I LOVED the richness of this world and the fantasy brought to life: Magical creatures that you don't hear about very much in YA literature - kitsunes, various other yokai and a whole wealth of legendary creatures and gods and goddesses. I haven't read a lot based on Japanese mythology and folklore and yet I was never too confused - Annette Marie managed to explain the setting well and while the first few chapters (probably the first six?) were mainly world building and relatively dense the plot quickly takes over and I didn't feel as though it was too info dumpy, especially in retrospect.

Not only is the COVER divine but guys there are gorgeous illustrations included in the book making the whole thing a truly wondrous piece of art. THIS BOOK IS A GEM THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR TBR. This book (and series) was unlike anything I had read before. It's quickly become one of my very favourite YA series EVER. For the first time, she wants to change her fate-but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope … and hope is all she has left.Ī huge thank you to Lindsey for first bringing this series to my attention and making me curious enough to request it from Xpresso Book Tours.

On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command-whether she wants him or not. Mystery shrouds his every move and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can’t match and dares not trust. Shiro is a spirit of the earth and an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body, and soul to unite with the goddess-and not once has she doubted her chosen fate. In a few short months, Emi's mortal life will end when she becomes the human host of an immortal goddess. Published October 21st 2016 by Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.

Red winter annette marie