VIZ's sci-fi/fantasy imprint Haikasoru brings another mystical Miyuki Miyabe story to life with the release of a fantastical novel The Gate of Sorrows. Known for her more children-oriented fantasy works like Brave Story, Miyabe's interest in the world of fantastical horror and mystery truly shines in her newest book.

When a series of murders plague Tokyo's Shinjuku ward, two unlikely allies deal with this terror in different ways. Retired police detective Shigenori focuses his attention on solving the enigma behind the mysterious moving gargoyle, while college freshman Kotaro launches a web-based investigation in search of a vicious serial killer. When these two protagonists team up together in an attempt to solve the mystery, they find themselves entrenched in a magical world far beyond their imagination.

Unlike the more whimsical The Book of Heroes, which had us travelling to the world of the nameless land and meeting the guardians of stories, this grown-up sequel focuses on a slightly futuristic Japan. Once again, the narrative reveals how the power of stories can solve an unsolved mystery. Uniquely, Miyabe goes back and forth between the perspectives of both Shigenori and Kotaro and is able to capture not only their distinctively different personalities but also reveal different aspects of society as well. Not only does this novel deal with the dangers of cyber-bullying and of the internet world so relevant to today's society, but it also deals with the frustration of old age, especially for the retired detective Shigenori, who is now getting on in his years. Alternating between two protagonists is no easy task and Miyabe manages to do it flawlessly.

In addition, as a fan of the first novel, I was especially delighted with the reappearances of former protagonist Yuri (U-ri) and her wolf friend Ash. And they don't just make casual cameos. In fact, U-ri comes back with a bang, surprising everyone. Set six years after the first novel, former child U-ri is wizened beyond her years, and now serves as a sort of mentor to both Kotaro and Shigenori. In fact, it feels like she's guiding me along the way as well! A guide to clarification, I hope.

So do I recommend the novel? Most definitely. With memorable characters and a skillful incorporation of magic within the crime-ridden world of this futuristic Japan, there's still something timeless about a story that's about words and how to use them.

By Michelle Yee

Click below for this desktop wallpaper from the novel cover's amazing artwork.