The Twelve Kingdoms (Novel) Series

THE DIVINE RIGHT

There are as many definitions of monarchy as there are birds in the sky. Some take the throne to become tyrants, whiling their days away in a reverie of unearned privilege. Others bleed to quench the people’s thirst. These stories of kings and queens introduce new conflicts across The Twelve Kingdoms and tie up the loose ends of past tales. The kingdom of Sai is in peril after its Kirin falls ill in Prosperity. Taiki embarks on a journey to offer gratitude in Winter Glory. And Youko reaches out to her dearest friend, Rakushun, in Letters.

Five short stories about rulers, their ideals, and their troubles.

THE EMPTY THRONE

The kingdom of Kyou has been without a ruler for twenty-seven long years. Now Youma run rampant across the lands. Shushou, the twelve-year-old daughter of a wealthy merchant lives a sheltered and pampered life in the capital city of Renshou, but the more she learns about the plights of those less fortunate, the more frustrated she grows. She’s left with a decision that shall change the fate of her kingdom. If the adults are unwilling to journey to Mount Hou and present themselves before the Kirin as the land’s new ruler, then why not her?

VOICES OF THE NAMELESS

The Twelve Kingdoms are often defined by the destinies of kings, queens, and beasts beyond imagination. However, there are many people whose lives are shaken by these decisions who never seek the spotlight. In The Birds of Hisho, a potter struggles with the weight of responsibility that comes with creating a ceramic bird for a ritual as part of Youko’s coronation. But with his grievous past plaguing his mind, can the artist bring himself to create a bird that truly represents hope?

Four short stories detail the lives of everyday people within The Twelve Kingdoms and their struggles to fulfill their places in the world.

BRINGING HOPE TO A KINGDOM

A queen blind to the hardships of her subjects, a princess ashamed to discover her father’s corrupt deeds, and a girl seeking vengeance for the loss of a new friend. Youko, Shoukei, and Suzu continue following their separate paths toward a fairer and more peaceful world. But with a province under Youko’s rule suffering under hard labor and heavy taxes, will Shoukei and Suzu be able to trust this young ruler who came from another world? The destinies of these three women are wound far tighter than they know, and their meeting will define the future of the kingdom of Kei.

THREE WOMEN. THREE TRIALS.

Despite ascending to the throne of the kingdom of Kei, Youko Nakajima’s troubles are still not at an end. As queen, she relies on her many advisors to make up for her lack of experience, but when all they do is squabble with each other, the only thing left to do is descend the mountain and come face-to-face with her subjects themselves. Meanwhile, the king of Hou has been killed by insurgents, and his daughter, Shoukei, is forced to live as a peasant to survive. At the same time, Suzu, a girl from Japan, suddenly finds herself whisked away to the kingdom of Sai. Hardships await all three women, but will their trials be rewarded with happiness at the end?

THE MAKINGS OF A MONARCH

When Rokuta, the Kirin of the En Kingdom, discovered Shouryuu was to become its ruler, he’d hoped the new king would be able to prevent all war. But twenty years later, and the young Kirin is having doubts. Can Shouryuu really protect the common people? Or will the burden of his conflicts end up resting upon the shoulders of the innocent once more, with villages set aflame and children left to starve? Rokuta is at a crossroads—should he support the king’s enemies to keep the peace or trust that nobody is better to serve as ruler than Shouryuu?

The epic novel series that inspired a hit anime, now with an all-new translation and new illustrations!

A LIFE DISPLACED AND A DESTINY IN QUESTION

Taiki, the young black-haired Kirin of the kingdom of Tai is presented with an impossible task. A noble beast shouldered with the duty of selecting the next ruler, he was stolen away by a storm and sent to Japan, where he would be born to a human mother. It’s now taken ten years to return Taiki to the land he should’ve been calling home, but can he truly take up the mantle of Kirin and choose the kingdom’s next ruler?

The epic novel series that inspired a hit anime, now with an all-new translation and new illustrations!

UNSEEN, A DESTINY UNVEILED

Thrown into the mysterious kingdom of Kou, high schooler Youko Nakajima faces a world brimming with mythical beasts, political turmoil, and unrelenting trials. Yet, in this land where trust is scarce, an unexpected ally—a scholarly half-beast named Rakushun—refuses to abandon her. Together, they journey toward the kingdom of En and the powerful ruler who may hold answers to her purpose in these strange realms. As the shadows of her fate come into focus, will Youko confront her own fears and accept the throne she never wanted?

The acclaimed novel series that inspired the hit anime returns with an all-new translation and captivating illustrations!

The epic novel series that inspired a hit anime returns with an all-new translation! Experience a quest for survival and self-discovery as one girl finds herself lost in a strange, unknown world.

When high school student Youko Nakajima is approached by an enigmatic, blonde-haired stranger named Keiki, her life is turned upside down. Whisked away into the perilous world of the Twelve Kingdoms—a realm teeming with mythical beasts, ancient prophecies, and political intrigue—Youko finds herself alone and hunted. With danger at every corner, she must fight to survive, all while grappling with shocking revelations about her true identity that could shatter everything she thought she knew.

Shadow of the Moon, Shadow of the Sea introduces readers to a breathtaking fantasy world, where nations rise and fall, and destiny awaits those who dare to seize it!