The Emperor of Anyplace
Evan is a teenager who has just attended to his father’s burial when he discovers the leather book his father was reading when he died. Evan has never seen the book before and, as he begins to read it, discovers a story so strange and disturbing that he begins to dream about the characters.
The story concerns two soldiers—one Japanese and one American—thrown together on a deserted island in the Pacific during WWII. As Evan continues to read the book, he discovers that his own estranged grandfather also appears in the story after the American has been rescued, but the Japanese soldier has remained on the island. Life becomes more complicated when the grandfather arrives at Evan’s home and demands that the book is his property and wants it returned. As Evan continues to read the book he begins to suspect that his grandfather is most likely a murderer.
This novel takes place in modern times with flashbacks of life on the island, and contains elements of ghosts and monsters, which surprisingly fit the plot. I found myself returning to the book again and again to find out what really happened on the island. This book should be a hit with YA audiences.
