In ancient Japan, Himiko the privileged daughter of her clan's leader, fights the constraints and expectations imposed on young women, and instead finds her own path which includes secret shaman lessons.

As Himiko traverses ancient Japan in order to free enslaved members of her clan, she encounters members of many other tribes and emerges as the leader who will unify them.

Songs for the Spirits examines the Vietnamese practice of communing with spirits through music and performance. During rituals dedicated to a pantheon of indigenous spirits, musicians perform an elaborate sequence of songs--a "songscape"--for possessed mediums who carry out ritual actions, distribute blessed gifts to disciples, and dance to the music's infectious rhythms. Condemned by French authorities in the colonial period and prohibited by the Vietnamese Communist Party in the late 1950s, mediumship practices have undergone a strong resurgence since the early 1990s, and they are now being drawn upon to promote national identity and cultural heritage through folklorized performances of rituals on the national and international stage. By tracing the historical trajectory of traditional music and religion since the early twentieth century, this groundbreaking study offers an intriguing account of the political transformation and modernization of cultural practices over a period of dramatic and often turbulent transition. An accompanying DVD contains numerous video and music extracts that illustrate the fascinating ways in which music evokes the embodied presence of spirits and their gender and ethnic identities.

From princess to slave in the blink of an eye. . . . Himiko's world is falling apart. An attack by a rival clan, the Ookami, has left many from her tribe dead or enslaved. Amid the chaos and fear, Himiko hatches a plan to save her people. But just when it seems that she will outwit Ryu, the cruel Ookami leader, she is captured. Held against her will, Himiko starts to realize that not all of the Ookami are her enemies. Though she may not see her path as clearly as the spirits seem to, there's more adventure (and even unexpected love) for this princess turned shaman-warrior. Readers who love strong girl-centric adventures are eating up Esther Friesner's Princesses of Myth books, finding the mash-up of historical fiction and fantasy adventure irresistible! "Himiko is brave and bold. I love her!" --Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author "This historical fiction/mythology/fantasy blend is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Rick Riordan, and P. C. Cast." --School Library Journal

Introductory offer!This book is only for a limited time available for this unbeatable price. Check out the Julia Rivers' author page in order to watch my book trailers. Julia Rivers presents: The Hidden Spirits of the Enchanted Forest Go with this Adult Coloring Book on a fantastic journey and discover: ♦ 40 stress relief designs ♦ Detailed and beautiful illustrations ♦ A large print (8.5 x 11) ♦ One-sided printed pages ♦ Hours of Inspiration, Meditation and Fun Many of our extraordinary coloring books are also very popular with children! Don't hesitate and order your own Julia Rivers' Coloring Book. You'll love it!

Spirits without Borders is an ethnographic study of the transnational and multicultural expansion of Vietnam's Mother Goddess Religion and its spirit possession ritual. The work explores how and why the ritual spread from Vietnam to the US and back again and the impact of ritual transnationalism in both countries.

"Hasan, whose power and omniscience crush him under an unbearable burden, is gradually released from his apathy and his pain. He admires the intelligence and strong will of the princess, qualities that make their friendship so dear - a friendship that takes him dangerously close to a power long forgotten, a power greater than wisdom and immortality, greater than his suffering."--BOOK JACKET.