Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Uehashi, Nahoko. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780545005425.

Youve never read a fantasy novel like this one! The deep well of Japanese myth merges with the Western fantasy tradition for a novel thats as rich in place and culture as it is hard to put down. Balsa was a wanderer and warrior for hire. Then she rescued a boy flung into a raging river -- and at that moment, her destiny changed. Now Balsa must protect the boy -- the Prince Chagum -- on his quest to deliver the great egg of the water spirit to its source in the sea. As they travel across the land of Yogo and discover the truth about the spirit, they find themselves hunted by two deadly enemies: the egg-eating monster Rarunga . . . and the princes own father.