Richard Parks’ Yamamoto Monogatari: Demon Hunter – Book Spotlight

Hey, Readers! I’ve got another good one for you this month!

I know not everyone is fine with targeted advertising. You know that thing where you’re talking about a show or product and the next time you open your social media app of choice, lo and behold, you see a commercial for or post about that previously discussed thing or something close to it? A lot of people give this the side-eye… and I can see why. You know why I have little problem with it, though? Because I find so many great books that way! I was talking with a friend about Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba recently and when I next opened Audible, this gem of a book was there in my suggested listens. Not only that, but it’s included with my Audible membership? Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

So, before I continue, I should probably point out that this book has no actual connection to the Manga or Anime for Demon Slayer. No Tanjiro or Nezuko here. However, if you like one, chances are you’re going to enjoy the other. Set in a Japan where Yokai and other monsters are just a part of daily life, they share some elements. This book was originally released in 2013 and is an entry into a larger series. These short stories (There are 10.) are a collected anthology where the individual stories were published in magazines initially; Realms of Fantasy and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, primarily.

So, strap on your tachi, warm up some sake and prepare to dive headfirst into a collection of short stories where things are usually not as they seem.

Book Stats

Basic Premise

Lord Yamada is our protagonist in this series of short stories that tie back to a larger narrative. His position in society is a strange one. He’s of noble blood, but owns no land, has no place in the court and maintains intricate connections with the Emperor’s family and other important figures… but he exists on the outskirts of it all. Often called on to utilize his particular set of skills to solve mysteries and fix problems of an occult nature, he’s got an uncanny knack for dealing with demons, ghosts, ogres, yokai and any number of other supernatural pests and peoples. While he’s a skilled swordsman, he’s also good at seeing solutions to problems that aren’t best solved with a blade.

He deals with all manner of situations in these stories. The child of a noble and his estranged wife (who just so happens to be a fox demon) must be found and he’s the one to do it? Sure. Missing family heirloom stolen by demons? He’s your guy. Angered mountain god wants to boil monks using a hot spring to bathe? He’s got you.

He and the others who often help him, anyway. Prince Kanemore, the strategist and formidable warrior and Kenji the drunken and disorderly priest, for example.

Can Lord Yamada solve all these problems for all these people? Can he slay the demons he needs to slay? Spoilers: A lot of those demons are personal ones and are much more mundane than your average Oni.

Read this book to find out all about it.

My Take

If it’s not apparent, I actually really enjoyed this book. I’m looking forward to checking out the others in the series.

These stories ticked a lot of boxes for me, personally. There’s a procedural element to them with a protagonist who sees things others don’t and who might not get you the answer you were looking for, but will solve things regardless. He’s also driven primarily by compassion despite this never being overtly expressed in so many words… he sees the monsters in this world as people, too. He often winds up helping them alongside the humans paying him for his services. There’s plenty of great action and fight scenes to keep you entertained, but no bloodshed just for the sake of it and I appreciate that.

Add to that my interest in Japanese culture, history and folklore and I was immediately hooked.

Kenji was a highlight for me as well. Skilled at his priestly duties, but with his own struggles in overcoming worldly desires and with a wry sense of humor that often made me smile. A wonderful companion, even if our protagonist might not always think so!

If any of this sounds like something you’d enjoy, I highly recommend you give this book a try. In terms of the audio book, Brian Nishii is a fantastic narrator who’s tone and portrayal of all the characters was a delight to listen to.

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