THROUGH A CLOUDED MIRROR

Yuki Snow, an aspiring writer and poet in contemporary California, literally escapes her problems through a magic mirror to imperial Japan.

Ever since her father’s death, 12-year-old Yuki, who’s Japanese and white, has struggled. A recent move up to the coast away from the San Fernando Valley only compounds her troubles, leaving her resentful toward her mom and stepdad. Julio Garcia-Jones, her best friend back in the Valley, seems ready to replace her, and everyone at her new school is less than welcoming. But Yuki finds a friend in Momo Fujita, the elderly owner of a Japanese store who shows her an antique mirror with a fascinating history. It’s rumored to have belonged to Sei Shōnagon, a legendary writer and lady-in-waiting who lived in the Japanese imperial court more than 1,000 years ago; once every century, she invites a young girl through the mirror into her world. One particularly terrible day, when Yuki looks into the mirror and sees Sei Shōnagon beckoning her, she steps through the portal. Initially, Yuki feels like she’s hit the jackpot—she’ll get to compete for the position of high priestess of poetry! But Beck gradually and deftly reveals the cracks hinting at a sinister truth behind the court’s magical dazzle. While the conclusion leaves lingering questions, they don’t take away from the book’s overall allure thanks to the strong worldbuilding. An author’s note includes sources and information about the real Shōnagon.

A quiet, enjoyable fantasy with a dark twist.