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Gonji: The Deathwind Trilogy #1
Gonji: Red Blade from the East
The first book in The Deathwind Trilogy, which re-launches the popular 1980s adventure-fantasy series from Zebra Books. Zebra canceled their entire fantasy line after the fifth book, before the series could reach its intended closure. The plan is to complete the entire epic-series story arc for a new generation of fantasy readers.
The series concerns a legendary halfbreed samurai-Viking named Gonji Sabatake, who is impelled by Destiny itself to quest after an ageless mystery and confound a timeless supernatural tyranny which takes him from medieval Japan, through Europe, and on into worlds unknown. Monsters, magic, and---above all---rich, lived-in characters abound, in a series teeming with resounding action and dynamic human interaction.
The series concerns a legendary halfbreed samurai-Viking named Gonji Sabatake, who is impelled by Destiny itself to quest after an ageless mystery and confound a timeless supernatural tyranny which takes him from medieval Japan, through Europe, and on into worlds unknown. Monsters, magic, and---above all---rich, lived-in characters abound, in a series teeming with resounding action and dynamic human interaction.
- GenresFantasySword and Sorcery
316 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 3, 2013
It's not unusual to market books from the past, often characterizing them "classic", "re-imagined", "lost gem", etc. Gonji is a series that deserves all those praises and more. First published in the eighties, the series published five books before cancelation, mostly due to the publisher's mishandling. This era of self-published authors is the perfect moment to discover this Sword & Sorcery gem. Gonji Sabatake, half-samurai - half-"Viking", is the existential loner encountered -rarely- in Fantasy books, lately:
This first volume is the opening of a trilogy and perhaps suffers a little from this. The first half of the book is rooted in Sword & Sorcery. Short in length, equally sketching Gonji's tormented existence and delivering lyrical fight scenes. The second part, while it richly describes the setting that will dominate the entire trilogy, it also introduces a large cast of supporting characters. The baroque setting of the city of Vedun, is filled with the voices of the minor cast of characters who, despite a rich index, do not remain as vivid as the series' protagonist. After reading the book's final sentence, a series of questions arise (Who is "Simon Sardonis"?, Where and What is "the Deathwind"?) and demand for answers found -probably- on the next book in the trilogy, hinting at the grand destiny of its protagonist...
"Even the most loathsome companions and deadliest of escapades would be welcome, it seemed, to a man slowly dying of emptiness. [...] He possessed the poet's appreciation of the wonders of nature and the Buddhist's awe at its mysteries."
This first volume is the opening of a trilogy and perhaps suffers a little from this. The first half of the book is rooted in Sword & Sorcery. Short in length, equally sketching Gonji's tormented existence and delivering lyrical fight scenes. The second part, while it richly describes the setting that will dominate the entire trilogy, it also introduces a large cast of supporting characters. The baroque setting of the city of Vedun, is filled with the voices of the minor cast of characters who, despite a rich index, do not remain as vivid as the series' protagonist. After reading the book's final sentence, a series of questions arise (Who is "Simon Sardonis"?, Where and What is "the Deathwind"?) and demand for answers found -probably- on the next book in the trilogy, hinting at the grand destiny of its protagonist...
October 12, 2014
Gonji’s Deathwind – The Godzilla of Sword & Sorcery?
Some splendid reviews already exist for Gonji: Red Blade from the East, in particular Fletcher Vredenburgh’s January 21st 2014 Post on Blackgate is extremely thorough. This provides another summary, and some more complementary information.
Gongi Is A Unique, Entertaining Mashup: Gongi is a wandering, displaced warrior--a Ronin (master-less samurai) roaming 16th century Europe. This is not historical fiction, however. This is Sword & Sorcery in vein of R.E. Howard’s Conan…but it is a solidly unique take on the genre. Firstly, Gonji is a cross-breed of a Japanese warlord and Viking sword-maiden; rather than the Hyperborean continent of REH, Gonji explores a realistic version of Europe’s geography (Ottoman–Habsburg times). Plenty of creatures and magic infuse compelling fight scenes. I half expected Godzilla to emerge on multiple occasions!
Gonji is a mysterious, intelligent character. Stretching plausibility, he knows many languages (Japanese, Spanish, Italian, German, English, more?) sufficiently to converse with everyone. He is a bit moody too, which is ostensibly related to his mixed heritage (disciplined father, wild mother). His allegiances are difficult to predict, sometimes joining mercenary bands, sometimes rescuing weak townspeople. Generally, the blend of cultures and Gonji’s mysterious motivations are engaging.
By the end of this first installment, we know only that he is seeking the “Deathwind,” and we know he gets closer to this goal when he reached the city of Vedun, but otherwise the core of his quest is unclear. There is parallel conflict with some apparently evil occupiers of Vedun; but their motives are not clear by the end either, at times brutally dominating folk and at times letting them live in peace. I would have enjoyed a bit more clarification; the demarcation between the first and second book may just be due to the publication history.
Series: The initial Zebra books of the 1980’s essential split one long novel into a trilogy (I suspect the split was arbitrary). T.C. Rypel’s 1980 series has been released in a more complete forms (more books, eBooks, audiobooks). The newer releases from Borgo Press seem to have maintained this split. I’ll need to read the second and third books to confirm that, and I plan to do that. Actually, Rypel has a lot more Gonji in mind, and has books 4 and 5 available now. Books 1-3 are the original trilogy:
1) Gonji: Red Blade from the East: The Deathwind Trilogy, Book One
2) Gonji: The Soul Within the Steel
3) Gonji: Deathwind of Vedun: The Deathwind Triology, Book Three
4) Gonji: Fortress of Lost Worlds
5) Gonji: A Hungering of Wolves
Social Media, Cover Art, and Maps: T.C. Rypel is very accessible via Facebook(Gonji Page) and the Goodreads Sword and Sorcery Group. If you check those websites you can (a) communicate with him and (b) just read/learn fascinating tidbits. For instance, from these I learned the artwork of Serbian illustrator Dusan Kostic graces most of the new releases, which seem more appropriate than the 1980’s covers that seem to mirror the James Clavell books (contemporary for 1980’s works, but of different genre). Also, The Kindle editions of the Deathwind Trilogy books do not include artist Joseph Rutt's Maps that appear in the front of the print editions.
[image error]
Ohio Rocks: Incidentally, T.C. Rypel has Ohio roots, as do many Sword and Sorcery authors; in fact, 20% of the original Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America (SAGA, 1960-80s) came from my home state OH. The unassuming state of OH has ties to many relevant authors including including: David C. Smith, Andre Norton, Stephen Donaldson, John Jakes, Richard Lee Byers, Roger Zelazny, Dennis L. McKiernan, Steve Goble, and more.
Some splendid reviews already exist for Gonji: Red Blade from the East, in particular Fletcher Vredenburgh’s January 21st 2014 Post on Blackgate is extremely thorough. This provides another summary, and some more complementary information.
Gongi Is A Unique, Entertaining Mashup: Gongi is a wandering, displaced warrior--a Ronin (master-less samurai) roaming 16th century Europe. This is not historical fiction, however. This is Sword & Sorcery in vein of R.E. Howard’s Conan…but it is a solidly unique take on the genre. Firstly, Gonji is a cross-breed of a Japanese warlord and Viking sword-maiden; rather than the Hyperborean continent of REH, Gonji explores a realistic version of Europe’s geography (Ottoman–Habsburg times). Plenty of creatures and magic infuse compelling fight scenes. I half expected Godzilla to emerge on multiple occasions!
Gonji is a mysterious, intelligent character. Stretching plausibility, he knows many languages (Japanese, Spanish, Italian, German, English, more?) sufficiently to converse with everyone. He is a bit moody too, which is ostensibly related to his mixed heritage (disciplined father, wild mother). His allegiances are difficult to predict, sometimes joining mercenary bands, sometimes rescuing weak townspeople. Generally, the blend of cultures and Gonji’s mysterious motivations are engaging.
By the end of this first installment, we know only that he is seeking the “Deathwind,” and we know he gets closer to this goal when he reached the city of Vedun, but otherwise the core of his quest is unclear. There is parallel conflict with some apparently evil occupiers of Vedun; but their motives are not clear by the end either, at times brutally dominating folk and at times letting them live in peace. I would have enjoyed a bit more clarification; the demarcation between the first and second book may just be due to the publication history.
Series: The initial Zebra books of the 1980’s essential split one long novel into a trilogy (I suspect the split was arbitrary). T.C. Rypel’s 1980 series has been released in a more complete forms (more books, eBooks, audiobooks). The newer releases from Borgo Press seem to have maintained this split. I’ll need to read the second and third books to confirm that, and I plan to do that. Actually, Rypel has a lot more Gonji in mind, and has books 4 and 5 available now. Books 1-3 are the original trilogy:
1) Gonji: Red Blade from the East: The Deathwind Trilogy, Book One
2) Gonji: The Soul Within the Steel
3) Gonji: Deathwind of Vedun: The Deathwind Triology, Book Three
4) Gonji: Fortress of Lost Worlds
5) Gonji: A Hungering of Wolves
Social Media, Cover Art, and Maps: T.C. Rypel is very accessible via Facebook(Gonji Page) and the Goodreads Sword and Sorcery Group. If you check those websites you can (a) communicate with him and (b) just read/learn fascinating tidbits. For instance, from these I learned the artwork of Serbian illustrator Dusan Kostic graces most of the new releases, which seem more appropriate than the 1980’s covers that seem to mirror the James Clavell books (contemporary for 1980’s works, but of different genre). Also, The Kindle editions of the Deathwind Trilogy books do not include artist Joseph Rutt's Maps that appear in the front of the print editions.
[image error]
Ohio Rocks: Incidentally, T.C. Rypel has Ohio roots, as do many Sword and Sorcery authors; in fact, 20% of the original Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America (SAGA, 1960-80s) came from my home state OH. The unassuming state of OH has ties to many relevant authors including including: David C. Smith, Andre Norton, Stephen Donaldson, John Jakes, Richard Lee Byers, Roger Zelazny, Dennis L. McKiernan, Steve Goble, and more.
June 19, 2017
I`ve hoped that this will be a stand alone book, but, in fact, you have to read the other books in a row to get a proper ending.
This first volume has two parts. The first one it`s more alert, more fight driven, we walk acrossed a big piece of land, and a second one, in wich there are still fights, but has more intrigue and the events happen only in the area of a fortified town. With a population in majority made of romanians!!! But that`s all that it`s to this fact, there isn`t anything more detailed, only that they speak romanian. And they are faithfull in their religion.
Mostly there is only a POV, the half breed samurai Gonji`s, but in the near zone of the end, we swich sides for a couple of times. But not in a significant way or with big consequences in the evolution of the story. It was kinda like a little test from the writer, let`s see how the story sounds from the others point of views.
The story is a delight for a action fantasy fan, with a lot of battles, fights and quarrels, with some magic (noting very obvious, but it`s there alright), story creatures (see the splendid cover !- wyvern, ogree, vampires) and some moral dilemmas. Because Gonji it`s ronin, but, still has the japanese way of thinking. And like we know it the european way it`s so different, in many aspects and rituals, from his beliefs.
This could be considered very easy to be a grimdark novel, because it has most of the elements of one, only that it was written in the 80`s.
The writing needs some time to adapt, because don`t forget, we`re talking about a ronin here, but it`s faithfull to the ambiance of the story and needs, and I`ve been sucked in pretty quickly.
Overall it made me curios about how the things will evolve next and I will surely try to read the second one in line.
Interesting and engaging read! Four stars!
This first volume has two parts. The first one it`s more alert, more fight driven, we walk acrossed a big piece of land, and a second one, in wich there are still fights, but has more intrigue and the events happen only in the area of a fortified town. With a population in majority made of romanians!!! But that`s all that it`s to this fact, there isn`t anything more detailed, only that they speak romanian. And they are faithfull in their religion.
Mostly there is only a POV, the half breed samurai Gonji`s, but in the near zone of the end, we swich sides for a couple of times. But not in a significant way or with big consequences in the evolution of the story. It was kinda like a little test from the writer, let`s see how the story sounds from the others point of views.
The story is a delight for a action fantasy fan, with a lot of battles, fights and quarrels, with some magic (noting very obvious, but it`s there alright), story creatures (see the splendid cover !- wyvern, ogree, vampires) and some moral dilemmas. Because Gonji it`s ronin, but, still has the japanese way of thinking. And like we know it the european way it`s so different, in many aspects and rituals, from his beliefs.
This could be considered very easy to be a grimdark novel, because it has most of the elements of one, only that it was written in the 80`s.
The writing needs some time to adapt, because don`t forget, we`re talking about a ronin here, but it`s faithfull to the ambiance of the story and needs, and I`ve been sucked in pretty quickly.
Overall it made me curios about how the things will evolve next and I will surely try to read the second one in line.
Interesting and engaging read! Four stars!
July 27, 2013
FANTASTIC!!!!
The Siege of Vedun has only just begun! I've said it before, on GoodReads, in my review of the audio version of Book One, and on the paperback reissue of Book One --- The Deathwind Trilogy is one of the best epic fantasies that I've had the pleasure to read. Rypel commands a mastery of the language that makes me envious. His writing is powerful, exciting -- and never dull. His dialogue pops and does what good dialogue is supposed to do: advance plot, reveal character, create tension and drama and conflict between characters, and bring those characters to life. Gonji is not from the school of blonde-haired, blue-eyed European barbarians. He is a cultured, sensitive, clever and artistic samurai, with a tragic backstory, and real human emotions that run deep. He is also a master of the sword and a pretty good military strategist, too. Characters like the fierce, melancholy, and yes, tragic werewolf, Simon Sardonis, the sad and beautiful Lydia Benedetto, her relationship with her her husband, Michael, and the totally unique villain, King Klann, are just three of the memorable characters inside the pages of this book. It's about time this saga was reprinted, and high time that T.C. Rypel and "Gonji" get their props. The trilogy is only the beginning. There are five books in this magnificent saga of conflict, remorse, redemption, battle, and tragedy --- and while there is much human tragedy in this series, there is love and friendship, loyalty, hope and the right amount of humor to make you believe that these character are truly flesh and blood. This is truly a labor of love.
The Siege of Vedun has only just begun! I've said it before, on GoodReads, in my review of the audio version of Book One, and on the paperback reissue of Book One --- The Deathwind Trilogy is one of the best epic fantasies that I've had the pleasure to read. Rypel commands a mastery of the language that makes me envious. His writing is powerful, exciting -- and never dull. His dialogue pops and does what good dialogue is supposed to do: advance plot, reveal character, create tension and drama and conflict between characters, and bring those characters to life. Gonji is not from the school of blonde-haired, blue-eyed European barbarians. He is a cultured, sensitive, clever and artistic samurai, with a tragic backstory, and real human emotions that run deep. He is also a master of the sword and a pretty good military strategist, too. Characters like the fierce, melancholy, and yes, tragic werewolf, Simon Sardonis, the sad and beautiful Lydia Benedetto, her relationship with her her husband, Michael, and the totally unique villain, King Klann, are just three of the memorable characters inside the pages of this book. It's about time this saga was reprinted, and high time that T.C. Rypel and "Gonji" get their props. The trilogy is only the beginning. There are five books in this magnificent saga of conflict, remorse, redemption, battle, and tragedy --- and while there is much human tragedy in this series, there is love and friendship, loyalty, hope and the right amount of humor to make you believe that these character are truly flesh and blood. This is truly a labor of love.
March 29, 2014
Herein you will follow the travails of a deadly swordsman whose wild Norse rage is tempered and refined by the ancient soul of the Samurai. This is Gonji - Red Blade from the East by T.C. Rypel.
Gonji tells the tale of Sabatake Gonji-no Sadowara, a Ronin of mixed Japanese and Nordic descent who roams across Europe in search of the elusive and mysterious Deathwind. Along the way he brings his considerable fighting prowess to bear as he battles evil in its many guises.
Rypel has created a wonderfully conflicted character whose internal demons are every bit as formidable as the enemies he must face during his journey. Gonji's internal monologue would make it seem at first that he is elitist and self serving, yet every time someone is in trouble, he throws himself into the fight where his deadly Samurai skills quickly bring the conflict to an end.
Throughout the book, Gonji struggles to try and keep his honor intact while serving alongside those far removed from the concept. He routinely has to demonstrate great restraint rather than reacting to the multitude of insults and sleights. I enjoyed the way Rypel created an eastern "barbarian" who could speak multiple languages and had a wit as sharp as his killing sword.
Gonji - Red Blade from the East, the first book of The Deathwind Trilogy is an exciting read that leaves you wondering just what adventures Rypel has in store for Gonji as his quest continues in the next installment.
Gonji tells the tale of Sabatake Gonji-no Sadowara, a Ronin of mixed Japanese and Nordic descent who roams across Europe in search of the elusive and mysterious Deathwind. Along the way he brings his considerable fighting prowess to bear as he battles evil in its many guises.
Rypel has created a wonderfully conflicted character whose internal demons are every bit as formidable as the enemies he must face during his journey. Gonji's internal monologue would make it seem at first that he is elitist and self serving, yet every time someone is in trouble, he throws himself into the fight where his deadly Samurai skills quickly bring the conflict to an end.
Throughout the book, Gonji struggles to try and keep his honor intact while serving alongside those far removed from the concept. He routinely has to demonstrate great restraint rather than reacting to the multitude of insults and sleights. I enjoyed the way Rypel created an eastern "barbarian" who could speak multiple languages and had a wit as sharp as his killing sword.
Gonji - Red Blade from the East, the first book of The Deathwind Trilogy is an exciting read that leaves you wondering just what adventures Rypel has in store for Gonji as his quest continues in the next installment.
December 1, 2011
Not only is the book it's based on (Volume One in the 5-novel saga of Gonji) one fantastic experience, this audio version totally rocks! It's read by Brian Holsopple, who successfully captures the energy, the crackling dialog, the subtle nuances, the emotional power, and the pathos of Ted Rypel's prose. Listening to this excellent Audio CD conjures images in the mind -- images of unforgettable characters like Gonji the Samurai, Simon Sardonis, and Lydia Bendetto -- images of epic, well-choreographed battle scenes, clever intrigue, and the development of characters made of real flesh and blood. Buy this CD, listen to it, and then track down all 5 volumes of T.C. Rypel's epic saga of Gonji the Samurai, to read them for yourself and enjoy. You will NOT be disappointed, I promise you.
--- Joe Bonadonna, author of "Mad Shadows:The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser."
--- Joe Bonadonna, author of "Mad Shadows:The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser."
May 3, 2018
This is the best book I've read this year so far even though the first few pages I thought it was going to be rubbish. I quickly grew to love the main character and almost everyone in it, I learnt quite a lot about Japanese customs and history even though I thought I knew a lot already. The dialogue and story are really good as is the pacing and never knowing what's going to happen next. I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 2, 2023
I have read this story at least 12 times, possibly more. I highly recommend this story for anyone that enjoys stories like the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.
However, this story has more graphic details in the combat sequences.
However, this story has more graphic details in the combat sequences.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews