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In the Service of Samurai
Toshi never expected the strange visitor who one evening stepped foot inside his master's shop. A samurai smelling of the sea, dripping on the ground, algae strung from his armor. For the first time in his life, he discovers that monsters do roam the earth. And this one has been specifically looking for him. Dragged from his home and all he has ever known, Toshi must now use his acquired skills in foreign maps to help the creatures who have taken him. Yet at every turn there are problems. There are even those seeking to terminate his very life, not wanting his new master to succeed in his assigned task. And when they do find it, Toshi discovers his new master's enemies have prepared for their eventual arrival, leaving him the only one capable of recovering what has been lost. Can he do what even the undead cannot? Or will he fail and be forced to wonder the world as one of them?
- GenresFantasy
317 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2002
1 person is currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Oliver
39 books85 followersWelcome!
My name is Gloria Oliver and I am a Feline/Canine Slave and Spec Fic author with twelve plus Fantasy/YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy Thrillers, Sci-Fi, and Cozy Mystery books in print and several short stories in varied anthologies.
I am also an avid reader, movie lover, and soundtrack junkie.
For more info on me or my books, including sample chapters and free reads, please come visit at www.gloriaoliver.com
Feel free to follow me on Bookbub, Amazon, Facebook, and more! Links on the website. :)
Subscribe to my newsletter and grab some free gifts!
Glad to meet you!
My name is Gloria Oliver and I am a Feline/Canine Slave and Spec Fic author with twelve plus Fantasy/YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy Thrillers, Sci-Fi, and Cozy Mystery books in print and several short stories in varied anthologies.
I am also an avid reader, movie lover, and soundtrack junkie.
For more info on me or my books, including sample chapters and free reads, please come visit at www.gloriaoliver.com
Feel free to follow me on Bookbub, Amazon, Facebook, and more! Links on the website. :)
Subscribe to my newsletter and grab some free gifts!
Glad to meet you!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 26, 2022
This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line. I received this novel from StoryOrigin. This is my true and honest review.
December 30, 2008
(Originally posted to www.flamesrising.com)
I’m frankly a sucker for many things — ghost stories and samurai films among them. On discovering the book In the Service of Samurai by Gloria Oliver, I was pleased to discover that two of my passions had been rolled into one package.
In the Service of Samuari tells the story of a young apprentice mapmaker, Chizuson Toshiro or “Toshi,” who is purchased from his master to act as navigator for a strange samurai with an even stranger ship and crew. Cursed and betrayed in life, the undead Samurai and his ghostly men must wander the sea until they have completed their mission. In the end, only Toshi’s wits and determination can help them see it through. The tension of the story grows as Toshi learns to accept his situation. As he discovers more about his new masters, he feels sympathy for them in their fate, and a desire to help them find peace grows within him. In the end, new and unexpected obstacles block his path, and he must use not only his sword but his courage and tenacity to overcome them.
Oliver deftly creates a likeable character in Toshi, who’s only real hope at first is that he doesn’t get killed. As time passed, Toshi grows into his role, becoming less of a boy and more of a man. This isn’t some corny, coming-of-age story, but rather a tale about duty – both to one’s self and to others — and honor. We learn a little about the ghostly crew and their fate, but even they are unaware of the traitor in their midst, one who sacrificed everything to make sure the crew’s mission doesn’t succeed, and who now sees Toshi as an interloper who can negate that sacrifice.
I have to admit I found this a slow read in the early going, even setting it aside for a while. I’m glad I came back to it; it’s akin to classic Japanese folk tales, and the ending, while perhaps a bit predictable to some, is no less enjoyable for it, and even brought a tear to my eye. As the plot develops, the hard, two-dimensional edges are worn smooth, revealing sophisticated characters with complex motivations. Ms. Oliver also gives us a romantic glimpse into the life of everyday people in Feudal Japan without glossing over the cruelty and oppression that also existed.
My only complaints with this book are mostly minor and cosmetic. Again, the story started slowly for me, and in the early going the characters seemed clichéd and wooden. Much like Toshi, my patience and perseverance were handsomely rewarded. The cover art is amateurish, detracting from the first-glance appeal; don’t let that meagre first impression stand in the way of a good story.
In the Service of Samurai is a classic Japanese ghost story that more than just aficionados of the genre will appreciate. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more of Gloria Oliver’s work.
I’m frankly a sucker for many things — ghost stories and samurai films among them. On discovering the book In the Service of Samurai by Gloria Oliver, I was pleased to discover that two of my passions had been rolled into one package.
In the Service of Samuari tells the story of a young apprentice mapmaker, Chizuson Toshiro or “Toshi,” who is purchased from his master to act as navigator for a strange samurai with an even stranger ship and crew. Cursed and betrayed in life, the undead Samurai and his ghostly men must wander the sea until they have completed their mission. In the end, only Toshi’s wits and determination can help them see it through. The tension of the story grows as Toshi learns to accept his situation. As he discovers more about his new masters, he feels sympathy for them in their fate, and a desire to help them find peace grows within him. In the end, new and unexpected obstacles block his path, and he must use not only his sword but his courage and tenacity to overcome them.
Oliver deftly creates a likeable character in Toshi, who’s only real hope at first is that he doesn’t get killed. As time passed, Toshi grows into his role, becoming less of a boy and more of a man. This isn’t some corny, coming-of-age story, but rather a tale about duty – both to one’s self and to others — and honor. We learn a little about the ghostly crew and their fate, but even they are unaware of the traitor in their midst, one who sacrificed everything to make sure the crew’s mission doesn’t succeed, and who now sees Toshi as an interloper who can negate that sacrifice.
I have to admit I found this a slow read in the early going, even setting it aside for a while. I’m glad I came back to it; it’s akin to classic Japanese folk tales, and the ending, while perhaps a bit predictable to some, is no less enjoyable for it, and even brought a tear to my eye. As the plot develops, the hard, two-dimensional edges are worn smooth, revealing sophisticated characters with complex motivations. Ms. Oliver also gives us a romantic glimpse into the life of everyday people in Feudal Japan without glossing over the cruelty and oppression that also existed.
My only complaints with this book are mostly minor and cosmetic. Again, the story started slowly for me, and in the early going the characters seemed clichéd and wooden. Much like Toshi, my patience and perseverance were handsomely rewarded. The cover art is amateurish, detracting from the first-glance appeal; don’t let that meagre first impression stand in the way of a good story.
In the Service of Samurai is a classic Japanese ghost story that more than just aficionados of the genre will appreciate. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more of Gloria Oliver’s work.
April 29, 2023
An unusual story that is ultimately rather satisfying.
The early chapters are somewhat repetitive but the story does eventually get going. The conclusion is satisfying and quite moving. The narrator does mispronounce words a few times but otherwise does a good job.
The early chapters are somewhat repetitive but the story does eventually get going. The conclusion is satisfying and quite moving. The narrator does mispronounce words a few times but otherwise does a good job.
August 1, 2013
Although this paranormal coming of age story began with a kidnapping, it started out slow. Like, Lost in Translation slow. When I saw “samurai”, I thought “Cool sword fights!” That’s not what this book is really about. It’s about…
Read more on BTS eMagazine's website: http://issuu.com/btsemag/docs/july_2013
(on page 95 under Young & New Adult).
Disclaimer: This review was published by BTS eMag. All Rights Reserved. All books reviewed by me have been received via purchase, lending, or given to me by an author or publisher for the purposes of an honest review. No reviews are purchased. They are my own opinion.
Read more on BTS eMagazine's website: http://issuu.com/btsemag/docs/july_2013
(on page 95 under Young & New Adult).
Disclaimer: This review was published by BTS eMag. All Rights Reserved. All books reviewed by me have been received via purchase, lending, or given to me by an author or publisher for the purposes of an honest review. No reviews are purchased. They are my own opinion.
July 26, 2015
It's original enough, mildly exotic and well written. For me, this book lacks re-read value because the colour palette is bleak, the feeling is mostly cold and the plot is extremely simple.
November 25, 2024
A gripping ghost story set in feudal Japan. Excellent characters that more than make up for the slow moving plot in the early part of the book.
I read this in one sitting when stuck indoors while Storm Bert signaled that winter was coming.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and didn't want to put it down, even to eat, as it all unfolded.
I read this in one sitting when stuck indoors while Storm Bert signaled that winter was coming.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and didn't want to put it down, even to eat, as it all unfolded.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews