Mari is part of the animal wives, a group of female yokai, who take advantage of men (using their beauty and then their ability to turn into deadly animals) and live in the mountains, entirely among their own kind.

Akira is The Son of Nightmares, a half human, half yokai, who befriended Mari at childhood and then continues to love her, even though it's unrequited.

Taro is the son of the emperor. He was responsible for the collars that the yokai have to wear, yet he is not as cruel as his father when it comes to the yokai and their freedom.

Mari and Taro's worlds collide when Mari enters into the competition to win Taro's heart-- and the role of the empress-elect.

It took me awhile (maybe about 40% in) to get into this book. I thought the world building was very interesting and done well. It's a bit complicated, but it never got boring learning about the world. The issues I had were the dialogue (pretty bland) and then the characters were also lacking. I feel like their core characteristics were just there, and they had no depth. I also abhorred the insta love and then the relationship that stemmed from it. It didn't make any sense.

While it was not an absolute favorite, I think that a solid 3.5/5 stars makes sense. I think that there are some other readers who would be able to look past the love story and characters and truly and fully embrace the world. Also, the ending was superb beyond belief. That boosted it up that half point for me!

When I heard about this book I was super excited! Asian inspired folklore AND it's #OwnVoices? I mean let's be serious. YES. PLEASE. And in the end, it was everything I wanted it to be.



Mari, Taro, and Akira all lead different lives. Mari has come to compete in the competition that will determine who will become the next Empress. Taro is next in line for the throne, and Akira still feels he must protect Mari at all costs. But of course Mari is holding a secret that no one can find out, but how can she survive the Palace of Illusions and the Rooms of Seasons without showing the world what she is?



The very first thing that stood out to me about this was the writing style and language. It's been a long time since I've read a book where I added so many post-its! I made notes for all types of things in her writing, from swoons to Mari's fierceness, to just language that I found beautiful. This is my first book from Jean, so I didn't know what to expect from her writing and it was a pleasant surprise. Her writing in Empress is certainly going to be something I remember for some time to come.



Then there was the characters. Normally in a book with multiple characters I'm not fond of a couple of them and it does damage to the story for me. But this time, for the most part I liked all of them. One of them I could have done without until the end lol But the other two had me on the edge of my seat.



As for the plot, I could have done with a little more action in the first 100 pages or so, but after that I was hooked. Once Mari made it to the Palace I was super into it. I seem to be like that alot when it comes to games or books like this. (It took me forever to read Warcross and I had to read The Hunger Games twice...) It seemed to drag at first, but once it going, it was really hard to put down.



I knew this book would be something I enjoyed when a co-worker of mine asked could she borrow it. She's part Japanese and doesn't like YA. But she saw one of the words in the book and it just so happened to be her maiden name. She (is almost 55) and said she said that was the first time she ever saw her name in print. This is why we need diverse books and why Own Voices is so important. She's in her 50's, imagine what seeing this type of rep can do for a teen.



This book was a surprise to me and I can only hope that others enjoy it as much as I do. This was a little out of my comfort zone, but I'm really glad I gave it a shot before I gave up on it.

A tale of a girl grasping the meaning of beauty and learning to measure her worth by her own standards, Empress Of All Seasons is everything I imagined a Japanese own voices book would be. It is so rich in Japanese folklore and mythology and as a fan of the Japanese culture and anything Japanese, in all honesty, reading the book has been a gratifying experience.

With Jean’s vivid description, the world is a well-developed one. There are A LOT of yōkai that were introduced and while reading, I wished I were watching an anime version of this just so I would know how they actually looked.

Another thing I really enjoyed were the characters. I really appreciated that Jean gave us a glimpse of what kind of character all of them were. One of my favorites was Hanako, a character that appeared later in the story. I cannot talk about likeable characters without mentioning our female main protagonist, Mari. She is very strong in every sense of the word, especially emotionally.

This book is also one of those that make you question what is morally right and morally wrong. Humans and yōkai were not created equally and this has posed a lot of problems throughout the years. In the current time, yōkai have become slaves to the humans. You can just guess the disaster that was to come with Mari joining the competition and meeting Taro, the future Emperor. There is no “good” side and “bad” side since both sides are fighting for what they think is right. I, for one, am a sucker for these kinds of books that make me question my morals.

Overall, I really liked this book. I wish somebody would make an animated film out of it because I REALLY NEED TO SEE IT.

Final Rating: 4.5 Stars
Would recommend to: YA Fantasy and Non-Fantasy readers alike.

Empress of All Seasons is an #OwnVoices Japanese fantasy novel, written by Emiko Jean. It has amazed me in many ways from the premise to the last bit of the ending, especially that ending. (SHOUTOUT to my girl, Mari.) It is a story that tackles love, friends and family, honor, duty, and morals.

“The rules were simple: Survive the Rooms. Conquer the Seasons. Win the prince.”

A book that had blown me away, right off the bat. The premise alone, who doesn’t want to know those enchanted seasonal rooms? and yōkai, supernatural being that has to be enslaved by the emperor, then thrown a bit of the town between duty love, loyalty, and betrayal, vengeance, and forgiveness. I sense enemies to lovers trope, and gods and goddesses I am nothing but a drooling patsy when it comes to my favorite kind of trope. And It did not disappoint me.

“Funny how love can drive you to hate.”

That was just the premise. Let’s talk about how wonderful the prologue is, it is ensnaring, words flow eloquently, the story itself reveals of what had happened then, it builds up as the novel begins, done in such anticipating capacity, my words won’t do any justice over it. It’s ineffable. You’d just have a hard time trying to put it down.

A rich and very atmospheric book, from the senses that we see and feel. It has described the setting really well, from Mari’s hometown and the City, the travel farther. Filled with mythology and cultures, growing wild with the new ones you meet too, cursed below creatures up to the mightiest gods and goddesses that casts upon curses, are mesmerizing to read. I am magnetized by it all.

It has a reminiscent of The Hunger Games, but Empress of All Seasons surely brought something unique of a perspective in. It is enticing to read the how of these Seasons are and for the competitors, not to mention the traditionally rich and vibrant setting, thrown in there definitely something to watch out for. Possibly clutch your heart with then.

“You must take this leap. The jump always makes the fall worth it.”

I am not overselling things, there are some weak centers in the characters shift, I don’t really mind. I enjoyed the “how” the love growing amongst characters to be something natural especially in the depth of again family, duty, honor, and morals. And as it is set in an era of then filled with rich cultures and influences. It was complicated yet not truly. I adore these characters altogether, they make a pretty great team and opponents I suppose hehe.

And lastly ending was something I really love! It hits me well and struck me as empowering too. I’ll leave it to that. And if you’re really curious it is something for you to find out. It’s worth the time, money, effort, and reading! Totally recommend it for everyone!

Of course, given with the precaution of these; Trigger Warnings: systematic oppression; slavery, forced adoption, childhood abandonment.

I did receive an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall I loved this book. I can't even believe it because it wove in a love story with all that fantasy and I generally don't like love stories!

Mari is an Animal Wife and yokai, a magical half-beast forbidden to live freely, who competes in the palaces "conquering-of-all-seasons-to-be- empress" competition while winning the heart of the prince. Though she was alright as a protagonist, she wasn't my favorite. How did she fall for the prince so quickly? Was it his prince persona and women drawn to wealth and power stereotype? Probably. And maybe it's not a stereotype as many women are drawn to wealth and power. Who wouldn't want to be an empress and rule the land?

Meanwhile (and my favorite character)) Akira best friend and the boy who is madly in love with her, seeks to protect her through the trials and tribulations at the palace while also on his own agenda to become someone that is fit to be loved by Mari. Which means he seeks the help of the Weapons Master who teaches him a trick or two and suddenly he becomes more of a "man."

Thus begins a love story intertwined into a fantastical adventure set in a new world filled with half-human magical beasts and powers.


In hindsight, I'm unsure why I initially was so elated over this book. As I've sat on this review for a few days, I realized that I didn't really like Mari nor the Prince and I thought some things happened too quickly: the romance between Mari and the prince, the emperor's death, and that ending! What?! I was so sure that Jean was setting up for a sequel but the epilogue very quickly summarized everything in two pages. Literally. Like how Mari saved the world and killed evil half-brother. So the pacing was entirely off and distasteful.

So I guess when it comes down to it, I like the concept of the Animal Wife. For once, we have a book with women who are, essentially, gold diggers and live on making men marry them and then running off with their wealth. Savage.

And I like the realness that girls will fall for the wrong guy all the time, when a better guy (who ACTUALLY notices them) sits pining on the sideline. Not that I am promoting that girls should go after all the shitty guys but it's the reality, isn't it?

I think Emiko Jean has potential and I'd definitely read another book of hers.

Action filled mythological adventure!
Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, NetGalley and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean.
Taro is the son of the emperor but, unlike his father, Taro has a kind heart. This kindness angers the emperor. Mari is an Animal Wife yokai (a human with supernatural powers that can change into a beast) with the strength and intelligence to best her opponents. She’s not beautiful, so her mother is disappointed in her and makes her train as a warrior instead. Mari’s mother wants Mari to conquer the Empire, become Empress and steal the prince’s fortune. Akira, known as the Son of Nightmares because of his scarred face, loves Mari, even though to her they will only ever be friends. He follows behind the procession taking Mari to the Empire for the Seasons Rooms competition, so he can keep an eye on her without anyone knowing. Akira has a wonderful sense of humor, even though he’s had a painful and lonely life. Mari feels overwhelmed by the competition and because of all of the young women involved but she uses her wits and her values to overcome her challenges. I enjoyed the intermittent stories of gods and goddesses that explain the creation of Mari's world. Action packed, filled with mythology and adventure, Empress of All Seasons is an unputdownable fantasy read worthy of 5 stars!

Brimming with rich Japanese myths and legends, Emiko Jean cuts through a fantastical landscape as she breathes life to yokai and humans alike in her new book dubbed Empress of All Seasons. This book is flourishing with meandering tales of deities, supernatural creatures, and royals as they find truths in the pursuit of their individual causes.

In a world where yokai are not treated as equal, the palace holds a competition in search of the new empress of Honuku. We follow Mari, a yokai with the ability to transform into a powerful beast, as she enters the quest to become the empress, marry the emperor, and fulfill her duties to her clan. She has prepared for this all her life and everything is in its rightful place except that yokai are forbidden to compete.

I was so onboard on this new Asian representation plus it is a fantasy novel so my interest was piqued. In retrospect, I was so immersed in so many Japanese-inspired stories during my childhood courtesy of anime’ and manga that reading this felt so utterly familiar. I am a fan of anything Japanese and this reading experience is surely a treat. Emiko Jean did great in writing a vivid setting and the layers of the story were laid out nicely. I can really say that this had strong elements of a good fantasy in the bag!

Empress of All Seasons, despite being a fantasy novel, tackled so many important issues that are true to the current world we are in. The concept of self-image has been challenged and this book surely upholds self-worth and independence. As could be read in my review of The Astonishing Color of After, Asian culture often pins children to champion the family legacy more than their own desires. This book trudged along those lines, too, which makes it more relatable for me. Oppression and ostracism are also themes carefully folded in the book and the quest to true freedom and individuality its beacon. I also loved that this had notes of feminism which I care for so much.

“I see you. I see all that you are. I see all that you are not. And that is enough. You are enough.”

If there was an ask, the pacing could have been better. The first 60% of the book was moving at a steady pace and felt an interlude to the impending climax. Tipping the balance, the ending burned so quickly that the exhilaration extinguished in a rush leaving lesser satisfaction. I wanted more action scenes during the competition especially when the entrants are forbidden to harm each other. I can truly understand that this might be the author’s cause to prevent readers from comparing it to The Hunger Games but as it is, it held the book back a bit. I also did not care much about Mari and Taro’s romance. That was a case of instalove I wanted out from any book. Notwithstanding, there were characters I truly rooted for. Akira, for one, was so endearing and his resolve really mattered in the book. And who would also think that I ached for Sei, the Hook Girl? I know that she only had a supporting role but her sorrow and longing truly captured my heart. Although this book had a solid ending, I guess there was an allusion there could be succeeding books and I would be interested to know more about these characters.

“We’ve learned the truth about the world, and now we must speak it. Silence is the cousin of invisibility. I want to be seen.”

Overall, Empress of All Seasons is quite the great ride. This book will let you experience the shedding of seasons – a summer of abundant lores and adventure; an autumn of chilling wicked-plots; a winter of bone-freezing deaths; and a spring with a celebration of love, friendship, and freedom!

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I was provided an eARC by from HMH Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ideas and opinions in this review are all mine and are not influenced by neither publisher nor author. I would also like to thank The Royal Polar Bear Reads and Carmel of Bookablereads for hosting this blog tour.

This book is full of interesting characters and colorful Asian mythology. I was truly captivated by it. I have always been fascinated with Japanese literature and mythology, and this one was such a treat. I loved the games and the challenges and riddles. But at the heart of the story is an empowering message for people of all class, gender or race.

If you think you are getting a kind of “The Bachelor” YA Fantasy version, think again. The book discussed a lot of serious themes: gender roles, the place of women in society, misogyny, and class/race discrimination.

The author was able to create real, relatable and more importantly complex characters that are not entirely good and not entirely bad. They all have struggles and demons of their own, but the goodness in their hearts is what makes them lovable.

We have unhappy characters wanting to escape their lives, trapped in a set of rules and cultural expectations set by their ancestors even before they were born. It’s a wonderful and heartbreaking journey towards emancipation.

Needless to say, the book was unputdownable. I was so invested with the characters (both major and minor ones) that I even dreamed of them when I rest my eyes to sleep. I normally don’t like love triangles and insta-love but this one was tolerable, and even cute.

I also loved Mari’s relationship with her mother—aren’t all mothers like that? They are loved and feared at the same time. A lot of Mari’s personality, strengths and weaknesses are due to her mother. We may hate her or love her but in the end hers was the courage that Mari held on to and fought for.

Some of my favorite things from the story is that it has almost a Game of Thrones kind of politics. The story wraps up in a powerful finale full of twists and surprises. In the end it is more a battle for power rather than love. Not that love is not in the equation, but it’s all about loving and accepting yourself and not needing marriage or a partner to make you whole.

Lastly, perhaps the best thing that pleasantly surprised me is the feminist theme all throughout the book. It’s not very easy to find a true strong female character and we all know we need more of them out there. I’d like to say a big thank you to the author Emiko Jean for showing us the importance of individuality, self love and equality through the beauty of her words and imagination.

I received an advanced copy of this book from HMH Books and Netgalley. I would also like to thank Raf of The Royal Polar Bear Reads and Carmel of Bookablereads for hosting this blog tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set in a Japanese-inspired fantasy world, Empire of All Seasons balanced old folklores and new imaginative elements to narrate a one of a kind story about supernatural creatures and humans.

First of all, I love how Asian culture and stories are prevalent in YA books today. I’ve never been more proud that our rich culture can now be read by a larger audience in different parts of the world.

I couldn’t help myself but remember and imagine the cartoons and anime that I watched during my childhood days while reading this novel. The story is told mostly through Mari’s POV. Plotwise, the concept sparks reader’s curiosity and interest. The author’s descriptive writing while introducing the mythologies as well as the background of the Feudal Era where the book was set awakens a person’s sensory experience. However, even though the parts where Mari had to survive the seasonal rooms kind of reminded me of the Hunger Games, these parts were actually less brutal and complex. I also like how the plot had multiple conflicts that slowly unraveled then burned when the right time came.

The only thing that I wasn’t a fan of was Mari and Taro’s ‘instalove’. For me, things happened fast between them with only little interactions to back up their relationship. Also, although the ending was satisfying enough, it felt a little bit rush.

The characters are intriguing, but Akira stood out the most in my opinion. Mari and Taro’s characters are interesting enough, but Akira’s charm and mysterious identity completely captivated me. He also faced a lot of challenges and changes throughout the story.

One of the best things that this book offered is how it broke stereotypes to pieces. It also talks about perceptions of beauty and family duties. It is quite obvious how Asians value beauty and their duty to their family. Being raised in an Asian family, particularly a Filipino family, I completely understood and relate to Mari’s struggle between doing what she truly loves and accomplishing her duty for her clan.

Overall, Empress of All Seasons is a YA Asian-inspired fantasy standalone rich in Japanese legends and myths. I recommend it to everyone who’s looking for a unique read to add to their list.

4/5 stars!

This was the stabby, feminist, Japanese-inspired fantasy I needed in my life! This is landing somewhere above 4.5 stars for me so I'm rounding up. Action-packed with complex female characters set on taking down the patriarchy and/or an oppressive government, Empress of All Seasons is a very satisfying stand-alone novel, and we don't see many of those in YA fantasy! There are strong themes of resistance, feminism, and parallels to race-based prejudice.

In an interesting play on gender norms, women must compete in a brutal tournament to win the hand of the prince and be named Empress. The title of the book is drawn from the levels of the tournament taking place successively in rooms magically crafted to reflect each of the four seasons that the winning combatant must subdue. However, this competition is reserved for human women in a society where magically gifted yokai are bound in collars that suppress their powers. This plays into the strong themes of resistance and race relations.

Mari is half-human, half yokai, raised in a tribe of women who seduce and marry human men in order to steal their fortunes and break their hearts. She is not beautiful like the other women of her tribe, so she is intended to compete to become Empress and steal a kings fortune. Complicating matters, when she meets prince Taro, he is a quiet inventor with little interest in running the empire and she likes him more than she should. Meanwhile, her half-human best friend Akira is in love with her and follows her to the capital where he gets caught up in the yokai resistance.

The relationships took unexpected turns and were wonderfully nuanced. The book can be quite brutal at times, especially for YA but I really appreciated it. One content issue to note is that Mari's tribe does not keep their baby boys and one of her friends gives birth to one at the beginning of the book. They float them down the river in a basket and not all of them survive. Be aware that is there! However, this does a great job of exploring the complexities of extreme feminism, and different philosophies of resistance to oppression. There are no clear answers, but the questions and the nuance are thought-provoking. I was really impressed with this one! I received a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

You know when you have a book waiting for you and yet somehow you don't read it for ages?! I hate it when that happens and yet iI have no one to blame for it but myself. This happened to me once again with Empress of All Seasons, Emiko Jean's stunning YA Fantasy novel. Competitions, empresses, and supernatural monsters and spirits. What more could I have asked for? Thanks to HMH Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am an avid Fantasy reader, I love sinking into new worlds full of magic and mystery. However, sadly many authors settle on a medieval European world and, on occasion, provide nothing more than a weak copy of Tolkien's Middle Earth or Lewis' Narnia. So whenever I stumble across a Fantasy book that does something new, that isn't afraid to steer away from the ol' reliable and dares to bring something different to the genre, I do a happy dance. This year only two books have triggered that dance. The first was Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, a stunning African story of family and magic. The second is Empress of All Seasons, Emiko Jean's beautiful Japanese tale of love and strength. What I found fascinating is that, thinking of the two together, both are bound strongly by the theme of discrimination. In Adeyemi's novel the main character grows up afraid and ashamed of what she is, conditioned to consider herself less than. Children of Blood and Bone is a sharp and honest story about racism. Empress of All Seasons, while perhaps not quite as sharp, shows a similar picture. Jean's protagonist, Mari, has to hide who she is, a monster in the eyes of humans and a disappointment in the eyes of her own people. As Adeyemi draws from African folklore, so Jean draws from Japanese folk tales, and both make the Fantasy genre richer by their addition.

Empress of All Seasons is enchanting. From the beginning of the novel I was completely caught up in the world Emiko Jean was creating. Initially I was suspicious of the seasonal rooms and how it would work, but the mythology feels completely real and fantastical at the same time. Split between different narrators, The Empress of All Seasons manages to convey all the different consequences of a society split by those who are "right" and those who aren't. Mari is a great main character, scarred and scared but strong and determined in her own way. Struggling with her own identity and the expectations that come with it, Mari is someone you're rooting for. Similarly, Taro is more than the grumpy, sulky prince, and Akira is more than the third part of a love triangle. Although that tension is there, it is in no way the main focus and something you have to almost actively read into the text yourself.

Emiko Jean's writing in this novel is stunning. She sets her novel solidly in a medieval-esque Japan where monsters and spirits and humans roam side by side. Her writing suits itself to both the very real tension of a mother-daughter relationship and the mythical creatures and traditions that move through her world. Her descriptions of the Rooms are so vivid I could see them when I closed my eyes. Jean confidently strides into the YA genre and twists its tropes upside down. Are there three young people who may or may not be in love? Perhaps. But it's not as it seems! Is there a young woman with a destiny? Definitely. But neither her nor the reader know what to expect from it! I loved the twists of her plot and the last quarter of the novel is full of surprises.

I absolutely adored The Empress of All Seasons and want to read everything Emiko Jean writes. Mari is a brilliant fantasy heroine and Jean will continue to surprise you throughout her novel. I'd recommend The Empress of All Seasons to every fantasy reader looking for something new and beautiful.

I am absolutely loving all this Asian inspired fantasy that has been flooding book shelves. This one is inspired by feudal Japan where Humans and Yokai live amongst each other. The Emperor is Human who enslaves all the Yokai he can find who get fashioned with iron collars and our MC is a Yokai named Mari who is trained in deception by her mother and is tasked to steal the emperors jewels.. Due to certain circumstances the Emperor wants to marry of his son anyone who can master the rooms gets his son and Mari has the perfect way in..

This book was full of deceptions and intrigue and tons of action I loved every minute of it. I absolutely loved Hanako all the mischief she caused was splendid. Hanako is also leading the Yokai resistance and I really hope to see more of her in the next installment. The mythology and worldbuilding was amazing. Especially when the author describes supernatural Yokai and I loved reading about the Japanese folklore weaved in. My only real dislike was the insta love. Why does that have to be a thing in YA?

Overall if your looking for an Asian inspired read I think you will quite enjoy Empress of All Seasons as well as those who love reading manga will love reading this book.

Standalone YA fantasy novels are far and few between, so Empress of All Seasons was a much welcomed surprise. The world was laid out very clearly, and it was nice to read a non-Western fantasy world. For readers who enjoy plot over characters, this will be a fun read. The pacing kept the book moving without feeling that it was rushed or skipped over important elements. I enjoyed myself every step of the way, but as a character-driven reader, I wanted a bit more depth from our characters. Regardless, this is a book I'll recommend to anyone in the mood for a one-and-done fantasy.

“Do not cling to the hand that holds you down”

Empress of All Seasons is an ownvoices Japanese fantasy that was a complete delight to read. I was completely immersed from the very first page, and the last page left me wanting the next book immediately. But this is a tale of family (both found and blood), and honor (both given and earned), and love (unconditionally and conditionally).

The emperor is a human who rules this world and is cruel and demands power in every aspect of his life. In this world, there are many kinds of yōkai, who can turn into different kinds of animals, phantoms, monsters, and demons, and the emperor enslaves all that he can find. The emperor also lives in a magical palace, where there are four rooms controlled by the High Priest, one for each season, that are also incredibly cruel.

And the emperor is looking to marry off his heir, and the only way for him to find a worthy empress is for her to win a competition that will make the girl prove she can survive these four magical rooms and to beat each season’s punishments. It is a little reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Red Rising, but each girl is required to get a limited number scroll, that will be found once they figure out a riddle, to move onto the next room.

“The rules were simple: Survive the Rooms. Conquer the Seasons. Win the prince.”

➽ Mari - Yōkai, whose mother, Tami, is the alpha of their Animal Wives clan. Mari has grown up surrounded by beautiful women whose mission is to go and seduce the richest of men in their animal form, and then on their wedding night steal everything that they can and bring it back to the village. And sometimes when they come back, they will also be pregnant from that night. If they deliver a boy child, it will be sent away, but if they deliver a girl child, then they will be able to retire and prepare their daughter for the way and life of Animal Wives. And even though Mari’s mother is the most beautiful and powerful of the clan, Mari didn’t inherit the looks or the powerful animal form of her mother. But Tami has prepared Mari to be powerful in another way; to be skilled in fighting and to maybe win a competition that will be the greatest heist of all the Animal Wives.

➽ Taro - The Cold Prince, and the Emperor in waiting, but his father, the current emperor, is terribly cruel while Taro is terribly smart. He accidentally invented and crafted metal collars that enslaves all of the yōkai that his father uses to control them.

➽ Akira - The Son of Nightmares. Half of his face is terribly scarred, and the other side perfectly beautiful. His father was a trader, but his mother is a ghost, and they were forced to flee and live in hiding after their village attacked them. He keeps all of Mari’s secrets, and helps save all the people that she defeats during her training, when she should be killing them. Also, he is so very silent and able to sneak around like no one else.

➽ Hanako - Weapons Master and love of my life. She is also leading the yōkai resistance. I want an entire book of her and her white ferret. Also, she is queer. I will say that this book maybe had the “bury your gays” trope, but you never get confirmation, but it for sure feels like it. So, please use caution, and I wish I didn’t have to keep writing this in reviews in 2018. Also, I really recommend you all check out Acqua’s review, because they go way more in depth with the heteronormativity in this world, and it really opened my eyes.

“We’ve been pushed around and forced into quiet rooms our whole lives. Nobody’s ever asked us what we wanted. The prize isn’t the prince. It’s the power.”

This was a really compelling story that I never wanted to put down. And I really think that Emiko Jean has created such a beautiful start to a story that I cannot wait to read more of. From the magic of the rooms, to seeing these four characters live the lives they have been dealt, to seeing this beautiful world turn into something so scary because of one man’s hate and oppression, I just loved it all so much.

“Men are conditioned to take. Women are conditioned to give.”

I will say that this book for sure has major instalove and it didn’t feel organic or believable in the slightest. Also, Taro as a character easily won me over because of his softness at the beginning, but I really grew to find him unbelievable and just kind of dislike him and it made me sad, honestly. I also think this was supposed to feel like an angsty love triangle, but it never really felt like it. But Mari, Akira, and Hanako are still everything. Also, I can’t wait for more Hiro either!

Overall, I can’t wait to see what comes next. I thought it was beautifully written, and I was able to pull so many breathtaking quotes from the ARC copy I had. I loved so many of these characters. The story was unique and so very enthralling. And I loved the Japanese mythology and culture that was always at the forefront of this story. I completely recommend this story, and I truly think it is the start of something that is going to be amazing.

Quick Summary:

In this Japenese inspired standalone fantasy a competition is held each generation to find the next Empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the Palace of Illusions enchanted seasonal rooms and marry the Prince. All are eligible to compete except the yōkai, supernatural monsters the human emperor is determined to enslave. Mari will have to keep her yokai identity hidden at all cost if shes to keep her life and become the next Empress. Torn between duty and love, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will forever decide the fate of Honoku.

My Thoughts:

The story alternates between three main characters with Mari being the most important. As an Animal Wife her goal is to win the competition, marry the Prince, and steal his fortune. All Animal Wives are trained to contribute to their society by finding a husband and stealing their fortune, but Maris mother had bigger plans for her. Despite all their plans once at the palace Mari gets pulled into a brewing yokai rebellion. I enjoyed Maris point of view, but I didnt completely agree with her romantic decisions. Her change of mind was for a good cause though. I also liked Maris messy relationship with her mother. It was strained, but heart felt.

Her childhood friend Akira was the sweetest cinnamon roll ever and his determination to help her any way he could was absolutely heart warming. His training with the Weapons Master went by way too fast though. I liked the other yokai we get to meet. I wasnt the biggest fan of Prince Taro and his character development didnt feel completely believable to me. For someone who didnt want to be Emperor he sure did take to the roll quickly. His way of thinking was also weirdly possessive. I did like that for once the Prince of the story knew what it felt like to be a prize in a competition to marry him since its usually the other way around.

I loved the concept of the world with its variety of yokai creatures, Palace of Illusions, and seasonal rooms. Theres a few riddles, and tales in between about the gods that I really enjoyed. I liked all the Japanese inspired elements, but some of the world building didnt add up. The priests curse chants didnt completely effect Akira because he's half human, but so is Mari and the other Animal Wives. Their fathers are all human. While we're on the topic of the Animal Wives, wouldnt their village die out if they only have one daughter each. Im sure some women never come back and not all the children make it to adulthood. Over the years their numbers would definitely dwindle.

I was surprised there wasnt some kind of test to make sure the contestants werent yokai. I would have liked some more strong female friendships to balance it out all the girls competing against each other. No girl Mari meets is completely trust worthy which was disapointing. I also felt like the writing slowed down my reading pace and contradicted itself at times. This was a difficult one to rate because I really liked certain elements, but then some kind of issue would present itself. I like standalones and Im satisfied with the ending, but I feel like this could have been a duology or even a trilogy. Theres still so much left to explore.

A competition is held each generation to find the next Empress of Honoku. To win, they have to survive each of the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Everyone is eligible to enter – except yōkai, who are supernatural monsters and spirits who are marginalized and enslaved. Mari comes from a village where yōkai are free. Her village is full of women who can transform into terrifying monsters. She has trained her whole life to become the Empress. Soon, Mari becomes torn between duty and love.

Empress of All Seasons is a rich, vivid, and compelling high fantasy novel. It is an engaging and thrilling novel full of Japanese culture. The concept of Mari’s village and the idea surrounding the ‘Animal Wives’, marrying men to then steal their fortunes, was brilliant. Yet, it isn’t the life Mari wants. Her controlling mother wants her to win the competition and steal the Prince’s fortune. Yet, when Mari and Taro bond, she is torn between her duty to her village and her feelings for Taro. She believes that she could do good as Empress, especially for yōkai. There were twists and turns towards the end that you definitely didn’t see coming and it made for an exciting read.

The worldbuilding and atmosphere were also done exceptionally well. The world that Jean creates is complex and imaginative, full of Japanese culture.

I like Mari’s POV-she was fierce and brutal but kind and scared and I really loved how her story ended too, it was brilliant, different, and surprising. But both Taro’s and Akira’s POVs brought the enjoyment of the book down for me a little bit though as I didn’t find them quite as engaging.

Overall, Empress of All Seasons was a good read - I loved the monster vibes, I loved the engaging plot, but the characters were a little bit of a letdown.

Empress of All Seasons is for the readers who prefer plot over character. Although there are plenty of heroes to root for throughout, the plot drives the story forward and will keep readers turning the pages!

The beginning is awfully slow as Emiko Jean introduces readers to this rich world. I didn’t mind this too much thanks to her brilliant writing. I was captivated by everything but especially learning about the human and yokai history. The story is told through three different POVs; Mari, Taro, and Akira. We first get to know Mari, who is an Animal Wife, and I absolutely loved these women. Their lives are incredibly interesting and even heartbreaking, especially during one particular scene between Mari and her best friend. But they are “monsters” born for one purpose: to trick men into marriage and then steal their fortunes.

Mari isn’t considered as beautiful as the rest of the Animal Wives, so her mother trains her for the competition held to find the next empress. Out of the three main characters she was my favorite. She’s strong yet vulnerable, and her fear for the world is relatable. Plus, there are so many amazing quotes from her POV, such as this one: “Never let a man take anything from you. Your smiles, your humor, your body.”

The story begins to pick up once Mari leaves for the palace of illusions. There are more characters introduced as well, my favorite outside of Mari is the Weapons Master, but that’s all I’ll say about them. As for the other two main characters, Taro and Akira, I enjoyed Akira. His story is woven into Mari’s nicely and kept things interesting. But I didn’t really care for Taro, unfortunately he was bland compared to everyone else.

Thanks to the large world building in the beginning, the second and third act felt rushed. I 100% believe that this book would have read much better if it was at least a duology. Being inside the seasonal rooms were short chapters, and the relationships Mari builds with the other competitors weren’t explored to their full potential. This was disappointing but not a complete deal breaker for me because I continued reading. And I’m so happy I did because the ending was EPIC!

I couldn’t predict most of what happened in those last chapters. At one point my mouth fell open from the shock. I was thinking to myself where was all of this throughout the story? I could have done without any of the romance if it was replaced with what went down at the end. It kept me turning the pages needing more!

Overall, Empress of All Seasons is a fun, thought-provoking book. These characters show that it doesn’t matter if you aren’t considered the most beautiful or strongest person, your voice still matters. It can change the world. And I especially enjoyed that Mari’s character chose herself over everyone else.

This book is full of amazing world building and rich complex characters. This mixture of magic, kick-butt women, and Japanese lore makes this a fun and exciting read!!

This is an awesome book I went in thinking it would be about one thing, and came out thinking another. It does touch briefly with lbgtq themes, but organic enough to not go against the storyline if you don't want to read about those sort of things. The themes touched upon that you don't define yourself by what others think and you don't need to have a man to complete your life. You can stand on your own and do just fine. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the four seasons rooms and the culture. I also enjoyed the Japanese god and goddesses creation myth stories. They added a lot to the storyline.

Imagine growing up in a village of strong women. In a world much like my alma mater, Smith College, women rule this mountainous city. Mothers cast baby boys down the river and young girls seduce men only to marry them and runaway with their possessions. Ok, maybe the similarities stop at all women’s dwelling, but you get the idea. Empress Of All Seasons by Emiko Jean is a new YA feminist fantasy novel featuring much needed diversity in teen fiction. Pairing Japanese folklore with dystopian adventure, follow along with Animal Wife Mari as she fights to become Empress of all Seasons. Love, betrayal, prejudice, war–Empress Of All Seasons has it all.

Book Review: Empress Of All Seasons by Emiko Jean

In the village of Tsuma, Mari and the Animal Wives live isolated and free from men. Beautiful and deadly, these women are powerful mythological creatures known as yōkai. Each woman can transform into a deadly beast with the exception of Mari. The black sheep of her village, Mari can only half transform and has not acquired the looks of her fellow tribe mates. Half yōkai and half human, Mari has yet to find her place in the world.

Unable to fulfill her Animal Wife legacy, Mari’s destiny awaits her at the Palace of Illusions. Here in Honoku, Mari must dominate each of the enchanted season themed rooms. Surviving other warrior humans as well as the elements, her prize is the prince. True to her Animal Wife upbringing, Mari must steal his wealth and return to the village. If Mari fails, her village may disown her, or more than likely, Mari will perish in one of the seasonal rooms.

Burning up in the summer or freezing to death in the winter rooms are not the only problems threatening Mari. Honoku is a rather prejudice city. Fearful of yōkai powers, the humans have enslaved all yōkai with metal collars. These chains subdue yōkai magical abilities, forcing them to work for human masters. Touching a collar instantly burns and can even kill yōkai. For Mari, Taro the prince created these chains, conflicting her feelings for him even more. Small spoiler: Taro turns out to be pretty lovable. Every day that Mari resides in the palace competing for the throne, she faces the threat of discovery as an illegal and uncollared yōkai. She could lose her freedom and her life.

YA Feminist Fantasy That Destroys The Dystopian Trilogy

Thank Gosh, Empress Of All Seasons Is Not Another Trilogy
Although not a series, Empress Of All Seasons is nostalgic of The Selection series. Young women compete for the prince, except here, the prince has no say in his future. Both princes had their favorite gal and both lived in kingdoms on the verge of corruption and collapse.

I appreciate that Empress Of All Seasons is not a series, although Jean could have easily woven the tale into a trilogy. The ending could have been left up in the air over who lived and who perished. Another novel could have discussed the throne and control over the human and beastly world. However, in the world of dystopian YA, I know that I am personally tired of these formulaic trilogies. Can YA be anything other than three tiresome books in a series?

Jean answers, ‘yes’ with Empress Of All Seasons. Although Empress ends abruptly, I appreciate that the story is complete. In this conclusion, Jean emphasizes that the overall ending and power acquired is meaningless. More important are the lessons learned and confidence Mari gains. Empress isn’t about ruling a kingdom or even falling in love. The story is about loving yourself. If the tale continued, Empress Of All Seasons would become just another teen book about living in harmony and fighting for the throne.

Feminism Refuting Feminism

I equally applaud the feminist appeal with strong and terribly weak women characters. The Animal Wives, who pretend to be independent and free, are slaves to their beliefs. We watch as Hissa self-destructs when her baby boy is cast down the river. Any Animal Wife who falls in love and refuses to leave her man is outcast. They only feel power in their beauty. Throughout the novel, Mari works to overcome these stereotypes and illusion of freedom, learning that feminism is not synonymous with being free from men. In her path, she takes a nonviolent approach that leaves her stronger than her tribe. Mari is enough on her own.

Who Will Enjoy Empress Of All Seasons?

Even though this is 2018, YA fiction still lacks diversity, especially in the scifi and fantasy realm. Empress Of All Seasons beautifully weaves accessible Japanese folklore into a feminist thriller. The tale has romance and action that will appeal to younger teens looking for a female powered adventure story with a non-Western setting. The mythology is purposeful and engaging. A quick read, Empress Of All Seasons is comparable to The Selection and Red Queen series.


I would like to thank NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.