The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi, Cathy Hirano
Published by Henry Holt & Company on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1250307465
Pages: 352
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“The Beast Player” is written by Nahoko Uehashi and translated from Japanese into English. Uehashi sets up a very interesting world in which giant water serpents called Toda are cared for by humans and used for battle. Our main character, Elin, is a girl who is a bit of an outsider within her village. Her father was from the village and has passed away, and Elin’s mother is from a tribe that avoids other people. Her mother is a veterinary caretaker for the Toda, but one day all the Toda in her care die. Elin’s mother is sentenced to death. Before she dies, her mother summons a wild Toda to take Elin away. Elin is found washed up on a riverbank and starts a new life with a beekeeper. I enjoyed this part of the book the best, with her learning about nature and bonding with her adoptive caregiver. The viewpoint eventually switches to another character for awhile, and you learn more about the politics of this world, which dragged a bit.

The story is interesting and well fleshed-out, but oftentimes dragged. You just want the characters to move on to the next part of the storyt! The book overall was very good, but you have to be really patient and/or interested in the political machinations of this world. A good young adult fantasy, but best for readers who are willing to put up with the slower parts.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.