In the world of Awara, Miuko is just another ordinary girl, in an ordinary life—until she is cursed to transform into a demon. Aided by a thieving magpie spirit named Geiki, Miuko sets out on the thousand step way to find a way to break the curse, heading for the House of December. But along the way, she can’t help but wonder if being a demon is as bad as she thinks.

This book is amazing. The entire world of Awara is so intriguing, and I couldn’t help but get sucked into the descriptions of the demons, spirits, and ghosts, and priests. I would have loved to see more descriptions of the world itself, but all of the characters were so colourful and interesting that it made up for it. I also loved all of the history that Chee put into her world. I wanted to visit the Keivoweicha library myself and read everything on the world’s history!

Miuko is such a memorable main character. I loved her quirky ways of talking to inanimate objects and her loudness and clumsiness. I cheered her on every step of her journey as she accepted more of her ‘undesirable’ traits. In a way, I could relate to her, and how she longed to change to fit what society deemed appropriate, and how as the story progressed, she began to see the wrongness in that way of thinking. I liked the way Chee portrayed Miuko’s weaknesses as strengths at times and gave her a kind heart.

Of all the characters, Geiki is my favourite. I love his outgoing personality, witty speech, and ignorance of how humans work, which led to some very hilarious moments, especially the interactions between him and Miuko. He’s the kind of best friend that I think everyone wants, and he reminds me of the niffler from Fantastic Beasts. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I was way more invested in what happened to Geiki than I was in what happened to Miuko. But he’s such a magnetic character that seems to leap off the page and fill the story with life.

Chee’s ability to craft a creepy and horrible antagonist with a somewhat pitiable backstory is to be envied. Tujiyazai is one of the best villains I’ve read in Young Adult fiction. He truly is a horrible person, and I found no sympathy for him as the story progressed. I understood his motives, but at the same time I couldn’t pity him, especially after some of the things he did that I can’t say due to spoilers. But he was written well enough to be somewhat alluring in a morbid way, sort of acting as the devil whispering in Miuko’s ear.

While the pacing of the story is a little slow at first, things picked up quickly one-third of the way through, and things took a twist that I didn’t see coming. The story is very character-driven, following Miuko’s choices instead of feeling like a broader scope surrounding the plot. I can’t really say there’s much else that I remember of the story other than the characters, even the side ones that didn’t show up for very long, like the priests and ghosts and the little cat made of smoke. Other than that, the story did give me subtle Asian drama vibes at first, but tale quickly spun itself into something completely different as it went along.

Overall, I give A Thousand Steps into Night an 8/10 for an electrifying tale of fighting against patriarchal society and other expectations of what you should or shouldn’t be, filled with an amazing cast of three-dimensional characters!

This was an amazing fantasy novel, and I was completely hooked from page 1. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to pick this one up, because I definitely would've nominated it for Indie Next if I'd gotten to it in time. The characters were amazing, the world-building was excellent, and the writing was totally immersive. Can't wait to recommend it to customers.

This was a totally different kind of story than I'm used to reading, and I really was into it... for the most part. The first half of the book flies by and the story flows really well. I loved the world Chee created and the legends and lore and demons that walk about. So interesting! The journey and how things develop was well planned and the character development was there... but once the second half of the book it slowed way down in my opinion. Not in regards to events that happen, because there are a lot, but as the story unfolds it becomes overly predictable and I found myself a bit bored. I did enjoy the read as a whole though, but I wouldn't pick up a copy for my shelves any time soon.

I am so behind on rating this book, which is doing it a great disservice because this dark feminist folklore is pored story was beautiful. I initially gravitated towards it because of the inspirations it took from Ghibli moved and Japanese mythology, both of which I am really fascinated on, and damn did Miss Chee deliver!!! If any of the above is your thing, I would highly recommend picking this one up, since it’s already hit shelves!!!

A Thousand Steps Into Night is a thrilling tale that expertly combines Japanese-influenced fantasy with adventure and intrigue that makes for quite the page-turner. There is much to praise in this book, but firstly, I’d like to mention the story’s heroine, Miuko. Chee’s Miuko is the perfect protagonist, one that many readers will love, thanks to Chee’s stroke of the pen. Chee created the kind of character that every reader is likely to see part of themselves in. While Miuko may see herself as an ordinary (and sometimes clumsy) girl, there’s much within that she doesn’t give herself credit for. This is something we can all be guilty of, and seeing Miuko step into her own and her power, and demonstrate her resourcefulness and daring gave that nudge that we all can do what we put our minds to.

Throughout the book, Miuko’s experiences were a joy to read. All of her trials and tribulations differed from one another, and watching Miuko take on every challenge was refreshing. Even in moments of doubt, she was able to come up with the best solutions for herself and showed varying facets of her character. Typically, this is something that is usually explored throughout multiple books, but in this case, it was perfect. Every person learns, adjusts, and makes choices at their own pace and this was movingly shown in A Thousand Steps Into Night.

In addition to Miuko, the realm of Awara was enchanting. Chee created a world so vivid that in reading, I was able to fully escape into a completely new world. It is extremely immersive and to be honest, I could have read 100 more pages with all of the magic and darkness combined. Yet again, Awara shows off Chee’s exceptional writing and a flair for creating utterly unique things with a touch of anime and Studio Ghibli inspirations sprinkled throughout. As I said previously, I would love nothing more than to read more about Awara and all the people and fantastical entities that live within it. While all the storylines do tie up well in the end, I got a sense that there is an opening to explore further should Chee want to delve back into this world once more. I have my fingers crossed, but if not, I would gladly re-read A Thousand Steps Into Night again!

I had a lot of fun with this! I thought the story, the world building, the lore and the characters were really interesting!! I haven't read from Traci Chee before this, but I am now really interested in reading more from her! I really liked the main character Miuko and the journey that she went on. I thought her struggles with what is expected of her versus what she wanted out of her life was really relatable and I saw some of myself in her. I loved the dynamic that she had with Geiki was really cute and I loved reading their interactions.

I have no idea if this is a standalone or not, but I'm excited to see where this world goes and what Chee may have in store!

This was such a delightful read, filled with whimsy and adventure, and beautiful, vivid descriptions and worldbuilding. I loved how fiercely feminist it was, and I was absolutely captivated by the characters, especially Geiki.

Absolutely one of the best books of the year! Traci Chee has created a masterpiece with A Thousand Steps into Night, a highly addictive and entrancing tale for any sort of reader. One of my favorite books of the year!

This story follows Miuko, the daughter of an innkeeper who gets cursed by a spirit. Now she’s in a quest to end the curse before she ends up turning into a demon for all eternity.
I was realley intrested in this book because of the setting, but the pacing ended up feeling a bit off for me and the end felt really rushed. It felt like too much was cramped into one book. Sadly i did not enjoy it as much as I would like.
If you like Inuyahsha you wpuld like this book.

Thank you so much @NetGalley and @clarionbooks for gifting me a copy of A Thousand Steps into Night in exchange for an honest review.

🐦 Mini Review 💙
Anytime I see a fantasy book inspired by Asian folklore by an Asian author I have to read it. I hardly ever have to read the synopsis because I want it either way. I have loved all of these books in the last few years with Asian representation and steeped in Asian culture. It’s made my little Asian heart happy. 🥰

I really loved this book. I would say that this book was on the lower YA scale and maybe even a really good MG read. I’m thinking about letting my teenager read it.

Miuko is a young, ordinary girl who lives with her father and struggles with the strict laws set upon girls in her village. Anything she wants for herself she can’t have because she’s a girl and she is tired of it. When she gets cursed by a demon and will eventually turn into a demon herself, she slowly realizes it may not be the worst thing that could happen to her. As she goes on this crazy journey to find a cure, with the cutest Magpie ever, she discovers what life with power could look like.

If you love Asian folklore I def recommend this book to you! I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

3.5 STARS

Strangely this book gave me whiplash for how I felt about it; sometimes I was absolutely in love with the storytelling and magic, monster and myth and other times I was waiting for it to just get to a good part; I was bored.

This story started weaker than I would like, but once the magic, monster and all the mythical Asian world appeared, it got a lot better and more enjoyable -but not enough to make it perfect. First, we saw a girl turn into a demon after being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Then, her journey to turning back into a girl took us on an adventure with a Magpie Trickster, a Prince possessed by a Rage Demon and seeing how much women are taking advantage of and how tempting staying a demon is for her freedom.
I enjoyed all the summoning the mini adventures we had (almost felt like manga episodes).

However, all this couldn't save it from feeling a little repetitive at times, the time-travel bothered me, and it felt too long at times.

I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about this book, it demonstrates female strength and positive messaging for young readers of both genders, that it is a must have for any tween/YA shelf.

The story like threads that pull this book together include: a believable, feudal-based fantasy world; A strong, fun cast of characters; and wonderful lessons about friendship. For example, the author writes prominent moments where Miuko must figure out what’s right even when it’s hard, shows the respect the female gender genuinely deserves/demonstrations of equality, and how important found family and blood family can be at the same time.

I’ve enjoyed Chee’s work in the past so I was excited to delve into A Thousand Steps Into Night. Following our main character Miuko, her life is suddenly changed when she encounters a terrifying demon. Miuko starts to notice how she slowly lingers between the world of the living and the dead and must try to find a way to break a course before it’s too late. Filled with the lush landscapes and scenery of ancient Japan the novel takes readers on a journey through Miuko’s world in great detail. We traverse through the land of the living and sports, encounter trickster goblins, revered demons, and unsightly ghosts. It’s exciting and dangerous as Miuko has to make the choice if the people she meets will a friend or foe.

What I love about this novel is the heightened sense of adventure and the aura of mystery. With every turn Miuko and her sidekick, Genki tries to navigate their travels with demon hunters, a vengeful demon prince named Tujiyazai, and ghosts constantly at their heels. The story is rich with Japanese folklore which has been mentioned in countless stories and also introduces them in a way that makes them accessible to new audiences. Though the journey is terrifying and action-packed I like that the fast-paced scenes are paired with a quiet conversation between her Genki (and their budding friendship). This world is new and sometimes scary pulling the reader deeper into the book’s universe with each page.

Miuko the main character is shy and timid. But this journey gives her to chance to ask what she really wants for herself and what path she should take. it is up to her to decide to break the curse or live a new life and the uncertainty scares her. After being silenced for so long we see her grapple with uneasiness but push forward into a more confident self who refuses to take no for an answer.

What an amazing novel full of fantasy, adventure, and rich folklore. I love that there was never a dull moment. The aura mystery of what Miuko would encounter next on her journey was thrilling! This is a fantasy novel that does not disappoint!

I was really looking forward to this title, it being one of a handful of fantasy novels being released this spring centered on folk tales and/or mythology from the Far East. And I really could’ve loved it… if it weren’t for the narrative POV and expensive use of footnotes.

The narrative POV was unusual for a fantasy novel, and while some people seem to have enjoyed it despite that point, I simply couldn’t get used to it and it destroyed a great deal of the enjoyment I’d otherwise get from the novel. It was distracting to the extreme and made the book harder for me to read.

I have an opinion on footnotes in fiction: they shouldn’t be there. If they have to be there, they should be minimal. This book, though? There are so many footnotes, and they completely slow the pace of the story every time I had to stop and read them. I don’t like the flow of my reading to be interrupted constantly. If I want to read footnotes I’ll turn to one of my many nonfiction books.

That makes two huge strikes against the general vibe and enjoyment of the book, and since they were both so omnipresent in the novel I couldn’t vibe with the book, get into the flow of the story, or enjoy the narrative. It’s a shame, really, because otherwise I think I could’ve really enjoyed it.

Thanks to Clarion and NetGalley for early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review. As per my personal policy, this review will not be posted to social media due to the 3 Star rating.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Clarion Books (formerly HMH Children's Books) and Clarion Books, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

In Awara, a realm where gods, monsters and humans coexist, Miuko is a normal girl, an innkeeper's daughter and she seems to be resigned to a normal and safe fate. When she's cursed to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she will embark in a quest to reverse her curse and get her life back. In a peculiar journey, aided by a magpie spirit, thwarted by a demon prince, she will face tricksters, escape hunters, negotiate with gods. When her transformation gives her power and freedom she never experienced before, Miuko starts to wonder what she truly wants.

A thousand steps into night is one of the most brilliant, original and captivating books I've read in a very long time. A Japanese-influenced fantasy, with demons, gods and adventures, this story is written beautifully, with well rounded characters, complex in their desires, dreams and hopes, a worldbuilding rich and lush and filled with twists, plans gone awry and so much more in a rollercoaster of emotions and actions.
Miuko is a wonderful main character, at first resigned to an ordinary life, but finding herself with powers and a new life ahead of her. Her quest is so thrilling, I loved everything, from what happens, to her companions, to her questioning herself.
I totally recommend this book.

This was a type of book that I had not read or experienced before. Even though it was fiction, I could tell that it was based on traditions and beliefs that were had around the time that the book was set. I hated that women were treated worse than children. It was like they had no place in society and were expected to be quiet and stay out of the public eye. I guess this is how it was in that time period, but it made me feel uneasy. I loved the story and how it was different from anything I had ever read. Miuko is adventurous and brave, not thinking about societal norms and doing what is best for the people that she cares about. This book was longer than a book I would normally read, but I really enjoyed it.

An enjoyable fairytale about a girl cursed to become a demon and her journey to "save" herself. A lot of strong feminist content.

I am getting so lucky with random book finds lately. A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee is yet another gem I unintentionally found while going about my life. I don’t know anyone that is talking about this book, and I hope this review inspires you to check out this fabulous story.

Miuko is too loud, too clumsy, and too adventurous for a girl of Awara. She may shame the inhabitants of her forgotten village, but Miuko is beloved by her father and they work together to run the village’s inn. When Miuko encounters a demon and becomes cursed, she is forced to flee her ill-fitting life. A magpie spirit agrees to help Miuko on her quest to find a cure, and the pair begin a perilous journey filled with the spirits and gods of Awara. While battling her transition into a demon, Miuko attracts the attention of a demon prince who wants her to give in to her new, powerful self. Miuko must decide who she is in a world that never made a place for her to begin with, and her choice could affect the future of Awara.

A Thousand Steps into Night is a great adventure through and through. The world Chee created is so vibrant and filled with amazing lore and characters. I can’t think of a point where the story lulled because Miuko is constantly whisked to new adventures and meets a new, eclectic group of characters at each turn. There are snake demons who turn men into mindless puppets, chaotic monkey spirits riding on giant sleds, righteous demon hunters protecting the land, and ghosts of long-dead soldiers haunting the countryside. Every one of Miuko’s encounters helps her character evolve just a bit more; challenging her and pushing her to make decisions she never expected to make. Awara is so vast and unknowing, and we learn alongside Miuko as she stumbles through her quest. All these pieces together make for such a rewarding story because I felt like I was by Miuko’s side the entire time.

Miuko is constantly at odds with herself and the world around her. As a human, she fails to conform to the quiet, obedient woman that society demands. Women are not allowed to travel alone, ride horses, or enter libraries. Yet Miuko must do these things and more if she hopes to cure herself, and there are always consequences to her bold actions. Miuko fails to fit into the magical world as well, for her demon form is something feared by spirits and gods alike. Miuko is a poor excuse for a demon and rejects the violent behavior that is expected of her. At every turn, it seems that Miuko is not enough or “right”. Miuko doesn’t meet anyone’s expectations and it creates a confusing experience for her as she tries to sort out who and what she wants to be on her journey.

Awara oppresses anyone that is not a man, and the mistreatment rears its ugly head throughout Miuko’s entire adventure. Widowed women are left at the mercy of terrible sons, girls are cast aside once men lose their desire, and nonbinary individuals seek Awara’s temples for asylum. I love how Chee never lets the reader lose sight of this. Miuko may be on a great adventure doing the impossible, but we’re constantly brought back to reality during these moments when Miuko sees the oppression extending far outside her little village. Miuko was so content to stay in her life. It may have been ill-fitting but it was safe; however, these other people did not have such luxuries. The adventure opens Miuko’s eyes and fuels her desire to create a better world. There is a beautiful point in the story where Miuko tells another girl there is so much more out there for her. The character asks, “For a girl?” and Miuko responds, “For anyone brave enough to look.”

Pick up A Thousand Steps into Night for a great adventure, beautiful acts of friendship, and inspiring moments of self-discovery. I guarantee you will get swept up into the world Traci Chee created and root for Miuko and her companions every step of the way.

Rating: A Thousand Steps into Night - 9.0/10

Traci Chee’s A Thousand Steps into Night is an incredible Japanese-inspired fantasy that sends one young girl on a quest to remove a curse, allowing her to explore her freedom in the process.

Exciting Journey
First, let me begin by saying I love Chee’s writing and storytelling. I think she is fantastic at what she does because she creates such interwoven stories that make the reader think.

A Thousand Steps into Night follows Miuko, who lives in the realm of Awara. In this realm, demons and monsters roam the roads at night, and magical barriers are kept around towns to keep them safe. One day, on her way home, she is attacked and cursed by a demon, forcing her to embark on a quest to remove the curse or turn into a demon.

The journey Miuko goes on is extraordinary. She makes some incredible friends, including Geiki, a magpie spirit who becomes her best friend and confidant. But her journey examines her society. Awara has a very restrictive society. Women must always have an escort and should be seen and not heard. There are no other genders other than male or female, And what I like about that is that it mirrors this discussion we are having in today’s society.

Miuko’s journey is part of what makes A Thousand Steps into Night an excellent story. Miuko slowly breaks free of the bonds society has placed her in on her journey. In doing so, she can connect to other female characters in the narrative who feel confined and restricted by society’s standards. Miuko gives them a voice, and by giving them a voice, she gives herself a voice as well. She’s always felt out of place in her world. Her journey allows her to love herself except herself and contradicts culture that says she’s nothing more than a woman as if being a woman is a bad thing, as if being loud is a bad thing.

Excellent Storytelling
Chee’s writing is excellent. Chee addresses today’s discussions, but while doing so, she never breaks the story’s pacing and focuses on building up those powerful character dynamics.

There is something to be said about these character dynamics. Even with the demon, the reader feels this pull of attraction, the same lure Miuko feels towards him. He is a villain, but he wants to liberate the country. From the previous regime that was more open-minded than the current, while driven by anger and revenge, he makes some excellent points. And in his twisted way, he cares for Miuko, constantly encouraging her to accept herself. While he wants her to accept the demonic version of herself, Miuko’s narrative pushes her towards loving her humanity. So by the end, the reader, in part, wants him to redeem himself.

The dynamic between Miuko and the demon prince is strong, but the dynamic between Miuko and Geiki is even stronger. Geiki is a fantastic character. He stays by her side when he does not have to, becoming a true friend to Miuko. He is funny, charming, and charismatic, stealing every scene he’s in just like he steals everything shiny on the ground. He is, hands down, one of the best characters in the novel.

The one thing that probably did not work for the novel was the footnotes. I am not a fan of footnotes; I find them distracting as my eyes are pulled from the page to check out the notation. I hope this changes with the final publication as I read an ARC. The footnotes, for me, were unnecessary because I think Chee uses enough context clues to give the reader an idea of what the word or phrase in Japanese means in English. I stopped reading the footnotes early on and was not hindered in understanding the story, so I strongly believe a glossary would serve the same purpose.

Final Thoughts
Overall, A Thousand Steps into Night is an incredible novel. Chee is an excellent author. Her storytelling never falters; she astounds with jaw-dropping moments throughout the story and focuses on building up strong characters and character dynamics.

This book was like an anime adventure brought to the pages and I adored it. The writing was spectacular and so immersive, I loved that we got footnotes (?!?!) so I was able to accurately pronounce all the names and also get a better understanding of the world and folklore. The characters were easily lovable, especially Genki, but beyond the characters and the world, the author also does such a masterful job at addressing the patriarchal society and the hidden perks of potentially turning into a demon - power has it's positives?