Winner of the 2023 Florida Authors and Publishers Association Silver Award for Historical Fiction

"The story is a heartwarming glimpse into the Heian period of Japan and its mythology. Recommended." -

Historical Novels Review

“For anyone unfamiliar with court life in ancient 10th century Japan… this is the book to read.” - Historical

Fiction Company

A captivating time-slip tale of spirit possession, friendship, and imperial intrigue inspired by real-life

people, events, and beliefs in tenth century Japan.

2019: Mina Cooper hopes her study-abroad program in Japan will solve her anxiety issues. After all, she’s

doing what she loves - studying Japanese language and literature. But she’s still waking up at four am with

a racing heart, so Mina decides to change her life, to change herself. And suddenly she has a lot more to

be anxious about.

999: Desperately lonely after her mother and sister die in an epidemic, aspiring shaman Lady Masako

attempts to summon them. But she’s inexperienced in such rituals, and pulls Mina’s spirit into her body

instead.

After a struggle for control and a failed exorcism, the two spirits agree to cooperate long enough to get

help from the Royal Astrologer, the only person powerful enough to send Mina home.

But his help comes at a cost. If Mina doesn’t pay it, she risks her spirit fusing with Masako’s. And if that

happens, she’ll never get home.

Kate Shanahan

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