A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee is a young adult fantasy novel. The story in A Thousand Steps into Night is one that is heavily influenced by Japanese culture and is a standalone fantasy read.

Miuko is a just an ordinary girl, the daughter of an innkeeper, in the realm of Awara where all types of other creatures exist. Miuko never expected to one day find herself cursed but she did and now she has to find a way to reverse the curse before she ends up turning into a demon sending Miuko out to places a normal human girl would never dare travel.

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee for me was a solid young adult fantasy read but not one I was overly excited about when finishing. For me the story flowed at a decent pace but not overly fast either and there were a few instances when reading I thought things felt a tad repetitive. The world building was solid though and the adventure interesting and I do find myself on the lower side of ratings so if this sounds good to others I’d suggest trying it out.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 /5

I gave this book 3.5 stars because I got really lost in the second part of the book since there was so much happening all at once that I needed to take a small break. Next, I didn't really like the fact I had to remember new invented words like "osu", "kyakyozuya" or " atskayakinasu". I really got confused with who was saying what or what they were doing, I had to go back to the page where they explained the word. Some of the things I liked about this book was that there was no romance, this really made me focus on the friendship and problems that were happening in the story. I also loved the how Traci was able to put social issues into the book, the scene where they show the social issues felt very real and similar to what people experience these day.

A Thousand Steps into Night is a story about an ordinary girl who must take extraordinary measures to return to an existence that may no longer be enough to contain her. Miuko, in her race to maintain her humanity after being cursed by a demon, begins to recognize how limiting her life has been. She’s never had free rein of her mind and body because society regulated her autonomy for simply being a girl. Her journey is wrought with realizations about what she has had to endure and how society has oppressed women.

I enjoyed the book for its dry humor, the wondrous world-building, and its many spirits and characters. Miuko bucks social norms because she is loud and clumsy as opposed to quiet and docile. Her strength of character is exhibited in her actions even as she wrestles with a growing dark side. My personal favorite is Geiki, Miuko's magpie companion, who provides much of the humor and steals just about every scene he's in. His comments also provide an unexpected perspective that encourages Miuko and readers to reassess what is socially acceptable for a woman.

A Thousand Steps into Night was an amazing read, and I couldn't put it down. It just kept getting better as Miuko inched closer to removing the curse. Everything began to fall into place as the story headed to its conclusion. Once again, Traci Chee showcased what a remarkable storyteller she is. (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)

I really loved how the story used a classic fairy tale cadence western audiences will be familiar with and Japanese mythological setting. Both worked really well and helped make a really interesting story. The theme of collecting and saving lost girls through out the adventure, tying in with Miuko working to keep her humanity and discovering more about what that means and what she truly wants mad a complex and compelling tale. I enjoyed seeing all the different mythological creatures and learning about their powers and how they fit into the world. All around this is a well crafted book.

What a charming fairy tale-like book this was! With a plucky heroine that is neither your stereotypical beauty nor an overpowered badass, it's enchanting and has a feel of reading a traditional fairy tale rather than a YA fantasy.

It's the tale of Otori Miuko, an ordinary girl in every sense of the word from looks to social status to intellect, and yet for all her ordinariness, she's also endearingly resourceful and enterprising. Relatable, too. She's clumsy, shy, socially awkward, but caring and lovable, and so strong-willed she won't let a trifle like a curse slowly turning her into a demon destroy her tranquil life. It's this relatability and commonness that makes her so appealing, and the book's strength.

Besides the worldbuilding, that is. Awara, the world the story is set in, is very obviously based on Japan as it's easy to guess just from the names of people and places. But I'd say it's not exclusively Japan because I could detect a small sprinkling of Chinese folklore thrown in, somewhat harder to detect but that is there and adds a bit more subtle layer of colour. It's not merely a Fantasy Japan with names modified either, because you can feel the creatures and the people live and breathe in this world, so not a cardboard film set as many fantastical worlds are, a feel of authenticity that's much appreciated.

And the rapport and chemistry between the main character and the sidekick is palpable. There's no romance, but you won't miss it as you follow Miuko and Geiki around on the quest to find a cure for her curse and to save Awara from a malign force. Miuko might take time to sneak her way into your heart, but Geiki will do that right away, chatty and funny as he is, although he may also sound a bit too childish at times. I personally would've preferred someone more mature as Miuko's counterpart, though I also liked that she's the sole hero of the book and has her own quest that she completes on her own by merit without needing someone else to move her forward. Sometimes, you do need a lone heroine instead of a pair or a fellowship to spice up the questing trope, and besides it fits perfectly with the fairy tale-esque style the book is written in.

The start is slow, so it is going to take a while to get into the story. But once it picks up a speedy pace, it'll be one adventure after another until the end, so have patience at the start. It took time for the plot to grab me, too, and it paid off.

A Thousand Steps Into Night

“I think you have folded yourself into the shape that others expect of you; but that shape does not suite you”

Thank you to the publishers for a free eARC in return for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Taking place in a Japanese-inspired realm called Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans live together. This story follows Miuko whose ordinary life as an innkeeper's daughter is turned upside down when she is cursed by a demon. She then goes on a quest to regain her humanity but faces many obstacles along the way.

I really wanted to like this book and I was trying to get into it, but the plot for me was very slow-paced and predictable. I wasn’t surprised by most things that happened 🤷🏻‍♀️ The prose was really eloquent and beautifully descriptive. But, at times I felt it was just too dense. It reminds me of the Odyssey and I didn’t like it that much, but maybe that’s something you would like.

Otherwise, I appreciated the representation of non-binary and trans characters as well as the female empowerment themes 😊

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarion Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a huge fan of the world-building within this book especially the cultural aspects of the book and the footnotes that explained the meanings of words that are from Japanese mythos.
While the book does cover heavy themes of misogyny to me I did not find it as overwhelming as it has been in some other books where there is seems of sexism.
I would say that this book does lean on the younger side of YA and so is suitable for pretty much everyone within the YA age range as well as those beyond. This book did certainly have the potential to be quite dark in the directions it could've gone, but I felt it handled things in a digestible way. Overall it was a good reading experience.
Finally got to give a shout-out to the cover which is what first pulled me to read the description of this book.

'A Thousand Steps into Night' has everything all fantasy readers love. There are demons, mythical creatures, characters worth rooting for, and it’s set in a magical world!

I was immediately drawn into this story within the first chapter.

The main character, Miuko, made this book magnificent. Although, her story may not feel original for fantasy readers. She’s grown up as a servant in a village that has been long forgotten. Miuko doesn’t have much hope left in her life or any aspirations outside of helping her father keep his inn afloat. When she ventures outside of the village for a new tea set, this is where Miuko’s life quickly changes and the story picks up.

Things move quickly when demons are introduced in this world. Miuko finds herself traveling back to her village after being cursed to become a demon because if anyone can help her fix this, it’s her father. But he’s the last person that is willing to help her.

Miuko is cast out of the village. It’s heartbreaking and I think this is the point when readers are going to be able to empathize with her and find her story more unique than they originally thought. You’ll be kept on your toes wondering if Miuko will be able to break her curse or not.

I really enjoyed Miuko’s fighting spirit. During her quest, she’s constantly being challenged and her hopes in finding a “cure” feel pointless time and time again. She never gives up despite this, though.

She also fights for the people she comes across that aren’t able to fight for themselves. Which I found to be admirable. Especially when she fights for women. Every situation is tied to what is happening in our own world. Reading how Miuko handled everything showcased how we can fight for women ourselves.

All of the characters were a lot of fun! Miuko’s companion on her journey was Geiki and he was my absolute favorite. Their friendship was heart-warming and I loved how well they balanced one another out. They were so funny and brought some much-needed light into this dark story.

Of course, there is the demon prince as well, but I can’t mention too much about him without spoiling the story. I did find him to be very interesting and his story was unexpected.

Overall, I enjoyed 'A Thousand Steps into Night'. I think this story was beautifully told. This is the first book that I’ve read by Traci Chee and I’m now a fan! It would have been easy to info dump early on in this book, but I think Chee did a wonderful job slowly releasing information as the story progressed. There were times when the story felt lacking, but overall it didn’t affect my reading experience too much.

Fantasy readers will really enjoy this book! If you love fairytales or folklore then you’ll like this story.

"A Thousand Steps Into Night" was a journey that I can only compare to one that a fairy tale character would go through. It was beautiful, descriptive and truly so different from anything I have personally read. Miuko is such a great main character and I loved seeing her realize her own strength as time went on. It was inspiring. We all have moments in our lives where we feel broken or just ordinary and it is after moments like that, when we find our strength, dust ourselves off and continue to thrive in this crazy world. The cast of characters were great and I enjoyed their banter throughout. My only issue with this story is the ending felt a bit rushed but I did feel that it ended nicely. A new favorite of mine book of mine for sure!

*Thanks to Netgalley and Clarion Books for the chance to read and review this title. My opinions are my own*

I enjoyed the story, and I really loved Muiko a lot as a character. I loved how she touched on the sexism of ancient Japan that still feels very real and relatable today. I loved learning all of the lore and the different characters made this enriching and fun to read. It was a little slow at first, but as Muiko's journey continued, the story's pace picked up. What a fabulous story, but nothing less from what I expect from Traci Chee.

I think you have been taught that greatness does not belong to you

A Thousand Steps Into Night is a captivating tale of friendship, self expression, and fighting against fate. Miuko finds herself cursed to turn into a Shaoha (Death Lady) and she embarks on an adventure to stay human. But she quickly realizes that being a woman in this society has never really fit her. Maybe being a demon can give her the freedom she's always wanted.

All of the characters in this book have incredible depth and personality. Miuko's internal struggle is so relatable and the way she learns to express herself is fantastic. Geiki is perfect, I adore his character. There are enby and trans characters represented will in this book as well!

While it may seem like a flaw to some readers, this book had no romance plot and it was amazing. Normally romance is a carrier of the plot or important in some way to hook you into the story. But Chee doesn't rely on that and this book is really a tale of friendship and self ownership.

The pacing and plot are well constructed. For a plot with a timeloop, there were no lags or repetitive moments. I really enjoyed the structure of short chapters and chapter titles. I've been seeing a return of chapter titles recently and I'm loving it!

A Thousand Steps into Night is masterfully crafted and is a must read for any fantasy lover

Thanks to Clarion Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! I feel like I've been reading a lot of Asian-inspired fantasy books lately, and I am here for it. Plus, teens seem to love this kind of story, so I can't wait for the library to get this one!

First, if Japanese-inspired mytholoyg is your thing, you'll love this book. Chee infused this book with many different elements of Japanese mythology, and it feels incredibly authentic. The story-telling style of the writing also lends itself to the mythology aspects of the book. From the beginning, this fantasy almost feels like something you'd read in a mythology class. Throughout, Chee included footnotes to help provide context, which I actually really enjoyed as well.

In addition to the great mythology, A Thousand Steps Into Night also has an excellent cast of characters. Miuko is a fully realized character, with flaws and a sense of purpose thorughout. It's through her character that we see the patriarchal oppression. Her journey is one of realization, one of knowledge. Miuko doesn't want to reliquinsh the power she's gained, and for good reason. Overall, her character arc felt realistic and authentic.

However, Geiki, the magpie spirit who becomes sort of a guide, is one of my favorites. He's easily distracted and makes for some fun asides throughout some of the darker aspects of the story. Seriously, you might want to read this just for him!

All in all, this was a great mythological adventure from start to finish. Definitely check it out when it comes out next week!

When I read "Japanese-influenced fantasy" I knew I would need to read this book. There are lot of references to mythic creatures, traditions, and a thrilling adventure with non-stop action and events challenging the protagonist Miuko. What I most enjoyed were all the magical creatures, the small fable-like stories that occurred throughout the plot, and the change within herself that Miuko constantly battled. Cursed to become a demon, Miuko does everything she can to reverse the curse and gains the help of a shapeshifting crow amongst other questionable allies on her quest.

The last half of the book lost me a bit as the plot seemed to juggle from one event to another trying to fit in too many new characters, monsters, and events that rushed the resolution. Additionally, there were many words that I had to infer the meaning or reference because, honestly, I was too lazy to check the footnotes at the end of each chapter.

This was an enchanting read that had a few elements I wanted to be different to make it a truly fantastic book. I do recommend this read for anyone who likes tales of mythic creatures, demons, unsuspecting heroes, and magical worlds. 3.5 Stars

This book was absolutely a crazy, wonderful, and magical adventure!!! Miuko is an interesting main character and I adored her clumsiness, definitely not at all because I’m clumsy… 😝 The story takes off pretty quickly after you start reading and doesn’t stop from that point on. It’s super quick and things are constantly popping. This poor girl just can’t catch a break for the life of her!!

But along the way, she does make some friends and I absolutely love each one of them!! By the end, I just wanted her journey to start all over again because I’m sure I’ve missed stuffed since there was so much going on the whole time!!!

The setting is seriously pure magic, encountering spirits left and right and then the gods start showing up too. Basically it’s Spirited Away on steroids… I would honestly just die if this became a movie. Mainly because it deserves to be honored in that way, especially by someone as talented as Hayao Miyazaki. So can that just happen please?!?!?!

The villain of our story is just so different from most of the villains I encounter in books and movies. He’s not afraid to do what he threatens, and without our main bad guy monologues. It’s almost refreshing. 🤦🏻‍♀️ And he’s not even our only villain!!! There are several that we encounter throughout the book. And I loved that dynamic. Super fun challenges for Miuko to face.

So basically this is my favorite book so far this year and I feel like it’s going to be difficult to too. Of course, it’s still early in the year, but still. Big shoes to fill here, big shoes!!!

I recommend this to those who love YA adventures and fantasies, fantastic bad guys, and lots of Japanese lore!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Clarion Books, and Traci Chee for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion!!!! Wow!!! Just, wow!!!!

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.

Although I feel like I start all my reviews with this, I liked the concept but it really fell flat. I got bored 1/2 way through the novel, and there was never a point where I felt like I couldn’t put it down. Miuko really started to annoy me, and while I understand the underlying concept of it being against an extremely patriarchal and sexist society, I just…didn’t like it? I like the symbolism of the demon being at war with the protagonist and how it represents her not fitting the mold of a woman, but I just…got bored.

I do really like some of the additional characters. I also really like the inuyasha vibes and the setting in the world. I like the mythology. And the addition of footnotes on each page with pronunciation and historical/lore information…but the rest of it was just meh. The cover is also beautiful, though.

So, 3.5/5 stars rounded up.

What a book! My first one by Traci Chee and I'm thoroughly impressed.

Our protagonist Miuko is someone I instantly connected to. She’s clumsy and loud, uncertain of her purpose in life. When she gets turned into a demon her world is turned upside down. Her only family fears her, everyone hates her and she doesn’t want this power of a death demon. Or does she? I love how we see Miuko conflicted between going back to her agreeable old self in a society where women have no power versus having infinite power to draw on but becoming a soulless demon. I think the book brilliantly executes themes of misogyny in a patriarchal society where women are suppressed and the only women with power (mostly demons) are feared and shunned.

Also, let me make it clear that I STAN GEIKI. He’s the most adorable sidekick you could ever want. Mischievous, loyal, lover of all things shiny; Geiki is just a joy to read about and I loved the banter between him and Miuko. The rest of the cast was also quite fleshed out and every creature or person we encounter was honestly a pleasure to read about.

But I think the main element that drew me in was the enchanting worldbuilding. It’s so very easy to slip into the world of Awara and find yourself immersed in everything. There are some very handy footnotes as well as notes for pronunciation so it’ really easy for the reader to just dive into this world.

You can check out the full review for this book on my blog.

Note: I was sent an e-arc of this book in exchange for a review. All my opinions are honest and unbiased.

The adventure story in this was fun and twisty! And it was full of great, interesting characters. Some of the girl power stuff took me out of the story a bit—that's normally my jam, but it was just just of jarring in tone and content, and I found it a bit distracting.

Miuko’s loud voice and less than graceful demeanor have made her life as a girl of the serving class difficult, but things get much worse when a kiss from a death-demon saddles her with a powerfully evil curse. Forced from her home, Miuko is suddenly part of a world much bigger- and scarier- than her small town, and, as she makes friends with mischievous spirits and monks alike, Miuko begins to realize that she can find strength in her flaws.

Something I particularly connected with was how Chee depicts the impacts of internalized misogyny with Miuko. Her growth towards self-confidence was well earned and even more powerful for how much she had to unlearn. Miuko was overall a loveable protagonist. She makes mistakes, but she’s trying. She’s kind, she’s smart, she’s young, she’s flawed, but she’s always trying. Chee also wrote a few great side characters- Geiki and Meli were two of my favorites.

It took me a little bit to get into the writing style, but once I got used to it, the cadence is perfect for a fairytale.On the downside, there were a few too many threads in the second half of the book. There’s a side character who doesn’t feel fully developed and the twists get a bit convoluted, but everything settles for a lovely ending.

A solid YA standalone about learning to love your own voice.

I’d recommend it for anyone intrigued by the description, but especially the younger YA demographic.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Clarion books for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent standalone! In this Japanese inspired fantasy, our main character, Miuko, has an interaction with a demon that causes her to start transforming into a demon herself - and all the while, a handsome demon prince urges her transformation on. But the demon prince is up to no good, and Miuko has to pull out all the stops to keep him from completely razing her country and killing everyone in it.

I liked this! The first half, in particular, is excellent. There's a bit of a twist at the halfway mark, and I didn't really love the second half of the book, but I thought the ending was great. Great characters and worldbuilding - I'll be recommending this one widely to fantasy readers. 3.5 stars

Thank you to Clarion Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee is an original YA fantasy based on a Japanese and Asian-inspired world named Awara. The story revolves around Miuko, an ordinary girl who is one day cursed into transforming into a demon. In order to reverse the curse, Miuko teams up with a magpie spirit and a demon spirit. Along the way, she faces monsters and dangers. Will Miuko be able to break the curse?

Here is a fantastical excerpt from Chapter 1, which is a flashback to Miuko's early childhood:

"Long ago, in the noble realm of Awara, where all creation, from the tallest peaks to the lowliest beetles, had forms both humble and divine, there lived an unremarkable girl named Otori Miuko. The daughter of the innkeeper at the only remaining guesthouse in the village of Nihaoi, Miuko was average by every conceivable standard—beauty, intelligence, the circumference of her hips—except for one.
She was uncommonly loud.
...
Miuko had not, in fact, been the cause of an earthquake (at least not in this instance), but several of the priests, upon hearing of her peculiar vocal faculties, rushed to exorcise her all the same. No matter what spells they chanted or incense they burned, however, they were ultimately disappointed to discover that she was not, in fact, possessed. Instead of a demon, what her parents had on their hands was merely a loud child. Worse, a loud girl."

Overall, A Thousand Steps into Night is an amazing YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of Six Crimson Cranes and Shadow of the Fox. One highlight of this book is its originality. The author took inspiration from Japan, but created her own world with different creatures, myths, and magic systems. I really enjoyed that aspect. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that the author may have invented too many new terms, which resulted in many footnotes at the ends of each chapter. It became hard to keep track of all the new terms. However, I think that it did add to the creativity and originality of the plot. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!