The art and illustration in this book was the icing on a fantastic cake. Though sometimes YA books feel like they are showing their label when I read them, I did not feel that. I was so enthralled, I read this in one sitting. I flew through this book of pure entertainment, full of mythology, death, darkness, and conspiracy. The storyline and plot were well written and developed.

PS I definitely felt like I was reading an anime and that’s a huge plus in my book.

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for this fantastic ARC!

The novel follows Hyo, who is a “hellmaker” tasked to bring vengeance on the island where gods, demons, and curses exist. It is perfect for fans who love Japanese mythology, folklore, and fans of anime. It gives you some similar aspects of Okami, the iconic videogame of Capcom, meets anime like Dororo and Nurarihyon no Mago. The illustrations provided throughout the novel will give any anime fan enjoyment.

The world-building mixes Japanese cultural aspects with steam-punk elements which gives you a bit of a twist. The story involves hydrogen-powered technologies which makes this novel a little bit of an urban fantasy, almost. Dark, grungy with complex lore is how I would define it. Ghosh’s world alone would draw in many readers I would think, albeit some of it is explained sporadically. I will applaud the mythology involving the gods and demons and tying in family curses relating to our main character which made the story more intriguing. Though, I think I would have liked more explanation of the magic and curses in this novel.

As for the plot, it was confusing to follow and frankly, I still somewhat struggle to understand it. I had to take many breaks and reread sentences to see where I was disconnected. However, taking it in piece by piece seemed to help in some shape or form.

3.75 rounded up 4.

Thank you Scholastic & Netgalley for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

A richly detailed Asian-inspired fantasy featuring a complex and intricately crafted world, populated by equally engaging characters, and all built around an intriguing and deeply entertaining plot. Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was everything I could have asked for and more! I think if you enjoy books like The Art of Prophecy or Never Die, this is going to be right up your alley so I encourage everyone to at least try reading this for the vibes ;)

Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Hyo the Hellmaker” by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh is an ambitious and visually immersive YA book that blends Japanese mythology with a grim, fantastical story. The story follows Hyo, a "hellmaker" tasked with bringing vengeance to a secluded island, where gods, demons, and human curses coexist. This book is very unique and interesting with its unconventional take on urban fantasy with a distinct Japanese hydrogen-punk flair. If you are a fan of anime, then you may really enjoy this book, especially with the illustrations provided throughout.

The world-building is unique, drawing on Japanese cultural elements and supernatural traditions with a 19th-century, almost steampunk twist, featuring hydrogen-powered technology that sets it apart from typical fantasy. Ghosh’s world feels authentic and richly textured with references to Japanese customs, from the distribution of cooking duties to communal bathhouses, but the information is presented in sporadic bursts that may feel disconnected. The mythology surrounding gods and demons, paired with Hyo’s family curse, adds intriguing layers, though I did want more clarity on the magic and curse systems that are central to the story.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its artwork, which complements the dark and atmospheric prose. The illustrations capture the mood of each character, drawing you further into Ghosh’s intricate world and giving life to Hyo and her companions, especially her whimsical brother Mansaku and the enigmatic gods she encounters. This approach enhances the immersive quality of the book, creating a manga-like reading experience without detracting from the book’s textual depth.

As the plot progresses, the structure becomes fragmented, with short, disconnected scenes that may leave you struggling to follow what exactly is going on, but it also felt more like an anime through these various scenes being depicted, like if I were watching weekly episodes. I absolutely loved the world-building in this book as it was incredibly unique and engaging, though the detailed lore is occasionally overwhelming. I loved the world that Ghosh created, and I wanted even more of Hyo and her adventures.

For fans of dark fantasy who appreciate complex lore and morally ambiguous characters, “Hyo the Hellmaker” definitely offers a unique experience. Its fresh take on supernatural themes and rich illustrations make it a worthwhile read for those looking to explore something outside of mainstream fantasy. Ghosh’s creativity and world-building prowess make her an author to watch.

This illustration were so well done in this novel and enjoyed how it added to the world. The plot worked well overall and thought the concept worked in the genre. Mina Ikemoto Ghosh has a great writing style and was able to weave a strong story going on in this. It uses the high-fantasy element to its advantage and glad I got to read this.

This book was amazing. I had so much fun reading it. I was a bit confused at first. There was a lot of names and circumstances that I was confused about because we are kind of just thrown into the books. But Once I got past the first few pages I was hooked. I never knew about Japanese murder mystery, but this has given me a new genre to obsess over. This is the first time I have ever heard of this author, but she has become one of my auto buy authors. (I preorder both the ebook and the hardcover of this)