Ghost Train

"A haunting and immersive read." - Eva Wong Nava, author of The House of Little Sisters

"With lyrical prose that evokes the mystique of 19th-century Kyoto, this meticulously researched narrative weaves together historical authenticity with the ethereal allure of 'yokai' folklore." - Jake Adelstein, journalist and author of Tokyo Vice and The Last Yakuza

Set in 1877 Kyoto during the early years of the Meiji "Restoration" Era, Ghost Train tells the story of Maru Hosokawa, a samurai daughter who is thrust into a life opposite how she grew up. Her father has surrendered his sword with other samurai, assimilating into a role as a civilian merchant. As his work takes him further and further from home, she is left to find work of her own to help rebuild the family wealth -- and protect herself, "just in case," her father says. But during the summer festivals, ghosts begin appearing before Maru. Unsure of where to turn or who to trust, Maru fends for herself, facing an abusive employer, unreliable friends, and insecurity at home. In the search for answers, a kitsune offers to help in exchange for Maru's aid in confronting a demon rampaging Kyoto at night. As summer passes on, more ghosts appear, plagues sweep through the city, and a stench of blood in the streets, and rumors of a samurai rebellion obscure reality, driving Maru to make a choice against all instincts, to save herself, her father -- and Kyoto.

Inspired by true historical events and based on myths of yokai, this story began taking shape first in 2010. With guidance by historians both in Japan and the US, subject matter experts in geisha, kimono, and samurai life, and countless beta readers and supporters, Natalie Jacobsen has carefully crafted this historical fantasy to reflect 19th century life during the tumultuous, society-altering leadership of Emperor Meiji... just with a few more ghosts.

Author: Natalie Jacobsen
Publisher: Select Books (NY)
Published: 10/15/2024
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781590795644
Audience: Young Adult

About the Author
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Natalie Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Natalie Jacobsen grew up on a small apple orchard in rural Oregon, and used books as a way to travel the world without leaving her backyard. It didn't take long before she was building worlds of her own. Her first foray into writing was fanfiction, which garnered her national media attention, a brief internship at Scholastic Publishing, and invitations to attend Creative Writing programs and foster her creative talents. Early on, she heard the call to activism, and combined her interest in telling stories with desire to inspire action and change in others. Through journalistic endeavors, she investigated VA Governor and State Police over denied FOIAs in the wake of the 2017 Unite the Right rallies, animal shelters in Japan, the recovery from the Fukushima tsunami and nuclear disaster of 2011, and the rise of white supremacy in Virginia. Jacobsen reported on education, travel and lifestyle, LGBTQ+ and human rights, entertainment and more. Her work has taken her from Oregon to Japan, Ghana, and to Virginia and DC. For years Jacobsen lived and studied in Japan, focusing on being behind the lens and capturing stories, scenes, and songs for Television, music, and magazines. From Hokkaido to Kyoto, the back alleys of Tokyo to beaches of Okinawa, she delved into creatives' lives, learned history and folklore, participated in events and ceremonies, and built a community which she returns to time and time again. Today, Jacobsen works in the nonprofit and government sectors, specializing in marketing strategies that generate impact through thoughtful and inspiring communications, inciting donors to support important cause areas. She volunteers her time at local charities, and is a member of the AAJA, Authors Guild, and National Press Club, where she is a contributing writer. The Office of Personnel Management has recognized her innovative marketing initiatives with multiple awards; Scholastic awarded her the prestigious Gold Key for a short story; IWMF recognized her as a " JournoHero;" and she was nominated and selected as a " 40 UNder 40" Changemaker by NGen. Jacobsen's education includes creative writing at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, Georgetown University in a political science program, New York Film Academy in Kyoto, NGen's Leaderosity and the Self Aware Leader program, and the UO Honors College. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband, a fellow UO duck, and enjoys traveling, music festivals, chai, challenging friends at Mario Kart, and growing her indoor garden - and piles of books.