The Sword Master

by I.J. Parker

The Sword Master transports you to Japan, into the perilous world of the Heike Wars, and lays bare the troubled life of a sword master.

Trying to survive in the streets of twelfth-century Kyoto, a homeless child is brutalized and left to die. Even the selfless physician who saves him cannot soften the boy's hardened spirit. Angry with the world and desiring vengeance against those who caused his parents' suicides, Hachiro feels rejection almost everywhere and reacts in kind. This anger he forges into an amazing skill with a sword. He becomes the most famous swordsman in the city. Many deaths are due to Hachiro’s reputation, until he seeks solitude and redemption by leaving the capital.

The love of women proves even less kind than the cut of a sword. His obsession with a forbidden passion forces Hachiro to join the war between two powerful clans where he finds another dangerous woman and treachery.

When at last he returns home, he finds Kyoto in ruin and his beloved master dead. In the midst of the tragedy of this ravaged city, he discovers his redemption, something he had given up hoping for. But first he must face the danger of losing all when a secret enemy sets his trap.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Japan

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2012

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes along with the Hollow Reed trilogy. It follows the life of Hachiro the swordsman. It's a nice book, flows well, and fills in details about this character's life which aren't covered in Hollow Reed. The connecting narrative sometimes feels a little more "sketchy" than the other books of the series, perhaps because it covers so many years in a short space. But overall, it's well worth reading, especially if you have already read the rest of the series.

[David Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take set in the beginning of the Samurai era

A really interesting story set against the backdrop of the Heike ward and the North of the Kamakura shogunate. If you like ancient Japanese history then this is definitely worth reading

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am without any doubts a fan of this author. I love her style and I could only repeat myself when saying she is in a class of her own. A master in writing vivid tales of Ancient Japan and to magically transport us back in time into the perilous world of the Heike Wars.

It is not easy to live in the twelfth century Kyoto survival is a challenge especially if you are a homeless child. This savage and moving tale recounts his life story from the point he was adopted by a selfless physician who could not soften his hardened spirit, to the master swordsman who taught him the fine art of swordsmanship, to the beautiful women who desperately wanted his attention and baited into a war between two opposing clans. Only with his smarts and skills was he able to survive and avenge his parents’ deaths and eventually find true peace…..

The plot is captivating with lots of action, blood and guts galore. The characterization is very interesting and quite remarkable especially Hachiro, the protagonist, his depiction definitely grows on you. The hardest part was keeping track of all the unfamiliar sounding names without mixing any of the characters. Although this story spans almost a life time, the drama is not rushed and I was immediately drawn in and my attention never wavered. This is an excellent standalone, a spin-off of the Hollow Reed series, dedicated to Hachiro, a minor character first met in book one.

Another great story I enjoyed immensely.

[liirogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, even more so than her Akitada series. Parker does a great job of bringing 11th century Japan alive, and created some fascinating characters. This book also has a much faster pace than the Akitada novels, which I liked. Hachiro is a man of action and struggles with some powerful demons, and the author excels at portraying this character. He is far from perfect, and Parker doesn't shy away from showing all facets.

The only drawback was I couldn't quite follow all of the political machinations.

I haven't read the Hollow Reed series, where Hachiro makes his first appearance, but I am curious now about this series. The author's note at the beginning of this book mentions that some things have been changed from the Hollow Reed series as she was most interested in telling Hachiro's story in this book, and felt like come changes were necessary in order to do it properly.

[Zach Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good book, and quite an enjoyable read. I read this just after reading shogun though and it's like a children's book in comparison. I much preferred shogun