Heavenly Creatures

Three thousand years ago, Tara and her older brother were eaten by wolves after their mother abandoned them in the forest. The problem is, Tara doesn't remember any of that. It's only when she meets Sun Wukong, the heavenly Monkey King, that she begins to have dreams and flashbacks to her past lives. Sun convinces Tara to embark on a spiritual quest to unravel her present-day traumas by diving into her past, which is inextricably linked to the present. This book is a retelling of the beloved Buddhist legend of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, influenced by eastern and western spiritual traditions. It will most resonate with lovers of fantasy, those interested in eastern teachings, and those who enjoy things that are off the beaten path.

Jenna Ji Min Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea, but grew up in the United States. She attended W.T. Woodson High School and Phillips Exeter Academy before getting a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley. She spent half a decade in South Korea teaching English and attending business school at Yonsei University, then came back to the United States to write this book. Her spiritual studies began at Exeter and continue today as she builds her life in Yonkers, NY.