The Twelve Kingdoms Book 1 - Shadow of the Moon, Shadow of the Sea: Part 1 (Novel) (2025)

THREE WOMEN. THREE TRIALS.Despite ascending to the throne of the kingdom of Kei, Youko Nakajima’s troubles are still not at an end. As queen, she relies on her many advisors to make up for her lack of experience, but when all they do is squabble with each other, the only thing left to do is descend the mountain and come face-to-face with her subjects themselves. Meanwhile, the king of Hou has been killed by insurgents, and his daughter, Shoukei, is forced to live as a peasant to survive. At the same time, Suzu, a girl from Japan, suddenly finds herself whisked away to the kingdom of Sai. Hardships await all three women, but will their trials be rewarded with happiness at the end?

THE MAKINGS OF A MONARCHWhen Rokuta, the Kirin of the En Kingdom, discovered Shouryuu was to become its ruler, he’d hoped the new king would be able to prevent all war. But twenty years later, and the young Kirin is having doubts. Can Shouryuu really protect the common people? Or will the burden of his conflicts end up resting upon the shoulders of the innocent once more, with villages set aflame and children left to starve? Rokuta is at a crossroads—should he support the king’s enemies to keep the peace or trust that nobody is better to serve as ruler than Shouryuu?The epic novel series that inspired a hit anime, now with an all-new translation and new illustrations!