Spirit's Princess by Esther Frieshner

So I know people are always saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but seriously. The cover looked absolutely ridiculous. The only thing that kept me from putting this book back was that Frieshner is the same person who wrote the books Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize which I liked.
Spirit's Princess is about a young girl named Himiko. She's the daughter of the chief of her clan which means she could very easily live a simple and pleasant life. But Himiko doesn't want a boring life simply sitting around with the other girls, gossiping and playing around. Himiko feels connected to the spirits, and she knows she's destined to do something great. She then starts her training as the apprentice of the shaman, something like a priestess, determined to become one no matter what.
Okay, there's another thing beside the cover I had a problem with. How old is this girl? At one point she's 7, then she's 9, then it feels like she's 14 but she's still only 9. Then suddenly she's 12 and soon after years passed. The book had a large time span. Also, this book is really thick but it only felt like the beginning of another story, and that this ending was only the beginning to the real plot. I don't know if there's a second book, but there SHOULD be one.
It's still a good book though... I wouldn't suggest it unless there's a second book and the sequel is sitting right next to you after you finish this one.
I'd rate the book a 7/10
~Mushu