The Monster on the Road Is Me

June 15, 2016
A high school student in modern-day Japan must defeat vengeful mountain demons using powers he never knew he had in this uproariously offbeat debut novel. Koda Okita is not a typical 15-year-old Japanese high school student. The son of aging shiitake farmers, he dreams of being a pilot despite suffering from narcolepsy, a condition that requires him to wear a watermelon-sized helmet while riding his bike. Koda lives in the small island town of Kusaka, situated in the middle of nowhere between two mountain ranges. The isolated setting heightens the tension that builds as students and faculty of Kusaka High School begin to die in a series of apparent suicides under inexplicable circumstances. Their deaths coincide with the appearance of Moya, a mysterious new girl who is convinced that Koda holds the key to unraveling the tragic events unfolding in Kusaka. As Koda gradually realizes that his narcoleptic episodes are actually supernatural experiences that allow him to "steal" the traumatic memories of others, he takes this knowledge in stride, along with the existence of tengu, the supernatural creatures who are the culprits behind the town's misfortunes. Romney's tale of modern-day Japan crossed with Japanese folklore is suffused with abundant humor, as his wisecracking teens navigate situations fraught with dark and dramatic irony. A confident debut that is at once ominous and laugh-out-loud funny. (Fiction. 14-18)

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July 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Koda Okita may be a social outcast, but he has wit and charm to spare. Sure, he's the son of shitake mushroom farmers and must wear a giant helmet to protect himself during narcoleptic falls, but there's something special about him. Or at least that's what Moya, a mysterious new girl at school, keeps telling him. There have been a series of suicides on Koda's high school grounds, seemingly coinciding with the arrival of masses of crows, and Moya is certain that only he can prevent more deaths. Koda just wants to kiss her. Romney's debut novel, set in Japan, lays out an intriguing premise and immediately delivers action and snarky commentary, as well as a bevy of mythological creatures determined to bring the town of Kusaka down. As Koda tries to figure out why a river spirit is so interested in driving his classmates and teachers to lethal despair, he encounters not just more monsters but also the hero within. There's a lot to enjoy here, especially for an audience of anime- and manga-loving teens. The demons and spirit creatures introduced here are drawn from Japanese folktales and Shinto and Buddhist lore, which the author learned about while teaching in Japan. Japanese words are interspersed frequently, with context cues used smartly. Violence is handled with minimal gore, despite some potentially disturbing subject matter. Koda's singular narrative voice and the cleverness of the dialogue are stylistic strengths, but the ironic tone does set up a certain amount of emotional distance, even during the climax and its aftermath. VERDICT Original writing, unusual villains, and considerable humor make for a fast-paced and creepy adventure that readers will adore.-Miriam DesHarnais, Towson University, MD

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2016
Grades 6-9 In the small, modern-day town of Kusaka, Japan, a string of suicides at the local high school has put everyone on edge. Although the authorities have chalked these tragedies up to bullying, 15-year-old Koda knows they are linked by something else entirely: the Tengu road, a mythological pathway of great power and danger. How is it that an oddball teen could have such insight? Koda is a suria mind thiefwho can steal traumatic memories, and he has seen each deceased student's final moments. The downside to this talent is that the visions bring on narcoleptic fits, so Koda must wear an oversize helmetnot the coolest accessory. The weirdness escalates, not to mention the number of murderous crows, as Koda tries to help a shape-shifting girl (why not?) save his town. Debut-author Romney integrates humor, largely from Koda's self-aware and sarcastic narration, and Japanese mythology into this refreshing take on a classic good-versus-evil tale. Occasionally, Koda's levity seems forced, but he is a worthy protagonist for this supernaturally spun underdog story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)