord of the Rings where the Rohirim are dying all around, the Deep has been breached, and there's no end in sight of the Uruk Hai army. You, as the reader, start feeling that utter despair that Ren and his friends are feeling. It is so tense, so emotional and engrossing, you just can't look away. It was literally as poignant a scene as Helm’s Deep.
These characters, guys! I'm so attached! Ren, heaven help me, I've fallen hard for that sassy blunt hunter. He shows respect where it's been earned but refuses to kowtow to those who haven't earned it from him yet. He's had a rough start in life but is making the most of it. He’s stubborn and kind, willing to do whatever he must to do the things that need to be done. Even with impossible odds, he gives it his all no matter the consequences to himself. He’s such an admirable character.
I of course have to mention Pon-Pon, even though his appearance on page was very brief. I can't say much without giving anything away, and I truly feel his character needs to be a surprise, but what a delight he is! That was one of the funniest chapters in this book, and I really hope we see more of him in the coming sequels. I need more of him and his pervy humor.
Fuyuko is so much more than a pretty face. If you just take her based on appearance alone, underestimating her because she's a lush, beautiful woman, you will learn the hard way that she is so. much. more. She will kick your face in with her clogs while simultaneously slitting your throat, and you'll never lose the dreamy smile from your face even once you're dead. Don't mess with this foxy lady.
Suzume is such a sweet soul. She's surprisingly innocent despite the rough life she's endured for who knows how many years. Beneath the surface is a young woman full of pain and anger. Sugi makes a fitting complement with her rage and power, seeking vengeance on any who dare threaten Suzume in any way. This duo is a powerhouse that is just finding their stride. I can't wait to see how far they'll go in the future.
Princess Ayake–oh what a little turd she was when we first met her! I was very much on Ren’s side, and sympathized with him greatly in having that spoiled little package dropped on him. But like for Ren, she grew on me by the end. BPW has such a great way of writing his characters so you feel one way about some of them and then he gradually turns it around. And the way the book ended, well, she's going to be a very powerful ally to have in the coming storm. I can't wait to see how she grows into her new role and just how powerful she can turn out to be now that she's in a place she can learn and thrive.
This is a story about saving a country from being overrun by corrupt beings. But it's also more than that. It's about the power and loyalty of friendship. It's about healing past traumas through kinship and understanding and grace. It's about moving forward together and leaving the past where it belongs. And maybe, just maybe, something more can bloom in its place 👀 I see you Ren & Suzume. And I'm hopeful for you.
I want to thank Baptiste Pinson Wu so much for allowing me to read the ARC of this! I’ve been excited about it for a while, so when I saw he had ARC sign-ups open I pounced! I can’t wait to see this beauty take the book world by storm once it is released into the wilds. Blood of the Kami releases April 2nd, so be ready for an epic reading adventure! This has already secured its place in my top reads of 2025.
November 18, 2025
Yaseki Monogatari (five book series) 01 Blood of the Kami by Baptiste Pinson Wu
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.5 Stars (reread rating, too)
Blood of the Kami by Baptiste Pinson Wu
Some thoughts on my reread in preparation for reading The Voice of the Kami...which I actually have as an eArc. I honestly cannot believe that we are here...at the end of 2025, in prep...for 2026. This year hasn't been an easy one, but the author and his genius, has made it easier on us.
This second time through this story, allowed me to know the mystical/magical creatures better, and to be able to follow our heroes, on their joureny.
I have my favourites (Ren and Suzame), and with this anticipation...I want to open up The Voice of the Kami...and go on another adventure.
So, my feelings for this book...is that you need to pick it up. AND, every reread will make the story that you are consuming even better.
Below are the thoughts on the book when it was first read.
I've always been told NOT to judge a book by its cover, but I do it...all the time. It usually affects my the way I view whether I want to spend my time reading said book. In this book's case...the draw to read this book early was there, but I wanted to wait till...right before the date of publishing, to give a Happy book Birthday a rousing review (for I've read everything that Baptiste Pinson Wu has published, and have not EVER been disappointed.
The cover is magnificent. I love the bright colours, and all the associated characters on it. I would just stare at it, not knowing anyone/anything, but allowed the curiosity to build within me. So beautiful.
Now, after reading the book, it makes a lot more sense, but still has an air of mystery and anticipation.
This is a character heavy story. I had a belief that there would be a battle at the end of this book, and that not everyone would survive, but I was awed by the brutal nature of the battles, but also coversely, the spiritual nature that balanced it.
I cannot say that I was able to fix all the creatures in my mind, but I WILL say, that I will reread this story (more than once). In fact, knowing that one book will be written per year...I can see myself rereading this book, in prep for Voice of the Kami that hopefully arrives in 2026. Then, in the early part of 2027, I can see myself reading Blood of the Kami AND Voice of the Kami...to greet the third book in the series (and so on).
The is a a HUGE cast of characters, both human and mythical/magical. Since this is a character driven story, I didn't know exactly where we were going, but "along for the ride". As the reader, I could see myself as the apprentice, the servant, the lowest soldier...who was THERE as things were happening, and might be used to help spread the tale of what happened with Ren and Suzame, and obviously the princess/priestess.
I also want to thank the author for making the Instagram/YouTube Short videos, that introduced us to each of these spiritual creatures. We've possibly seen some of them...in Japanese statues/drawings, but not knowing who and what they are/were, but seeing them interact with our heroes has been exciting, frightening, curious, anxious, and many other feelings.
As usual, the author has a mastery of battle sequencing. As the reader, we have to be able to visualize the battle, to make it have weight in the story, and especially for me, who isn't able to concretely see (like a movie) what is happening, I rely on the description to make the words make sense WITHOUT watching the movements, but understanding the movements intellectually, and not visually. In all his stories (to a lesser/greater degree...since I believe he is getting better and better in being able to convey the battles that his characters go through...improving his craft.
This book is dense. It isn't an EASY read, but that is for the good. This book has weight, and it is important to understand that it is taking this story seriously (for it is NOT fluff). I trust the author to take me (and all his readers) on a grand adventure, and when it is complete, we will have been able to experience something that few can experience in a lifetime (without actually going to war).
In this book, there's also a heavy amount of religion and spiritual beings. Most I have no idea their purpose or function, but little by little I am being introduced to them, and experience how they interact with the protagonists, and even the antagonist.
This world is vibrant, like the cover, but in the way the words are written, which compliments the cover, as the cover compliments this powerful story.
I also acknowledge that this book/series may not be for everyone, but to whom it is for...they will love it IMMENSELY (my wholehearted opinion)...for I am one of them.
Loved this story, and believe that I will continue to love this story many times over.
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.5 Stars (reread rating, too)
Blood of the Kami by Baptiste Pinson Wu
Some thoughts on my reread in preparation for reading The Voice of the Kami...which I actually have as an eArc. I honestly cannot believe that we are here...at the end of 2025, in prep...for 2026. This year hasn't been an easy one, but the author and his genius, has made it easier on us.
This second time through this story, allowed me to know the mystical/magical creatures better, and to be able to follow our heroes, on their joureny.
I have my favourites (Ren and Suzame), and with this anticipation...I want to open up The Voice of the Kami...and go on another adventure.
So, my feelings for this book...is that you need to pick it up. AND, every reread will make the story that you are consuming even better.
Below are the thoughts on the book when it was first read.
I've always been told NOT to judge a book by its cover, but I do it...all the time. It usually affects my the way I view whether I want to spend my time reading said book. In this book's case...the draw to read this book early was there, but I wanted to wait till...right before the date of publishing, to give a Happy book Birthday a rousing review (for I've read everything that Baptiste Pinson Wu has published, and have not EVER been disappointed.
The cover is magnificent. I love the bright colours, and all the associated characters on it. I would just stare at it, not knowing anyone/anything, but allowed the curiosity to build within me. So beautiful.
Now, after reading the book, it makes a lot more sense, but still has an air of mystery and anticipation.
This is a character heavy story. I had a belief that there would be a battle at the end of this book, and that not everyone would survive, but I was awed by the brutal nature of the battles, but also coversely, the spiritual nature that balanced it.
I cannot say that I was able to fix all the creatures in my mind, but I WILL say, that I will reread this story (more than once). In fact, knowing that one book will be written per year...I can see myself rereading this book, in prep for Voice of the Kami that hopefully arrives in 2026. Then, in the early part of 2027, I can see myself reading Blood of the Kami AND Voice of the Kami...to greet the third book in the series (and so on).
The is a a HUGE cast of characters, both human and mythical/magical. Since this is a character driven story, I didn't know exactly where we were going, but "along for the ride". As the reader, I could see myself as the apprentice, the servant, the lowest soldier...who was THERE as things were happening, and might be used to help spread the tale of what happened with Ren and Suzame, and obviously the princess/priestess.
I also want to thank the author for making the Instagram/YouTube Short videos, that introduced us to each of these spiritual creatures. We've possibly seen some of them...in Japanese statues/drawings, but not knowing who and what they are/were, but seeing them interact with our heroes has been exciting, frightening, curious, anxious, and many other feelings.
As usual, the author has a mastery of battle sequencing. As the reader, we have to be able to visualize the battle, to make it have weight in the story, and especially for me, who isn't able to concretely see (like a movie) what is happening, I rely on the description to make the words make sense WITHOUT watching the movements, but understanding the movements intellectually, and not visually. In all his stories (to a lesser/greater degree...since I believe he is getting better and better in being able to convey the battles that his characters go through...improving his craft.
This book is dense. It isn't an EASY read, but that is for the good. This book has weight, and it is important to understand that it is taking this story seriously (for it is NOT fluff). I trust the author to take me (and all his readers) on a grand adventure, and when it is complete, we will have been able to experience something that few can experience in a lifetime (without actually going to war).
In this book, there's also a heavy amount of religion and spiritual beings. Most I have no idea their purpose or function, but little by little I am being introduced to them, and experience how they interact with the protagonists, and even the antagonist.
This world is vibrant, like the cover, but in the way the words are written, which compliments the cover, as the cover compliments this powerful story.
I also acknowledge that this book/series may not be for everyone, but to whom it is for...they will love it IMMENSELY (my wholehearted opinion)...for I am one of them.
Loved this story, and believe that I will continue to love this story many times over.
December 30, 2024
Okay, first off, can we talk about the book cover? It’s so pretty and totally justifies the vibe of this epic YA fantasy. The story takes you into a world inspired by Japanese mythology, packed with mythical creatures and humans.
Baptiste Pinson Wu weaves an intricate story that blends magic, culture, action, and emotions. I am impressed with the world-building! The whole setting feels so real. Wu brings Japanese mythology to life with all the Shinto rituals, historical touches, and a super colorful cast of kami and yōkai. It is incredibly detailed, immersive, and just really well done.
There are a LOT of characters in this book, most of whom were completely unfamiliar to me at first. It took some time to figure them all out, and I was worried I’d get confused or mix them up. But as the story progressed, I found myself totally immersed and swept up in the adventure!
The battle scenes are intense and vivid. There’s no romance in Blood of the Kami, but the way friendships are portrayed is absolutely beautiful! The story focuses on the primary themes of adventure and personal growth.
The characters in this book are so lovable! Ren is such a sweet, innocent young man, and I absolutely LOVED the humor throughout the story. Chapter 6 is my favorite. I couldn’t get enough of the banter between Ren and the priestess Hotaru as they tried to figure out more about Suzume’s Kami. And don’t even get me started on Pon-Pon! By the time I was 70% into the book, I didn’t want the story to end!
I would recommend this book to readers who love mythological and culturally rich settings. If you’re into Japanese mythology, you’re going to love this. It’s packed with magic, action, and all the epic vibes. This book is perfect for readers who want an adventure with immersive, nonstop action.
Thank you, Baptiste Pinson Wu, for the chance to read Blood of the Kami ahead of its release.
Baptiste Pinson Wu weaves an intricate story that blends magic, culture, action, and emotions. I am impressed with the world-building! The whole setting feels so real. Wu brings Japanese mythology to life with all the Shinto rituals, historical touches, and a super colorful cast of kami and yōkai. It is incredibly detailed, immersive, and just really well done.
There are a LOT of characters in this book, most of whom were completely unfamiliar to me at first. It took some time to figure them all out, and I was worried I’d get confused or mix them up. But as the story progressed, I found myself totally immersed and swept up in the adventure!
The battle scenes are intense and vivid. There’s no romance in Blood of the Kami, but the way friendships are portrayed is absolutely beautiful! The story focuses on the primary themes of adventure and personal growth.
The characters in this book are so lovable! Ren is such a sweet, innocent young man, and I absolutely LOVED the humor throughout the story. Chapter 6 is my favorite. I couldn’t get enough of the banter between Ren and the priestess Hotaru as they tried to figure out more about Suzume’s Kami. And don’t even get me started on Pon-Pon! By the time I was 70% into the book, I didn’t want the story to end!
I would recommend this book to readers who love mythological and culturally rich settings. If you’re into Japanese mythology, you’re going to love this. It’s packed with magic, action, and all the epic vibes. This book is perfect for readers who want an adventure with immersive, nonstop action.
Thank you, Baptiste Pinson Wu, for the chance to read Blood of the Kami ahead of its release.
April 2, 2025
A Epic historical story of many features, Yokai, and Kami with so much more.
First off this amazing cover justifies the vibes present in the world of Japanese Folklore, mythology, and legends, with so much more, Baptiste Pinson Wu creates an epic story, with historical touch, with a touch of magic, culture, action, and emotion, with amazing world-building, the settings have a tendency feels so real, bringing mythology, life and Shinto rituals, with historical touches, and a cast of Kami, and Yokai, which is truly unique and well done.
So many favourite characters in the cast, this book shows why I chose my choice in research for my PhD, this super immersive incredibly detailed and wonderful. It's like being in my favourite world and is so much more than anyone can imagine.
Intense battles which are completely vivid, true friendships are portrayed beautifully, with stupendous amounts of adventure and personal growth.
This book is one of my favorites to recommend to fellow readers, and will definitely be asking Baptiste for advice on how to tackle my doctorate, this story is a truly epic novel and a privilege to have been asked to be a part of the arc team, its one of the best things to be part of being bibliophile.
Thank you Baptiste, a five-star review is the highest I can give you, however, this novel deserves so much more.
First off this amazing cover justifies the vibes present in the world of Japanese Folklore, mythology, and legends, with so much more, Baptiste Pinson Wu creates an epic story, with historical touch, with a touch of magic, culture, action, and emotion, with amazing world-building, the settings have a tendency feels so real, bringing mythology, life and Shinto rituals, with historical touches, and a cast of Kami, and Yokai, which is truly unique and well done.
So many favourite characters in the cast, this book shows why I chose my choice in research for my PhD, this super immersive incredibly detailed and wonderful. It's like being in my favourite world and is so much more than anyone can imagine.
Intense battles which are completely vivid, true friendships are portrayed beautifully, with stupendous amounts of adventure and personal growth.
This book is one of my favorites to recommend to fellow readers, and will definitely be asking Baptiste for advice on how to tackle my doctorate, this story is a truly epic novel and a privilege to have been asked to be a part of the arc team, its one of the best things to be part of being bibliophile.
Thank you Baptiste, a five-star review is the highest I can give you, however, this novel deserves so much more.
June 20, 2025
A mythological myriad of monsters awaits in Baptiste Pinson Wu's Yaseki Monogatari series. This title lies farther away from the stricter historical fiction works by the author. Blood of the Kami focuses more on the mythological and the fantastic.
Best summed up by saying it's like a Monster Hunter anime written in longform. The characters, as is typical of the author, are deep and complex. Alright, perhaps a certain character isn't so complex but his appearance is wonderfully silly.
This is fantastic read with action and soul aplenty. Fans of Wu's work will enjoy the subtle nods to other works too.
I'm a big fan of the Wuniverse.
Best summed up by saying it's like a Monster Hunter anime written in longform. The characters, as is typical of the author, are deep and complex. Alright, perhaps a certain character isn't so complex but his appearance is wonderfully silly.
This is fantastic read with action and soul aplenty. Fans of Wu's work will enjoy the subtle nods to other works too.
I'm a big fan of the Wuniverse.
February 19, 2025
I got to beta read this and sheesh, BANGER. If you like cool characters & action (or just good books in general) go pick this one up.
Plus... have you seen the cover??
Plus... have you seen the cover??
April 3, 2025
A very fun adventure.
While this book absolutely does have dark moments within it the words "light" and "fun" come to mind first. This is a fun romp through a mythological Japan with a monster-hunter main character. There are colorful spirits, terrifying Yokai, interesting side-characters, and it has an enjoyable pace that goes from fun set-piece to fun set-piece. I'm a big nerd when it comes to art with Japanese settings, though admittedly primarily video games and film, and this book feels like a mix of a western monster-hunter story like the Witcher with a fast-paced yokai-slaying video game like Nioh with a Kurosawa film. It may just be coincidence but for fans of Kurosawa there are a few scenes and a large part of the main plot in this book that feels very similar to The Hidden Fortress. I would say which parts but I want to keep this spoiler free.
The action is fun and visceral, the environments are colorful and vivid, and the characters are witty and fun. The action is a good mix of gritty gore and over-the-top fantastical moments. I enjoyed the fantasy aspects like magical talismans and prayer-beads being used during battle and in this book's sequels I would love to see that expanded upon more. Similarly I would love to see non-action focused confrontation more, with things like exorcisms being used to quell spirits. Luckily this book does build up the setting very well and I kept imagining as I was reading it sequels, prequels, and spin-offs that could easily be told in this setting.
The pacing of the book is very appealing, while I love long fantasy books as much as the next fantasy nerd there is something so comforting and undeniably fun about a shorter (for the genre) book that covers so much ground. There are so many scenes and locations here it is mind-boggling that it all progressed as quick as it did, especially since none of the areas or scenes felt rushed or underdone. There is a lot of scenery and characters to chew on and they paint the world out so well.
In a previous review of a book from this same author I compared his writing to Bernard Cornwell, which I would say is accurate for what that different series is aiming for - a gritty look at historical-fiction in the Three Kingdoms. But with this I feel his style has come more into his own, there is no emulation here solely his own writing in this fictionalized version of Japan he has built up. If I had to make a comparison this reminds me a lot of Rob J. Hayes Mortal Techniques series, which is his own take on an East-Asian inspired setting that has a mix of Chinese and Japanese influences with Wuxia protagonists, particularly Spirits of Vengeance which also follows a Yokai Hunter. But I would not say this is at all an emulation of that, it is solely the closest comparison I can think of, (as I think comparisons are useful for gauging people's interests who are reading reviews), two authors making their own darkish but still fun and different takes on this setting.
For a few complaints, (and these are mostly personal nit-picks), some of the dialogue had modern words and slang which for me personally I do tend to dislike in fantasy stories, I don't mind some anachronism, it is bound to happen, but some-times it took me out. And I would've liked it to be a bit longer, while the main duo I think had a good connection build I think we could have had it take a bit longer. Aside from these though I enjoyed my time with the book quite a bit and I recommend it to anyone wanting a fun action romp through a mythological Japan filled with Yokai.
PS: For those considering getting this book the physical copy is absolutely gorgeous. The artwork is fantastic and it also contains a bestiary with art of various Yokai that appear in the story. I'm not usually one to judge a book by its cover, but man this is a good cover.
PPS: I did receive an ARC in exchange for a review, but this is a personal account for me, all my opinions are mine and would not be influenced by getting an ARC or free copy.
While this book absolutely does have dark moments within it the words "light" and "fun" come to mind first. This is a fun romp through a mythological Japan with a monster-hunter main character. There are colorful spirits, terrifying Yokai, interesting side-characters, and it has an enjoyable pace that goes from fun set-piece to fun set-piece. I'm a big nerd when it comes to art with Japanese settings, though admittedly primarily video games and film, and this book feels like a mix of a western monster-hunter story like the Witcher with a fast-paced yokai-slaying video game like Nioh with a Kurosawa film. It may just be coincidence but for fans of Kurosawa there are a few scenes and a large part of the main plot in this book that feels very similar to The Hidden Fortress. I would say which parts but I want to keep this spoiler free.
The action is fun and visceral, the environments are colorful and vivid, and the characters are witty and fun. The action is a good mix of gritty gore and over-the-top fantastical moments. I enjoyed the fantasy aspects like magical talismans and prayer-beads being used during battle and in this book's sequels I would love to see that expanded upon more. Similarly I would love to see non-action focused confrontation more, with things like exorcisms being used to quell spirits. Luckily this book does build up the setting very well and I kept imagining as I was reading it sequels, prequels, and spin-offs that could easily be told in this setting.
The pacing of the book is very appealing, while I love long fantasy books as much as the next fantasy nerd there is something so comforting and undeniably fun about a shorter (for the genre) book that covers so much ground. There are so many scenes and locations here it is mind-boggling that it all progressed as quick as it did, especially since none of the areas or scenes felt rushed or underdone. There is a lot of scenery and characters to chew on and they paint the world out so well.
In a previous review of a book from this same author I compared his writing to Bernard Cornwell, which I would say is accurate for what that different series is aiming for - a gritty look at historical-fiction in the Three Kingdoms. But with this I feel his style has come more into his own, there is no emulation here solely his own writing in this fictionalized version of Japan he has built up. If I had to make a comparison this reminds me a lot of Rob J. Hayes Mortal Techniques series, which is his own take on an East-Asian inspired setting that has a mix of Chinese and Japanese influences with Wuxia protagonists, particularly Spirits of Vengeance which also follows a Yokai Hunter. But I would not say this is at all an emulation of that, it is solely the closest comparison I can think of, (as I think comparisons are useful for gauging people's interests who are reading reviews), two authors making their own darkish but still fun and different takes on this setting.
For a few complaints, (and these are mostly personal nit-picks), some of the dialogue had modern words and slang which for me personally I do tend to dislike in fantasy stories, I don't mind some anachronism, it is bound to happen, but some-times it took me out. And I would've liked it to be a bit longer, while the main duo I think had a good connection build I think we could have had it take a bit longer. Aside from these though I enjoyed my time with the book quite a bit and I recommend it to anyone wanting a fun action romp through a mythological Japan filled with Yokai.
PS: For those considering getting this book the physical copy is absolutely gorgeous. The artwork is fantastic and it also contains a bestiary with art of various Yokai that appear in the story. I'm not usually one to judge a book by its cover, but man this is a good cover.
PPS: I did receive an ARC in exchange for a review, but this is a personal account for me, all my opinions are mine and would not be influenced by getting an ARC or free copy.
April 12, 2025
Originally posted on fanfiaddict.com
“If only they knew, Ren thought with a sigh. If only they knew the truth about Ise. If only they knew that without him and a few others, Japan was doomed to slowly fall into darkness, they would forgive his blood-smeared sleeves, his shredded shirt, and the stench.”
I loved this book. I was talking about it with someone and then went to Kindle Unlimited to take a peek and within a few hours, I had slipped into more than a 100 pages in the book. I stopped all my other current reads and relished this one. It has the best map, and bestiary ever. Add to it the gorgeous full cover art, and one can see how much love has been poured on to the book from everyone who worked on it. (click here for a look)
I will never be able to fully capture it in words, so I’m just going to steal from the author’s words. The best way for me to describe the book is to liken it to a kami – inexplicable in nature, yet easy to feel when you are in the presence of it. It is going straight to the top of my book recommendations list and I implore everyone to give this a chance so that they can experience what I felt and what I am incompetent to explain here. I’m not taking the easy route here by any means, it truly is that much mightier than my proficiency with English, and the written word.
Coming to the story, the most apt way to describe this book is Japanese witcher but not as dark. If you’re looking for action, mythology, and grotesque monsters – those are available in plenty. The writing style is also notably different, this one is a lot more accessible, well-composed, and enjoyable. Baptiste has struck the perfect balance- his prose achieves all of the clarity but sacrifices none of the vividness. It is certainly not an embellishment to say that anyone who picks up this book will be transported to a fantastical, historical Japan. His writing comes alive and I want to visit Ise Jingu right now. I daresay this is the perfect drug for readers with aphantasia. It creates that immense of a visual and sensory experience.
One other highlight for me is how much I was able to learn about Japanese mythology. I have consumed a lot of content from books, anime, and tv shows that are inspired from Japanese myth, culture, and folktales and this book helped put so much of it into context. And none of this was done via info dumps, everything was revealed little by little as we go through the story. It is handled with such skill that absolutely no disruptions are ever felt in the story – a fun, fast paced adventure that simply cannot be put down. I recently learnt from a podcast how fast paced books do not mean simply more action per page but is actually how much the action goes up and down per page and how it changes. This was done so very well in this book.
It is the story of a monster hunter and his guardian spirit – a lion dog, in a race across time in a land full of dangerous spirits. It definitely gets bloody and violent but there’s also a lot of heart and a lot of humor. I loved all the main characters and side characters we came across. No way a reader is coming out of the book without loving some of them, and Pon-Pon especially. I also think it is underrated how good of a combat writer Baptiste is. All the conflicts from the introductory one to the climax were excellent and the climactic one certainly is the pièce de résistance.
Overall, it was a beautiful reading experience for me. I loved, learnt, and cried with this book. That’s the second time I’ve cried after reading a Baptiste Pinson Wu book and I cannot wait to read more from him. With Undead Samurai and now Blood of the Kami, Baptiste has written two epic fantasy love letters to Japan and this book will be such a rich treat to fantasy readers everywhere.
“If only they knew, Ren thought with a sigh. If only they knew the truth about Ise. If only they knew that without him and a few others, Japan was doomed to slowly fall into darkness, they would forgive his blood-smeared sleeves, his shredded shirt, and the stench.”
I loved this book. I was talking about it with someone and then went to Kindle Unlimited to take a peek and within a few hours, I had slipped into more than a 100 pages in the book. I stopped all my other current reads and relished this one. It has the best map, and bestiary ever. Add to it the gorgeous full cover art, and one can see how much love has been poured on to the book from everyone who worked on it. (click here for a look)
I will never be able to fully capture it in words, so I’m just going to steal from the author’s words. The best way for me to describe the book is to liken it to a kami – inexplicable in nature, yet easy to feel when you are in the presence of it. It is going straight to the top of my book recommendations list and I implore everyone to give this a chance so that they can experience what I felt and what I am incompetent to explain here. I’m not taking the easy route here by any means, it truly is that much mightier than my proficiency with English, and the written word.
Coming to the story, the most apt way to describe this book is Japanese witcher but not as dark. If you’re looking for action, mythology, and grotesque monsters – those are available in plenty. The writing style is also notably different, this one is a lot more accessible, well-composed, and enjoyable. Baptiste has struck the perfect balance- his prose achieves all of the clarity but sacrifices none of the vividness. It is certainly not an embellishment to say that anyone who picks up this book will be transported to a fantastical, historical Japan. His writing comes alive and I want to visit Ise Jingu right now. I daresay this is the perfect drug for readers with aphantasia. It creates that immense of a visual and sensory experience.
One other highlight for me is how much I was able to learn about Japanese mythology. I have consumed a lot of content from books, anime, and tv shows that are inspired from Japanese myth, culture, and folktales and this book helped put so much of it into context. And none of this was done via info dumps, everything was revealed little by little as we go through the story. It is handled with such skill that absolutely no disruptions are ever felt in the story – a fun, fast paced adventure that simply cannot be put down. I recently learnt from a podcast how fast paced books do not mean simply more action per page but is actually how much the action goes up and down per page and how it changes. This was done so very well in this book.
It is the story of a monster hunter and his guardian spirit – a lion dog, in a race across time in a land full of dangerous spirits. It definitely gets bloody and violent but there’s also a lot of heart and a lot of humor. I loved all the main characters and side characters we came across. No way a reader is coming out of the book without loving some of them, and Pon-Pon especially. I also think it is underrated how good of a combat writer Baptiste is. All the conflicts from the introductory one to the climax were excellent and the climactic one certainly is the pièce de résistance.
Overall, it was a beautiful reading experience for me. I loved, learnt, and cried with this book. That’s the second time I’ve cried after reading a Baptiste Pinson Wu book and I cannot wait to read more from him. With Undead Samurai and now Blood of the Kami, Baptiste has written two epic fantasy love letters to Japan and this book will be such a rich treat to fantasy readers everywhere.
April 10, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
Blood of the Kami is the first novel in the YA fantasy series Yaseki Monogatari, written by Baptiste Pinson Wu. An action-packed and dangerous journey across feudal Japan, telling the story of a soul-hunter trying to pay his debt to the Yaseki in a novel that feels as an homage to Japanese mythology with touches of The Witcher.
Ren Fudō is a young soul-hunter, part of the Yaseki sect; he's in a big debt to them, as his mother requires a ton of care after a Yokai attack. When a mission with an extremely high-reward is presented to him, he jumps and takes the opportunity despite not knowing much about it, and having to team up with a young shrine maiden possessed by a land kami, Suzume; what he couldn't imagine is the scope of the mission, as the destiny of Japan will be over his shoulders while his bond with Suzume grows, teaching her how to take control over her powers.
There's something that is clear from the first page of this book: the passion and the reverence Pinson Wu has for Japanese mythology and rituals. During the whole journey, not we will meet more Yokai, with will require our hero to deal with them, and sometimes collaborate, but the attention put to the shrines and rituals make you feel as a part of this fantastic world. There are a great amount of interactions between the characters that also contribute to this richness, being the absolute highlight of the book (and seriously, I love Ren and his companion interactions).
In terms of characterization, it is true that while Ren fits a bit in the archetypical hero of shonen category, there's a bit more when we get to know him through his conversations with Suzume; one of the few bloods of the Yaseki, and who shows his skill in combat against the Yokai, even if his social skills are a bit less developed. Suzume acts a bit as the counterweight to this balance, being much better at navigating social interactions; our duo forms a great team.
The pacing is great, but I would have enjoyed to have some slower scenes to let me catch my breath between the action scenes, which are extremely well written.
Blood of the Kami is a great novel, that I recommend if you like Japanese mythology and want to read an engaging high-stakes adventure. I wonder how Ren's journey will continue in the next books, but for one, I found this to be a really enjoyable read!
Blood of the Kami is the first novel in the YA fantasy series Yaseki Monogatari, written by Baptiste Pinson Wu. An action-packed and dangerous journey across feudal Japan, telling the story of a soul-hunter trying to pay his debt to the Yaseki in a novel that feels as an homage to Japanese mythology with touches of The Witcher.
Ren Fudō is a young soul-hunter, part of the Yaseki sect; he's in a big debt to them, as his mother requires a ton of care after a Yokai attack. When a mission with an extremely high-reward is presented to him, he jumps and takes the opportunity despite not knowing much about it, and having to team up with a young shrine maiden possessed by a land kami, Suzume; what he couldn't imagine is the scope of the mission, as the destiny of Japan will be over his shoulders while his bond with Suzume grows, teaching her how to take control over her powers.
There's something that is clear from the first page of this book: the passion and the reverence Pinson Wu has for Japanese mythology and rituals. During the whole journey, not we will meet more Yokai, with will require our hero to deal with them, and sometimes collaborate, but the attention put to the shrines and rituals make you feel as a part of this fantastic world. There are a great amount of interactions between the characters that also contribute to this richness, being the absolute highlight of the book (and seriously, I love Ren and his companion interactions).
In terms of characterization, it is true that while Ren fits a bit in the archetypical hero of shonen category, there's a bit more when we get to know him through his conversations with Suzume; one of the few bloods of the Yaseki, and who shows his skill in combat against the Yokai, even if his social skills are a bit less developed. Suzume acts a bit as the counterweight to this balance, being much better at navigating social interactions; our duo forms a great team.
The pacing is great, but I would have enjoyed to have some slower scenes to let me catch my breath between the action scenes, which are extremely well written.
Blood of the Kami is a great novel, that I recommend if you like Japanese mythology and want to read an engaging high-stakes adventure. I wonder how Ren's journey will continue in the next books, but for one, I found this to be a really enjoyable read!
May 9, 2025
This was a solid read. It’s not going to blow you away, but I don’t think Baptiste Pinson Wu is capable of writing a bad book. I really enjoyed the Japanese mythology in this one because it’s not something I know about, and it’s not very often used in the fantasy I read. Go check out this author if you haven’t.
April 13, 2025
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This story was fast-paced and full of interesting Japanese lore, which I love. It reminded me a lot of some of my favorite animes, especially Demon Slayer. I'm excited to see where the next book goes.
December 16, 2024
Yet another wonderful book by Baptiste!
Excellent world-building, great story and - as usual - fantastic characters and plotting. Looking forward to the next instalment!
Excellent world-building, great story and - as usual - fantastic characters and plotting. Looking forward to the next instalment!
November 8, 2025
Deceptively simple, Blood of the Kami delivers a a fun adventure deeply rooted in Japanese mythology. While it's nothing groundbreaking, it sweeps a charming cast of characters up in a whimsical, yet wholly accessible journey.
March 30, 2025
I am not sure I can do such a fantastic novel justice with a review but I will try. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Blood of the Kami and I have been buzzing with excitement ever since. Growing up with classics like the Seven Samurai that turned into an interest in Japanese history and culture, and of course anime and manga, I was so excited to read an historical fiction featuring the rich myths and legends of the country. Wu does not disappoint. I want to start by saying that I will try my hardest to refrain from going off on a tangent on how much I love Maki, the Guardian Lion-Dog but not promises.
The Blood of the Kami is a fantastic book that despite being classed as YA fantasy offers an action packed tail that will keep you hooked throughout. I will say that the pace is fast and if you aren’t a fan of that it might take a while to get into the novel, however for me it was almost immediately. I adored the characters. Ren is a force to be reckoned with and Suzume is so interest. My favourite characters were definitely Maki and Pon-Pon (because he is amazing but also a tanuki!) but there are so many characters that you are bound to find a favourite or two along the way. That said each character is well developed and has their own reason for being there, I never felt they were just a filler as can sometimes happen, particularly in fantasy.
This book mixes action, magic, myths, adventure and a little bit of humour in a fast paced and wonderfully written package that you are bound to love. I need book two right away. I need a spin off for Pon-Pon and one for Maki and I need to re-read this already! If you love action packed fantasy, Japanese myths and legends and fantastic storytelling you cannot go wrong with this!
As always thank you to Baptiste Pinson Wu for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.
The Blood of the Kami is a fantastic book that despite being classed as YA fantasy offers an action packed tail that will keep you hooked throughout. I will say that the pace is fast and if you aren’t a fan of that it might take a while to get into the novel, however for me it was almost immediately. I adored the characters. Ren is a force to be reckoned with and Suzume is so interest. My favourite characters were definitely Maki and Pon-Pon (because he is amazing but also a tanuki!) but there are so many characters that you are bound to find a favourite or two along the way. That said each character is well developed and has their own reason for being there, I never felt they were just a filler as can sometimes happen, particularly in fantasy.
This book mixes action, magic, myths, adventure and a little bit of humour in a fast paced and wonderfully written package that you are bound to love. I need book two right away. I need a spin off for Pon-Pon and one for Maki and I need to re-read this already! If you love action packed fantasy, Japanese myths and legends and fantastic storytelling you cannot go wrong with this!
As always thank you to Baptiste Pinson Wu for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.
March 7, 2025
Well, clap your tummy and call me Pon-Pon! The characters in this book are divine. Really, how would you say it? A Santa-like ho ho pohohon pohhhhn? Or like me, in a high-pitched Pååån – pÅÅnn!?
What is not to love? A less than honourable ninja. A dragon dog god. A spoilt princess. We even have a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami!
And our main man, uhm, boy, Ren. Bound by honuor and duty, I am pretty sure he is just a big softie inside.
The ancient Japan was in trouble. Corrupted souls are trying to plunge Japan into darkness and despair.
We follow Ren Fudō, driven by money, just not in the way you’d think. It is not for himself per sé.
As a Soul Hunter, he is blessed. He fights, protects, and brings back purified souls to pay off his debt.
And even though the land is in peril, this book, like the author’s other books, has an element of humour that I enjoy. We are not taking Ren too seriously at times. Sometimes, his wins are pure luck.
Sent on the best paid mission, yet their journey turns more dangerous and crucial with every step.
The future of Japan now rests on their shoulders, and an army of Yōkai stands on their path.
Will they save Japan?
This was not just a journey; this was an adventure!
I like the idea of Kami being everywhere.🐲🐉
What is not to love? A less than honourable ninja. A dragon dog god. A spoilt princess. We even have a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami!
And our main man, uhm, boy, Ren. Bound by honuor and duty, I am pretty sure he is just a big softie inside.
The ancient Japan was in trouble. Corrupted souls are trying to plunge Japan into darkness and despair.
We follow Ren Fudō, driven by money, just not in the way you’d think. It is not for himself per sé.
As a Soul Hunter, he is blessed. He fights, protects, and brings back purified souls to pay off his debt.
And even though the land is in peril, this book, like the author’s other books, has an element of humour that I enjoy. We are not taking Ren too seriously at times. Sometimes, his wins are pure luck.
Sent on the best paid mission, yet their journey turns more dangerous and crucial with every step.
The future of Japan now rests on their shoulders, and an army of Yōkai stands on their path.
Will they save Japan?
This was not just a journey; this was an adventure!
I like the idea of Kami being everywhere.🐲🐉
April 2, 2025
First off this amazing cover justifies the vibes present in the world of Japanese Folklore, mythology, and legends, with so much more, Baptiste Pinson Wu creates an epic story, with historical touch, with a touch of magic, culture, action, and emotion, with amazing world-building, the settings have a tendency feels so real, bringing mythology, life and Shinto rituals, with historical touches, and a cast of Kami, and Yokai, which is truly unique and well done.
So many favourite characters in the cast, this book shows why I chose my choice in research for my PhD, this super immersive incredibly detailed and wonderful. It's like being in my favourite world and is so much more than anyone can imagine.
Intense battles which are completely vivid, true friendships are portrayed beautifully, with stupendous amounts of adventure and personal growth.
This book is one of my favorites to recommend to fellow readers, and will definitely be asking Baptiste for advice on how to tackle my doctorate, this story is a truly epic novel and a privilege to have been asked to be a part of the arc team, its one of the best things to be part of being bibliophile.
Thank you Baptiste, a five-star review is the highest I can give you, however, this novel deserves so much more.
So many favourite characters in the cast, this book shows why I chose my choice in research for my PhD, this super immersive incredibly detailed and wonderful. It's like being in my favourite world and is so much more than anyone can imagine.
Intense battles which are completely vivid, true friendships are portrayed beautifully, with stupendous amounts of adventure and personal growth.
This book is one of my favorites to recommend to fellow readers, and will definitely be asking Baptiste for advice on how to tackle my doctorate, this story is a truly epic novel and a privilege to have been asked to be a part of the arc team, its one of the best things to be part of being bibliophile.
Thank you Baptiste, a five-star review is the highest I can give you, however, this novel deserves so much more.
March 22, 2025
Reading this book felt like stepping into an adventure filled with mythical creatures, yokai, and unexpected allies. If you love Japanese folklore, you’ll enjoy following Ren and Suzume’s journey. The themes of spirit warriors, demon hunting, and duty will feel familiar to Demon Slayer fans.
The story follows Ren Fudo, a young Soul Hunter blessed with the rare blood of the kami. Given a mission by Amaterasu Omikami, he sees this as a chance to repay his debt to the Yaseki—an organization that fights corrupted souls (think Demon Slayer Corps). But he isn’t traveling alone. Alongside him is Suzume, a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami, and their mission quickly proves more dangerous than expected.
Ren must escort a princess—the daughter of Amaterasu—back to Ise while keeping her safe from an army of yokai standing in their way. Along the journey, they meet unforgettable companions like Pon-Pon the tanuki and his family, the priestess Hotaru, and Fuyuko, a cunning kitsune courtesan. The book blends humor, action, magic, and adventure into a fast-paced, gripping tale.
I really enjoyed this book and feel so grateful to have been gifted such a wonderful story! I can’t wait for the next installment.
The story follows Ren Fudo, a young Soul Hunter blessed with the rare blood of the kami. Given a mission by Amaterasu Omikami, he sees this as a chance to repay his debt to the Yaseki—an organization that fights corrupted souls (think Demon Slayer Corps). But he isn’t traveling alone. Alongside him is Suzume, a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami, and their mission quickly proves more dangerous than expected.
Ren must escort a princess—the daughter of Amaterasu—back to Ise while keeping her safe from an army of yokai standing in their way. Along the journey, they meet unforgettable companions like Pon-Pon the tanuki and his family, the priestess Hotaru, and Fuyuko, a cunning kitsune courtesan. The book blends humor, action, magic, and adventure into a fast-paced, gripping tale.
I really enjoyed this book and feel so grateful to have been gifted such a wonderful story! I can’t wait for the next installment.
August 10, 2025
Overall, this was a really good book focusing on Japanese mythology. The author really went into fantastic depth for the Japanese Yokai, settings, and characters. The tale of a young man, Ren, heading to Kyoto for a hidden reason unknown to him was amusing and adventurous as he travels with a companion and meets / experiences so many different characters. If you are a fan of manga, this book's writing style definitely closely resembles it, with the animated actions and references for the characters. The tale itself is definitely fun and shows similarities to fantasy and adventure manga like Naruto, One Piece, and Fairy Tail. Overall, this was a really cool take on Japan infested with Yokai and other mystical creatures with the inclusion of humor, adventure, and friendship.
April 9, 2025
Overall, even though I don't typically like YA fiction, I really enjoyed this. Loved the fantasy elements and the setting the most. The MC I kinda struggled with. He's kind of an ass, and he didn't get the push back on his behavior that I feel like he should've gotten for the time/place. And some of the dialogue was a bit... I dunno. Didn't feel like it belonged to the setting. It was too modern-sounding. But, I'm excited to read the next one and see where the story goes!
March 25, 2025
I will release the full review near it’s release time.
However, it is such a good story. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. It is well done, the characters are developed nicely, the plot is intriguing. And the art is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader.
However, it is such a good story. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. It is well done, the characters are developed nicely, the plot is intriguing. And the art is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader.
June 14, 2025
I want this book on a t-shirt. All of the characters are now my family and I will protect them at all costs.
Honestly, I went into this a little sceptical with it being YA but it carves a place of its own pretty quickly. It felt fresh, different, and full of personality. If you are a fan of Japan, Japanese culture & history, or even just demon slayer - this is for you ❤️.
Honestly, I went into this a little sceptical with it being YA but it carves a place of its own pretty quickly. It felt fresh, different, and full of personality. If you are a fan of Japan, Japanese culture & history, or even just demon slayer - this is for you ❤️.
June 10, 2025
4.5/5
I got to be honest: I picked this book up because of it cover and wasn't expecting a lot out of it. But oh bo was I wrong! This book was great. The characters and story were so well written and the world felt truly magical and vast!
I'm very much looking forward to the sequel now!
I got to be honest: I picked this book up because of it cover and wasn't expecting a lot out of it. But oh bo was I wrong! This book was great. The characters and story were so well written and the world felt truly magical and vast!
I'm very much looking forward to the sequel now!
February 4, 2025
Pulls you in with its rich world-building and well-developed characters, making every interaction feel meaningful. I was hooked from start to finish and now I can't wait for the second one!
June 1, 2025
Great story! A quest with fun characters coming together in a Japanese witcher/demon slayer combo with funny moments and a lot of emotion.
May 11, 2025
3.75 ⭐
I think this was so interesting, especially with the Japanese mythology and the creatures. But the best part for me in this book were the characters and the found family aspect.
Sadly, the best part also became a reason for a low rating because this book was a bit too fast paced. I wish there were more slow moments where we could have gotten more character depth and spent time with these characters. The action upon action upon action almost made me lose interest :(
I still loved the concept. Will probably pick up the sequel.
I think this was so interesting, especially with the Japanese mythology and the creatures. But the best part for me in this book were the characters and the found family aspect.
Sadly, the best part also became a reason for a low rating because this book was a bit too fast paced. I wish there were more slow moments where we could have gotten more character depth and spent time with these characters. The action upon action upon action almost made me lose interest :(
I still loved the concept. Will probably pick up the sequel.
March 10, 2025
This story was originally posted on sffinsiders.com
Step into Japan many centuries ago with the story of Ren Fudo, member of the Yaseki, a secret tribe of yokai hunters that prevent innocents from succumbing to total annihilation at the hands of demons, ghosts, and more.
We start off with our main character, Ren, as a child, in his defining moment. A white tengu—a bird like man with a mask and more power than anything else imaginable—has, for some reason, decided to kill Ren. In the end, it grievously wounded his mother and fled before getting killed itself by members of the Yaseki, came to save the young boy. Thus begins Ren’s debt to the Yaseki. And his servitude.
His mother is in dire straits. She needs constant attention and a steady supply of resources, and it all comes with a cost. For saving his mother and keeping her in a catatonic state, the Yaseki have placed upon Ren a great debt he can pay back by serving the order of yokai hunters. He goes on missions for them, kills yokai, and takes their souls. Or whats left of them. Some of them earn him weeks, others days, others months, but in the grand scheme of things, his mother has many many years of debt accrued on his tab.
Then, upon his return to Ise Jingu, the heart of the Yaseki and spiritual power in Japan, an opportunity presents itself; take a mysterious shrine maiden with a troubled past to Kyoto on some secret mission. The payment would be insurmountable, and moreover, the quest might change the fate of the nation forever…
So embarks Ren on a fast-paced, emotional journey of slaying yokai, taming kami, and working alongside some of the most fascinating companions, including a famously stubborn princess that is actually the child of the goddess of the sun.
The combat in this book are well-thought out, logical, and pretty balanced. So often we see “plot armor” in our stories (though that term largely applies to television/movies), but we don’t get that here. Ren finds himself in many losing battles, on the receiving end of many bruises, batterings, and gashes. Its refreshing, all things considered, to see that not all things turn out the way we want them. I know its a fairly simple thing, but so often books fall into that realm of “the MC always wins because they're the MC,” so to not get that is always a welcome surprise.
Ren was a very fun character to follow. He starts off a bit brash and steadily evolves as the novel progresses. He slips up at first, saying that the shrine maiden is going to die, and slowly has to earn her trust back, and finds himself caring for her more and more with each chapter. The shrine maiden, Suzume, is a great character too. She has the god of a tree inside a spear that she carries, and this god uses her as a conduit to fight on occasion. The progression of these two felt real, heartfelt, and logical, and I enjoyed every second of it.
There were some supporting characters I loved even more. Namely a vulgar tanuki named Pon-Pon who is obsessed with alcohol and his own balls, but not in a weird way. I mean, it probably sounds like a weird way, but its not, I promise, its only a minor thing and it was amusing. To me, at least, but maybe your mileage may vary. Otherwise, Pon-Pon is an adorable, kind family man and a great friend to Ren.
Later there is a crustacean monk amongst the yokai that has his own aspirations, desires, monologues, and unique skillset. A very interesting scene all things considered, and one I wish I could have gotten a bit more of.
The plot and setting were unique, I thought. Though there does exist a possibility that I am not often looking for stories set in Japan, especially primarily written in english. Regardless, it was not something I’d come across before, though monster hunting stories are always favorites of mine. I can’t compare this quite to things like the Witcher, since Blood of the Kami is more YA and less grimdark, but any hunting of monsters is good at all for me. Furthermore, I love learning about and steeping myself in Japanese culture ever since moving to Tokyo for university. To read a book and say “I know that place, I’ve been there!” is always a lot of fun, especially when it isn’t just something boring like the Empire State Building in Percy Jackson (no hate, I love those books).
The enemy in this story—I won’t spoil it because it takes a while to be revealed—have a diverse extent of motives. Some are obvious, while others are yet to be revealed, and are only briefly hinted at in an epilogue. They tie in very closely with Ren’s story and how he concluded in Blood of the Kami, and I’m very excited to see how all of that plays out. He still has a great deal of debt, after all, and Japan isn’t entirely safe, either. Who can say what will happen?
Baptiste Pinson Wu is steadily cementing himself as one of my favorite authors. This is my second series of his I’ve gotten into, and I liked this one as much as the first. His prose is exemplary, his dialogue natural and flowing exactly as you’d want it to, and it creates a story that is fantastic from cover to cover. This one was a page turner, and I hardly wanted to put it down. A shame that I had to once I finished.
For fans of historical fiction steeped in wonder, growth, exciting combat, and driven by compelling characters, Blood of the Kami by Baptitse Pinson Wu is going to resonate with readers in a big way.
Step into Japan many centuries ago with the story of Ren Fudo, member of the Yaseki, a secret tribe of yokai hunters that prevent innocents from succumbing to total annihilation at the hands of demons, ghosts, and more.
We start off with our main character, Ren, as a child, in his defining moment. A white tengu—a bird like man with a mask and more power than anything else imaginable—has, for some reason, decided to kill Ren. In the end, it grievously wounded his mother and fled before getting killed itself by members of the Yaseki, came to save the young boy. Thus begins Ren’s debt to the Yaseki. And his servitude.
His mother is in dire straits. She needs constant attention and a steady supply of resources, and it all comes with a cost. For saving his mother and keeping her in a catatonic state, the Yaseki have placed upon Ren a great debt he can pay back by serving the order of yokai hunters. He goes on missions for them, kills yokai, and takes their souls. Or whats left of them. Some of them earn him weeks, others days, others months, but in the grand scheme of things, his mother has many many years of debt accrued on his tab.
Then, upon his return to Ise Jingu, the heart of the Yaseki and spiritual power in Japan, an opportunity presents itself; take a mysterious shrine maiden with a troubled past to Kyoto on some secret mission. The payment would be insurmountable, and moreover, the quest might change the fate of the nation forever…
So embarks Ren on a fast-paced, emotional journey of slaying yokai, taming kami, and working alongside some of the most fascinating companions, including a famously stubborn princess that is actually the child of the goddess of the sun.
The combat in this book are well-thought out, logical, and pretty balanced. So often we see “plot armor” in our stories (though that term largely applies to television/movies), but we don’t get that here. Ren finds himself in many losing battles, on the receiving end of many bruises, batterings, and gashes. Its refreshing, all things considered, to see that not all things turn out the way we want them. I know its a fairly simple thing, but so often books fall into that realm of “the MC always wins because they're the MC,” so to not get that is always a welcome surprise.
Ren was a very fun character to follow. He starts off a bit brash and steadily evolves as the novel progresses. He slips up at first, saying that the shrine maiden is going to die, and slowly has to earn her trust back, and finds himself caring for her more and more with each chapter. The shrine maiden, Suzume, is a great character too. She has the god of a tree inside a spear that she carries, and this god uses her as a conduit to fight on occasion. The progression of these two felt real, heartfelt, and logical, and I enjoyed every second of it.
There were some supporting characters I loved even more. Namely a vulgar tanuki named Pon-Pon who is obsessed with alcohol and his own balls, but not in a weird way. I mean, it probably sounds like a weird way, but its not, I promise, its only a minor thing and it was amusing. To me, at least, but maybe your mileage may vary. Otherwise, Pon-Pon is an adorable, kind family man and a great friend to Ren.
Later there is a crustacean monk amongst the yokai that has his own aspirations, desires, monologues, and unique skillset. A very interesting scene all things considered, and one I wish I could have gotten a bit more of.
The plot and setting were unique, I thought. Though there does exist a possibility that I am not often looking for stories set in Japan, especially primarily written in english. Regardless, it was not something I’d come across before, though monster hunting stories are always favorites of mine. I can’t compare this quite to things like the Witcher, since Blood of the Kami is more YA and less grimdark, but any hunting of monsters is good at all for me. Furthermore, I love learning about and steeping myself in Japanese culture ever since moving to Tokyo for university. To read a book and say “I know that place, I’ve been there!” is always a lot of fun, especially when it isn’t just something boring like the Empire State Building in Percy Jackson (no hate, I love those books).
The enemy in this story—I won’t spoil it because it takes a while to be revealed—have a diverse extent of motives. Some are obvious, while others are yet to be revealed, and are only briefly hinted at in an epilogue. They tie in very closely with Ren’s story and how he concluded in Blood of the Kami, and I’m very excited to see how all of that plays out. He still has a great deal of debt, after all, and Japan isn’t entirely safe, either. Who can say what will happen?
Baptiste Pinson Wu is steadily cementing himself as one of my favorite authors. This is my second series of his I’ve gotten into, and I liked this one as much as the first. His prose is exemplary, his dialogue natural and flowing exactly as you’d want it to, and it creates a story that is fantastic from cover to cover. This one was a page turner, and I hardly wanted to put it down. A shame that I had to once I finished.
For fans of historical fiction steeped in wonder, growth, exciting combat, and driven by compelling characters, Blood of the Kami by Baptitse Pinson Wu is going to resonate with readers in a big way.
April 1, 2025
Oh this was so much fun!!!! It takes a special author to pick on similar themes of mythology and lore and write 2 different types of books altogether - A grim gritty story in Army of One and a much more YA-ish adventure book in Blood of the Kami. Baptiste Pinson Wu does it in fabulous style. I loved the mythology and lore in this allied with the natural, supernatural and unnatural forces against our lead - it is quite unputdownable and it is filled with a love of the Japanese mythology. And a gorgeous cover to boot as well
Full RTC
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An action packed "Lone Wolf & Cub" adventure into a lore-rich, mythology-heavy magical Japan packed with natural, super-natural and unnatural threats
I am thankful to the author for my review copy of the book. Below are my honest thoughts on the same
Right off the deck, what a fabulous cover. If nothing else, the cover is so spectacular that you are immediately smitten, and the book that follows does an equally good job. You know what you are getting when you read Baptiste Pinson Wu’s books - a heavy focus on lore, a deep love and respect for mythology, a whole lot of action, and some nifty twists to keep you hooked. The Army of One series followed this template, embedding itself in Norse Mythology. Undead Samurai also hewed to this and set it in feudal Japan. Blood of the Kami is set in a slightly more mystical Japan, but I believe that Undead Samurai can also be set in the same universe - almost a double header, if you will
That said, you have to applaud the writing skills on display here. The other books that had similar parameters were gritty and dark. In contrast, Blood of the Kami is a testament to the author’s skills in framing those similar themes on an adventure canvas board and making it YA to a certain degree. Make no mistake, there is enough action and blood-letting and a look into some of the darker psyches at work, but the writing and framing make this different from his other series while hewing to similar themes. This is easily one of the best cases of authors being able to shift tones that I have seen
“And you are no Heart, but you have a good one. The girl doesn’t need your pity and she doesn’t need prayers. She needs an honest, sincere friend. A straight arrow to piece the darkness and rekindle her faith in people”
Blood of the Kami opens with Ren Fudo, our protagonist, being attacked by a mythological monster at 12 years old, and his mother paying the price as she tries to protect him. Now, 5 years later, Ren has joined the secret sect of hunters to pay off his debt to keep his mother alive while also hunting for revenge. His latest mission has him on the road with a new companion, who is harbouring secrets and pain of her own. Neither of them has any idea that their actions may end up deciding the fate of an uneasy Japan wrestling with civil unrest and strife.
Bong Joon-ho, the Oscar-winning director of Parasite, urged audiences to overcome the “one-inch barrier of subtitles” in order to discover amazing cinema. I would like to make the case for the same when it comes to Blood of the Kami. Pinson Wu peppers the book with a lot of Japanese phrases, and while it may get heavy, it helps to stick to the flow of the book and not let those phrases derail your enjoyment of the book. It is all explained as you go through the book which makes the journey even more interesting.
Ren’s mission increasingly gets complicated, and the mission is increasingly a journey of discovery and learning for the Ren and his companion. The complications of Ren’s journey also take various forms - from natural to supernatural to ultimately unnatural threats, and the book constantly keeps on throwing these challenges to keep the momentum unchecked and flowing. Since this book veers into YA territory, some of the threats and sequences have a kind of easy resolution, but that never detracts from the journey Ren and his increasing band of companions have to face.
“Pain is unique to each of us, as are the solutions to it. But there is a solution; be sure of that. There is always a solution”
As a character, Ren has that bit of a non-conformist rebel in him. Despite the blows that he has taken & the revenge he seeks, he retains a fair amount of zest for life while forming alliances and friendships all across the country. He is also compassionate and playful, reflecting the tone of the book pretty well as well. The supporting cast is also rather well sketched out, and there are particular sojourns of the book that bring to mind some of the wandering aspects of Lord of the Rings (Pon-Pon is Bombadil equivalent if we want to make the comparison)
There is a lot of lore that is covered through the book, but it never feels heavy as the book fairly rockets along - Ren’s mission truly starts only somewhere around the mid-point of the book. While a lot does happen even before that, the urgency amps up significantly after the mid-point of the book. I did feel the YA-ness of the book kept a bit of the tension at bay while also providing some easy resolution - that’s possibly the biggest quibble I have on this otherwise action-packed, mystical, and magical book
Blood of the Kami is yet another impressive book from Baptiste Pinson Wu - it has all the elements that we love about his books while showing enough deft skill to make it an engaging and thrilling narrative with a YA slant to it. It is an ode to the love of mythology and history, and it shows in every page of this book. Just absorb the Japanese terminologies & you have a magical world to enjoy
Rating - 4.5 Kamis on 5 (the extra 0.5 is for the gorgeous cover, which I genuinely cant take my eyes off )
Full RTC
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An action packed "Lone Wolf & Cub" adventure into a lore-rich, mythology-heavy magical Japan packed with natural, super-natural and unnatural threats
I am thankful to the author for my review copy of the book. Below are my honest thoughts on the same
Right off the deck, what a fabulous cover. If nothing else, the cover is so spectacular that you are immediately smitten, and the book that follows does an equally good job. You know what you are getting when you read Baptiste Pinson Wu’s books - a heavy focus on lore, a deep love and respect for mythology, a whole lot of action, and some nifty twists to keep you hooked. The Army of One series followed this template, embedding itself in Norse Mythology. Undead Samurai also hewed to this and set it in feudal Japan. Blood of the Kami is set in a slightly more mystical Japan, but I believe that Undead Samurai can also be set in the same universe - almost a double header, if you will
That said, you have to applaud the writing skills on display here. The other books that had similar parameters were gritty and dark. In contrast, Blood of the Kami is a testament to the author’s skills in framing those similar themes on an adventure canvas board and making it YA to a certain degree. Make no mistake, there is enough action and blood-letting and a look into some of the darker psyches at work, but the writing and framing make this different from his other series while hewing to similar themes. This is easily one of the best cases of authors being able to shift tones that I have seen
“And you are no Heart, but you have a good one. The girl doesn’t need your pity and she doesn’t need prayers. She needs an honest, sincere friend. A straight arrow to piece the darkness and rekindle her faith in people”
Blood of the Kami opens with Ren Fudo, our protagonist, being attacked by a mythological monster at 12 years old, and his mother paying the price as she tries to protect him. Now, 5 years later, Ren has joined the secret sect of hunters to pay off his debt to keep his mother alive while also hunting for revenge. His latest mission has him on the road with a new companion, who is harbouring secrets and pain of her own. Neither of them has any idea that their actions may end up deciding the fate of an uneasy Japan wrestling with civil unrest and strife.
Bong Joon-ho, the Oscar-winning director of Parasite, urged audiences to overcome the “one-inch barrier of subtitles” in order to discover amazing cinema. I would like to make the case for the same when it comes to Blood of the Kami. Pinson Wu peppers the book with a lot of Japanese phrases, and while it may get heavy, it helps to stick to the flow of the book and not let those phrases derail your enjoyment of the book. It is all explained as you go through the book which makes the journey even more interesting.
Ren’s mission increasingly gets complicated, and the mission is increasingly a journey of discovery and learning for the Ren and his companion. The complications of Ren’s journey also take various forms - from natural to supernatural to ultimately unnatural threats, and the book constantly keeps on throwing these challenges to keep the momentum unchecked and flowing. Since this book veers into YA territory, some of the threats and sequences have a kind of easy resolution, but that never detracts from the journey Ren and his increasing band of companions have to face.
“Pain is unique to each of us, as are the solutions to it. But there is a solution; be sure of that. There is always a solution”
As a character, Ren has that bit of a non-conformist rebel in him. Despite the blows that he has taken & the revenge he seeks, he retains a fair amount of zest for life while forming alliances and friendships all across the country. He is also compassionate and playful, reflecting the tone of the book pretty well as well. The supporting cast is also rather well sketched out, and there are particular sojourns of the book that bring to mind some of the wandering aspects of Lord of the Rings (Pon-Pon is Bombadil equivalent if we want to make the comparison)
There is a lot of lore that is covered through the book, but it never feels heavy as the book fairly rockets along - Ren’s mission truly starts only somewhere around the mid-point of the book. While a lot does happen even before that, the urgency amps up significantly after the mid-point of the book. I did feel the YA-ness of the book kept a bit of the tension at bay while also providing some easy resolution - that’s possibly the biggest quibble I have on this otherwise action-packed, mystical, and magical book
Blood of the Kami is yet another impressive book from Baptiste Pinson Wu - it has all the elements that we love about his books while showing enough deft skill to make it an engaging and thrilling narrative with a YA slant to it. It is an ode to the love of mythology and history, and it shows in every page of this book. Just absorb the Japanese terminologies & you have a magical world to enjoy
Rating - 4.5 Kamis on 5 (the extra 0.5 is for the gorgeous cover, which I genuinely cant take my eyes off )
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