In this gripping sequel, the stakes are raised as Yumeko, the peasant girl turned reluctant warrior, faces a world where ruthlessness reigns supreme. Honor, love, and mercy are seen as signs of weakness, and when the hunter becomes the prey, survival is paramount.

Yumeko confronts a formidable array of demons, ghosts, and otherworldly threats, proving herself stronger and wiser than ever before. Her quest to protect a powerful scroll – a relic capable of granting a single wish every thousand years – thrusts her into a dangerous power struggle between the empire's most influential figures.

The world-building is exceptional, drawing the reader into a richly imagined and atmospheric setting. While the darkness can be unsettling at times, this captivating story is a thrilling and rewarding read. Four stars.