Review: Blood of the Kami by Baptiste Pinson Wu

Blurb:

For centuries, the Yaseki have fought the corrupted souls who seek to plunge Japan into darkness. But the fragile balance is now shifting toward the forces of evil.

Ren Fudō, a young Soul Hunter blessed with the blood of the kami, receives a mission from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This simple errand is a spirit-given chance to pay off his debt to the Yaseki.

But as he and his new companion, a shrine maiden possessed by a violent land kami, take to the road, Ren remembers that spirits never give for nothing. The mission turns more dangerous and crucial with every step.

The future of Japan now rests on their shoulders, and an army of Yōkai stands on their path.

Review:

This is a highly evocative, lush world full of vivid imagery and lore that just sucks you right into the story. From a wide cast of characters who are fully fleshed out in their individuality, to the yokai they fight, the emotional pasts they are struggling to overcome, and the humorous banter in the quiet moments; Pinson Wu has penned such a captivating tale that was utterly impossible to put down. Literally. I was up until 4am one night reading it.

Blood of the Kami is kind of like a darker version of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in a way, where Ren is Link, and Suzume is Zelda helping him take down the skulltula and Ganondorf (the General) in the kingdom of Hyrule. This was just one thing this book put me in mind of, which endeared the story to me even more as Zelda will always be a favorite game/story of mine. 

In addition to this, just the vibes this book was bringing with the lush world reminded me of my favorite zone in World of Warcraft for a particularly Asian-inspired expansion ~ Jade Forest (IYKYK. If not, go look it up and you’ll see what I was visualizing). And Ren collecting the magatama (soul shells) from the yokai he defeated made me think of Pokémon (I adored the cartoon while it was on) as the souls were bound into these shells, kind of like Pokéballs. There were just the essences of so many things that I love culminated into this fantastic story. 

Also, there were aspects and personality characteristics of other favorite characters/series I've enjoyed in the past reflected in Blood of the Kami. You have the mentor/mentee relationship between Osamu & Ren, which put me in mind of the likes of Dumbledore & Harry Potter, or Gandalf & Frodo. I hadn't really thought about it before now, but that is apparently a trope I really enjoy seeing in books, and was pleasantly surprised to read it in this one. 

I very much enjoyed the spiritualism of this book: with all the lore surrounding the kami and rituals, shrines and priests. It was so fascinating to read, and like a breath of fresh air in the ever-crowded fantasy genre that's heavily populated by more medieval European-based worlds. I love reading about cultures and beliefs different from my own, be it in a fictionalized setting or real world. I think this is one of many reasons why I felt so captivated by this book. It was so refreshing to read! And then obviously, BPW writes one hell of a story besides!

Which I may as well talk about next. In the beginning, you're following Ren arriving back at his home temple to deliver his newest batch of soul shells for purification. You're gradually introduced to the varying aspects of this world where soul hunters hunt down and dispatch corrupted souls before they can harm the innocent. Little by little you're drawn into this unique perspective & magic systems built on the faith/worship of their deities, and what gifts those deities bless them with. It was absolutely fascinating reading! 

And the idea of a secret society, the Yaseki, hidden in the shadows of Japan that are working behind the scenes to protect the country from the evils of corrupted spirits is always a fun concept to read. And of course there is something particularly dark brewing on the horizon 👀 And things happen that shouldn't have been possible at all…until now.

I really liked the lore behind the Yaseki with their priests, monks, Hands, Bloods, and all other roles in this secret society. It was also a fun idea to have the Bloods limited to 12 based on the zodiacs. There can be no more than 12, but there can be less, depending on if one has died. In which case, then a new Blood will be born to take his or her place. All of this was so imaginatively well done I was just hooked!

And as you're learning about all of this you're also gradually getting very attached to the characters of Ren & Suzume as they go out on a mission together. Along the way the plot thickens as more mysterious & darker things begin happening. BPW stealthily reels you in on this hook that you didn't even initially realize he'd hooked you with. BUT THEN at the midpoint, he starts cranking that reel a little faster, and then faster still as chaos unleashes on our duo, who then become an unexpected group of four. And things just continue to snowball from there, leaving you in a breathless sprint to turn the pages fast enough to find out how it all goes down. And damn, does it ever go down! 

I was literally about to start sweating from anxiety about how that climax began to take a bad turn. It was like reading the Helm’s Deep scene in Lord of the Rings where the Rohirim are dying all around, the Deep has been breached, and there's no end in sight of the Uruk Hai army. You, as the reader, start feeling that utter despair that Ren and his friends are feeling. It is so tense, so emotional and engrossing, you just can't look away. It was literally as poignant a scene as Helm’s Deep. 

These characters, guys! I'm so attached! Ren, heaven help me, I've fallen hard for that sassy blunt hunter. He shows respect where it's been earned but refuses to kowtow to those who haven't earned it from him yet. He's had a rough start in life but is making the most of it. He’s stubborn and kind, willing to do whatever he must to do the things that need to be done. Even with impossible odds, he gives it his all no matter the consequences to himself. He’s such an admirable character.

I of course have to mention Pon-Pon, even though his appearance on page was very brief. I can't say much without giving anything away, and I truly feel his character needs to be a surprise, but what a delight he is! That was one of the funniest chapters in this book, and I really hope we see more of him in the coming sequels. I need more of him and his pervy humor.

Fuyuko is so much more than a pretty face. If you just take her based on appearance alone, underestimating her because she's a lush, beautiful woman, you will learn the hard way that she is so. much. more.  She will kick your face in with her clogs while simultaneously slitting your throat, and you'll never lose the dreamy smile from your face even once you're dead. Don't mess with this foxy lady. 

Suzume is such a sweet soul.  She's surprisingly innocent despite the rough life she's endured for who knows how many years. Beneath the surface is a young woman full of pain and anger. Sugi makes a fitting complement with her rage and power, seeking vengeance on any who dare threaten Suzume in any way. This duo is a powerhouse that is just finding their stride. I can't wait to see how far they'll go in the future.

Princess Ayake–oh what a little turd she was when we first met her! I was very much on Ren’s side, and sympathized with him greatly in having that spoiled little package dropped on him. But like for Ren, she grew on me by the end. BPW has such a great way of writing his characters so you feel one way about some of them and then he gradually turns it around. And the way the book ended, well, she's going to be a very powerful ally to have in the coming storm. I can't wait to see how she grows into her new role and just how powerful she can turn out to be now that she's in a place she can learn and thrive. 

This is a story about saving a country from being overrun by corrupt beings. But it's also more than that. It's about the power and loyalty of friendship. It's about healing past traumas through kinship and understanding and grace. It's about moving forward together and leaving the past where it belongs. And maybe, just maybe, something more can bloom in its place 👀 I see you Ren & Suzume. And I'm hopeful for you. 

I want to thank Baptiste Pinson Wu so much for allowing me to read the ARC of this! I’ve been excited about it for a while, so when I saw he had ARC sign-ups open I pounced! I can’t wait to see this beauty take the book world by storm once it is released into the wilds. Blood of the Kami releases April 2nd, so be ready for an epic reading adventure! This has already secured its place in my top reads of 2025.