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)