Hideki Smith, Demon Queller is an incredible read and AJ Hartley has brought a tale of modern day small town American living melded with Japanese folk horror perfectly to life.

What initially drew me to the book was the stunning artwork and the fact our hero, Hideki Smith isn't your traditional hero because pretty much everyone underestimates him or judges him for his race which is thankfully both written in a realistic manner but not overly done. As awful as it is to say this, the racism is done just enough, that your skin crawls and it's uncomfortable. Yet it works to ensure that he's someone acknowledged in a positive way until… sadly afterwards.

I absolutely loved how the author brings in the Japanese monsters of folklore and the overall magic from the arrival of Shinto shrine to the terror of Noppera-bō for example, that was a personal nightmare to me. (I do not like the idea of there being no facial features on a person, that's nightmare fuel!)

Everything about Hideki Smith, Demon Queller is brilliantly done and it's a book that I couldn't put down. The story is fast paced, and the folk horror will have you on the edge of the seat, because they're horrific. There's so much tension and the knowledge that Caleb (Hideki's American name) and his sister seem to have everything on the line as they try to quash the Demonic rising will make you fear for their safety and wish you could step into their world and aid them in every step of the way.

I highly recommend this book, it may well be designed for young adults but the genre will ensure it's a great read for all.