The Lost Souls of Benzaiten

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This heartfelt and quirky young adult fantasy debut follows a young outcast on a journey of transformation . . . into a robot vacuum cleaner. A fresh twist on Japanese mythology that doubles as a deep, honest dive into mental health. This heartfelt and quirky young adult fantasy debutfollows a young outcast on a journey of transformation . . . into a robot vacuum cleaner. A fresh twist onJapanese mythology thatdoubles as a deep, honest dive into mentalhealth. "I wish to become one of those round vacuum cleaner robots." That's what Machi prays for at the altar of Japanese goddess Benzaiten. Ever since her two best friends decided they want nothing to do with her, Machi hasn't been able to speak. After months of online school and a carousel of therapists, she can no longer see the point of being human. She doesn't expect Benzaiten to hear her prayer, much less offer a different prayer on Machi's behalf-that Machi discover the beauty of humanity, ultimately restoring her to her previous self. Benzaiten is enamored with the human world and, as she's the goddess of love, humanity is enamored right back. Being second-best once again isn't helping Machi move past her trauma, and with each adventure they share, Machi is reminded of everything she's lost. It isn't until Machi starts interacting with the souls of the dead-which tends to happen around Benzaiten-that she starts to rediscover her place among the living. From an author to watch, The Lost Souls of Benzaiten is a highly original debut about the nature of happiness and the potential for healing.

Reviews

Praise for The Lost Souls of Benzaiten

New York Public Librarys Best Books for Teens 2024

[A] novel about trauma, mental health, and understanding how many ways a person who doesnt speak can still communicate . . . While the story frequently feels so grounded in reality, and in the struggles of copingand of wanting to copethat come with losing friends and loved ones, that makes the divine elements feel even more whimsical and dazzling.
Paste Magazine

It would be so easy to say that The Lost Souls of Benzaiten is a good read because it is thoughtful and intelligent and also, on more than one occasion, quite funny . . . But this book, and Machis story, is SO MUCH MORE! . . . The Lost Souls of Benzaiten is a surprise; a truly lovely reading experience that I recommend most strongly to anyone who has ever been lost in a whirlwind and needs a gentle hand to lead you back.
Locus Magazine

Kelly Murashige offers a new voice that speaks above the silence, unafraid to delve into the painful realities of teenage struggles, and with a touch of fantasy, offers a bit of magical thinking . . . and continues to keep us captivated.
Nichi Bei News

For readers who love mental health narratives, takes on Japanese mythology, and a bent of quirk, this will be one to have on your TBR.
Book Riot

A hopeful story.
Los Angeles Book Review

Tenderly told and vividly imagined, The Lost Souls of Benzaiten shines with originality and empathy. A stunning debut.
Sarah Suk, author of The Space between Here & Now and Made in Korea

A shimmering story for anyone whos ever been hurt enough to want to be somewhereor even somethingelse, Kelly Murashiges vulnerable, magical tale chronicles the sweetness that can draw us back into the world and toward each other, even after our hearts are broken.
Jodi Lynn Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

A poignant, powerful character study. Murashige has crafted a novel that, for all its metaphysical questions, finds its answers in examining the little moments in life: the thousand tiny things that shatter and shape the human spirit.
Zack Smedley, award-winning author of Deposing Nathan

Kelly Murashige's beautiful first novel glows with raw emotion. Her nuanced portrayal of Machi, a girl who no longer speaks after a heart-wrenching friendship trauma, is expertly illuminated with a dreamy touch of magic. The Lost Souls of Benzaiten is a stunning and poignant debut.
Brianna Bourne, Carnegie-nominated author of The Half-Life of Love

Murashige brilliantly captures the specific sense of anguish that stems from the first time a friend breaks your heart. A new take oncontemporary fantasythat will leave you glancing down at your well-vacuumed floor and wondering: Is my Roomba lonely
Jeff Bishop, author of A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy

A thought-provoking deep dive into self-awareness and the power of human connection. For anyone who has lost their way, The Lost Souls of Benzaiten offers a beacon of light and hope in the darkness.
Robin Reul, author of Where the Road Leads Us and My Kind of Crazy

A breathtaking journey from sorrow to solace through worlds both magical and mortal, this book is unlike anything Ive ever read. A powerful, uplifting antidote for anyone who has ever experienced feelings of depression or despair.
Susan Azim Boyer, author of The Search For Us and Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win

A totally original tale about the friendships that make and break us.
Lisabeth Posthuma, author of Baby & Solo

Murashiges debut YA novel inventively weaves Japanese mythology and dark humor with themes of mental health, selective mutism, teen friendship dynamics, and connection in unlikely places.
Booklist

Written with tenderness and vivid emotion . . . The story takes a compassionate and introspective approach to emotional trauma in the wake of a codependent friendship. As a narrator, Machi is appealingly wry, expressive, and self-aware.
Kirkus Reviews

Heartfelt and original . . . Murashiges fresh blend of Japanese mythology and frank depictions of mental health challenges rendered via simple prose allow readers to relate to Machis emotions and struggles and gain new perspective into the complexity of human nature.
Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Kelly Murashige is a writer, reader, and dreamer who was born and raised in Hawaii. She primarily writes contemporary fiction with fantastical twists rooted in Japanese mythology and culture. Though she is a total introvert, she hopes to connect with readers around the world. You can visit her online at www.kellymurashige.com.