Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro

by H.L. Dawson

First of a series, for fans of anime Inuyasha and Noragami, and lovers of the poignant movie Hotarubi no Mori e , with stunningly detailed chapter art. (Kudos if you can spot the chapter inspired by two Hazbin Hotel songs!)

In the mist-shrouded forest villages of a mythic realm drawn from the echoes of pre-Sengoku Japan, Emika, a Reitsumeyoke, or "dispeller of sugami", bears the sacred Reikyo talismans to slay the sugami: twisted gods warped by envy and ravenous for worship.

Yet when the voice of the mountain god falls silent and the protective wards begin to crumble, the sugami rise in fury, threatening to drown the land in divine wrath. Bound by duty and desperation, Emika is joined by her childhood friend Mu, a minor god shackled by curses and secrets.

Together, they enter a perilous game among the divine: a treacherous web of betrayal, forgotten truths, and celestial manipulation. As gods move mortals like pieces on a board, every choice Emika makes risks shattering the fragile balance. This is a story of defiance against fate, of the sacrifices demanded by faith, love, and loyalty - and of the terrible price paid by those who dare to challenge the will of the gods.

#Fantasy #Romance #Young Adult #Mythology #Magic #Fiction #Paranormal
#FantasyRomance #Gods #Romantasy

Genres: Fantasy

483 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2025

About the author

H. L. Dawson, a British, neurodivergent author, now a head teacher in Asia, has always found comfort in books rather than crowds. She builds otherworldly realms where fantastical creatures and cultural history blend seamlessly. Dawson's plot-orientated novels blend strong emotion, vivid imagery, and a compelling writing style to create characters who evolve deeply. She has spent over two decades developing her style with the aim of easing the loneliness of her readers and providing herself with a purpose by telling stories that speak to the heart and offer a little hope with a touch of magic.
✧₊⁺📚📖✎ᝰ.⋆.˚୨ৎ✩☾

Interested in becoming an ARC / beta-reader? Feel free to contact me.

“I have three husbands, but two of them are from Love and Deepspace,”



https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FQ6BWH8Z

Reviews

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts
First of let me start off by saying I'm finally getting this off my CR shelf - I say this with so much love for the book as it was genuinely absolutely beautiful -- I lowkey knew I'd be immersed in the plot from the first few pages which is why I put a pause on it until I wasn't so swapped with books and oh my God guys this book??? It was so heavy on tha world building and the atmosphere -- I literally felt like I was in the book it will pull you in - you can just feel how much love the author has for Japanese mythology, the writing style did flow however it is on the lengthy side of books and this was a no brainer for me. However with that being said, I did struggle to get to the end ( chapters 40 to 48 ) felt so winded out and long BUT it still is a five star read nonetheless!
I don't want to get into too much detail as I don't want to spoil the journey YES it's a journey and as shocked as I am at myself for saying this but I truly think this is one of the first romantasy books that I won't forget any time soon! I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Read if you like
▪︎ Japanese mythology
▪︎ Forbidden love
▪︎ Slow burn
▪︎ strong female protagonist
▪︎ Quest
▪︎ Duty vs desire

Plot Summary
Emika is a Reitsumeyoke, tasked with protecting villages by dispelling sugami—gods twisted into monsters by neglect and jealousy. When the mountain god suddenly falls silent and the sacred wards begin to fail, the land is thrown into danger. With only Mu, a cursed minor god from her childhood, to aid her, Emika sets out on a perilous journey. Along the way she uncovers betrayals among the gods, hidden truths about the balance between mortals and the divine, and secrets that test her loyalty and courage. To save her world, Emika must risk everything—even her heart.

Many thanks to the author for reaching out to me about her book -- I love discovering new gems .. This book was definitely one of them! - Available on KU

My Bookstagram

[Hanna☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ (Free Palestine) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rtc
________________

I am soooo excited to read this book, according to the blurb it has everythingg I love in my books so I hope I love it! Thank you so much to H.L. Dawson for reaching out to me, I'm so ready to start this! 💗

[Angharad · Rating 1 out of 5]

NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I feel really bad and struggled on how to rate this one. On paper this book is tailored to me specifically. I was an Inuyasha kid growing up and I can tell that Dawson might've been too and their story in the afterword about writing this during a hard time in life really resonated with me.

However, the story itself has the skeleton of Kikyo/Inuyasha fanfiction and I suspect that's probably how it started life. The writing style is...in need of some work. I'm not one to lob AI allegations lightly, but the cover and the 50 something illustrations in the book have no artist credits that I could find and I have the feeling if I put them through an AI detector, at least some of them would test positive. As an artist and a writer myself, it just "pings" those senses for me. I would strongly prefer that the story didn't have art in it at all than AI generated images which are bad for the planet and for artists's prospects in an already competitive and underpaid industry. Same to be said for the prose; I'd rather take a badly written book by a human being than an amazing one by a machine. I hate that we live in a time line where we have to wonder if creative work was made by a human or a computer.

Dawson plans to have sequels in this series but I won't continue.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book: Repetative, overly-reliant on tropes and cliches, constantly referencing much better media. Repetative and unfocused, leading to its outrageous page count. Another in desperate need of a creative, human, intelligent editor.

I have multiple, excellent reasons to think this book is AI-produced slop (e.g., the author confirming they use generative AI when writing, excerpts put through AI detectors reporting 44-100% of text in a given snippet being produced by AI). I think its really important that the content of a book be human-generated, and that the book is clear/transparent/accountable when AI is used to make it.

[Charles Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so I felt as if I was pulled into a manga-ish otherworldly universe from the off. And like any other occasion I've dabbled in such content, I was overcome by an odd sense of confusion mixed with tingles of excitement. This was complete with the fleeting suspicion that something had been lost in translation, which made the book feel authentic. The story had me thinking of the Final Fantasy franchise, which I enjoyed greatly. The occasional questions reverberating around my tiny little mind included 'Why did that happen?' or 'Now, was that a good god or a bad one?'.

The story involves a young, conflicted, special woman, going on a quest with her playful demi-god companion to save the world from damnation. The mutual attraction and interdependence between the pair is an ongoing thread. The relationship can be summarised through the following quote:

"Without your prayers, I fade. Without you, I'm nothing." His words hung in the air, a truth that bound them closer than any Kiyoji spell. The fire crackled, its light dancing across his hair, casting fleeting halos that made him seem both god and mortal, fragile yet untouchable. Emika's heart ached at his words, the weight of their shared burden pressing against her chest. The forest's silence deepened, broken only by the wind's mournful howl, carrying the faint scent of decay. The stars above watched, indifferent.

The author clearly poured themselves into writing this book, and put a lot of effort around world-building. A labour of love, I suspect. It is epic and romantic. While there are areas of potential improvement, and aspects of the writing style weren't for me, overall I found it to be an extensive and interesting read. I suspect it's more aimed at young adult readers, sadly, a category into which I no longer fit. But I still thought it was intriguing! I'd give it 3.5, rounding up to 4 stars, for an effortful and valiant debut novel.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kuu · Rating 2 out of 5]

FINALLY finished after so many months
thank you to the author for providing me with a copy to review!

I have to say that I like the idea so far, though it is not fully clear to me yet what exactly the idea is supposed to be other than Big War of the Gods. It feels like there's a lot of information still missing, and generally, I would attribute this to deliberate planning by the author, but in this case I'm honestly not so sure.
This novel had many plot and writing issues, from suddenly jumping scenery between chapters (so that it felt like you had accidentally skipped a chapter), to inconsistencies (such as Mu wanting his curse to be kept secret from Arafusha, but then the curse is casually mentioned like two pages later; the prophecy Mu heard that was never actually featured in any of the chapters, he just suddenly was talking about it; Emika's Reikyo ruined with the ink of Himitsuatsume's sarikas, but then suddenly she uses them 3 pages later), to pacing issues (it took me MONTHS to read the first 200 pages, and about a week or so to read the last 400, as the first 200 pages were SLOW and the only reason I continued was because I felt obligated to finish the book and leave a review; on the other hand, the last 100 pages or so suddenly involve three different feuds, new characters that feel very relevant but there's not enough space to find out why, etc.). Others have mentioned that they suspect the book has at least partially been written by/with AI, and I kind of agree, simply because that would be the more charitable interpretation of some of the clear flaws - that the machine forgot, for example, that we do not yet know Kabikame's name, after exclusively referring to him as the Wind God for the previous paragraphs, and with Emika asking for his name two paragraphs after he is suddenly referred to as Kabikame instead of Wind God. Similarly, every now and then there would be a couple paragraphs that heavily overuse a word or phrase - "gnarled" springs to mind, or Emika's marks "pulsing", frequently as a "reminder of their bond", either to Mu or Kozan Mamorigami, sometimes three or four times on a page (for phrases) or within a paragraph (for single words).
I also tend to leave out my PolSci background when rating how much I enjoyed a book (unless I just really want to be a hater and didn't enjoy the book at all, which is not the case here), but I have to say that the pictures (which also seem AI generated, or then the author didn't give credit to the original artist - I prefer to think it's just AI) give HEAVY orientalist vibes, frequently featuring kimono that pretty much look like a sexy caricature, with Emika's boobs half falling out, and also the proportions of Mu and Emika in those pictures being very "yaoi", in that Mu, supposedly in his human form, is easily twice as broad as frail little Emika. I also view critically the fact that all Reitsumeyoke have blue eyes, even though I know that it's meant to signify their "specialness". However, giving the special, extraordinary, frequently magically skilled characters blue eyes when they are clearly supposed to be Japanese is... not it. (Add here another logical issue, namely: why do Reitsumeyoke have to touch each other's Kiyoji mark to confirm that this really is a Reitsumeyoke if every Reistumeyoke has BRIGHT BLUE EYES?)
The gender roles in the novel also left me going Hmmm once I noticed then: Mu, who is cold towards anyone but Emika, but at the same time very reasonable and aware of danger, and Emika, who is WAY too empathetic to everyone and constantly getting them in danger, and also apparently too stupid to even read a map?? As well as constantly in need of protection despite somehow having some massive power that can make even great elemental gods stop in their tracks. It just... doesn't check out and is, in my opinion, reproducing some pretty unfavourable gender stereotypes, especially considering Emika's power is literally bigger than Mu's for 99% of the novel.
The ending felt rushed and random, and barely made sense to me - for the past 300 pages they've been trying to find Kozan Mamoregami, but suddenly, without ever explicitly saying that they will do so, they're going to look for a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT GOD? And then it takes them one page to be RIGHT THERE? Yeah it... doesn't make sense, but I still enjoyed reading this book so I will give it 2.5 stars because it was a fun read (after the first couple hundred pages, which dragged on endlessly... alas).
Also, what does the title mean and what is its relevance, because none of the Japanese words were ever mentioned in the actual book.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was never meant to save a god. He was never meant to remember her.

In a world where gods linger at forgotten shrines and twisted spirits hunger for worship, Emika is a Reitsumeyoke, trained to purify the land of sugami, gods warped by envy and neglect. Quiet and observant, she carries the weight of sacred duty while the divine order begins to crumble. When the mountain god falls silent and ancient wards collapse, she’s sent into the forest with only her talismans and a mission no one dares to name.

Waiting in the trees is Mu, her childhood friend and guardian, now a minor god bound by curses, memory loss, and a past he doesn’t fully understand. He’s sarcastic, jaded, and far more powerful than he should be. As they journey together, secrets surface about vanished gods, broken alliances, and the curse that ties their fates. The deeper they go, the more dangerous their path becomes.

Their connection begins as duty but slowly becomes something heavier. It’s quiet and aching, built in the pauses between battles and the silence after hard truths. They protect each other, trust each other, and find themselves changed by that closeness. What grows between them is intimate, fragile, and central to the story’s heart.

Emika grows from a quiet girl carrying duty into someone more defiant, emotionally open, and ready to challenge the gods themselves. Mu hides behind dry humor and distance, but his walls break as loyalty, guilt, and tenderness rise to the surface. Together they’re shaped by sacrifice and by choices that test who they are and what they’re willing to risk.

The book’s description mentions influences from Hotarubi no Mori e, Inuyasha, Noragami, and even songs from Hazbin Hotel. Not being overly familiar with these, it took a little time to explore these too in order to consider their influences, but you can feel each of these in the way the story unfolds.

Hotarubi no Mori e echoes in the bond between Emika and Mu, where love is powerful but shadowed by memory, magic, and inevitability. Like Hotaru and Gin, they exist in a liminal space where longing and loss are inseparable.

From Inuyasha comes the mythic setting, corrupted spirits, and a romance forged through danger and companionship. From Noragami comes the tension of forgotten gods, divine politics, and the way mortals and deities collide in messy, emotional ways. They share a balance of action, spiritual stakes, and a slow-burn connection that resists easy definition.

As to the Hazbin Hotel songs, the inspiration seems to come from the Hazbin Hotel songs You Didn’t Know and Poison. Bisaisei’s allure carries the toxic pull of Poison, mixing beauty and danger, while Emika’s desperate attempt to save Mu, only to be left behind, mirrors the heartbreak of You Didn’t Know. It’s a scene of vulnerability and sorrow, a turning point where love proves both powerful and costly.

Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro is ultimately a story about memory, sacrifice, and love that endures even when it shouldn’t. It asks what remains when power is stripped away, when the gods themselves demand choices no mortal should have to make, and when the bond between two people becomes both salvation and loss.

[Kristina Stangl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautifully Written Tale

A beautifully written tale that has a nice mix of romance, fantasy, action, duty and Japanese folklore and mythology. The story follows Emika, a shaman-like figure, along with her childhood friend Mu, a minor god-like being. She is tasked to overcome the gods in the forest and together with Mu, she sets on this journey through the beautiful backdrop of the Japanese mountains, forest and countryside. Through their adventures, Emika and Mu find themselves falling for each other, as they grapple with their own destines. All in all, this is a lovely and enchanting romantasy that’s similar to the likes of Inuyasha.

But apart from the story itself, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous artwork in this book, too. The cover alone is like a bright shining star that grabs your attention at first sight. Plus, each chapter also contains a lovely picture, which serves as a preview to the upcoming plot.

Overall, a great book and I can’t wait to read more in this series!

Lastly, a special thank you to the author for an ARC to this novel, in exchange for my honest review.

[Jessica Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel by Dawson and can’t wait to read what happens next! The book is filled with danger around every corner and life threatening battles with powerful people and even more powerful gods! I loved the chapter art and the slow-burn—and almost forbidden—romance that is sparked between Emika and the minor god, Mu. The end of the book leaves you crushed when their relationship is completely dismantled, leaving you desperate to know what comes next for them. Thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

[A.J. Moonflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a mythic realm inspired by pre-Sengoku Japan, the story follows Emika, a Reitsumeyoke (“dispenser of sugami”) tasked with destroying twisted gods whose envy and hunger for worship have warped them. When the mountain god’s voice falls silent and the protective wards begin failing, Emika is pulled into a larger conflict. She is joined by her childhood friend Mu, a minor god bound with curses and secrets. Together they face divine betrayals, forgotten histories, and moral choices, as Emika learns that upholding her sacred duty may come at terrible personal cost.







What Works
• World-building & Atmosphere
The setting is lush and evocative. Dawson leans fully into a Japanese-inspired fantasy: mist-shrouded forests, ancient shrines, protective wards, and divine magic all contribute to a vivid, immersive atmosphere. The lore feels fleshed out, with a sense of history, mystery, and weight.
• Mythology & Stakes
The concept of sugami (twisted gods), divine silence, failing wards, and the crisis among gods and mortals provides strong stakes. Often in fantasy, the “divine world interfering” plot can feel overused, but here it’s handled with enough nuance—secrets, betrayal, power dynamics—to keep tension high.
• Character Arc & Relationship
Emika starts more duty-bound, quiet, perhaps somewhat restrained by her responsibility; over the course of the narrative she opens up, shows defiance, and wrestles with what her duty demands versus what she wants or believes is right. Mu’s character—sarcastic, burdened, hiding truths—makes a good counterpart. Their emotional journey (from obligation through loyalty, trust, possibly to love) is handled with desire for realism in how hard decisions are.
• Romantic Tension
The romance element is subtle—slow-burn, with moments that linger in the spaces between conflict. It doesn’t feel tacked on, but woven into their journey. That adds emotional weight, especially when divine politics and moral dilemmas are involved.

What Doesn’t Always Hit
• Pacing & Length
At nearly 700 pages, the book is ambitious. Some readers may feel that certain segments drag—especially early on, when setting up lore, themes, and worldbuilding. It sometimes prioritizes world or lore over forward motion, which can slow the momentum. This could test readers who prefer tighter pacing. NetGalley
• Complexity / Accessibility
The lore is deep, there are voices of gods, cursed minor gods, ancient histories, talismans, etc. For readers not used to mythology-heavy fantasy, some of the terminology, cultural references, or backstory might feel overwhelming at first. The glossary helps, but there are a lot of moving parts.
• Character Choices / Familiar Tropes
Some arcs or conflicts lean on tropes: the duty-bound hero, the cursed god with a hidden past, the Betrayal by Ancients, etc. While Dawson puts her spin on them, and many of the tropes are comforting or beloved, they may feel predictable at points. Also, Emika’s naïveté in some situations can frustrate, though it also seems intentional for her growth.
• Resolutions / Cliffhangers
Because this is the first book in The Reitsumeyoke Scrolls, not all threads resolve fully. Some readers might feel dissatisfied with how many mysteries remain open, especially given the size of the narrative. The payoff for certain mysteries or character arcs are delayed.

Overall Impression
Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro is a strong debut (or early-series) fantasy romance that combines lush mythic worldbuilding with emotional stakes and a slow-burn romance. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy works like Noragami, Inuyasha, or myth-fantasy that leans into divine politics and the struggles between gods and mortals.
It doesn’t always move at lightning-pace, and the depth and amount of lore means the reader needs patience and willingness to immerse. But for those who can commit, the reward is substantial: a story with heart, moral weight, mystery, and a heroine who must decide not just how to use her power, but who she wants to be in a world where gods demand more than faith.

[꧁ᙏᗣᙃⱿꙆᗣ꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!
That's all for now, I'll write more after I get over the shock and I can sort out what I've just read 😅
One thing is for sure, I WANT MORE!

edited:
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐒' 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐘𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀 𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ⵑ
What happened here, you ask?! So many fascinating things that I couldn't tear myself away from. This is practically a ready-made script for a movie, or perhaps an anime. I haven't seen many, I can count them on one hand, but one based on the plot of this novel, I would absolutely love to see. It's incredibly rare for me to feel the urge to see a film adaptation of a novel I've read, and here I'd love to see a visualization of it.

Oh, that would be fantastic! Because it's not just a novel, it's an entire fairytale universe, and the author paints beautiful images with words, reminiscent of nihonga.

The first thing that catches my eye is the cover and the artwork. They're poetic and beautiful. I really like them. It's also great that the author included a glossary at the beginning. It includes useful terminology for the characters and how to pronounce them.

[...]
𝑴𝒖 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑙𝑦, 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓.
-𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚.ᐣ- 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. -𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆—𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏.ᐣ
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑒’𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒—𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑬𝒎𝒊𝒌𝒂 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑. 𝐼𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑. 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚. 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ. 𝑂𝑓 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔.

There's a mystery, two protagonists grappling with dangers on their path to destiny. There are also gods who want to force them to abort their mission to save Kōsan Mamorigami, who himself isn't very helpful. There are also powerless humans, with their own flaws, practically at the mercy of the gods. And one, Emika, the heroine, who, by facing them, wants to save the world she lives in. Even at the cost of sacrificing her own feelings and ultimately her life.
Her behavior can sometimes be irritatingly naive, but I understand the author's intention, who likely wants to show us her progress in self-fulfillment and understanding of herself, the world around her, and the laws that govern it.

[...]
-𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓.ᐣ- ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛, ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑝 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑒. -𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌.ᐣ
𝑬𝒎𝒊𝒌𝒂’𝒔 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑, 𝑠ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑡𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑦𝑜𝑘𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑒, 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑, ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑. 𝑃𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡, 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔’𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑙.

In any case, the second novel written by H.L. Dawson, whom I sincerely thank for singling out and providing me with the novel "Emika...", was a compelling and irresistible page-turner.
The action is dynamic, the characters are multi-dimensional, the plot is exciting, and the world-building is fantastic, leaving you wanting more. It's a significant improvement over the author's debut novel, which I also had the opportunity to read and recommend.
And the fact that it leaves us hanging only intensifies my curiosity and desire to find out what the author has in store for her characters.
𝗜 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗧ⵑ 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗧ⵑ 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗧 ⵑ

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲ⵑ 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🤗🤍
𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 "𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱."
𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞 ⵑ 👩👍

p.s.
𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 🎶🎧👩📚☕
https://youtu.be/BMNQA0Cueno?si=_zDRK...

[Jacqueline Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enticing and frightening glimpse into an alternative mystical Japan

H L Dawson’s novel is an experience that the right sort of readers will immerse themselves in. Rich in detail and well-researched in the colours and smells and customs of traditional Japanese life, it takes you on the journey of Emika, a Reitsumeyoke, half-medium/ half-handmaiden, a bridge between the local god for her village and forest, Kōsan Mamorigami, and the villagers whose lives depend on his goodwill.

When we open, Emika is living her monastic life as a Reitsumeyoke, concealed in her living quarters in the shrine, waited on hand and foot, but not able to wander freely or have anything like a normal life, under the watchful eye of her sharp-tongued mentor Natsuko, an older Reitsumeyoke. It’s a life of service and sacrifice, and extraordinarily little fun or spontaneity, but Emika feels it is her duty to protect her village and villagers, by using the powers she has been trained in since childhood. She only has one secret thing: her friendship with a local minor god, whose shrine she tends and who she meets in deserted spots where no-one can find them. Mu, Japanese for nothing or no-one, has lost his identity and memoires and has no idea of what sort of a god he once was. Emika is the only person keeping him from the oblivion of fallen godhood.

But as all good adventures must, Emika’s constrained life is ripped asunder when threats from evil gods and sugami, fallen former gods who now exist to devour humans, threaten Kōsan Mamorigami’s benevolent powers over the land and the forests. Emika, protected by Mu, must go to the home of Kōsan Mamorigami to help him.

At its heart, Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro, is a classic quest mixed with forbidden love, as Emika’s vows to devote her life to her god, conflict with the growing mutual attraction between her and Mu. Japanophiles will love the details of a bygone alternative medieval Japan, but those without much Japanese language might find the large cast of Japanese gods a bit of a stumbling block. As a very mediocre Japanese speaker myself, I enjoyed the wordplay around their names to suggest their characters and hidden sides.

I also felt it could have been trimmed a bit in parts, so we could get to some genuinely scary sequences, being trapped in forests with malevolent gods, or in villages where everyone has sold their souls to the dark side a long time ago.

The forbidden love between Emika and Mu is also well-sustained, and the ending came as a genuine shock.

At over 600 pages, this is no small commitment, but would be an immersive read for the right reader, perhaps a fellow fan of Japanese mythology who also has a yen for a really sexy minor god.

[Tanisha Naidoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an atmospheric and beautifully crafted fantasy that blends myth, ritual, and human emotion into something truly unique. The writing is lush and lyrical, painting a vivid world of shrines, minor gods, and twisted spirits. Reading it often felt like stepping into a painted scroll — and the illustrations scattered throughout elevate that feeling even more. They’re not just decorative; they bring the world to life, helping you see the shrines, the sugami, and the characters with striking clarity.

At its heart, this is Emika’s story — a young woman chosen by the gods, trained since childhood to be the sacred Reitsumeyoke. She’s graceful, dutiful, and devout, but underneath her composure is a girl aching for freedom, friendship, and her own choices. I loved the complexity of her character: torn between her divine duty and her human longings. Her relationship with Mu, a fading but charming god she secretly keeps alive, was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Their bond is tender, bittersweet, and quietly rebellious.

The themes of faith, sacrifice, and personal desire are explored with care, and the worldbuilding feels rich with spiritual detail. The sugami encounters add real tension, but what stayed with me most was Emika’s emotional journey.

If I had to note one drawback, it’s that the pacing can be slow in the beginning. The detail is gorgeous, but the heavy focus on ritual and daily routines sometimes lingers longer than needed. Still, the illustrations, characters, and mythology more than make up for it once the story builds momentum.

Overall, this is a stunningly illustrated, lyrical fantasy that fans of myth-inspired storytelling will love. If you enjoy Studio Ghibli’s spiritual worlds or the quiet elegance of Lian Hearn’s Tales of the Otori, this book is absolutely worth your time.

[Jade Pietrangelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! I loved going on this journey with Emika and Mu, but the end?! The end?! Safe to say there’s lots more to this story.

After reading this author’s debut novel, Deeper than Black, a few months back, I was excited to jump back into their head to see what else was brewing up there. I know absolutely nothing about anime or Japanese mythology, but figured “what the heck? Let’s go for it”. What I got was a captivating tale of gods and their divine servants within a moody Japanese forest of white bamboo. Thankfully, this book starts with listing all the important terms (including pronunciation. Extra points for that!), so readers like me who are clueless will know what the heck is going on even without previous knowledge of the subject material. Even without said previous knowledge, I really enjoyed myself with this one! There were definitely a few spots in the middle that lagged a bit, but it picked up again at the end when we finally got some answers! I’m looking forward to seeing where Emika and Mu go from here, and I’m eager to get more answers!

My favorite part had to be the visit to shōkibōkami. So lovely and wholesome! I also really loved Arafusha’s character. I would like to see more of Kosan Mamorigami and I have a feeling he will play a bigger role in the books to come.

The authors writing has improved already just from their last book to this one. The words flow much better and the imagery you get from how descriptive the writing is is really enjoyable. I felt fully immersed in this world and was really able to zone in. Kudos to the author. I know they’ve worked around the clock to get this book out and I’m hoping they will soon see some fruits of their labor.

[Nick Malara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just finished reading this it pulled me in right away with its lush, poetic prose. The writing is so atmospheric and sensory that I felt like I was walking through the sacred forests myself, hearing the whispers of spirits and watching the rituals unfold. The world-building is rich and layered, full of talismanic art, folklore, and sacred traditions that make the story feel mythic and alive.
What I loved most was how immersive the experience was. Every scene felt carefully crafted, and there’s a sincerity to the emotions that makes the romance between Emika and Mu feel heartfelt and powerful. For me, that’s what really makes the book shine the balance of intimacy and epic scale.

That said, I did feel like the pacing slowed down in the middle sections. I think you even warned me about that. The detailed rituals and introspective passages, while beautifully written, sometimes pulled me out of the forward momentum of the story. I also found myself wanting more from the side characters. They were memorable but often got overshadowed by the focus on Emika and Mu. A bit more depth and motivation for them would have added another layer to the narrative.

Still, even with those small critiques, I came away feeling like I’d read something special. This isn’t a breezy read you have to slow down and savor it, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.

My Verdict: I’d recommend Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro to anyone who loves lyrical, romantic fantasy that blends the sacred with the profane. It’s mythic, beautifully written, and emotionally sincere, and worth every moment you spend with it. well done overall

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, confession time: I’m a HUGE Inuyasha fan. So the second I saw this blurb mention Inuyasha, Noragami, and even Hotarubi no Mori e vibes? Instant “yes please.”

This book feels like stepping straight into a mist shrouded anime world! Complete with sugami (twisted gods hungry for worship), cursed companions, and divine conspiracies. Emika is such a strong lead, her duty as a Reitsumeyoke (sugami slayer) makes her both fierce and vulnerable.

And then there’s Mu… childhood friend, minor god, full of secrets and curses, and honestly? The kind of morally complicated character I can’t resist.

The world building is lush, mythic, and layered in that “gods vs mortals” way that always makes my heart ache a little. Every choice feels heavy with consequences, and the betrayals hit hard. I also loved that there’s gorgeous chapter art sprinkled in, which gave it a manga/anime feel that made the whole experience even more immersive.

It’s definitely the first of a series, and you can feel that (the ending sets up more rather than wrapping everything neatly) but honestly, I’m already invested in this world and these characters.

If you’ve ever wished Inuyasha came in novel form, with a touch of Noragami’s sass, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Visionary Druid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emika is a Reitsumeyoke – dispeller of twisted warped gods called sugami. When the voice of the mountain god falls silent, and the sugami threat rises, she must search for his secret shrine. Emika’s only companion is Mu, a minor god burdened by a curse.
The story takes place in a fantasy, Japanese-style world. A big thing that perked my interest. However, I struggled to get into the story and connect with the characters. I think if the author toned down on the prose and terminology geared to that world, the story would have flowed better for me. Yeah, she offered a glossary – which helped – at the beginning. It just felt like every other paragraph had such words. That got too repetitive and off-putting for my tastes.
Sadly, I “DNF” this book. This is rare for me. It usually takes me two to four days to finish a book. In two weeks, I managed to read 23%. I am pragmatic enough to know when to call it quits on something that holds no interest.
As a fellow anime lover, I can see the Inuasha and Noragami influence. I am a huge fan of the former anime (I have the Sesshomaru plushies to prove it!). Emika reminded me somewhat of Kikyo – the being bound to spiritual duty to the people of their village.
What I did like is the illustrations on each new chapter page.

[Samantha Beneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment I met Mu, he absolutely stole my heart — move over Josh Hammond, there’s a new Book Boyfriend in town! The dynamic between him and Emika is electric, full of tension and moments that made me gasp, swoon, and root so hard for them.

What truly sets this book apart is the rich, immersive world-building. The author paints every corner of the setting in such vivid detail that I felt transported. The history, the landscapes, and the lore all felt alive, carefully layered without becoming overwhelming.

Emika is a compelling protagonist — brave, flawed, and full of heart. Her journey felt meaningful, and watching her alongside Mu made every conflict more poignant. Their chemistry crackled: moments of gentleness, longing, and danger were all handled with a deft touch.

If I had to nitpick, there were times when pacing lagged slightly (especially during the exposition-heavy stretches), but those moments were few and far between and didn’t dampen my overall enjoyment.

Bottom line: This book held me captive from start to finish. If you love romance laced with tension, deep world-building, and a male lead you can’t help but adore, you’ll want to pick this one up.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro is a magical, emotional romp through a world where gods are capricious, friendships are tested, and love is as dangerous as any curse. It may demand your patience, especially early on, but the payoff is rich: moments of beauty, sacrifice, heartbreak, and hope all intertwined. For romantic fantasy lovers who like their stories with myth, moral danger, and a heroine who must do more than just fight monsters (she must confront herself), this is definitely worth the ride.
The world-building here is rich — we’re talking spirit beasts, cursed gods, sacred scrolls, divine politics, and enough mythology to make your head spin (in a good way). Some scenes feel like wandering through a dream; others hit like a curse straight to the heart.
A few things slowed it down: the pacing dips in the middle, the lore can be a lot to keep track of, and there are definitely a few fantasy tropes you’ve seen before — but Dawson brings enough heart and originality to make them feel fresh.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just clear your weekend and maybe light some incense — you’re about to enter a world where even your feelings might get possessed.

[Tajammul Kothari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by H.L Dawson is an absorbing tale of Japanese folklore where the protagonist and her friend rises against the corrupted divine entities and also finds her true longing along with it.

When I started with this book, I was a bit skeptical; firstly due to its length and secondly I am not too drawn to mythology but I all my doubts were dumbfounded as this turned out to be a fantastic read, if one reads it with patience.

The characters are well defined and stay with you until the book ends. The settings described are right on the money and it seems that the author has taken great pain in drawing the reader into the Japanese world.

Coming to the climax, it is spell bounding and truly worth the time spend.

I can't wait for the author to come out with the next book in the series.

[Chaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compared to deeper than black, Emika wasn't nearly as strong of a book. I found myself getting bored after almost every chapter. The characters weren't nearly as engaging as I thought they'd be. The plot is the only saving grace. Well that and the stunning cover. Im obsessed. I found that Emika and the other characters seemed more caught up in the telling portion of the story than actually moving forward. It seemed the story was being narrated by an outside source instead of the characters themselves. I can see such potential but unfortunately, compared to Deeper than Black, this one wasn't up to that standard. Im super surprised at my thoughts but I have faith that this author can grow.

[Vincent Cilenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro surprised me with how emotional and atmospheric it was. It follows Emika, a weary spirit hunter torn between duty and self, and her cheerful companion Mu as they travel through sacred forests and haunted villages. The premise reminded me of Inuyasha a bit, in a good way.

The writing is strong. You can feel the weight of ritual in every scene. It’s a slower, more meditative read, but that’s part of what makes it so powerful imo.

If you enjoy introspective, Japanese-inspired fantasy with strong mood and emotional depth, this one’s worth picking up. It lingers long after you’re done.

[Hayley Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I requested this title on Netgalley because Goodreads says "for fans of the anime Inuyasha" and if that isn't me... I was obsessed with that anime when I was younger and this really brought the nostalgia.

If you like your stories full of rich world building and atmosphere, this will be for you. If you enjoy a slow burn romance and forbidden love, this will be for you. If you enjoy Japanese mythology and whimsy, this will be for you.

This was a little long winded for me and the pacing felt too slow hence dropping one star but I could the author really worked hard to create a lush, rich world and the writing style is lyrical and beautiful to read.

[amel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was suspicious of the book cover being AI, but I didn't want to judge it incorrectly, so I gave this book a chance. But the artwork throughout the book makes it very clear that the "anonymous Discord artist" is/has used AI for all of the artwork in this book. I did not finish this because of how bad it is, but I'm also very suspicious that the writing is also (at least in part) AI-generated. I don't want to make any incorrect assumptions, but the writing is very, very flat, disjointed, and it just doesn't make any sense. Everything feels genuinely nonsensical, and whether it's AI-enhanced or not, it's just bad writing.

[Assana Coulibaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming in perfection.
I love the certain type of art this writing had to give - so deeply eeeek!
Honestly, though, the DETAIL - It's this whole block of words that literally describes every percent of a percent. There is no need for mistaken theories - that's how badass the detail is here.
I thought the characters, especially Emika and Mu, were a highlight. The mythic elements and cultural references were quite nice indeed. I also liked the way the themes came through - duty, faith, and questioning one’s role.

[Alexie Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emika and the Sekai no kami no Koboro is a must read if you love Japanese folk lore. The author has successfully incorporated the elements of mystery, fantasy and romance. The forbidden yet deadly love and the conflicts faced by Emika regarding her commitments to the very reason of her existance: duty and the desire that seem to arise even after trying to conceal it was a new theme that made the story interesting. Another thing to note is that the author included an entire set of Japanese words and their meaning , making it easier for anyone to read.
A fun read if you love Japanese folk lore

[J.D. Dresner · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this one was a fun read. It’s got a good fantasy vibe inspired by Japanese myths, and it's a heroine-finds-her-path type tale, which is always a solid choice. The world feels vivid, and the storyline keeps you reading. It’s not perfect, and not necessarily my cup of tea, so I’m giving it four stars, but it’s definitely worth a look if you like a bit of myth and magic mixed in with a character finding herself.  

[J.M. Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Emika was beautifully written and immersive. The worldbuilding in Emika and the Sekai no Kami no Kokoro is lush and detailed, with a strong sense of atmosphere and spirituality. The writing feels poetic and carefully crafted, and I really appreciated the depth of emotion behind Emika’s journey. A thoughtful, vivid read for fans of mythology and quiet, character-driven fantasy.

[Hope Redgrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking and utterly magical!

Emika’s journey through gods, curses and forbidden love had my heart racing and breaking all at once.

The world is lush.

The stakes are divine.

And Mu?
Absolutely unforgettable.

I’m obsessed. ⚔️✨

[Micki-D · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is way to long it was repetitive they could have cut out a lot of the pages and we would still know what’s going on.

Lets just says it wasn’t for me.