WORST RONIN, THE Paperback

THE WORST RONIN by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Faith Schaffer, is an edgy, hilarious, and genre-defying young adult graphic novel that blends feudal Japan with modern elements like cell phones and Wi-Fi. The story follows sixteen-year-old Chihiro Ito, an aspiring samurai obsessed with Tatsuo Nakano, the first woman accepted into the prestigious Kesi Academy. When Chihiro's renowned samurai father is conscripted, she seizes the opportunity to prove herself by taking his place, embarking on a mission to kill a terrifying yamauba demon alongside her idol. However, Tatsuo is far from the hero Chihiro imagined: foul-mouthed, quick-tempered, and a heavy drinker, she's a ronin driven by grief. Forced to work together, this unlikely duo faces epic battles and twisted conspiracies, confronting not only external demons but also their own internal struggles and past traumas in a journey that challenges their perceptions of honor, duty, and heroism.