The Night Itself by Zoë Marriott

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 368

Publisher: Walker Books

Released: 4th of July 2013

When fifteen year old Mio Yamato furtively sneaks the katana - an ancestral Japanese sword - out of its hiding place in her parent's attic to help liven up her Christmas party costume, she has no idea of the darkness she is about to unleash on modern day London, or the family secrets that she is going to uncover.

The paralysing paranoia that descends on her before she gets to her friend's party is her first clue. The vivid and terrifying visions that nearly get her killed are a pretty good warning too.

The giant nine-tailed cat demon that comes after the sword and tries to rip her throat out? Overkill.

Seconds away from becoming kitty-food, Mio is saved by Shinobu, a mysterious warrior boy. But it's already too late. Mio has ruptured the veil between the mortal realm and the Underworld, and now the gods and monsters of ancient Japan stalk the streets of London, searching for her and the sword.

With the help of her best friend Jack, a fox spirit named Hikaru - and the devoted protection of the betwitchingly familiar Shinobu - Mio attempts to discover the true nature of the sword and its connection to the Yamato family. Because if she doesn't learn how to control the katana's incredible powers, she's in danger of being overwhelmed by them. And if she can't keep the sword safe from the terrible creatures who want it for their own, she'll lose not only her own life... but the love of a lifetime.

What I Have To Say

I've been looking forward to this book ever since it was announced and seeing as Shadows On The Moon was the first of Zoë Marriott's books that I read (and my favourite of hers that I've read so far), I couldn't wait to see another book influenced by Japanese culture. The fact that it will ne a whole trilogy rather than a stand alone novel like Shadows On The Moon just made me more excited. 

The book really didn't disappoint me. The blend of modern day London with Japanese mythology was really smooth with Mio's response to it all being really realistic. 

The kitsune were my favourite part, mostly because kitsune are one of my favourite mythological creatures, though I do feel that their talents were a little under-used. 

I can't wait for the next book.