A Thousand Steps into Night

In this enchanting young adult fantasy, Miuko's ordinary life is upended when a curse begins to transform her into a demon. Drawing comparisons to Studio Ghibli, the story follows Miuko as she navigates a world of gods, monsters, and tricksters, aided by a magpie spirit and pursued by a demon prince. Beyond the thrilling adventure, the narrative delves into themes of self-discovery and identity, as Miuko grapples with her newfound power and freedom, ultimately questioning if she truly wants to return to her former existence. It's a journey of embracing one's true self, even when that self is unexpected.

Longlisted for the National Book Award From bestselling and award-winning author Traci Chee comes a fantasy perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli. When a girl who’s never longed for adventure is hit with a curse that begins to transform her into a demon, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life, but along the way is forced to confront her true power within. In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper’s daughter. But when Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life. Aided by a thieving magpie spirit and continuously thwarted by a demon prince, Miuko must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again. With her transformation comes power and freedom she never even dreamed of, and she’ll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her… and perhaps never did.