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The Yosei
If someone came to me and told me a possessed pink umbrella warned them that their little sister was going to die, I’d think he was crazy. And if he then said that San Francisco had been overrun by mythical Japanese monsters who wanted to kill his family, I’d think he was probably spending too much time watching anime and playing video games. I don’t blame you for wanting to put this book back on the shelf and move on to something more realistic, like vampire and werewolf love stories. But I’m telling you, this is real. It actually happened to me.
It started when I was forced on a family vacation with my parents and my little sister. It was the kind of trip your folks drag you on so everyone can bond with each other. I was minding my own business, standing by myself, looking at some cheap snow globes in the back of this Chinese tourist shop, when from out of a dark corner, I hear a deep sarcastic voice.
Normally I would have walked away like I had a thousand other times. After all, I grew up hearing voices from things that weren’t real and I’d learned to ignore them. But this time, it was talking about my sister being “death marked” and how little time she had left. I hunted for the source of the ominous warning, but all I found was a metal display stand filled with paper umbrellas.
It started when I was forced on a family vacation with my parents and my little sister. It was the kind of trip your folks drag you on so everyone can bond with each other. I was minding my own business, standing by myself, looking at some cheap snow globes in the back of this Chinese tourist shop, when from out of a dark corner, I hear a deep sarcastic voice.
Normally I would have walked away like I had a thousand other times. After all, I grew up hearing voices from things that weren’t real and I’d learned to ignore them. But this time, it was talking about my sister being “death marked” and how little time she had left. I hunted for the source of the ominous warning, but all I found was a metal display stand filled with paper umbrellas.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2017
3 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Daniel A. Nanto
6 books19 followersDaniel Nanto is the author of a new series called the Dream Walker Novels. He was born in Murray, Utah, and has lived in several different states over his forty some odd years, including Utah, Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, and Quebec. He spent his teenage years driving like a crazy fiend on the back streets of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and doing his best to kill himself out of sheer stupidity. Fortunately, he survived those years.
He now works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as the Director of Application Development and Integration for their non-clinical applications. In his free time, he enjoys teaching religious classes to high school and college age students, and reading urban fiction.
Daniel is married to an amazing woman and has four beautiful children with another on the way. His latest hobby is writing novels. The Yosei is his latest book - a Japanese urban fantasy that takes place in San Francisco.
For more information please see Daniel's Amazon Author page at:
https://www.amazon.com/author/danieln...
He now works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as the Director of Application Development and Integration for their non-clinical applications. In his free time, he enjoys teaching religious classes to high school and college age students, and reading urban fiction.
Daniel is married to an amazing woman and has four beautiful children with another on the way. His latest hobby is writing novels. The Yosei is his latest book - a Japanese urban fantasy that takes place in San Francisco.
For more information please see Daniel's Amazon Author page at:
https://www.amazon.com/author/danieln...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 24, 2017
YA contemporary fantasy filled with Japanese mythological creatures!
This read had a nice thread of humour throughout, which fit really nicely with the mischievous Japanese demons and spirits that were waiting to cause trouble from the unseen.
Really well written and thoughtful storytelling mixed with a tongue-in-cheek humour making this book a refreshing read.
Recommend The Yosei for YA fantasy fans and anyone else who likes their fantasy mixed with humour and a dash of Japanese folklore.
Reviewed as part of YA Review Group, and received a free copy from the author for an honest review :)
This read had a nice thread of humour throughout, which fit really nicely with the mischievous Japanese demons and spirits that were waiting to cause trouble from the unseen.
Really well written and thoughtful storytelling mixed with a tongue-in-cheek humour making this book a refreshing read.
Recommend The Yosei for YA fantasy fans and anyone else who likes their fantasy mixed with humour and a dash of Japanese folklore.
Reviewed as part of YA Review Group, and received a free copy from the author for an honest review :)
February 4, 2018
The Yosei by Daniel Nanto is a great read and wonderful merging of Japanese culture and religion in contemporary fantasy form. The story follows Luke, a teenager, of mixed American and Japanese heritage. Luke hears voices which he’s learned to categorize into different types—type three being those that would really concern most people. When he hears a voice speaking in a shop in San Francisco, little does he know that he is being led down a path of adventure into a whirlwind of activity that will involve him being opened up to the spirit world and meeting a Yosei, a Japanese fairy.
There was a pleasant element of humor that felt natural to the story and made the characters likable. I’m usually a little wary of heroes who have a snarky edge to them. But Luke worked for me, especially because the danger of his situation is never lost on him and he acknowledges that his snark is bluster to stall or just to say something.
Even though we are introduced to a wide range of personalities and types of spirits, they are revealed at a good enough pace to keep track of and develop an affinity for.
The stakes are presented well and because the story draws you in, you do feel anxious about how things will resolve themselves—very good storytelling. I believe both young adults and adults would enjoy this book.
There was a pleasant element of humor that felt natural to the story and made the characters likable. I’m usually a little wary of heroes who have a snarky edge to them. But Luke worked for me, especially because the danger of his situation is never lost on him and he acknowledges that his snark is bluster to stall or just to say something.
Even though we are introduced to a wide range of personalities and types of spirits, they are revealed at a good enough pace to keep track of and develop an affinity for.
The stakes are presented well and because the story draws you in, you do feel anxious about how things will resolve themselves—very good storytelling. I believe both young adults and adults would enjoy this book.
June 1, 2017
What a wild ride! This book is so imaginative and, at the beginning, hilarious. It’s like having mythical beasts from a fantasy world invade our real world. They’ve been biding their time, and now they’re out to get us. I laughed out loud at several points, especially at banter concerning the humble spirit Jaki-Chan (reminds you of anyone famous?) and the ridiculously enchanting Nikko, who can charm her way with anyone. And let’s not forget our hero’s name, Luke Skylander (ooooh!!!).
With tongue in cheek, the book then explodes with outbursts of fantasy, keeping me really, really engaged. I highly recommend this book.
There is also a lot of Japanese folklore entwined with this story, which adds to the flavour. The story taking place in contemporary times, it was easy to dive in and connect to the action.
I can’t really think of any suggestions to improve this book, and in fact, I wouldn’t presume to have any better ideas, since this book is so good. Actually, perhaps--the cover doesn't seem to portray either a young adult or fantasy theme. Maybe move the drawing to the front matter, since it's still very pretty, and get a smashing new cover?
With tongue in cheek, the book then explodes with outbursts of fantasy, keeping me really, really engaged. I highly recommend this book.
There is also a lot of Japanese folklore entwined with this story, which adds to the flavour. The story taking place in contemporary times, it was easy to dive in and connect to the action.
I can’t really think of any suggestions to improve this book, and in fact, I wouldn’t presume to have any better ideas, since this book is so good. Actually, perhaps--the cover doesn't seem to portray either a young adult or fantasy theme. Maybe move the drawing to the front matter, since it's still very pretty, and get a smashing new cover?
December 27, 2017
This is a very enjoyable read, a very different take on urban fantasy.
Luke gets caught up in an ancient battle between various beings from Japanese mythology while on a family holiday in San Francisco. His guide is a pink umbrella, which nicely sets the tone for an adventure which never loses its sense of humour.
The story went at just the right pace, balancing action with intrigue and introducing the beings and their conflicts slowly (no major info dumps).
There's obviously room for a sequel, but no annoying cliff hanger.
Luke gets caught up in an ancient battle between various beings from Japanese mythology while on a family holiday in San Francisco. His guide is a pink umbrella, which nicely sets the tone for an adventure which never loses its sense of humour.
The story went at just the right pace, balancing action with intrigue and introducing the beings and their conflicts slowly (no major info dumps).
There's obviously room for a sequel, but no annoying cliff hanger.
January 7, 2018
Excellent!
This,hopefully,is the beginning of a new series. I look forward to reading the sequels - the first book was so engaging and absorbing. I love discovering new books that can increase your knowledge while providing you with a rollicking good story - kind of like getting a two - fer. Yeah, Daniel Nanto!!
This,hopefully,is the beginning of a new series. I look forward to reading the sequels - the first book was so engaging and absorbing. I love discovering new books that can increase your knowledge while providing you with a rollicking good story - kind of like getting a two - fer. Yeah, Daniel Nanto!!
September 23, 2017
Captivating
This was an amazing book! Full of culture, imagination, and action. The author had just the right amount of descriptive detail without boring the reader. The book constantly kept my attention. Great read!
This was an amazing book! Full of culture, imagination, and action. The author had just the right amount of descriptive detail without boring the reader. The book constantly kept my attention. Great read!
March 5, 2018
Exciting YA fiction!
Loved the new ideas and integration of Japanese culture. The comic voice of the umbrella combined with Lukes own withering humor kept the pages turning.
Loved the new ideas and integration of Japanese culture. The comic voice of the umbrella combined with Lukes own withering humor kept the pages turning.
February 28, 2021
This is the book that does not put you to sleep. It is good to find "good" books with lots of interesting informaiton.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews