I enjoyed this one. It was a cute book that explored themes of family, friendship, and belief in one's self. I thought that the author tried to tackle quite a few issues and I don't think that all of the issues were properly addressed because of the sheer quantity of them. I am intrigued though to see the next part of Momo's story.

A fun middle grade adventure book! Momo Arashima is perfect for readers who are in middle school or for teachers to keep in their classroom library.

Momo is a middle-school aged girl, with all the trials and tribulations that includes, complicated by her family situation - she and her mother live alone, trying to recover from the death of her father some time earlier. Momo and her mother are Japanese, and Momo's mother loves to tell her stories from Japanese mythology, but like many middle school students, she wants to fit in more than she wants to learn Japanese mythology. Despite her desire to fit in, however, she doesn't. This is the situation she finds herself in when the novel begins.

Almost immediately, Momo sees a fox - an unusual sighting in an urban setting - and then sees him again, this time wearing clothing. This leads her into an adventure involving Japanese kami, or gods, and a quest to save her mother. Japanese mythology is a combination of myths from multiple sources, and this novel draws on them all, blending them well. This novel is a fun and fantastical adventure, which has the added benefit of being a wonderful introduction into Japanese mythology. Recommended for middle school through adult.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a galley copy in exchange for my review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a really wonderful start to what I believe will be a series. I think lots of middle grade children will appreciate both the mythology--and the real life situations of the characters. It's a clever mix of Japanese mythology and issues like bullying and belonging. As an adult reader, I was quickly caught up in the story and kept wanting to read more. I think that children who read this will have some different worlds open up for them and be filled with their own ideas. It's very creative.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's a definite winner!

I've read the Rick Riordan books and always wished for the same thing but with the stories I grew up with, and here it is.

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind takes Japanese mythology and brings it into the 21st century. Momo is a mostly ordinary girl who grew up with stories of kami, magical foxes and monsters like oni and kappa, but her mom taught her that these were real, and for a long time, Momo could see them. In an effort to fit in, Momo convinced herself that these visions were all fancy until her mom becomes gravely ill and she's forced to see all of it again.

I wish this book had existed when I was a child.

Thank you to NetGalley and Labyrinth Road!

What an adventure! Myth-based middle grade fiction is a hot genre, and Momo Arashima is a welcome entry. The character and world building were some of the best I've seen in a while, and they were coupled with a tight plot. Highly recommend for fans of Riordan-verse books, as well as anyone with interest in Japanese folklore and mythology.

I related very hard to this book, about friends that leave us and when our parents fail to serve as our protectors. Momo has been a weirdo under protest, but circumstances force her to ally with a former friend and a talking fox. none of this is fun, but the world needs saving.

For fans of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, this is a great choice! Momo is a well developed character with faults and flaws all her own. The mythology is engaging and the gods are identifiable. Looking forward to book 2!

Thanks to NetGalley & Labyrinth Road for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I dropped the book at 20% of the way through.

I really couldn't stand any of the characters, they were constantly mean to each other. Momo should have been more sympathetic but came across as a mean girl to me. The mythology angle was really interesting but I couldn't deal with the annoying characters long enough to keep reading.

though i went into this book without knowing really anything about it, i ended up really enjoying it. it wasn't phenomenal by any means, but i think it did a really solid job of accomplishing what it set out to do. it was fun, and very fast paced, which made me eager to pick it up and continue. i enjoyed our three main characters, and their dynamic was interesting to follow. overall, not a ton of complaints, just nothing that stands out or will stick with me meaningfully.

Kids who love Percy Jackson, the Rick Riordan Presents books, or Amari and the Night Brothers are sure to love this as well. We're immediately immersed in a world where Japanese mythology is real, and I know kids will love exploring a mythology they might not know about. I also appreciate that this book deals with mental illness, especially that of a parent, because I'm sure so many kids are in that situation and would definitely feel seen. It did read as too young for me, specifically, but I know elementary kids who would love it.

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind is an action packed middle grade book from author Misa Sugiura.

I really enjoyed reading about Momo and her journey, though the pacing in the middle was a bit slow to me.

Overall this is an enjoyable middle grade adventure story.

I really love folklore/mythology type books so I knew this would be a winner. Momo has such great character development through this book and it was fun to follow her on that journey. Of course, this book is great for any kid that has already read everything in the Rick Riordan universe but I think I would even recommend this above some of those spinoffs.

Reading is a great way to learn about different cultures without ever leaving your home - in particular, I’ve always loved learning about the mythology of different cultures. Misa Sugiura’s newest middle-grade novel, Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind, brings readers on a modern adventure through Japanese (or Shinto) mythology and folklore. Our heroine, Momo, is an ordinary (if a bit unpopular) middle school kid who’s grown up on stories of kami, shapeshifters, and monsters for as long as she can remember. After her mother becomes ill, Momo quickly learns that all of those stories are real and she must stop the monsters from escaping and wreaking havoc on the world.

The mythology and folklore of Japan is rich and expansive, and that’s reflected in the world-building the author crafted in the book. Ms. Sugiura includes a lot of different references, which could be overwhelming in some cases, but I felt she did a great job providing enough context and details through which readers can understand their role in the story. I appreciate the tips on keeping snacks on hand whenever I’m being chased by a shikome, and the insights regarding how to outsmart kappas. Some of my favorite parts of the world-building were learning more about the backstory of Momo’s mother, the mystery of Danny’s connection to the spirit world, and the danger that Momo is tasked with stopping.

In addition to the mythological and fantastical aspects of the book, Ms. Sugiura also includes important social commentary. Momo, like many other kids her age, wants nothing more than to fit in. Danny, Momo’s unexpected sidekick, was once her friend but eventually evolved into becoming one of Momo’s bullies. The story features how their friendship collapsed, how awkward it is to go on a quest with someone you don’t get along with, and how the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Race and culture play a factor as well - Momo has grown up immersed in Japanese culture and stories (albeit to her detriment socially at times), while Danny’s adoption by white parents and lack of knowledge about his birth parents has made it such that he’s encouraged to do whatever he can to fit in, even if that means denying his heritage.

Sara Matsui-Colby did an excellent job bringing Momo’s perspective and all of the various character’s voices to life with her performance in the audiobook version of the book. Overall, this was an excellent book and I’m excited to read future installments of the series. Middle-grade readers who enjoy books like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, Lori M. Lee’s Pahua and the Soul Stealer, or Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit will undoubtedly find themselves invested in Momo’s story.

Thank you to the author, the publisher Labyrinth Road, NetGalley and the team at TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind. All opinions expressed in the review are my own, and not influenced in any way.

Another action-filled adventure from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. This time focusing on Japanese mythology, Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind is full of peril, close calls, and friendship.

Momo is the most unpopular person in her class, according to Kiki's list of popularity. She has no friends, and to make things worse, she sees things that no one else does. However, when she finds herself being chased by a shikome, and rescued by a fox driving a car, she finds that her mom is not who she thought she was. Now, with the understanding that she is the daughter of a deity, and that as such, is the only one who can save the world from an evil that is invading, she sets out with the fox, Niko, and her former friend, Danny, to (hopefully) save the world.

This books is going to be a hit with kids (I have students already asking for it), and is an all-around fast-paced, exciting adventure, full of Japanese mythology.

3.5 stars.

A good start to an interesting younger middle grade series steeped in Japanese mythology. Lots of adventure and great background information.

Momo is a good, wholesome character with a lot on her plate. A lot is expected of this young girl and that makes the setup feel a little unbelievable. Her mom is sick, but pushes too far to helpless, leaving young Momo to be responsible for far too much. This makes things a bit heavier than they need to be for a middle grade read. However, I did appreciate the inclusion of some difficult topics in the story, including peer pressure and bullying. I also liked that she was paired up with Danny, a willing sidekick who isn't always on the same wavelength as Momo. The extra tension present because of the history in Momo & Danny's relationship added some great depth to the story and teaches some good lessons that I think will continue to evolve through the series.

I liked Niko's character on the surface and appreciated that he was fairly sarcastic, but sometimes he veered a little too close to mean. As a result, some of the language used feels a bit whiny and occasionally too rude. I'm not sure this is a good example for younger readers and wish it would have been toned down just a bit. It wasn't overwhelming through the plot, so hopefully this will change a bit as the series develops.

There is a LOT packed into this read and that can be a little overwhelming. I really found a lot of interest in the mythology that was presented through the story and there are some incredibly interesting tales and characters. I learned a lot, but probably glazed over a little at the sheer number of mythological characters and monsters. A reread probably wouldn't be a bad idea prior to continuing the series.

A good start and I'm interested to see where this journey might go. I will be continuing the series.

I should summarize this but I've read it a month ago and it's Monday so I don't have the necessary brain cells for it.

I liked this book. It was cute, funny and the characters were interesting. I would read a sequel, however, it was one of many middle grade fantasy books I've read in a short time and they kind of blur together. Still, I do remember enjoying this story, the background, the mythology some of it is inspired from, the magic system. Momo was all around a nice book and character and I would definitely recommend it to kids. I do think my favorite character was Niko though, I do love a talking fox.
Basically, this wasn't my first book by Misa Sugiura and it won't be my last.

What a great story! This amazing cast of characters is going to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat! Stick with Momo to see if she can save her mom…and the world!

Really love the cover!! And the story didn't disappoint either. I had a lot of fun following Momo's adventures and loved the extra info at the end of the book. That said, I do feel like the pacing was a bit fast and I felt like not everything was resolved (particularly the relationship between Momo and Danny), but I feel like this does leave room for a potential sequel. I'd love to see more adventures based off Japanese mythology!

I absolutely adored all of the information about Japanese culture in this book! As the child of immigrants myself, I can completely understand and lean into Momo's experiences. That push and pull between cultures was relatable on various levels, including the fact that you don't necessarily have to be of a different ethnic heritage to appreciate it.

The book dragged just a little in the middle. While I was totally on board with Momo's quest, at times it seemed to drift a little from the main point. But author Misa Sugiura did a good job of bringing it back to center after a few scenes. And my absolute favorite part, hands down, was the glossary at the back! I enjoyed that as much as the main novel!

I would have no hesitation whatsoever recommending this to other readers who want an adventure story filled with heart and genuine feelings. Such a fantastic read!