This third book in the Others series finds Gwen and Tavian visiting his adoptive grandparents in Japan. Tavian is ill and unable to shift to his fox form. He has to find a way to get his name so that he can control his kitsune powers without destroying his human body. His grandparents take him to a temple where the fox maiden in charge offers to help him for a consideration. However, the temple foxes look down on the nogitsune - the field foxes - like Tavian's mother.Since arriving in Japan Tavian is having dreams about the mother who abandoned him when he was six and a faceless ghost who just might be his father. This faceless ghost -- a noppera-bo -- can assume the form of anyone. Tavian meets his mother who is still intent on keeping secrets from Tavian though she says she is protecting him. In order to get his name, Tavian needs to know his mother's true name and have some of her blood. Tavian also needs to know his father's name and have some of his blood.Tavian also runs afoul of a group of inugami - dog spirits - who are part of the yakuza - the Japanese mafia. They are chasing him all over Tokyo both because they have a grudge against his mother and to capture him to bring him to the head of the yakuza.Tavian learns a lot about himself in this story as he tries to unravel the secrets of his past. Gwen is here mainly as moral support and is good for a timely rescue now and again. I like the relationship between the two of them. They are clearly in love with each other. Fans of this series and those who want a different sort of paranormal adventure will enjoy this story.
