Introducing the thrilling first novel set in the exotic, mysterious world of xxxHOLiC! Written by bestselling author NISIOISIN, and spectacularly illustrated by CLAMP, this original story features the ever-excitable high school student Kimihiro Watanuki, the mystifying time-space witch Yûko Ichihara, and a host of fascinating new characters.

Nothing could have thrilled Kimihiro more than stumbling upon the bizarre wish-granting shop of the beautiful but unnerving Yûko Ichihara, who solemnly promises to make the spirits plaguing Kimihiro go away just as soon as her fee–rendered in daily afternoon chores at her shop–is paid in full.

Of course, the thrill wears off as soon as Kimihiro realizes that his payment plan bears a disturbing resemblance to indentured servitude . . . eternal indentured servitude. Still he soldiers on, ready for whatever number of adventures lie ahead. But in Kimihiro’s case, three may not be the charm!

His first assignment–to procure a pair of fake eyeglasses–is exceptionally pointless, even by Yûko’s standards. Or at least it seems that way, until Kimihiro watches a woman throw herself into traffic. He soon discovers that the doors of bespectacled perception can swing both ways.

Next, when a classmate seeks help solving a mystery involving text messages from the dead, Kimihiro is glad to play Sherlock. But he must turn to Yûko to determine whether the root of the riddle is otherworldly shenanigans, deceit, or murder.

Finally, however ready, willing, and able Kimihiro thinks he is to face the most unusual of circumstances, he still finds himself completely bewildered by the stranger who chases away his darkest spirits, condemns Yûko as a craven charlatan, and offers Kimihiro a way out of his preternatural predicament–and a fortune besides.

Born in 1981, the prolific NISIOISIN has already revolutionized the Japanese literary world with his fast-paced, pop culture-fueled novels. He debuted with The Kubikiri Cycle in 2002, beginning his seminal Zaregoto series, and Bakemonogatari was published under Kodansha’s popular Kodansha Box imprint. In 2007 came the magnificent conclusion to his twelve-month consecutive serial novel Katanagatari–for which NISIOISIN wrote one novel a month for an entire year–also for Kodansha Box. In addition to xxxHOLiC, NISIOISIN has tackled another major manga franchise with Death Note: Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases, based on Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s blockbuster series.

CLAMP is a prolific collective of four female artists–Igarashi Satsuki, Mokona, Nekoi Tsubaki, and Ohkawa Nanase–who have become the most popular manga creators in the United States. From their U.S. debut X to their hugely popular series Chobits, Tsubasa, and xxxHOLiC, CLAMP has been creating unique and immersive worlds for several years.