The gatekeepers son by c r fladmark.
Junya’s grandfather is a billionaire who keeps the secret to his success hidden in a heavily guarded safe.

His mother is a martial artist who wields a razor-sharp katana—and seems to read his mind.

And a mysterious girl in a Japanese school uniform can knock him over—literally—with just a look.

What do they know that he doesn’t?

Junya’s life takes a dangerous turn on his sixteenth birthday, when someone sets out to destroy not only the family’s business empire—the one that he’s set to inherit—but Junya himself. He’s fighting for his life, and doesn’t know who to trust.

What has his family been keeping from him?

Junya’s journey takes him from the narrow streets of San Francisco to Japan, and through hidden portals to the top of the ancient Japanese Izumo Shinto shrine, to places where death and violence are a way of life. And in a mystical world he’s never imagined, he finds his true destiny.

This was a good read with likeable characters.
I liked junya. Wasn't sure if I liked shoko. Didn't trust her. 4*.

While it lacks the depth I crave in a story, this was a fun read, and I did end up enjoying it.

This was a great teen action novel with a bit of fantasy thrown in.
A wonderful read that does not take itself too seriously.

This book was very interesting I ended up reading it very slowly, but that didn't take anything away from how well it was written or make the storyline bad. I think that this story was really good and I liked how it was written.

A very descriptive, action filled book though not what I was in the mood for at the time. Sorry.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The action moved along at a decent pace but I just didn't get sucked into the book. The characters didn't move me.

This was a light, fairly enjoyable YA read. The writing was unassuming, but with poor character development. It required a large suspension of disbelief for character actions and plot holes rather than for the fantasy elements (which actually worked fairly well), and featured some of the most incompetent villains ever. I have no idea if the Japanese/Shinto background was remotely accurate, but it was refreshing to draw from it rather than the standard Western viewpoint. Lots of action to fill in any inconsistencies, and lots of room for sequels (which I will be passing on).

It was OK. Thin characters. Thin plot. There are so many good middle grade and YA authors out there, but this one does not stand out.