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SHINIGAMI EYES
(Shinigami Eyes #1)
Most children hope to grow out of their imaginary friends.
17-year-old Rin Waters’ only hope is that hers doesn’t kill someone, especially when said imaginary friend puts a boy in a coma. Finding herself shipped half-way around the world—to Japan, of all places—she is forced to live with grandparents she hasn’t seen for ten years and a cousin she can’t even remember.
Rin would rather just forget about the one night that ruined her life and pretend her imaginary friend doesn’t exist—if it was only that easy. When manga-obsessed otaku, Matt, won’t stop pestering her about a manga that sees the future and the tragic accident she’ll be involved in if she doesn’t listen to him, pretending becomes quite a challenge.
Suddenly mysterious accidents begin to happen to students in her school, and Rin has to wonder what length Matt is willing to go to prove his manga is real. Is it all a sham or is there really something that wants to see Rin and her new friends dead?
(Shinigami Eyes #1)
Most children hope to grow out of their imaginary friends.
17-year-old Rin Waters’ only hope is that hers doesn’t kill someone, especially when said imaginary friend puts a boy in a coma. Finding herself shipped half-way around the world—to Japan, of all places—she is forced to live with grandparents she hasn’t seen for ten years and a cousin she can’t even remember.
Rin would rather just forget about the one night that ruined her life and pretend her imaginary friend doesn’t exist—if it was only that easy. When manga-obsessed otaku, Matt, won’t stop pestering her about a manga that sees the future and the tragic accident she’ll be involved in if she doesn’t listen to him, pretending becomes quite a challenge.
Suddenly mysterious accidents begin to happen to students in her school, and Rin has to wonder what length Matt is willing to go to prove his manga is real. Is it all a sham or is there really something that wants to see Rin and her new friends dead?
SHINIGAMI EYES EXCERPTS
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT CHEREE & ADAM SMITH
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT CHEREE & ADAM SMITH
Cheree’s favourite scene
“Hurry, Rin-chan, we’re going to be late,” Haruka yells, diving from the train
before the doors have even finished opening.
before the doors have even finished opening.
I try and shove my way through the
pack of harried commuters crowding the doorway before I lose sight of Haruka.
One little train delay, and suddenly everyone is in a rush. It was only like
three minutes tops. Maybe ten. Now it looks like we won’t even be stopping for
food, in case we’re late for Juku. This sucks.
pack of harried commuters crowding the doorway before I lose sight of Haruka.
One little train delay, and suddenly everyone is in a rush. It was only like
three minutes tops. Maybe ten. Now it looks like we won’t even be stopping for
food, in case we’re late for Juku. This sucks.
I watch Haruka tear off up platform,
ducking and weaving between pedestrians like she’s trying out for the Olympics.
I lose sight of her and suddenly she’s at the far end of the platform. I have
to run or else she’ll leave me at the station. I don’t know the way to Juku on my own. Not that I want to go there, but still.
ducking and weaving between pedestrians like she’s trying out for the Olympics.
I lose sight of her and suddenly she’s at the far end of the platform. I have
to run or else she’ll leave me at the station. I don’t know the way to Juku on my own. Not that I want to go there, but still.
I stop at the top of the stairs,
huffing and heaving. I’ve never done so much running in my life. Peering down
the steep flight of stairs, I catch a brief fading glimpse of Haruka
disappearing down the far end of the hallway like a white rabbit down the
rabbit hole. I’m never going to catch her now.
huffing and heaving. I’ve never done so much running in my life. Peering down
the steep flight of stairs, I catch a brief fading glimpse of Haruka
disappearing down the far end of the hallway like a white rabbit down the
rabbit hole. I’m never going to catch her now.
“No. Stop. Wait.” Sucking in a breath,
I mutter weakly.
I mutter weakly.
Well, I tried. Maybe if I find a nice
place to sit down, she’ll come back for me. Like a McDonalds or something.
place to sit down, she’ll come back for me. Like a McDonalds or something.
A hard shove lands on my back, and I
feel the ground fall out from under my feet. My foot catches on the edge of the
step, and a sharp jolt race up my leg as I suddenly become airborne. Everything
slows and my panicking brain struggles to comprehend my newfound ability to fly.
Countless stairs drift by before my eyes as I watch the concrete floor creep up
to greet me. Screaming, I squeeze my eyes shut and await the inevitable thud
against the hard surface below.
feel the ground fall out from under my feet. My foot catches on the edge of the
step, and a sharp jolt race up my leg as I suddenly become airborne. Everything
slows and my panicking brain struggles to comprehend my newfound ability to fly.
Countless stairs drift by before my eyes as I watch the concrete floor creep up
to greet me. Screaming, I squeeze my eyes shut and await the inevitable thud
against the hard surface below.
A firm hand grabs onto me, and I thud into
something soft instead.
something soft instead.
When I gather up enough courage to
finally open my eyes I come face to face with the broad chest of the boy—young
man—who caught me. His dark hair hangs casually over eyes brimming with
concern.
finally open my eyes I come face to face with the broad chest of the boy—young
man—who caught me. His dark hair hangs casually over eyes brimming with
concern.
“Are you okay?” he asks, carefully
repositioning his grip on me. His black woollen jumper ripples against his
lean, athletic body as he gently lowers me to the ground. The black jumper and
faded jeans stretched across well-maintained muscles gives him a look I can
only describe as roguish.
repositioning his grip on me. His black woollen jumper ripples against his
lean, athletic body as he gently lowers me to the ground. The black jumper and
faded jeans stretched across well-maintained muscles gives him a look I can
only describe as roguish.
“I’m fi—” I start to say, but end up
biting back a scream when I try to stand up.
biting back a scream when I try to stand up.
“You are not.” He grasps my ankle.
I cringe as pain shoots up my leg when
he moves the ankle back and forth.
he moves the ankle back and forth.
“Here, lean on me until you can walk.”
The guy pulls me into his arms and starts leading me away from the stairs.
The guy pulls me into his arms and starts leading me away from the stairs.
I glance back and think I see a
certain blond lurking at the top of the stairs, glancing everywhere and looking
shifty, but when I look again he’s gone.
certain blond lurking at the top of the stairs, glancing everywhere and looking
shifty, but when I look again he’s gone.
“Hiro~shi~, why’d you run off on me
like that?” an incredibly whiny voice calls out as soon as we enter the station
proper, and a girl with wavy copper-tone hair comes running over to meet us.
The instant she sees me clinging to the guy, a look of pure murder enters her
eyes. “Get your hands off of my boyfriend!”
like that?” an incredibly whiny voice calls out as soon as we enter the station
proper, and a girl with wavy copper-tone hair comes running over to meet us.
The instant she sees me clinging to the guy, a look of pure murder enters her
eyes. “Get your hands off of my boyfriend!”
Freaked by the sudden anger directed
at me, I reflexively start trying to bury my face into the guy’s chest. This
doesn’t seem to do anything to lessen the girl’s rage, for some reason.
at me, I reflexively start trying to bury my face into the guy’s chest. This
doesn’t seem to do anything to lessen the girl’s rage, for some reason.
“Ease off, Sakura. She fell down the
stairs, and injured her ankle. I’m just helping her walk.” He gives her a
crooked grin and the girl seems to calm down. “You’re lucky I’m fast on my feet
or things could have ended up a lot worse.”
stairs, and injured her ankle. I’m just helping her walk.” He gives her a
crooked grin and the girl seems to calm down. “You’re lucky I’m fast on my feet
or things could have ended up a lot worse.”
The girl, I belatedly recognise as
Sakura, leader of the music club, the one who didn’t show up to club today, turns
towards me, and I could swear a scowl tugs at her lips before it’s replaced by
a warm smile. “Are you alright, Waters-san?”
Sakura, leader of the music club, the one who didn’t show up to club today, turns
towards me, and I could swear a scowl tugs at her lips before it’s replaced by
a warm smile. “Are you alright, Waters-san?”
“I’m fine.” I try to push myself to a
standing position. Away from her boyfriend.
standing position. Away from her boyfriend.
“Oh, so you two know each other then?”
Hiroshi frowns at my wobbly distancing and grabs my shoulder to keep me
upright.
Hiroshi frowns at my wobbly distancing and grabs my shoulder to keep me
upright.
“Yes, Waters-san joined the music club
yesterday. She’s my newest kouhai,” Sakura
adds in a sickly sweet voice, still unhappy about my proximity to Hiroshi
beneath her friendly grin, but at least no longer looking for a knife to stab
me with.
yesterday. She’s my newest kouhai,” Sakura
adds in a sickly sweet voice, still unhappy about my proximity to Hiroshi
beneath her friendly grin, but at least no longer looking for a knife to stab
me with.
“Found her! She’s over there hugging
that boy!” a sudden cheerful voice shouts loud enough to attract the attention
of several passing commuters.
that boy!” a sudden cheerful voice shouts loud enough to attract the attention
of several passing commuters.
Sakura looks ready to snap, and I
almost tumble back onto my ass trying to put as much distance between me and
her as possible. Hiroshi just laughs and grabs my hand to keep me from falling
as a distraught looking Haruka and a way too happy Miki come bounding over to
us.
almost tumble back onto my ass trying to put as much distance between me and
her as possible. Hiroshi just laughs and grabs my hand to keep me from falling
as a distraught looking Haruka and a way too happy Miki come bounding over to
us.
“Rin-chan, gomenne.” Haruka stops in front of me, taking in my awkward stance between
Hiroshi and Sakura. “I-turned-around-and-you-weren’t-there.
I-looked-everywhere. Where-did-you-go?
Miki-chan’s-been-helping-me-look-for-you.”
Hiroshi and Sakura. “I-turned-around-and-you-weren’t-there.
I-looked-everywhere. Where-did-you-go?
Miki-chan’s-been-helping-me-look-for-you.”
I can only blink as her hyperspeed
rundown washes over me while Miki bounces around beside her like a joyful dog
expecting a treat. Sakura just stares at us like she’s planning a killing spree
and is trying to work out who to start with.
rundown washes over me while Miki bounces around beside her like a joyful dog
expecting a treat. Sakura just stares at us like she’s planning a killing spree
and is trying to work out who to start with.
“She had a bit of trouble on the
stairs,” Hiroshi volunteers when it becomes clear no one’s going to talk.
stairs,” Hiroshi volunteers when it becomes clear no one’s going to talk.
“Stairs?” Haruka stares blankly like
the entire concept is foreign.
the entire concept is foreign.
“I fell down the stairs.”
“Oh my god, are you okay, Rin-chan?” My overly concerned cousin nearly
barrels me over in her rush to comfort me.
barrels me over in her rush to comfort me.
“I’m fine,” I mutter. Really, I just
want people to stop fussing over me.
want people to stop fussing over me.
“Takahashi-san, maybe you should take
Waters-san to a hospital? She might need to get looked at.” Sakura is casual
and friendly, but her eyes still glare at Hiroshi’s hand on my arm.
Waters-san to a hospital? She might need to get looked at.” Sakura is casual
and friendly, but her eyes still glare at Hiroshi’s hand on my arm.
“I’m fine,” I assure them, my
much-used catchphrase. Even if I did manage to break a leg, I’d probably still
tell them I’m fine. I’d really like for my mother not to hear of this. “I just
jarred it, that’s all. I’ll be right in no time.”
much-used catchphrase. Even if I did manage to break a leg, I’d probably still
tell them I’m fine. I’d really like for my mother not to hear of this. “I just
jarred it, that’s all. I’ll be right in no time.”
“Come on, we’ll skip Juku tonight, let’s get you home.” Haruka grabs me around the waist and
Hiroshi finally let’s go, much to Sakura’s relief.
Hiroshi finally let’s go, much to Sakura’s relief.
“I’ll help,” Miki pipes up as she
grabs my arm, then in her usual energetic way begins bouncing on the spot. Each
tug on my arm sends another jolt of pain across my wounded ankle. Oh, yay!
Looks like I’ve got two babysitters, one of which is doing more harm than good,
to make sure I get home safely. Super.
grabs my arm, then in her usual energetic way begins bouncing on the spot. Each
tug on my arm sends another jolt of pain across my wounded ankle. Oh, yay!
Looks like I’ve got two babysitters, one of which is doing more harm than good,
to make sure I get home safely. Super.
As I
hobble away, well aware of everyone gawking at the scene I’ve caused, I can’t
help but notice Sakura throwing herself into Hiroshi’s arms the moment we step
away from them. I turn my gaze away from the lovely scene and that’s when my
eyes catch on a certain blond kid standing near a café on the other side of the
station. He’s there watching me, usual manga
held open in one hand and clutching something small in the other. He mouths
something at me and I can’t help trembling as his warning comes floating back.
hobble away, well aware of everyone gawking at the scene I’ve caused, I can’t
help but notice Sakura throwing herself into Hiroshi’s arms the moment we step
away from them. I turn my gaze away from the lovely scene and that’s when my
eyes catch on a certain blond kid standing near a café on the other side of the
station. He’s there watching me, usual manga
held open in one hand and clutching something small in the other. He mouths
something at me and I can’t help trembling as his warning comes floating back.
‘Be careful on the stairs’.
Adam’s favourite scene
Darkness surrounds me. I don’t know where I am. Not
Haruka’s room, that’s for sure. It’s much smaller, I can feel the walls closed
in around me, just out of reach. The wooden floor beneath me sends chills up my
spine as a feeling of familiarity crashes into me. It feels as though I’ve been
in this room before, but I have no idea when. I squeeze my fingers tightly
around the small box I didn’t even realise I was holding. Matches. I
desperately want to light one, but it’s not time yet. What?
Haruka’s room, that’s for sure. It’s much smaller, I can feel the walls closed
in around me, just out of reach. The wooden floor beneath me sends chills up my
spine as a feeling of familiarity crashes into me. It feels as though I’ve been
in this room before, but I have no idea when. I squeeze my fingers tightly
around the small box I didn’t even realise I was holding. Matches. I
desperately want to light one, but it’s not time yet. What?
Laughter sounds from outside my tiny universe, little
girls laughing, as if they’re enjoying my panic. The familiarity of their voices
washes over me, making me want to find a way out of this darkness as if I’m
going to greet some long-lost friends.
girls laughing, as if they’re enjoying my panic. The familiarity of their voices
washes over me, making me want to find a way out of this darkness as if I’m
going to greet some long-lost friends.
A shiver rushes down my spine when the girls sop their
giggling and start repeating a single phrase in singsong whispers, seemingly
from everywhere at once, “Watashi ni hikari o misete, samonakuba yami no naka
ni nokose.” Their whispers become repetitive chanting, growing louder and
louder until they’re booming in my ear. I try to make sense of what they’re
saying, but I can’t get past the feeling that I’ve heard this all before.
Concentrating on the words, I translate: Give me the light or keep me in
darkness.
giggling and start repeating a single phrase in singsong whispers, seemingly
from everywhere at once, “Watashi ni hikari o misete, samonakuba yami no naka
ni nokose.” Their whispers become repetitive chanting, growing louder and
louder until they’re booming in my ear. I try to make sense of what they’re
saying, but I can’t get past the feeling that I’ve heard this all before.
Concentrating on the words, I translate: Give me the light or keep me in
darkness.
All of a sudden the voices cut off, plunging my tiny
room into silence once more, allowing me to hear the one last whispered warning
from the girls. “Teokure ni naru mae ni hi o moyase.”
room into silence once more, allowing me to hear the one last whispered warning
from the girls. “Teokure ni naru mae ni hi o moyase.”
Light
a match before it’s too late.
a match before it’s too late.
I yank a match from the box and start striking it.
Sparks fly but no flame appears.
Sparks fly but no flame appears.
Icy hands grasp my shoulders and the match tumbles
unlit from my trembling hands. I scramble for another match as I feel the icy
claws dig into my flesh, turning me to face it. Pop! A faint golden light
springs to life in my hands as I come face to face with … nothing. An empty
closet with creaky wooden boards. I giggle with relief.
unlit from my trembling hands. I scramble for another match as I feel the icy
claws dig into my flesh, turning me to face it. Pop! A faint golden light
springs to life in my hands as I come face to face with … nothing. An empty
closet with creaky wooden boards. I giggle with relief.
A puff of air—as if someone is blowing out a
candle—and my match goes out. Out of the darkness a pair of glowing red eyes
erupt. I can’t see what creature’s attached to those eyes, and I’m sure I don’t
want to know. I can only stare as it approaches. I can only stare as it—
candle—and my match goes out. Out of the darkness a pair of glowing red eyes
erupt. I can’t see what creature’s attached to those eyes, and I’m sure I don’t
want to know. I can only stare as it approaches. I can only stare as it—
“Rin!” Misa’s voice screams as tiny hands give my
shoulders a furious shake, jerking me awake.
shoulders a furious shake, jerking me awake.
Sweat cascades down my back and my breathing comes out
in short, ragged gasps. Pushing myself into a sitting position, the tangled
sheets around me suck at me trying to drag me down to the floor. I look around
the dark room, disoriented. I’m not in some dark forgotten closet. Everything’s
the same as when I went to sleep. Haruka is still asleep in the bed beside me,
not disturbed in the slightest. Everything’s normal. Everything’s fine.
in short, ragged gasps. Pushing myself into a sitting position, the tangled
sheets around me suck at me trying to drag me down to the floor. I look around
the dark room, disoriented. I’m not in some dark forgotten closet. Everything’s
the same as when I went to sleep. Haruka is still asleep in the bed beside me,
not disturbed in the slightest. Everything’s normal. Everything’s fine.
“You were having a nightmare, Rin.” Misa’s nervous
gaze never leaves my face.
gaze never leaves my face.
“It felt so real,” I mumble as I lie back down and stare
up at the ceiling. “Almost like it was really happening.”
up at the ceiling. “Almost like it was really happening.”
“No. It was just a nightmare,” Misa says in a quick
breath as she places her small hand against my forehead.
breath as she places her small hand against my forehead.
“Yeah.” I force my eyes closed, afraid that I’ll see
those glowing red eyes again as soon as I do. My heart jackhammers as I briefly
panic that I’ll have to spend my first day of life in Japan wandering around on
zero sleep, but slowly I feel myself drifting off to sleep again. This time,
thankfully, without dreams.
those glowing red eyes again as soon as I do. My heart jackhammers as I briefly
panic that I’ll have to spend my first day of life in Japan wandering around on
zero sleep, but slowly I feel myself drifting off to sleep again. This time,
thankfully, without dreams.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Cheree Smith lives in the coastal city of Newcastle in Australia where she is studying graphics design and photography. When she is not hard at study, she is busy writing paranormal, horror and dark stories for young adults. She enjoys listening to and learning about legends and myths, watching scary movies and dreaming up new worlds where monsters can come alive. When she is not in her writing cave she can be found listening to music, even dabbling in the occasional writing of music or reading.
Website – Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads
Adam Smith has always loved the Japanese culture, which began with his love of anime and manga. This helped him accomplish his goal of moving to Japan to become an ALT (assistant language teacher) in Iwate, Japan. When he’s not reading, writing or speaking Japanese, he is working on paranormal, horror and dark stories for young adults with his sister, Cheree.
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INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!
Prizes up for grabs are:
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Fill the Rafflecopter form below and good luck everyone! 🙂
About Silvia
Silvia is a dreamer at heart, drifting through ink and imagination, reading and playing stories alike, forever drawn to East Asian wonders ♡ Anything that sparks her creativity fills her with joy and makes her want to explore, play, and create even more!
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I'm not so sure I'd let the kitsune into my house, Silvia 😉 Great giveaway, and the excerpt is good, too. I really enjoyed Shinigami Eyes 🙂
Have a fantastic week 🙂
Oh wow…this sounds good. I could see this being made into a movie
thanks for the post! I saw the book somewhere but I don't remember exactly…
Thanks for sharing that excerpt, Silvia! Shinigami Eyes is outside my norm but it sounds good! 🙂
Hehe, me neither, Lexxie 😉
I'm really looking forward to reading your review!
You'll see it tomorrow morning 😀
Can't wait! 😀