The Yomigaeri Tunnel - by Kelly Murashige (Hardcover)

About the Book

Grieving the loss of her classmate and childhood friend, eighteen-year-old Monika searches for a legendary tunnel, said to resurrect one soul from the dead for anyone brave enough face their inner demons.

Book Synopsis

This speculative coming-of-age YA novel follows a teenager as she undertakes a magical journey to bring her deceased childhood friend back to life.

A poignant quest for hope with original, fantastical twists, perfect for fans of Dustin Thao and Ann Liang.

Monika can't bring herself to celebrate her last summer before college. Instead, she's still grieving the loss of the one classmate who didn't make it to graduation, a boy named Shun with whom she had a complicated relationship.

Then, during her final Japanese Club meeting, Monika hears about the Yomigaeri Tunnel, a local urban legend. Those who venture into this mythological passageway undergo harrowing trials to confront their hidden secrets and worst fears. According to the lore, anyone who makes it through is rewarded with the ability to resurrect one soul from the dead.

Monika jumps at the chance to bring back Shun, but she soon discovers she's not alone. Sharp-tongued and fierce Shiori is hell-bent on reviving her mother and won't let anyone stop her. As Monika and Shiori confront the ghosts of their pasts, they have to decide: Are they friends, or foes?

With fantastical twists, this emotional, offbeat book about hope and healing is an essential read for anyone who's ever needed a friend in the darkness.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Yomigaeri Tunnel

"Heart-wrenching and hopeful, this gorgeously written speculative novel will crack you open and heal you from within. Kelly Murashige's talent shines in every word."
--Ann Liang, New York Times bestselling author of If You Could See the Sun

"Immensely thoughtful and poignant, The Yomigaeri Tunnel is a heart wrenching ride from start to finish. A haunting yet heartwarming meditation on what it means to love and lose."
--Lily Braun-Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookstore on Earth

"I loved this book. It's a beautifully written, heartfelt, and imaginative journey through interconnected layers of grief, hope, love, and friendship. I laughed and cried and saw life at the end of the tunnel."
--Cynthia Hand, New York Times bestselling author of The Lady Janies series

"The Yomigaeri Tunnel is a sensitive and highly original exploration of friendship and grief, told with deep emotional understanding and imagination. A compellingly beautiful and heartfelt read."
--Vanessa Len, internationally bestselling author of Only a Monster

"A haunting, gorgeous meditation on coming of age, forging human connections, and walking into the light from grief's shadow. Get ready for this book to move and heal you."
--Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of The Serpent King

"A highly inventive story about grief and the long path to healing told with aching clarity."
--Shivaun Plozza, author of The Worst Perfect Moment

"One of the most unique portraits of grief I've ever read--this book hit me in all the feels."
--Molly Morris, author of Annie LeBlanc Is Not Dead Yet

"Thought-provoking and original . . . Generational trauma and the complexity of grief form the thematic core of this introspective story, which handles its weighty topics with care and empathy."
--Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Kelly Murashige

"A vulnerable, magical tale [that] chronicles the sweetness that can draw us back into the world and toward each other, even after our hearts are broken."
--Jodi Lynn Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

"Tenderly told and vividly imagined . . . shines with originality and empathy. A stunning debut."
--Sarah Suk, author of Made in Korea

"A truly lovely reading experience that I recommend most strongly to anyone who has ever been lost in a whirlwind and needs a gentle hand to lead them back."
--Locus Magazine

"A new voice that speaks above the silence, unafraid to delve into the painful realities of teenage struggles, and with a touch of fantasy."
--Nichi Bei News

About the Author

Kelly Murashige was born and raised in Hawaiʻi. A lifelong reader, she writes contemporary fiction with fantastical twists rooted in Japanese mythology and culture. Though she can be shy, she loves obsessing over books and video games. You can visit her online at www.kellymurashige.com.