This book is told with a fairytale-style narration full of whimsy and fun silliness.. However, the Japanese inspired tale feels to me like it’s told from a western point of view with a main character who is relatable, funny, clumsy, loud, and feminist. The story’s world is rich with history and folklore, and nonhuman characters with nonhuman sentiments I couldn’t help but root for and love. The heroine fights against injustice and the demon within herself while trying to stay true to her morals. Around the middle of the book, the story starts to change from what I had expected in both delightful and disappointing ways. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded, but in particular, one of the characters personalities seemed to change, with no explanation about why they acted one way in the first half of the book and another way in the second. And while this book was a fast, fun, and easy read, the end was not quite as satisfying as I would’ve liked— Parts of the last chapter in particular didn’t feel deserved or worked for, a callback to themes from the book more than a natural consequence of the story.


Footnoted cultural terms was also an interesting choice— I am not sure it was necessary? But it definitely adds to the book’s interesting texture and narration, and there were a few footnotes that made me giggle. I think it would’ve been easier though, if those definitions and commentaries had been folded in with the rest of the story.

A fun read that I zoomed through. It was so interesting to learn about all the different Japanese spirts and demons as Miuko went on her journey.

I really enjoyed this book! Although it's pretty long, A Thousand Steps into Night was action-packed all the way through. Miuko was a great main character, and I loved how she dealt with and eventually overcame the deep-rooted misogyny in her culture. I liked the feminist themes, as well as the inclusion of lots of transgender and nonbinary characters. Also, Geiki was adorable and I loved him so much.
There's a lot going on in this book: lots of different spirits and monsters, and lots of side characters who are not always what they seem. There's even time travel, which was the absolute last thing I was expecting in a fantasy that reads so much like a fairy tale!

In Miuko's home in Awara, girls are supposed to be quiet and submissive. Not just for politeness' sake, but to keep them safe from the spirits, ghosts, and mystical creatures that haunt the woods and the roadways. Miuko is not quiet, though, and when she ends up with a curse that will turn her into a demon, she embarks on a journey that will give her new friends, new enemies, and a new outlook on what exactly she can be in the world.

I really enjoyed this - it felt like reading a centuries old fable with magical creatures and epic stories built into the background. Miuko is delightful - loud, clumsy, and unwilling to fit into the role her society thinks she should have. As she becomes more demon-like she realized that her strength might not just be coming from the demon, but from who she has been covering up her whole life. And her bird companion Geiki is completely adorable - I could picture him in my head the entire time. My main issue is with the last third of the book, which I found confusing as Miuko moves between mystical and religious temples- and through time - with so many new characters introduced; and complex fight scenes that I found difficult to follow. But otherwise enchanting.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is such a cute and short story that I could not help but fall in love with! With intricate world-building, a mismatched crew, vivid imagery, feminism and diversity A Thousand Steps Into Night is a book you would not want to miss! The revelations were jaw-dropping and most importantly emotions were so raw and beautiful! This book had my interest from the very first chapter and I absolutely loved going on this thrilling adventure with Miuko and her dear friends! I urge you to read this beautiful book!
4.5 stars!💖

The plot of this story really draws you in and keeps you hooked. The character work in the story was phenomenal. I'd have loved to see a little more world building but overall a really strong story.

A demon kissed girl, an adventure of a lifetime, gods and monsters, and finding her place in the world. Miuko has never fit in, she has always been a bit too much for everyone but she has been content to just be living with her father and taking care of their inn. One day she is kissed by a demon and finds herself taking on a curse to become the Lady of Death... and then she begins to run into other demons and monsters. She is thrust upon a new journey to stop the demon king, reverse her curse, and survive long enough to get her life back. Joining her for her journey is a thieving magpie spirit and a demon prince who is obsessed with her. Miuko will have to outsmart trickers, escape demon hunters, make deals with gods all to find a way home again. This was such a fun story to read! It is one girl’s journey of discovering not only what she wants for herself but the being given the freedom she has never had before. It was filled with magic and adventure and just an all around great read!

*Thanks Netgalley and Clarion Books (formerly HMH Children's Books), Clarion Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A Thousand Steps into Night is an absolutely delightful and enjoyable read! It's the story of Miuko, an innkeeper's daughter, who becomes cursed to turn into a demon unless she can somehow reverse it. Thus begins a thrilling adventure in which Miuko crosses paths with spirits, monsters, gods, and demon hunters as she journeys to fight for her soul, along the way discovering who she really is and how she fits into her world. This is a beautifully imagined, lushly captured fairy tale of a story that reminds me of Dianne Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman.

Everything you look for in a fairytale: whimsy, adventure, and a touch of darkness. Chee brings the Japanese-inspired realm of Awara into vivid life, and I was caught up in this story from the very beginning, rooting for Miuko every step of the way.

This book was so good!! I really loved the main characters and the plot of this story. I flew through this book in one day. This is the type of book I would read again and again. Highly recommend!

Miuko is a remarkable heroine! I loved her adventures and all the people and spirits she met along the way. This was a beautifully written tale of adventure. Thanks to the publisher for the copy.

Was unsure how I would feel about this but was thrilled that I enjoyed it! The writing is wonderful and amazing plot development.