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Gonji: The Deathwind Trilogy #2
Samurai Steel
This is the second book of what I have come to refer to as "The Deathwind Trilogy." I wrote a single massive novel, under the title DEATHWIND OF VEDUN, that Zebra Books decided to release in three parts.
My original title for this part of my three-part novel was THE SOUL WITHIN THE STEEL. That's the title of the 2013 re-issue by Borgo Press, currently available in paper and soon as an e-book.
My original title for this part of my three-part novel was THE SOUL WITHIN THE STEEL. That's the title of the 2013 re-issue by Borgo Press, currently available in paper and soon as an e-book.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 31, 2014
Gonji: The Soul Within the Steel, Book 2: The Deathwind trilogy was really one book cut into three parts: so the story arc is spread out accordingly. I enjoyed Part-1 (Red Blade From the East) but was left wondering about character motivations; also my mind struggled to contain a geographic scope that seemed to only grow. The second installment pleasantly explored all the characters and mysteries posited in the first; geographically, it focused on one location essentially (Vedun city and the adjacent Castle Lenska). It delivered on every aspect I hoped, and the conflict/story leapt forward every chapter; it unveiled truths behind several key secrets & motivations behind the characters, and ramped up the adventure (which was at a high level anyway). Great adventure fantasy that is more dark & pulpy than it is historical. I like the content in Book-1 more now, and I can’t see how any reader could not stop at the end of Book-2. Take home message: if you decide to follow Gonji, just plan on reading the whole trilogy. I’m on to Book-3 to learn more about the mysterious Deathwind….
I copy/paste my review of the first book for completeness below; after I read the third portion, I’ll work to consolidate all into one review.
Gonji’s Deathwind (Book 1)– 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.
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.
I copy/paste my review of the first book for completeness below; after I read the third portion, I’ll work to consolidate all into one review.
Gonji’s Deathwind (Book 1)– 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.
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.
July 27, 2013
MAGNIFICENT!!!
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 26, 2017
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Deathwind of Vedun. Perhaps is was because Gonji was more grounded in this installment. He has all but lost his haughtiness toward his abilities and his humor is non-existent. Which makes sense due to a skirmish he loses that makes him doubt his prowess and all of the push back he receives while trying to train the locals to defend their freedoms. Additionally, he seems to be suffering from blue balls.
A point of interest is that you learn about King Klann's origins and begin to understand his peculiarities. Think Dr. Who combined with Sekenre's predicament.(The Mask of the Sorcerer by Darrell Schweitzer). King Klann seems like a good man who wants only to do the right thing and take care of his people, but he is being misled by the evil sorcerer Mord. Klann's blindness to Mord's evil makes me wonder if the old king hasn't gone mad.
Another point of interest is that you learn Mord may have ties to Vedun that no one else living remembers.
Much like the film, The Empire Strikes Back, our heroes are reeling or dead from a city wide pitched battle with Klann's mercenaries. Perhaps this is just the forging the rebels need to overcome Mord and his puppet king Klann. Onward to book three, Gonji: Samurai Combat; Number Three!
A point of interest is that you learn about King Klann's origins and begin to understand his peculiarities. Think Dr. Who combined with Sekenre's predicament.(The Mask of the Sorcerer by Darrell Schweitzer). King Klann seems like a good man who wants only to do the right thing and take care of his people, but he is being misled by the evil sorcerer Mord. Klann's blindness to Mord's evil makes me wonder if the old king hasn't gone mad.
Another point of interest is that you learn Mord may have ties to Vedun that no one else living remembers.
Much like the film, The Empire Strikes Back, our heroes are reeling or dead from a city wide pitched battle with Klann's mercenaries. Perhaps this is just the forging the rebels need to overcome Mord and his puppet king Klann. Onward to book three, Gonji: Samurai Combat; Number Three!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2018
Happily I absolutely loved this book as much as the 1st one. I dont have any faults with it, love the sprinkled japanese phrases, love the action, love the dialogue and love the story. Looking forward to the 3rd in the series.
January 16, 2009
The sequel which begins immediately after the end of DEATHWIND OF VEDUN. This is even more exciting! Gonji must battle his enemy while saving face amongst the soldiers now occupying Vedun, as well as secretly prepare the citizens of the walled city to wage war against the evil sorcerer Mord! Much swordplay and more intrigue.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews