Ringo Monogatari: A Tale of Apples (Novel)

Ringoko is a mystery – born from an apple tree on the northern coast of Japan during the Heian era, she attracts the attention of the gods. In the capital, young Henji's birth causes his family shame, and he allows himself to fall prey to the attentions of a man-eating mountain witch. Ringoko is the only one who can help him to defeat her, and so they begin a journey through Japanese mythology to save Henji's life...although he first must decide whether or not he wants saving at all.