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"Akari's obsession is fatalistic and intense, and Usami's prose (translated by Asa Yoneda) renders it and the hold it has on her tenuous life ably and affectingly. . . . it will especially resonate with readers familiar with real-life superfandoms such as One Direction's at the height of its fame, down to details such as sought-after exclusive merch and hateful online comments sections. A short, engrossing novel that captures the essence of obsessive fandom." -- Kirkus (starred review) "What's impressive about this novel is the author's ability to empathize with Akari's all-consuming love for Masaki while showing just how damaging this relationship is to Akari and everyone around her. "Haunting and sincere, Idol, Burning subverts and astonishes. Rin Usami balances humor, obsession, heartbreak, and sacrifice in her debut, crafting a story that's both enveloping and expansive. Usami's writing is thrilling and deft, and her novel illuminates the shadows cloaking our digital lives, leaving us with honesty and grace in equal measures. Idol, Burning is a barnburner and a prayer and a testament to the lengths that we'll go to reach for our dreams."-Bryan Washington, award-winning author of Memorial and Lot The novel that lit the Japanese publishing world on fire: From a breathtaking up-and-coming writer, a twenty-first century Catcher in the Rye that brilliantly explores toxic fandom, social media, and alienated adolescence. Akari is a high school student obsessed with "oshi" Masaki Ueno, a member of the popular J-Pop group Maza Maza. She writes a blog devoted to him, and spends hours addictively scrolling for information about him and his life. Desperate to analyze and understand him, Akari hopes to eventually see the world through his eyes. It is a devotion that borders on the religious: Masaki is her savior, her backbone, someone she believes she cannot survive without-even though she's never actually met him. When rumors surface that her idol assaulted a female fan, social media explodes. Akari immediately begins sifting through everything she can find about the scandal, and shares every detail to her blog-including Masaki's denials and pleas to his fans-drawing numerous readers eager for her updates. But the organized, knowledgeable persona Akari presents online is totally different from the socially awkward, unfocused teenager she is in real life. As Masaki's situation spirals, his troubles threaten to tear apart her life too. Instead of finding a way to break free to save herself, Akari becomes even more fanatical about Masaki, still believing her idol is the only person who understands her. A blistering novel of fame, disconnection, obsession, and disillusion by a young writer not much older than the novel's heroine, Idol, Burning shines a white-hot spotlight on fandom and "stan" culture, the money-making schemes of the pop idol industry, the seductive power of social media, and the powerful emotional void that opens when an idol falls from grace, only to become a real-and very flawed-person. Translated from the Japanese by Asa Yoneda.

"Akari's obsession is fatalistic and intense, and Usami's prose (translated by Asa Yoneda) renders it and the hold it has on her tenuous life ably and affectingly. . . . it will especially resonate with readers familiar with real-life superfandoms such as One Direction's at the height of its fame, down to details such as sought-after exclusive merch and hateful online comments sections. A short, engrossing novel that captures the essence of obsessive fandom." -- Kirkus (starred review) "What's impressive about this novel is the author's ability to empathize with Akari's all-consuming love for Masaki while showing just how damaging this relationship is to Akari and everyone around her. "Haunting and sincere, Idol, Burning subverts and astonishes. Rin Usami balances humor, obsession, heartbreak, and sacrifice in her debut, crafting a story that's both enveloping and expansive. Usami's writing is thrilling and deft, and her novel illuminates the shadows cloaking our digital lives, leaving us with honesty and grace in equal measures. Idol, Burning is a barnburner and a prayer and a testament to the lengths that we'll go to reach for our dreams."-Bryan Washington, award-winning author of Memorial and Lot The novel that lit the Japanese publishing world on fire: From a breathtaking up-and-coming writer, a twenty-first century Catcher in the Rye that brilliantly explores toxic fandom, social media, and alienated adolescence. Akari is a high school student obsessed with "oshi" Masaki Ueno, a member of the popular J-Pop group Maza Maza. She writes a blog devoted to him, and spends hours addictively scrolling for information about him and his life. Desperate to analyze and understand him, Akari hopes to eventually see the world through his eyes. It is a devotion that borders on the religious: Masaki is her savior, her backbone, someone she believes she cannot survive without-even though she's never actually met him. When rumors surface that her idol assaulted a female fan, social media explodes. Akari immediately begins sifting through everything she can find about the scandal, and shares every detail to her blog-including Masaki's denials and pleas to his fans-drawing numerous readers eager for her updates. But the organized, knowledgeable persona Akari presents online is totally different from the socially awkward, unfocused teenager she is in real life. As Masaki's situation spirals, his troubles threaten to tear apart her life too. Instead of finding a way to break free to save herself, Akari becomes even more fanatical about Masaki, still believing her idol is the only person who understands her. A blistering novel of fame, disconnection, obsession, and disillusion by a young writer not much older than the novel's heroine, Idol, Burning shines a white-hot spotlight on fandom and "stan" culture, the money-making schemes of the pop idol industry, the seductive power of social media, and the powerful emotional void that opens when an idol falls from grace, only to become a real-and very flawed-person. Translated from the Japanese by Asa Yoneda.

Some vampires live to feast on the blood of their victims. Others just want to score super limited edition anime merch! Hina Alucard is a modern vampire who drinks blood from bags instead of from humans. But she’s also a complete shut-in who hasn’t left the house in 30 years. In an effort to reach her, Hina’s dad does something that changes her life—he gives her a DVD of the Vampire Cross anime! Hina is instantly obsessed, especially with the character Mao. But it’s difficult to fangirl as hard as she wants from her bedroom in Romania, so now Hina is out of the house and off to Japan to live her otaku dream! Kyuta’s having a hard time bouncing back after being attacked at the vampire bar, so Hina decides to drag him to some cute-animal therapy at the zoo. But things definitely don’t go as planned when Mao’s voice actor crashes their date! Ordinarily, Hina would be thrilled to bump into her fave, but Rinya has too many secrets and asks too many questions for her to enjoy the occasion. Not to mention that his presence is ruining any benefit the cute animals had on Kyuta’s mood!

An unwanted child becomes a man with a great destiny in this danmei/Boys’ Love novel series from acclaimed author Fei Tian Ye Xiang (Legend of Exorcism, Dinghai Fusheng Records)! For as long as he can remember, Duan Ling has been an unwanted child. Raised by his deceased mother’s neglectful family, he’s grown up battered and mistreated. But his life takes a fateful turn when a stranger named Lang Junxia arrives at the Duan estate, claiming to be sent by the father Duan Ling never knew he had. Whisked away to the capital of the Liao Empire, Duan Ling is thrust into a treacherous world of political intrigue and power struggles far beyond his comprehension. But Lang Junxia has promised his father will come for him, and Lang Junxia never lies. As he prepares for a destiny greater than he ever imagined, Duan Ling finds himself at the heart of a story that could alter the fate of empires—and shake the world itself. This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a paper folding screen, art board with gold trim, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!

He's spent his life trying to outrun the storm... She's the calm he's been searching for. Ramona Hendrix has always followed the rules. She built the steady career, lived the safe life-and now feels like she's slowly suffocating. The only place she comes alive is at a Nashville music venue on the weekends, where the thrum of guitars and the chaos of live shows remind her what it feels like to breathe. When she's offered a last-minute chance to hit the road with Atlas Obsidian, a gritty emo rock band in need of a merch girl for their summer tour. It's spontaneous. Wild. Exactly what she needs. But she fears the reckless decision might disappoint the people she cares about most. Atlas Obsidian Frontman Elias Hawthorne is magnetic on stage and mysterious off of it. With lyrics that hint at a haunted past and a silence that speaks louder than any song, he keeps everyone, even his bandmates at a distance. Ramona is intrigued, drawn to the rawness in his voice and the way his eyes seem to carry the weight of untold stories. As long drives and late-night load-outs blur the line between strangers and something more, Ramona finds herself falling into a secret romance with Elias-it's intense, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. With every mile, she uncovers more of the truth he's buried behind his guarded exterior. But Elias's past isn't finished with him yet. And as the ghosts he's spent years outrunning threaten to catch up, Ramona must decide if she's brave enough to stand in the fire with him-or if this summer was only ever meant to burn. He is chaos and shadow. She is serenity and light. Together, they just might learn how to survive the storm.

Some vampires live to feast on the blood of their victims. Others just want to score super limited edition anime merch! Hina Alucard is a modern vampire who drinks blood from bags instead of from humans. But she’s also a complete shut-in who hasn’t left the house in 30 years. In an effort to reach her, Hina’s dad does something that changes her life—he gives her a DVD of the Vampire Cross anime! Hina is instantly obsessed, especially with the character Mao. But it’s difficult to fangirl as hard as she wants from her bedroom in Romania, so now Hina is out of the house and off to Japan to live her otaku dream! Kyuta’s having a hard time bouncing back after being attacked at the vampire bar, so Hina decides to drag him to some cute-animal therapy at the zoo. But things definitely don’t go as planned when Mao’s voice actor crashes their date! Ordinarily, Hina would be thrilled to bump into her fave, but Rinya has too many secrets and asks too many questions for her to enjoy the occasion. Not to mention that his presence is ruining any benefit the cute animals had on Kyuta’s mood!

He's spent his life trying to outrun the storm... She's the calm he's been searching for. Ramona Hendrix has always followed the rules. She built the steady career, lived the safe life-and now feels like she's slowly suffocating. The only place she comes alive is at a Nashville music venue on the weekends, where the thrum of guitars and the chaos of live shows remind her what it feels like to breathe. When she's offered a last-minute chance to hit the road with Atlas Obsidian, a gritty emo rock band in need of a merch girl for their summer tour. It's spontaneous. Wild. Exactly what she needs. But she fears the reckless decision might disappoint the people she cares about most. Atlas Obsidian Frontman Elias Hawthorne is magnetic on stage and mysterious off of it. With lyrics that hint at a haunted past and a silence that speaks louder than any song, he keeps everyone, even his bandmates at a distance. Ramona is intrigued, drawn to the rawness in his voice and the way his eyes seem to carry the weight of untold stories. As long drives and late-night load-outs blur the line between strangers and something more, Ramona finds herself falling into a secret romance with Elias-it's intense, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. With every mile, she uncovers more of the truth he's buried behind his guarded exterior. But Elias's past isn't finished with him yet. And as the ghosts he's spent years outrunning threaten to catch up, Ramona must decide if she's brave enough to stand in the fire with him-or if this summer was only ever meant to burn. He is chaos and shadow. She is serenity and light. Together, they just might learn how to survive the storm.

The Limited Edition (one printing only!) debut of the hit danmei/Boys' Love novels, originally released in Chinese, that inspired animation and the comic/manhua—also available from Seven Seas! In an ancient China where magic has been nearly extinguished, two young men must work together to prevent the destruction of all life. (Takes place in the same universe as Legend of Exorcism.) Once, ancient China was brimming with magic…but three hundred years ago, the Spiritual Qi of the Heavens and Earth dried up in the Silence of All Magic. Hundreds of years with no spiritual qi have allowed resentment to build unchecked, and it’s only a matter of time before calamity descends and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction. Once-powerful exorcists have done their best to preserve their legacy in the centuries since, but now only one remains: Chen Xing, now tasked with venturing out into the war-torn world to prevent the impending apocalypse. Chen Xing’s sole magical ability is a heart lamp, a supernatural light source that’s supposed to guide him to the destined Protector who will fight at his side. The heart lamp picks Xiang Shu, a mysterious stranger with no interest in being a hero—but fate has other plans for them both. A terrifying conspiracy looms over the Divine Land, and whether Xiang Shu likes it or not, Chen Xing may be his only hope of thwarting the impending darkness. This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a lined notebook, a set of five trading cards, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!

Limited Edition--one printing only! In this thrilling high fantasy adventure set in ancient China, a naive young man must join hands with an unlucky general to protect the mortal world from evil spirits. This danmei novel series takes place in the same universe as Dinghai Fusheng Records and inspired multimedia adaptations, including the animated series/donghua! In the mystical Taihang Mountains, where magic flows and powerful yao roam, Hongjun has grown up sheltered from the human world. A half-yao himself, he’s never had reason to leave—until the mountain’s ruler sends him on a dangerous mission: hide his true nature and join the Great Tang Department of Demonic Exorcism in Chang’an. Upon arriving in the bustling capital, Hongjun meets Li Jinglong, a luckless soldier with no spiritual power tasked with leading a team of extraordinary exorcists. Together, they and their enigmatic companions must face the dark forces threatening the city. But as a bond begins to bloom between Hongjun and Li Jinglong, Hongjun wonders: Can he trust Li Jinglong with the truth of who—and what—he is? This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a lined notebook, a set of five trading cards, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!

The Limited Edition (one printing only!) debut of the hit danmei/Boys' Love novels, originally released in Chinese, that inspired animation and the comic/manhua—also available from Seven Seas! In an ancient China where magic has been nearly extinguished, two young men must work together to prevent the destruction of all life. (Takes place in the same universe as Legend of Exorcism.) Once, ancient China was brimming with magic…but three hundred years ago, the Spiritual Qi of the Heavens and Earth dried up in the Silence of All Magic. Hundreds of years with no spiritual qi have allowed resentment to build unchecked, and it’s only a matter of time before calamity descends and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction. Once-powerful exorcists have done their best to preserve their legacy in the centuries since, but now only one remains: Chen Xing, now tasked with venturing out into the war-torn world to prevent the impending apocalypse. Chen Xing’s sole magical ability is a heart lamp, a supernatural light source that’s supposed to guide him to the destined Protector who will fight at his side. The heart lamp picks Xiang Shu, a mysterious stranger with no interest in being a hero—but fate has other plans for them both. A terrifying conspiracy looms over the Divine Land, and whether Xiang Shu likes it or not, Chen Xing may be his only hope of thwarting the impending darkness. This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a lined notebook, a set of five trading cards, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!

An unwanted child becomes a man with a great destiny in this danmei/Boys’ Love novel series from acclaimed author Fei Tian Ye Xiang (Legend of Exorcism, Dinghai Fusheng Records)! For as long as he can remember, Duan Ling has been an unwanted child. Raised by his deceased mother’s neglectful family, he’s grown up battered and mistreated. But his life takes a fateful turn when a stranger named Lang Junxia arrives at the Duan estate, claiming to be sent by the father Duan Ling never knew he had. Whisked away to the capital of the Liao Empire, Duan Ling is thrust into a treacherous world of political intrigue and power struggles far beyond his comprehension. But Lang Junxia has promised his father will come for him, and Lang Junxia never lies. As he prepares for a destiny greater than he ever imagined, Duan Ling finds himself at the heart of a story that could alter the fate of empires—and shake the world itself. This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a paper folding screen, art board with gold trim, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!

Limited Edition--one printing only! In this thrilling high fantasy adventure set in ancient China, a naive young man must join hands with an unlucky general to protect the mortal world from evil spirits. This danmei novel series takes place in the same universe as Dinghai Fusheng Records and inspired multimedia adaptations, including the animated series/donghua! In the mystical Taihang Mountains, where magic flows and powerful yao roam, Hongjun has grown up sheltered from the human world. A half-yao himself, he’s never had reason to leave—until the mountain’s ruler sends him on a dangerous mission: hide his true nature and join the Great Tang Department of Demonic Exorcism in Chang’an. Upon arriving in the bustling capital, Hongjun meets Li Jinglong, a luckless soldier with no spiritual power tasked with leading a team of extraordinary exorcists. Together, they and their enigmatic companions must face the dark forces threatening the city. But as a bond begins to bloom between Hongjun and Li Jinglong, Hongjun wonders: Can he trust Li Jinglong with the truth of who—and what—he is? This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a lined notebook, a set of five trading cards, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!