Reflexively, Balsa dives into the raging river to save Chagum, second son of New Yogo’s Mikado. The second queen, Chagum’s mother, beseeches Balsa to conceal her son and protect him from the evil forces attempting to kill him. Somewhat reluctantly Balsa agrees, and she and the prince begin their journey. It is not until the final chapter that the secret of the Moribito’s quest—protecting the magical egg called Nyunga Ro Im, which provides rain for the nation’s life-giving crops—is disclosed. The intervening chapters provide adventures so heart-stopping few will be able to stop reading until the conclusion. 2009 Outstanding International Books List, 2009 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner. lmp

Originally published as Seirei no Moribito in Japanese by Kaisei Sha Publishing Japan, in 1996. Translated by Cathy Hirano.

You've never read a fantasy novel like this one! The deep well of Japanese myth merges with the Western fantasy tradition for a novel that's as rich in place and culture as it is hard to put down.

Balsa was a wanderer and warrior for hire. Then she rescued a boy flung into a raging river -- and at that moment, her destiny changed. Now Balsa must protect the boy -- the Prince Chagum -- on his quest to deliver the great egg of the water spirit to its source in the sea. As they travel across the land of Yogo and discover the truth about the spirit, they find themselves hunted by two deadly enemies: the egg-eating monster Rarunga . . . and the prince's own father.