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Nahoko Uehashi

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Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Kindle Edition

by Nahoko Uehashi (Author), Yuko Shimizu (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 226 ratings

Book 1 of 2: Moribito

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You've never read a fantasy novel like this one! The deep well of Japanese myth merges with the Western fantasy tradition for a novel that's as rich in place and culture as it is hard to put down.

Balsa was a wanderer and warrior for hire. Then she rescued a boy flung into a raging river -- and at that moment, her destiny changed. Now Balsa must protect the boy -- the Prince Chagum -- on his quest to deliver the great egg of the water spirit to its source in the sea. As they travel across the land of Yogo and discover the truth about the spirit, they find themselves hunted by two deadly enemies: the egg-eating monster Rarunga . . . and the prince's own father.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up—This fantasy takes place in a land reminiscent of ancient Japan, populated by the indigenous Yakoo people and the immigrant Yogo who now rule. Both peoples tell a story of a child and a water spirit but with much different details. For the Yogo, the child was possessed by a water demon, while for the Yakoo, the water spirit was essential to prevent a horrendous drought. Now, it seems that this spirit has returned and is somehow living in Prince Chagum, and his father feels that he must have his son assassinated to defeat the demon. Chagum's mother prevails upon Balsa, a bodyguard-for-hire, to flee the capital with Chagum. Balsa is wounded after fighting off four of the assassins and seeks shelter with her friend Tanda, a healer. As she begins to train Chagum in life outside the palace, Tanda and his teacher Torogai begin researching Yakoo folklore and employing magic to discover more about this water spirit. In the meantime, the Yogo Star Readers research their records. Only through their combined studies are they able to learn the nature of the true danger and the means to defeat it. Whether from the original or through the translation, there are a few rough spots in the dialogue. Still, this book should appeal to fans of medieval and fantasy manga and of Usagi Yojimbo. The forthcoming manga and anime will also create interest.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

This Japanese import features many familiar martial-arts fantasy elements: magic, nonstop action, swordplay, a puzzling myth, dangerous plot twists, and a strong-willed, flawed hero on a quest. What’s surprising is that the “hero” is a slightly wrinkled, weather-beaten, thirty-year-old heroine: Balsa Spear-wielder, an itinerant bodyguard. After Balsa saves Chagum, the son of the Mikado, following a freak accident, Chagum’s mother hires Balsa to protect him; she is certain that Chagum will be murdered because he is host to a mythical creature, a fact that belies the divine nature of the Mikado. Balsa must solve a mystery involving the creature and protect Chagum from both the Mikado’s elite forces and an otherworldly monster. Guardian will sell itself in booktalks: the story is intriguing, and Balsa is a smart, crotchety, fully realized heroine. Even the minor characters are interesting. Uehashi’s Moribito series is enormously popular in Japan, and if the remaining nine stories are as enjoyable as this one, boys and girls here will be clamoring to read them. Grades 6-9. --Chris Sherman

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JWGOPZE
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arthur A. Levine Books; Reprint edition (July 29, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 29, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 22311 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 292 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #518,524 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #14 in Teen & Young Adult Asian Historical Fiction eBooks
- #73 in Teen & Young Adult Asian Historical Fiction
- #879 in Teen & Young Adult Action & Adventure eBooks

Customer Reviews:
4.6 226 ratings

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4.6 out of 5

226 global ratings

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Jeri

A great series

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2022

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This is a great series, I wish more than the first two books were translated, but that is a great start, enough to get anyone hooked. I went back to read these after finding the anime and being so sucked into the story.

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2016

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I love this story! I love the whole Moribito series. Uehashi is an anthropologist, and she creates worlds deeply linked to real human cultures and real human values. The heros of the story are inspiring and the story is well-written and compassionate. Note that the main hero is a woman in her early thirties who has trained all her life to wield a spear. The martial sequences are very well choreographed, and are balanced out by a direct vision into the world of the shaman, which we experience through the eyes of other really interesting characters in the story. A great world to visit and enjoy.

4 people found this helpful

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Nyah

Good, but abit short

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2011

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I've seen the Anime which was great.

The book didnt dissapoint. Featuring a strong woman who works as a bodyguard and a young boy who happens to become the guardian of a water demon the book depicts the workings of a ancient kingdom when its king tries to kill the boy (who happens to be the 2nd prince) in attempt to protect the integrity of the royal family, can't have a royal member become possesed can we?
Rescuing the prince by chance lands the protagonist Balsa the job of protecting the 2nd prince, and from there a tale of seek and hide as Balsa tries to unravel the true nature of the water demon, we are told of a world where the royal manipulate history for their benefit and how human neglect and arrogance can destroy a entire country....

Guardian of the spirit is a excellent book filled with action and dilemmas, it dabbles in myths adding a addicting and drawing mysterious touch aswell as showing us a interesting world where the old ways was pushed aside for those who desired the power of rule.

The characters is well flushed out, the world is nicely described and the story keeps pulling you in.

On the downside it was abit too short, the anime version was actually better, thus you might feel abit disconnected while reading but minorly so.
Only 2 books of the moribito series have been released in english, and the 2nd one was better than the Spirit guardian.

Still, in the end, i'd recommend anyone who's fond of adventure, mystery and workings of men to read this book.

3 people found this helpful

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J. TO

Thank you Nahoko Uehashi for the wonderful story

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2011

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I was hooked on the TV series and wanted to read the book to see the differences. When I first received the book, I was surprised how thin it was. Based on all the series, I was expecting to do a lot of reading. Then I realized that it is a children's novel. The characters in the anime follow pretty close to the book with a few exception. I thought the TV series did an excellent job with its embellishments. It is fast reading and leave you wanting for more. With the book, you do get some more insights into Chagum and Balsa.

2 people found this helpful

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Happy Gaby

Great book with a great message

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2018

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With a story woven at the border between the visible and invisible, the story is entertaining, and the heroes journey is followed with warmth and great messages. The informed reader will uncover traces of worlds myths. Definitely an enjoyable story. I hope more of the author’s books will be translated, she has an unique voice. The anime series was interesting to watch as well.

2 people found this helpful

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TheMagus

Japanese martial arts fantasy with stong female protagonist

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2015

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I bought this book as a fan of the anime series, which is excellent. A very good (Japanese) fairy tale story, with characters that are well-developed and more balanced than your typical fairy tale, including the likable strong female protagonist, Balsa. Lots of references to Eastern—especially martial arts—philosophy throughout.

Mildly disappointed to discover that the anime expands the story beyond what is in the book. The main points are unchanged, though, and the book is still very enjoyable.

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2013

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This is a great kid's novel, featuring a strong woman lead who has nice depth of character. The fantasy setting is very different from western novels, which adds its own appeal. Oddly, I liked the anime more, as it spent a more time developing Balsa and Chagum's relationship, but the book is great, too.

One person found this helpful

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ashkelon

Growing grace, power, humor and loyalty in adversity

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016

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Excellent book, great values in all characters, even the "bad guys". I don't want to tell you the story and spoil it, but all the protagonists show courage, loyalty, honor and growing grace in the face of a cruel fate. And it's light-hearted in places, too. Good lessons for kids to learn as they hear Chagum's story. Great read aloud opportunity!

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Jenny

Thanks!

Reviewed in Germany on April 30, 2024

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Delivery and state of the Moribito I were just right!

David Girard

Buy this.

Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2018

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The anime was so good I impulsively bought the book. 10/10 would watch again.

Gamazon kerokero

英語版『精霊の守り人』

Reviewed in Japan on September 3, 2023

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上橋菜穂子さん著の『精霊の守り人』の英語版。いくつか端折っているシーンもありましたが、あの世界観をよく描きだしてくれたと思います。英語ネイティブの友人に貸したら、絶賛してくれました。

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Otacon

One person found this helpful

Heather Brennan

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

Reviewed in Canada on November 27, 2013

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A light novel but the themes of honor, sacrifice, and courage run through this book very well. Will be passing on the recommendations and hope for more of the series will be translated.

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Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Kindle Edition

Editorial Reviews

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Nahoko Uehashi

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