LOST IN PEACH BLOSSOM PARADISE

Embark on a magical adventure in a hidden forest in this tale translated from Chinese.

Reluctant to return home to the city after an idyllic summer with her grandparents, 10-year-old Little Yu follows a trail of peach blossoms in the river. She ignores an ancient tablet carved with barely legible words and a stern warning (“ENTRANCE HERE IS FORBIDDEN!”) and travels into an ancient forest where everyday norms fall away. Little Yu shows spunk and spirit as she takes part in a quest made up of seven trials, put into place to guard the mysterious and legendary Peach Blossom Paradise and its Hidden Master. With compassion and determination, she faces an Ancient Beast, an overpowering mist, strange illusions, and more. The narrative nods to Lewis Carroll and Hayao Miyazaki yet remains rooted in Chinese mythology. Each folkloric trial quietly tests Little Yu’s courage and empathy. The pacing is quick and the story meaty, building a layered otherworld that rewards attentive readers. The real enchantment lies in Xiong’s illustrations: moody, meticulous spreads of cave dwellings, soaring trees, and a graceful hound. Images of trees, rivers, and rocks provide visual familiarity, making the magic seem possible. Traditional ink-wash technique is given a contemporary tilt that feels both ancient and immediate. Haunting and immersive, this first installment reveals a hidden paradise that readers, both children and adults, won’t be eager to leave.

A promising new fantasy classic in the making.