Hikariuchuu: The Realm of the Lights by Ethan Kenyon-Tate is a coming-of-age hero’s journey. It takes place in the fantasy realm of Hikariuchuu where different sentient species live separated from one another. Young Adam Ekakizoku and his friends Sam, Elliot, and Jamie live in the town of Nakumura with a thousand other hitoko (humans). Adam lives with his mom, little brother Jack, and a grandfather who drinks and sleeps too often. Life consists of everyday troubles like a pesky younger brother, what people think of you, and the inconvenience of chores and school (which in this world is the gakkou). Everything changes the day Adam’s best friend Sam announces, “Lizards! There are lizards, marching into town! Scores of them.”
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Adam runs to check it out, but to his dismay, the lizards (the tokageko) line up the hitoko boys to choose one to take to Akumamachi, to become the pet of a demonic akumako princess. The tokagekos narrow it down to two. Sam and Adam. Adam can tell the lizard is ready to choose him when Sam steps forward and volunteers. He is caged and carried off to Akumamachi. Everyone knows that Sam stepped forward to save Adam, and Adam knows everyone thinks he is a coward. It is his fault Sam has become a pet for the daughter of Am’so G’Jeok ruler of the akumako, ruler of the axis, lord of Kidariuchuu.
To Adam’s dismay, the elders of Nakumura decide not to rescue Sam for fear of repercussions. Life returns to normal, but it isn’t normal. Sam is gone. Adam still hangs out with Elliot, Jamie, and against his will, his little brother, Jack. He feels others shunning him and struggles with the fact that everyone knows he is a coward and that the loss of Sam is his fault.
Adam decides to rescue Sam, but it won't be an easy task. Akumamachi is on the other side of the realm. His friends, Elliot and Jamie want to come along, and so, the three of them make a plan. Adam's little brother hears what they are planning, and he wants in on it,or he is telling. He becomes part of the group of would-be rescuers. As they sneak out of the house before dawn, they are caught by their grandfather, who ends up joining the rescue mission.
These unlikely five make their way across the realm amid unique settings filled with adventure, danger, uncertainty, magic and monsters. Relationships grow, and Adam, the self-centered reluctant hero, starts to see just how selfish he is. Meanwhile, Sam, is in Akumamachi where the princess, to her surprise, learns that he isn’t just an animal and that he can reason and talk!
I recommend Hikariuchuu to adults and young adults who enjoy aliens, the unknown, and a main character who grows but is still imperfect. As for what I didn’t like, I have to say when I started the story, the unusual names of things, places, and people groups were difficult to follow. With everything different from the real world, I had no anchor to understand this reality. But as I read, my understanding grew. It was an organic process and soon no longer a problem. Secondly, if you are a sensitive type to violence, some incidents in the story may bother you. However, if you can read books such as Ender’s Game, The Hobbit, or Lord of the Rings without issues, this book comes recommended to you. I give it a strong four stars.
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