This is the beginning of Haru and Yama's journey to get rid of a cursed item. I liked some of the fantastical elements. There's a whole sequence that gives me major Spirited Away vibes. 

I didn't understand why the other birdies picked on Haru for being so different. Kids don't need a reason to be mean. But I think it's because they're blue? But with the muddy palette, you can't really tell the other birds aren't either. For some reason, Yama is a pig in a class of birds too.

Haru's parentage seems to play an interesting part.

i'd so love a subversion with Goose being the chosen one and not Haru.

Yama reminds me of those infamous stories of people throwing out ouija boards and them appearing back. I told Yama telepathically to leave that mess alone, but she didn't listen to me lol.

I don't know if I like this story or not, but I'd read book 2 at least. This is a laying the foundation part of the story.