Kokun: Volume One, the Girl from the West

This astute ecological science fantasy from Uehashi (The Beast Player) explores the literal roots of an agrarian empire. Aisha Keluahn, granddaughter of a deposed provincial governor, has the superhuman sense of smell supposedly only gifted to the Kokun, the living goddess. Brought to serve the goddess, Aisha learns of a pest that threatens the imperial food source, ohaleh, the “rice of joy and sorrow,” a delicious but intolerant plant that poisons the soil to prevent other crops from growing. Burning the fields to eradicate the pest would trigger food shortages and rebellion, so the Kokun’s staff secretly works to restrict ohaleh’s effects and grow other types of grains and vegetables, aided by Aisha’s ability to sniff out the ideal conditions for plant growth. Other players in the game of empire, however, may not want solutions to be discovered. Uehashi uses this nuanced tale to raise sharp points about imperial power, monopoly control of vital resources, and how even well-meaning individuals can wind up choosing cold calculation ahead of compassion. A cliff-hanger ending feels shockingly abrupt, but will leave readers anxious for the next installment. It’s a strong start. (Jan.)