Two and a half stars rounded up to three. This was a lot creepier to me as an adult than I remember it being as a kid. The cover is even more beautiful to me now, and I was able to attach a different meaning to it. The imagery in this book was fantastic. I liked the poems, but they're not haiku. I liked the illustrations of what I took to be falling wisteria blossoms, that served as chapter transitions. The chapter titles were even intriguing to me as an adult. Normally, I find them useless. This could have easily been turned into a novella for adults. Considering the subject matter at times, I wondered if it should have.

The story has a massive tone problem. It contrasts flowing, beautiful, calm scenes with action, adventure, social commentary through its author; with heavy scenes of grieving a murder, arson, robbery...and this book is short. The story has an ending piled high with cliches that are done much better elsewhere. I recoiled in distaste from the wedding. It wasn't set up well at -all.- I don't care if they were minor characters and the author wanted to end on a message of hope. Unless it was a message about gender dynamics somehow. I'm glad I got to read this, though. ( )

A teenage forth daughter's adventures start when the Heian capital is under attack by martial monks and she must flee with her mother, young brother and sisters under protection of her beloved eldest sister's husband. When their party is itself attacked and their destination has it's own dangers, Mitsuko runs away with the sister who has been under her care to prevent them being at the mercy of the local warlord. She finds a tiny shire for shelter and prays for aid. The story is an exploration of the consequences of receiving aid, both for the supplicant and those who offer aid. And an adventurous romp with some of the aroma of Journey to the West. ( )

Reading right now......

At first I thought the writing was a little stilted, but the story drew me in. This would make a GREAT manga. In Heian Japan (around 1100,) Mitsuko’s family is separated by violence, and she fears her sister’s soul has followed that of her murdered husband. Aided by a bird-like tengu (demon,) she searches this world and the next. An exciting adventure with humor! A glossary and short author’s note give historical background. There is a sequel, called The Heavenward Path, which SLJ says is “even more interesting.”