Emperor of the Eight Islands

Japanese mythology comes to life in this “magically seductive” fantasy series debut of an orphan with mysterious power—and an empire descending into war ( Kirkus Reviews ). A future lord is dispossessed of his birthright by a scheming uncle. Left for dead, he finds a new path thanks to a mountain sorcerer—and a mask imbued with the spirit of a great stag. Meanwhile, a dying emperor makes a desperate decree to stop his rival sons from instigating a costly war. But his meddling will only lead to m