The Dark Sheep

Name: The Dark Sheep
ISBN: 9787513360982

美轮和音 / 罗亚星New Star Press · ChinaDec 2025

3.4

Word count: 139K words
Chapters: 45
ISBN: 9787513360982

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Summary

This is a collection of short mystery stories and the sequel to *The Greedy Sheep*, using urban legends as its suspense hook and offering rational, scientifically grounded explanations for them. A legend circulates in Japan about the "Sheep-Eyed Woman": speak your wish three times in the hexagonal room of a suburban villa, and within a week the Sheep-Eyed Woman will grant it.

Five stories unfold against this backdrop: a young housewife desperate to attract attention through extreme events; high school students who loathe each other; a neighbor lady convinced that the man in her home is a stranger; four people bound by a "mother-daughter" label yet trapped in a distorted relationship; and an old classmate trying to buy the villa.

As misfortunes pile up, the seemingly independent wishes of these characters interweave—and throughout it all, Kurose Kaboko holds fast to the light of justice, seeking the truth amid the fog of twisted human nature. In the end, reason and kindness are the only salvation.

Editor's review

Dark Sheep is a hybrid work blending suspense, science fiction, and social speculation, its core appeal lying in its break with conventional narrative frameworks. Published by Nova Press and jointly created by Meiwa Kazune and Luo Yaxing, this novel is neither a simple Japanese light novel nor traditional science fiction; rather, it constructs an alien yet familiar world through the collision of delicate psychological portrayal and grand conceptual design. On the surface, the story revolves around a bizarre incident, but its narrative ambition extends far beyond that. The authors ingeniously transform the image of the "sheep" from a symbol of docility into a philosophical metaphor for the collective, herd mentality, and individual awakening, endowing the text with rich interpretive space beyond the advancement of plot.

From an editorial perspective, the book's reading value first manifests in its meticulous narrative structure. The dual- or multi-threaded narration is no gimmick but a necessary means of serving thematic revelation. As readers follow the protagonist in unraveling the mystery, they themselves undergo a cognitive reconstruction. Second, the work's exploration of the tension between "abnormal" and "normal," "individual" and "system," carries strong real-world resonance, inviting readers to contemplate the state of individual consciousness within a highly ordered or information-driven society. Meiwa Kazune's distinctive delicate emotional flow and Luo Yaxing's forte in hard science fiction settings form an intriguing tension; this creative pairing itself constitutes a unique highlight of the book. It may not offer a breezy, satisfying read, but it leaves a lingering aftertaste of thought.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Science fiction and suspense enthusiasts who prefer deep narrative and are unsatisfied with single-genre labels
Readers interested in group psychology, social allegory, and identity issues
Literary readers who appreciate the beauty of combining delicate Japanese prose with grand worldbuilding
Readers seeking intellectually challenging works that spark further discussion

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light entertainment and fast-paced, wish-fulfillment-style reading experiences
Readers uncomfortable with nonlinear narrative and multi-perspective shifts, who prefer traditional single linear storytelling

Reading tips

In the early stages, patiently follow the narrative rhythm rather than rushing to seek the truth; most of the book's groundwork pays off later.
Pay attention to details about "observing" and "being observed," "defining" and "being defined"—these are often key to understanding the themes.
After reading, consider extending your reflections with discussions on the individual's situation in modern society for deeper insight.

About the publisher

New Star Press China · Founded in 1989

New Star Press focuses on classic works, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, history, foreign literature and art, and its 602 titles in the library show a balance between popular reading and humanistic depth. Representative books include The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Illustrated Collector's Edition, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Player of Games, Local Government in Qing China, A Good Man Is Hard to Find and A Collection of Fine Ukiyo-e Prints, spanning classic literature, detective fiction, science fiction, local history and visual art. Its authors and contributors include William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Iain M. Banks, as well as translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Su Fuzhong and illustrators such as John Gilbert and George Cruikshank. Known for the detective series Midnight Library and for social-science and humanities titles, the press emphasizes edition design and reading experience; public information is limited, so this profile highlights the publishing features reflected in the library's books.

版权信息
炎上之羊
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2
3
4
5
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暗黑之羊
1
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7
病态之羊，或称狡猾之羊
1
2
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偏狭之羊
1
2
3
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因果之羊
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7

FAQ

Is this book a typical Japanese light novel?

It is not a typical Japanese light novel. Although it features the delicate touch characteristic of Japanese works, its core leans more toward social science fiction and psychological suspense, with worldbuilding and thematic depth that exceed the usual scope of light novels.

How do the two authors' styles merge?

Meiwa Kazune contributes profound character psychology and emotional atmosphere, while Luo Yaxing establishes the story's scientific logic and worldview framework. The two are not simply pieced together but interpenetrate at the narrative level, jointly serving the core theme of "alienation and resistance of the individual within a vast system."

Is the ending open-ended?

The story provides a relatively complete resolution on the main plotline, but leaves certain interpretive space regarding the ultimate rules governing the world and the characters' future possibilities. This approach is consistent with the theme of "uncertainty" that the work explores.

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About the author

美轮和音 Author

Miwa Kazune is a suspense and mystery author included in this Chinese book database. Public information is limited: their nationality, dates of birth and death, English name, and personal background cannot be confirmed. The database currently holds two works by this author, The Greedy Sheep and The Dark Sheep. Both titles center on the image of the sheep and are classified as suspense and mystery, suggesting that the author's writing tends toward this genre. Judging from the paired wording of the titles, the works may use negative terms such as "greedy" and "dark" to build tension, employing an animal image as a metaphor for human desire and its darker side, and forming a suspense narrative with symbolic overtones. Because biographical materials, author statements, and award records are lacking, a more detailed account of the writing style is difficult, and the author's creative development and literary influence cannot yet be traced. Readers seeking further understanding may turn to the content of the two works mentioned above.

罗亚星 Author

Luo Yaxing is a Chinese author of suspense and mystery fiction. Public information about the author is limited, and only two works can currently be confirmed: The Greedy Sheep and The Dark Sheep. Judging from the titles and their classification, Luo's writing centers on the suspense and mystery genre, with the image of the sheep linking the two books and carrying metaphorical overtones that suggest themes of human nature, desire, and crime. Both works are categorized as suspense and mystery, indicating that the author has made sustained attempts in this genre. Because details of the author's life, nationality, and writing career have not been made public, readers know little about the person and approach the narrative world mainly through the works themselves. For fans of suspense and mystery, Luo Yaxing's books offer an entry point that uses animal imagery as a thread to explore the darker sides of human nature, and the author's future writing is worth watching.