From Little Tokyo, with Love

   Once upon a time, a beautiful princess lived in the magical kingdom of Los Angeles. Always alone, she belonged to no one and no one belonged to her. She dreamed of one day finding someone who shared her passions, a handsome prince obsessed with monstrous mythical creatures and exploring all the weirdest corners of her kingdom.
   Or alternately, she dreamed of kicking ass and winning the regional judo championship, which came with a really awesome trophy.
   Neither of these things happened, so she revealed herself to be a nure-onna (an actual monstrous mythical creature), transformed into a snake, and ate everyone s faces off.
   The end.

Chapter One

Never argue with the Nikkei Week Queen of Little Tokyo.
    Auntie Suzy gifted me with this advice when I was six, and I probably should ve taken it to heart. But never sounds like a long time when you re six, and I must have known deep down that there would be so many things I d want to argue about.
    Ugh, Rika-chan, why won t you just stop fighting with me! My sister Belle the current Nikkei Week Queen of Little Tokyo gives me an impressively regal glower. You have the worst temper in the whole entire world.
    False, I say, even though it s kind of true. I m actually suppressing my kaiju-temper extra hard because I m trying not to fight with you. Even though you re the one who s blocking my bedroom door and waving random bits of fabric in my face.
    It s a scarf! she retorts, flapping the floaty bit of cloth she s been trying to tie around my neck for the last five minutes. And you need it.
    I do not need a scarf, I retort, batting her hands away. We live in LA no one ever needs a scarf.
    It s decorative, she insists, her face screwing into that look that means I m being a total pain the ass.
    I would argue see, again with the arguing that she s the one being the

Sarah Kuhn is the author of the popular Heroine Complex novels a series starring Asian American superheroines. The first book is a Locus bestseller, an RT Reviewers' Choice Award nominee, and one of the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog's Best Books of 2016. Her YA debut, the Japan-set romantic comedy I Love You So Mochi, is a Junior Library Guild selection and a nominee for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults. She has also penned a variety of short fiction and comics, including the critically acclaimed graphic novel Shadow of the Batgirl for DC Comics and the Star Wars audiobook original Doctor Aphra. Additionally, she was a finalist for both the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. Her newest novel, From Little Tokyo, With Love a modern fairy tale with a half-Japanese heroine is a Junior Library Guild selection and was recently chosen as Penguin Random House s One World, One Book title of the year. A third generation Japanese American, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and an overflowing closet of vintage treasures.
 

"Evocatively written and beautiful in its rage, From Little Tokyo, With Love is one to treasure. To mixed race readers especially, this one's for you. Few heroines have spoken to me like Rika Rakuyama." 
Helen Hoang, USA Today bestselling author of The Kiss Quotient
 
"A heartfelt modern-day fairy tale that delivers a sweet romance alongside a thoughtful exploration of identity. From Little Tokyo, With Love takes you on an adventure through Los Angeles full of family secrets and hidden histories and its indelible characters will stick with you long after you ve reached the happily ever after."
Maurene Goo, author of Somewhere Only We Know

"This book completely swept me away. Brimming with rich culture and a city that demands to be seen in all its colors and complexities, Sarah Kuhn s latest novel is a beautiful love letter to biracial kids that s full of longing, hope, and so much heart.
Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of William C. Morris Award Finalist Starfish and The Infinity Courts series 
 
"I so wish this book had been around for the angry, reluctantly romantic hafu teen I was, but luckily it's here for the angry, reluctantly romantic hafu woman I became. A charming and swoony story for anyone who feels like they don't belong."
Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author of The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea

"Readers will cheer for tough-but-tender Rika as she navigates the city of Los Angeles and her own complicated emotions in search of love, family, and belonging in this heartwarming pick-me-up of a novel."
Misa Sugiura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret

"Written like a modern fairy tale, this is a thoughtful exploration of finding one s full identity and sense of place and community...A beautiful and entertaining blend of family, romance, and self-discovery."
Kirkus Reviews

"Kuhn has created a protagonist who doesn t fit the mold of a typical 'princess.' Instead, she