The Mu Chronicles is a visionary YA fantasy trilogy exploring the origin of gender and desire in an epic queer fusion of Japanese folklore and Egyptian mythology.
Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Beneath the Burning Wave by Jennifer Hayashi Danns, which is out November 15th 2022!
I was incapable of imagining what I had never seen…
Kaori and Kairi are the first twins to survive infancy on the ancient island of Mu, where gender is as fluid as the crashing waves. One was born of fire, the other of water.
But there’s a reason why none have survived before. A prophecy that has haunted the elders since time began. A rivalry destined to sink the entire island beneath a twin catastrophe of volcano and tsunami.
As hatred spills from the forbidden twins like the deadly poison of sacrificed sea snakes, they must decide what matters to them most…
The fight for the island – for tradition and duty.
Or the fight for freedom – for love and light.
Scroll One
Chapter 1
Kaori
Why now, in the final preparations for the hunt, do my hands shake? My stupid obi won’t form the symbol of an ankh. Again, I wrap the long strip of black cloth around my waist, tying it in a knot by making a circle loop at the top and leaving the end to hang down. I can finally breathe. I won’t survive tonight without creating the symbol of life for protection.
My silver dagger is secure on my hip. I swivel from side to side, gazing down at myself in admiration. I love how the blade shines against my dark ceremonial robe.
“Kaori, we must go.”
Naho is standing in the opening. I hope mu didn’t see my display of vanity. Naho looks so dignified in our wide-sleeved wrap robe. The delicate fabric hangs well on mir broad shoulders skimming mir flat stomach and narrow hips. Mu has tied mir long braids back with twine. Like the fine silver thread running through the cloth, Naho’s hair is streaked with time. My robe refuses to stop gaping over my curves and smoothing out the places where the fabric clings to my belly doesn’t help much either. Within two steps to match Naho’s tall stride the humid night air has stuck my tunic to my thick thighs.
We make our full-moon walk to the beach, winding our way down the red dirt path separating the gamgam huts. The moon has cast a silver shadow over the woven benme roofs, turning the black night deep blue. Curious eyes peek out of openings. On some of the huts, carefully knotted ankhs hang.
Is tonight the night I don’t return?
Normally I find their stares bolster my courage, but tonight I depend on Naho to bow and acknowledge their unease. Naho always waits for me so we can walk together. To be honest, I would prefer to make the short journey alone like the rest of the hunters, but tonight in the creepy blue light my fingers fumble until they rest in Naho’s warm hand. We pass the final row of huts and trample across an exposed tangle of benme roots until we reach a grassy clearing. The air tastes salty and waves crash in my ears as we approach a soaring stone pyramid.
Reaching the temple of the Experienced is a horrible reminder I have to face the eldest Experienced Takanori tonight.
How much longer can I keep my secret from mem?
I squeeze Naho’s hand tight despite the temple being the sign for Naho to run ahead and arrive alone. When I release Naho’s hand mu doesn’t leave, even though we can see the shadows of the hunters on the beach; the others have already formed a circle.
Naho guides me into the moonlight reflecting off the temple’s unique feature: gold doors. No other structure on the island has doors. Only the Experienced are allowed privacy.
A golden glare rests on Naho’s high cheekbones, making mir brown eyes glow. I don’t like looking into Naho’s eyes; their intensity reminds me of my twin, Kairi, and I always feel like Naho can see more than I want to reveal.
“Tonight will be difficult for you but it is very important you remain both strong and calm. Do you remember our eternal training?”
I nod in response, not trusting my voice to conceal my apprehension. How will I ever forget?
