Pai, the beautiful 300-year-old amnesiac mystic, and her companion-cum-immortal slave, Tokyo student Yakumo Fujii, search China for ancient relics to provide clues to the location of Pai's hidden Tibetan homeland, where Pai's memories can be restored. But the two are not the only ones in search of these objects. Both the dashing relic-hunter Jake McDonald and the nefarious Choukai, are trying to get their mitts on a certain mystic incense burner. And when Choukai traps Pai within a sorcerous binding circle, Yakumo is torn by the fateful decision of whether or not to pay the artifact as ransom to free Pai and by doing so, dooming Pai's memories and his own chance of returning to his mortal existence. Adult/High School-Sanjiyan Pai and her faithful bodyguard Yakumo finally locate an artifact that is rumored to be the gate key to the Tibetan homeland of the Sanjiyan. The only problem is that Jake MacDonald, a treasure hunter obsessed with the Sanjiyan, and Choukai, Pai's enemy, are also trying to get their hands on it. What follows is a series of fights, kidnappings, escapes, and sudden team-ups straight out of an adventure movie. Sacred Land focuses less on the characters and their relationships than does Summoning of the Beast (Dark Horse, 2002), but the action is exciting and propels the story even closer to the legendary homeland of the Sanjiyan-because of course Pai and Yakumo end up with the key. The black-and-white art moves the plot along swiftly, with lots of cinematic angles and action. Pai spends most of the book in her underwear, but despite a few girlish moments like shrieking at a bug, she pulls through and shows more spine and compassion than the average adventure heroine. There's also some brief nudity from a few of Choukai's magical servants. Yakumo continues to be a charming and resourceful hero in this fun blend of action, horror, and romance. Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.