Hyo the Hellmaker

Manga fans and murder mystery aficionados will delight in this stunningly illustrated high-fantasy novel by Ikemoto Ghosh. Hakai Hyo is the 33rd person in her family to take up the mantle of hellmaker, someone capable of curating a personalized hell for a paying client’s worst enemy. When a demon curses Hyo’s village with a permanent winter, she strikes a deal with the creature to save her people: Hyo must first venture to Onogoro, an island that demons are forbidden from entering. Once there, she must seek hitodenashi, a cursed fruit consumed by demons that enables their man-eating tendencies, then thrust the island into hell. As Hyo navigates competing alliances, she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation, further entangling her in a treacherous web of power and deceit. Via b&w illustrations rendered using sweeping brushstrokes and precise line art, the creator depicts the alternate historical Japan setting and its inhabitants, both mortal and divine. While lengthy exposition can at times overwhelm, it also serves to convey the richly imagined worldbuilding of this gritty tale about a gifted teen confronting bloodthirsty entities. A glossary and author’s note conclude. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)