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Product Description A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE. Grand Prize Winner, Dante Rossetti Book Awards for Young Adult Fiction, Chanticleer International Book Awards 2021. IAN Outstanding Action Adventure Fiction Book of the Year 2021. 1st Place Fantasy Fiction CIPA Book Award 2021. Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner 2021. IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards 2021 Silver Medal Winner for Audiobook Fiction To save an empire from the ruthless warlord who killed his parents, a young samurai must summon the courage to face his past and seize his destiny. Award-winning author Blue Spruell reimagines classic Japanese folklore in an historical fantasy adventure of warlords, swords & mythical beasts from old Japan - an engaging tale for adults young and old - Banzai! Lost in the mists of Mount Fuji . . . but no one can escape destiny. . . . Orphaned by a rival warlord and bewitched by a ghost, young Taro must reclaim his birthright and find his destiny as the legendary boy samurai and hero of Japan. Accompanied by Tanuki, his shape-shifting badger sidekick, Tarō embarks on a quest of self-discovery and revenge, falls for Kamehime, the teenage samurai daughter of a powerful warlord, and ultimately becomes embroiled in the political struggle for the imperial throne. Along the way, Tarō and his allies face fearsome yōkai, the ghosts, goblins, and ghouls of Japanese folklore. 1st Place, Fiction: Fantasy - 2021 CIPA EVVY BOOK AWARDS Gold Medal Winner- 2021 READERS' FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS "A riveting tale of betrayal, honor, and revenge that instantly hooks you in and just refuses to let go." - READERS' FAVORITE, Five Stars Review "Engaging and fun samurai adventures with a captivating cast." - KIRKUS REVIEWS "An exciting, magical coming-of-age adventure book that draws from Japanese folklore and history." - BOOK LIFE BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "Taro is an extraordinary coming-of-age saga and highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of ancient legends retold. Highly recommended!" - MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW Review A B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree - INDIEBRAG 1st Place, Fiction: Fantasy - 2021 CIPA EVVY BOOK AWARDS Gold Medal Winner- 2021 READERS' FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS "Engaging and fun samurai adventures with a captivating cast." - KIRKUS REVIEWS "An exciting, magical coming-of-age adventure book that draws from Japanese folklore and history." - BOOK LIFE BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "Taro is an extraordinary coming-of-age saga and highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of ancient legends retold. Highly recommended!" - MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW "A riveting tale of betrayal, honor, and revenge that instantly hooks you in and just refuses to let go." - READERS' FAVORITE, Five Stars Review "A superbly plotted mythical tale packed full of larger than life characters. Highly recommended." - A "WISHING SHELF" BOOK REVIEW "A coming-of-age fantasy novel you don't want to miss." - READERS' FAVORITE, Five Stars Review "In this blend of fantasy, myth, and history . . . Spruell goes above and beyond." - THE US REVIEW OF BOOKS "Taro exudes a magical element reminiscent of The Jungle Book. . . . Immensely enjoyable." - READERS' FAVORITE, Five Stars Reviews "Spruell's engaging coming-of-age debut . . . sparkles." - BOOK LIFE BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "A story of myth and mythology . . . as sharp as a samurai's sword." - AUTHOR ABBY LANE "For fantasy fans or lovers of Japanese culture . . . Spruell offers much to appreciate." - BLUEINK REVIEWS "A highly imaginative and engrossing . . . retelling of . . . Japan's most beloved folklore." - READER'S FAVORITE, Five Stars Review "An enchanting coming-of-age fantasy novel . . . steeped in Japanese culture and history." - FOREWORD CLARION REVIEWS Tarō is a magical adventure . . . a very enjoyable tale." - HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY "The narrative is magical, Taro's development is powerful, and the story is powerful too. Tarō . . . is absolute perfection." - READER'S FAVORITE, Five Stars Review From the Author Tarō is t