Yamada Monogatari: The War God's Son

Parks's second Yamada Monogatari fantasy adventure (after To Break the Demon Gate) follows the demon-hunter Lord Yamada and his priestly friend Kenji in their efforts to stop the rebellious onslaught of the militaristic Abe Clan. Yamada must also contend with the dangerous Lord Tenshin, who holds a grudge against him. When Yamada and Kenji are called by the high noble Prince Kanemore to join an ongoing war, they're daunted to learn that both the Abe Clan and Tenshin are capable of creating shikigami, demons constructed out of paper and the souls of the dead. With a refreshingly conversational narrative, Parks captures the different facets of Japanese mythology and visions of the supernatural. Lord Yamada is a complex and entertaining protagonist, and his personal battles, whether with demons or his relationships with women, are compelling. Parks creates a rich world, further proving that in this series, nothing is as it seems. Suspenseful and often thought-provoking, Parks's work is a delight to read. (Oct.)