Juuni Kokuki

Beyond this world lies the realm of the Twelve Kingdoms. There, the laws of nature are dictated by the Way—a moral code set by the Mandate of Heaven—which brings war and famine when an unsuitable ruler sits on the throne. Babies hatch from eggs found in trees, and mythical creatures wander the land. When a temporary breach opens between this world and Japan, Youko Nakajima is pulled from her ordinary life as a high school student into a reality far harsher than any fairytale. Once a model student conforming to societal pressures, she now finds herself abandoned and pursued by men and beasts in a land devoid of earthly order. Struggling to understand these new laws and the lack of kindness around her, Youko must learn to make her own choices to survive with integrity. Fantastical and richly detailed, "Juuni Kokuki" narrates the stories of Youko and others who must find themselves in this unforgiving yet beautifully cold world. The first four novels of "Juuni Kokuki" were published in English as "The Twelve Kingdoms" by Tokyopop under the Pop Fiction imprint, from March 13, 2007, to March 2, 2010.