What do you think?
Rate this book
Undead Samurai
Japan, 1625
A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon their peace to once again roam the land of the living, swinging rusty blades and chattering rotten teeth at his behest.
Japan’s last hope lies in the hands of the nine warriors gathered by the young daimyō of Owari. To reach Onijima, where the source of the curse’s power awaits, the Nine will not only have to face swarms of undead samurai and waves of shinobi mercenaries but even more dangerous to their mission, their inner demons.
Against the undead, the Nine only have two choices, fighting as one or becoming them.
A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon their peace to once again roam the land of the living, swinging rusty blades and chattering rotten teeth at his behest.
Japan’s last hope lies in the hands of the nine warriors gathered by the young daimyō of Owari. To reach Onijima, where the source of the curse’s power awaits, the Nine will not only have to face swarms of undead samurai and waves of shinobi mercenaries but even more dangerous to their mission, their inner demons.
Against the undead, the Nine only have two choices, fighting as one or becoming them.
350 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2024
60 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 17, 2024
4.0 Stars
Video Review: https://youtu.be/3hvDORi-RaE
I have previously loved the author's historical fiction so I was delighted that they came out with this piece of historical horror.
This period of Japan is a time that I am personally fascinated by. I don't pretend to be a historian so I am trusting the author to being in the accurate details where appropriate. However I know enough to be delighted by some “cameos” within the pages.
As for the horror elements, zombie stories get a bad rap. Personally I enjoy them. At least when they are done right, which is the case here. This novel avoids the overused tropes. The historical elements also grounded the story so it never felt cheap or campy.
Overall I really enjoyed this one. It was dark and gripping, feeling like something that could have possibly happened in an alternative history.
I would recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a well written horror stories with complex characters and an engrossing story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the author.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/3hvDORi-RaE
I have previously loved the author's historical fiction so I was delighted that they came out with this piece of historical horror.
This period of Japan is a time that I am personally fascinated by. I don't pretend to be a historian so I am trusting the author to being in the accurate details where appropriate. However I know enough to be delighted by some “cameos” within the pages.
As for the horror elements, zombie stories get a bad rap. Personally I enjoy them. At least when they are done right, which is the case here. This novel avoids the overused tropes. The historical elements also grounded the story so it never felt cheap or campy.
Overall I really enjoyed this one. It was dark and gripping, feeling like something that could have possibly happened in an alternative history.
I would recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a well written horror stories with complex characters and an engrossing story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the author.
February 13, 2024
This review was originally posted on Before We Go Blog
In Undead Samurai, Baptiste Pinson Wu expertly blends historical fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery to create a deadly entertaining and refreshingly diverse samurai tale full of action, honour, redemption, purpose, (queer) love, and a whole lot of heart.
Undead Samurai smoothly transports the reader back to an alternative version of 1625 Japan, which is under dire threat of the Izanagi curse. The last hope of the nation lies in the hands of a motley crew of warriors gathered by the young daimyō of Owari. But as they set out on their quest to destroy the source of the curse’s power, hunted by undead samurai and shinobi mercenaries, they soon learn that their own haunting pasts and inner demons might be the biggest dangers and challenges to face after all.
Now, when I tell you Undead Samurai started off strong, I mean it started off strong. The prologue takes place 65 years before the rest of the narrative, and within just a few pages we are brutally exposed to the horrors that are yet to come in the rest of the story. Talk about setting the tone and creating an irresistible hook, I simply could not stop turning the pages after that!
From there, we are launched into a masterfully crafted multi-POV story wherein each of the nine members of this diverse motley crew of warriors really gets their time to shine. You’d think that introducing nine separate POV characters in a relatively short and super action-packed story would not result in the deepest character work, but the opposite couldn’t be more true.
As each of these characters is introduced, we get a quick glimpse into their past through a short flashback, which immediately fleshes out their backstory and personal motivations for being on this quest. I personally enjoyed those sections of Undead Samurai the most, as that is where the richest character work happened and where the deepest emotional connection was established for me personally. Of course there were some that immediately captured my heart (Yuki, Tsuki, and Ame, to no one’s surprise), but I genuinely enjoyed what each of these nine characters brought to the story.
I think it really helped that this cast of characters was so refreshingly diverse, which I was admittedly not anticipating and was thus very pleasantly surprised by. These characters come from all walks of life, and I thought it was beautiful to see such a wide range of ages, genders, sexualities, and even disabilities represented. I especially wasn’t expecting to find such heartachingly beautiful queer love in this story, but I welcomed it with open arms and thought it was executed to perfection!
And all that brilliant character work ultimately helped me be on-board for all the action that takes centre stage in Undead Samurai. Normally I am the type of reader who skims through fight scenes, but because the personal stakes felt so high, I was completely invested and glued to the page. Add to that the fact that Baptiste Pinson Wu is just a master at writing pulse-pounding, visceral, and cinematic action scenes which come to life before your eyes, and it is really no surprise that I devoured this book in two sittings.
The backdrop of feudal Japan as a setting also only enhanced my sense of immersion, and I thought it was brilliant how the author played with history, culture, and legends to create his own unique story. I am admittedly not overly familiar with this time period, especially concerning this area of the world, but I did recognize some very legendary fights and characters pop up in Undead Samurai. Most notably for me was Miyamoto Musashi, who appears as one of the nine warriors, though the author clearly had a lot of fun portraying this renowned swordsman in an entertaining new light.
Even though there were some sections in Undead Samurai that felt a tiny bit too frenetic and chaotic for my personal tastes, I truly had an absolute blast from start to finish. And while this book stands perfectly well on its own, the beautifully bittersweet ending has left me yearning for more stories set in this rich world and following these endearing characters.
Undead Samurai truly feels like a love letter to Japan, and I am deeply impressed with how brilliantly Baptiste Pinson Wu executed this story. It beautifully balances the action with the emotion, creating an unforgettable tale that will tug on your heartstrings in the most unexpected ways. So, no matter your reading preferences, I guarantee you don’t want to miss out on this genre blendy gem of a book!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
In Undead Samurai, Baptiste Pinson Wu expertly blends historical fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery to create a deadly entertaining and refreshingly diverse samurai tale full of action, honour, redemption, purpose, (queer) love, and a whole lot of heart.
Undead Samurai smoothly transports the reader back to an alternative version of 1625 Japan, which is under dire threat of the Izanagi curse. The last hope of the nation lies in the hands of a motley crew of warriors gathered by the young daimyō of Owari. But as they set out on their quest to destroy the source of the curse’s power, hunted by undead samurai and shinobi mercenaries, they soon learn that their own haunting pasts and inner demons might be the biggest dangers and challenges to face after all.
Now, when I tell you Undead Samurai started off strong, I mean it started off strong. The prologue takes place 65 years before the rest of the narrative, and within just a few pages we are brutally exposed to the horrors that are yet to come in the rest of the story. Talk about setting the tone and creating an irresistible hook, I simply could not stop turning the pages after that!
From there, we are launched into a masterfully crafted multi-POV story wherein each of the nine members of this diverse motley crew of warriors really gets their time to shine. You’d think that introducing nine separate POV characters in a relatively short and super action-packed story would not result in the deepest character work, but the opposite couldn’t be more true.
As each of these characters is introduced, we get a quick glimpse into their past through a short flashback, which immediately fleshes out their backstory and personal motivations for being on this quest. I personally enjoyed those sections of Undead Samurai the most, as that is where the richest character work happened and where the deepest emotional connection was established for me personally. Of course there were some that immediately captured my heart (Yuki, Tsuki, and Ame, to no one’s surprise), but I genuinely enjoyed what each of these nine characters brought to the story.
I think it really helped that this cast of characters was so refreshingly diverse, which I was admittedly not anticipating and was thus very pleasantly surprised by. These characters come from all walks of life, and I thought it was beautiful to see such a wide range of ages, genders, sexualities, and even disabilities represented. I especially wasn’t expecting to find such heartachingly beautiful queer love in this story, but I welcomed it with open arms and thought it was executed to perfection!
And all that brilliant character work ultimately helped me be on-board for all the action that takes centre stage in Undead Samurai. Normally I am the type of reader who skims through fight scenes, but because the personal stakes felt so high, I was completely invested and glued to the page. Add to that the fact that Baptiste Pinson Wu is just a master at writing pulse-pounding, visceral, and cinematic action scenes which come to life before your eyes, and it is really no surprise that I devoured this book in two sittings.
The backdrop of feudal Japan as a setting also only enhanced my sense of immersion, and I thought it was brilliant how the author played with history, culture, and legends to create his own unique story. I am admittedly not overly familiar with this time period, especially concerning this area of the world, but I did recognize some very legendary fights and characters pop up in Undead Samurai. Most notably for me was Miyamoto Musashi, who appears as one of the nine warriors, though the author clearly had a lot of fun portraying this renowned swordsman in an entertaining new light.
Even though there were some sections in Undead Samurai that felt a tiny bit too frenetic and chaotic for my personal tastes, I truly had an absolute blast from start to finish. And while this book stands perfectly well on its own, the beautifully bittersweet ending has left me yearning for more stories set in this rich world and following these endearing characters.
Undead Samurai truly feels like a love letter to Japan, and I am deeply impressed with how brilliantly Baptiste Pinson Wu executed this story. It beautifully balances the action with the emotion, creating an unforgettable tale that will tug on your heartstrings in the most unexpected ways. So, no matter your reading preferences, I guarantee you don’t want to miss out on this genre blendy gem of a book!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 13, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
Undead Samurai is an interesting novel which blends together historical fantasy with some horror elements, written by Baptiste Pinson Wu. A tale full of action with excellently developed characters, in a well-researched and adapted historical background (and if you like history, I would recommend to check the Three Kingdom Chronicles by the same author); from the prologue, set 65 years before, it is clear we are for a ride, setting the dark tone and giving us a taste of the horrors that are to come.
The curse of Izanagi is threatening to let Japan in shambles, with the undead warriors under the control of a new Drum Master; against this threat, the last hope lies in the hands of nine warriors gathered by the daimyō of Owari. In a short length, all the members of this group are introduced, a motley crew that will have to travel to Onijima in order to stop the demons from taking the control of Japan.
And in that process, Pinson Wu making an excellent of use of multiple POVs, slowly unveiling the past and the inner demons that consume each one of the members of our crew, using flashbacks that transport us to those moments that marked them. The cast is really diverse, and it's difficult to not get attached to most of them, especially when they are in the most vulnerable moments; and it is worth to note how their abilities are used to deal with the different fights that arise during their travel towards Onijima.
It is worth to mention how vivid and well portrayed the fights are; a bit in the cinematic way, but adapting the traditional Japanese styles against those zombies, those undead warriors. At some points, the pacing can be felt as too frenetic, not giving you a moment to breathe, especially towards the ending, with the pressure growing until the big finale. Horror elements are well blended into the narrative, being an integral part of the plot, but without taking the spotlight over the real main characters, our band of misfits.
Undead Samurai is an excellent example of how you can create a great historical fantasy and spice it with some horror elements; I loved reading it, and I'm eager to see if Baptiste Pinson Wu continues writing more books in this style, like this one, which feels like The Walking Dead x Ghosts of Tsushima, because it's a marvel.
Undead Samurai is an interesting novel which blends together historical fantasy with some horror elements, written by Baptiste Pinson Wu. A tale full of action with excellently developed characters, in a well-researched and adapted historical background (and if you like history, I would recommend to check the Three Kingdom Chronicles by the same author); from the prologue, set 65 years before, it is clear we are for a ride, setting the dark tone and giving us a taste of the horrors that are to come.
The curse of Izanagi is threatening to let Japan in shambles, with the undead warriors under the control of a new Drum Master; against this threat, the last hope lies in the hands of nine warriors gathered by the daimyō of Owari. In a short length, all the members of this group are introduced, a motley crew that will have to travel to Onijima in order to stop the demons from taking the control of Japan.
And in that process, Pinson Wu making an excellent of use of multiple POVs, slowly unveiling the past and the inner demons that consume each one of the members of our crew, using flashbacks that transport us to those moments that marked them. The cast is really diverse, and it's difficult to not get attached to most of them, especially when they are in the most vulnerable moments; and it is worth to note how their abilities are used to deal with the different fights that arise during their travel towards Onijima.
It is worth to mention how vivid and well portrayed the fights are; a bit in the cinematic way, but adapting the traditional Japanese styles against those zombies, those undead warriors. At some points, the pacing can be felt as too frenetic, not giving you a moment to breathe, especially towards the ending, with the pressure growing until the big finale. Horror elements are well blended into the narrative, being an integral part of the plot, but without taking the spotlight over the real main characters, our band of misfits.
Undead Samurai is an excellent example of how you can create a great historical fantasy and spice it with some horror elements; I loved reading it, and I'm eager to see if Baptiste Pinson Wu continues writing more books in this style, like this one, which feels like The Walking Dead x Ghosts of Tsushima, because it's a marvel.
January 31, 2024
Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
Am I glad I was able to get my hands on an advanced copy of this absolute killer of a novel. One thing I always repeat when I read something that is historical fiction/fantasy, is how much I love learning about other cultures, and you can tell that Baptiste is very knowledgeable on the subject because he does an excellent job of this throughout Undead Samurai, it’s a history lesson and a beautiful story rolled into one. The Japanese culture is very fascinating and so rich with history that it’s hard not to fall in love with a story like this. I was hooked from the absolute perfection that was the prologue, it was amazing and it set the tone for the rest of the story in such a hair-raising way. I’ve had prologues suck me, but if there was ever a perfect way to open a story, this was it, it was the glue that let me know I was in for something special.
There are nine main characters in this story, and I loved everyone of them in different ways, but the one I loved the most, was Kiba, there was always something about him from the moment he first came into the book that just hooked me and I couldn’t wait for whatever he did. But with there being so many characters to follow in this story, it would’ve been difficult to really get to know them all in such a short period of 341 pages, while also dealing with the fast-paced story. But Baptiste did an excellent job by starting off most of the chapters with minor flashbacks to help to learn a bit of history about them and what lead them to where they are now. It was the perfect way to give character depth and show how they’ve grown since then.
“A friend told me anger was stronger than fear. An angry man cannot be afraid. Well, I am furious.”
Undead Samurai is an epic tale of terrifying action, but at its core is a tragically beautiful tale of honour and redemption. I loved this story, but what is funny is that this reminded me of several different films, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, though the film wasn’t that great and is more about Chinese than Japanese, what reminded me of it was its raising dead Asian warriors. The other films such as DaVinci Code, National Treasure and Indiana Jones, with how they go on a quest to find a secret item that opens a secret place… but instead of Nazi’s, the Gov’t & the Knights Templar, it’s a necromantic curse of undead samurai that they are facing. The action is absolutely insane and left me wanting so much more, and the way it ends, there will absolutely be more!
Baptiste did a very smart and important thing at the beginning by including a glossary, but I would’ve also liked to have some minor pronunciation help as well. There were words/names I already knew of, so they weren’t that difficult, but there were times where I had to use google for a proper pronunciation of the word, because I can’t not say it the wrong way. That’s just a personal thing, and the fact I was able to easily figure it out, doesn’t hurt my opinion of the book. I will say this for my last word, I think that if this had an audiobook to go with it, it would be an even hotter novel in my opinion. The way I read it with Japanese voices in my head wouldn’t hold justice to an actually narration could for it.
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
Am I glad I was able to get my hands on an advanced copy of this absolute killer of a novel. One thing I always repeat when I read something that is historical fiction/fantasy, is how much I love learning about other cultures, and you can tell that Baptiste is very knowledgeable on the subject because he does an excellent job of this throughout Undead Samurai, it’s a history lesson and a beautiful story rolled into one. The Japanese culture is very fascinating and so rich with history that it’s hard not to fall in love with a story like this. I was hooked from the absolute perfection that was the prologue, it was amazing and it set the tone for the rest of the story in such a hair-raising way. I’ve had prologues suck me, but if there was ever a perfect way to open a story, this was it, it was the glue that let me know I was in for something special.
There are nine main characters in this story, and I loved everyone of them in different ways, but the one I loved the most, was Kiba, there was always something about him from the moment he first came into the book that just hooked me and I couldn’t wait for whatever he did. But with there being so many characters to follow in this story, it would’ve been difficult to really get to know them all in such a short period of 341 pages, while also dealing with the fast-paced story. But Baptiste did an excellent job by starting off most of the chapters with minor flashbacks to help to learn a bit of history about them and what lead them to where they are now. It was the perfect way to give character depth and show how they’ve grown since then.
“A friend told me anger was stronger than fear. An angry man cannot be afraid. Well, I am furious.”
Undead Samurai is an epic tale of terrifying action, but at its core is a tragically beautiful tale of honour and redemption. I loved this story, but what is funny is that this reminded me of several different films, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, though the film wasn’t that great and is more about Chinese than Japanese, what reminded me of it was its raising dead Asian warriors. The other films such as DaVinci Code, National Treasure and Indiana Jones, with how they go on a quest to find a secret item that opens a secret place… but instead of Nazi’s, the Gov’t & the Knights Templar, it’s a necromantic curse of undead samurai that they are facing. The action is absolutely insane and left me wanting so much more, and the way it ends, there will absolutely be more!
Baptiste did a very smart and important thing at the beginning by including a glossary, but I would’ve also liked to have some minor pronunciation help as well. There were words/names I already knew of, so they weren’t that difficult, but there were times where I had to use google for a proper pronunciation of the word, because I can’t not say it the wrong way. That’s just a personal thing, and the fact I was able to easily figure it out, doesn’t hurt my opinion of the book. I will say this for my last word, I think that if this had an audiobook to go with it, it would be an even hotter novel in my opinion. The way I read it with Japanese voices in my head wouldn’t hold justice to an actually narration could for it.
April 23, 2024
A huge thanks to the author for the physical ARC. So glad to have this for my shelf.
A mixture of historical Japan and the undead? From the very beginning, the cover reveal even, I knew this was for me. And right from the prologue I was hooked! I’ve been working my way back through TWD universe, so zombies are a hit for me at the moment. And U.S gives a unique and thrilling take on the bloody genre.
I loved Wu’s obvious research and dedication to historical accuracy. Several of the characters even being real themselves. It gives this lush, believable, real backdrop to the craziness that follows. A last ditch effort to save Japan itself, a chance for several warriors to regain their honor, prove themselves for the first time, or prove they’ve still got it. The multiple kinds of fighters/warriors was just enough to make each action bit feel different and enjoyable. Of course they are incredibly fast, bloody, and nuts, too.
I happened to be reading this at the same time as Josh Malerman’s Incidents Around the House. The juxtaposition of the slowed down, slithering, creepy-crawly horror, to the zombies, swords, and action, just really sold the experiences. And it really sold Wu’s ability to write a highly tense action adventure.
My favorite bit, that has impressed me greatly (as this is a first read for me with this author) was his ability to convey so much emotion. This is not just a zombie novel, it is the story of an incredible journey between friends, partners, mentors. The author made me not only like, but care about, characters that started out as unlikable. Not only showcasing how dynamic they are, multilayered, but such incredible growth too. And in an action filled, only 320 page book too. Wow!
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-undead...
A mixture of historical Japan and the undead? From the very beginning, the cover reveal even, I knew this was for me. And right from the prologue I was hooked! I’ve been working my way back through TWD universe, so zombies are a hit for me at the moment. And U.S gives a unique and thrilling take on the bloody genre.
I loved Wu’s obvious research and dedication to historical accuracy. Several of the characters even being real themselves. It gives this lush, believable, real backdrop to the craziness that follows. A last ditch effort to save Japan itself, a chance for several warriors to regain their honor, prove themselves for the first time, or prove they’ve still got it. The multiple kinds of fighters/warriors was just enough to make each action bit feel different and enjoyable. Of course they are incredibly fast, bloody, and nuts, too.
I happened to be reading this at the same time as Josh Malerman’s Incidents Around the House. The juxtaposition of the slowed down, slithering, creepy-crawly horror, to the zombies, swords, and action, just really sold the experiences. And it really sold Wu’s ability to write a highly tense action adventure.
My favorite bit, that has impressed me greatly (as this is a first read for me with this author) was his ability to convey so much emotion. This is not just a zombie novel, it is the story of an incredible journey between friends, partners, mentors. The author made me not only like, but care about, characters that started out as unlikable. Not only showcasing how dynamic they are, multilayered, but such incredible growth too. And in an action filled, only 320 page book too. Wow!
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-undead...
December 3, 2023
Such a great story!
Was lucky enough to beta read this and am incredibly thankful to the author for providing me the opportunity.
I loved this. A group of 9 warriors team up to stop an ancient curse in Edo Japan and it a heck of a ride. Each of the group has their own backstory and we get to know each of them, caring about all of them. Rōnin is my favourite character because of his past but there's a really cool take on Miyamoto Musashi as well. There's mystery, action, and romance all intertwined wonderfully. The action scenes in particular are incredible. The author has an amazing ability to write action scenes that fill you with adrenaline.
It also truly feels like I am there. Having lived near where parts of the novel take place, it took me right back to them so easily and just made me want to keep on reading and reliving my own time in Japan.
Excellent book! Can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us with the continuation of the Three Kingdoms Chronicles as well.
Was lucky enough to beta read this and am incredibly thankful to the author for providing me the opportunity.
I loved this. A group of 9 warriors team up to stop an ancient curse in Edo Japan and it a heck of a ride. Each of the group has their own backstory and we get to know each of them, caring about all of them. Rōnin is my favourite character because of his past but there's a really cool take on Miyamoto Musashi as well. There's mystery, action, and romance all intertwined wonderfully. The action scenes in particular are incredible. The author has an amazing ability to write action scenes that fill you with adrenaline.
It also truly feels like I am there. Having lived near where parts of the novel take place, it took me right back to them so easily and just made me want to keep on reading and reliving my own time in Japan.
Excellent book! Can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us with the continuation of the Three Kingdoms Chronicles as well.
December 2, 2023
This is a great book. Baptiste is such a great writer. I loved the characters the book focuses on and how it dives into their past. The zombies once they get going are claustrophobic and it’s brilliant 5 stars :)
June 27, 2025
I enjoyed this book immensely. It's a story full with the heart and soul of Japan.
You will find a story where everything feels right, and historic, but at the same time new and fresh [unlike the zombies, of course 🤣].
The whole cast of characters is incredible, I especially loved Rōnin and Miyamoto Musashi, as they hark back to my first enamorment with samurai stories, some 30+ years ago.
It's a fast paced adventure, it never lets up, but despite its pace there are plenty of moments where the characters have space to grow and for them to bond together.
The action scenes are incredible, to the point they felt plucked out of the best animes of the genre, Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai Champloo.
If you like samurai and adventures. If you like comraderie and saving the *redacted*, then this is the book for you.
You will find a story where everything feels right, and historic, but at the same time new and fresh [unlike the zombies, of course 🤣].
The whole cast of characters is incredible, I especially loved Rōnin and Miyamoto Musashi, as they hark back to my first enamorment with samurai stories, some 30+ years ago.
It's a fast paced adventure, it never lets up, but despite its pace there are plenty of moments where the characters have space to grow and for them to bond together.
The action scenes are incredible, to the point they felt plucked out of the best animes of the genre, Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai Champloo.
If you like samurai and adventures. If you like comraderie and saving the *redacted*, then this is the book for you.
March 3, 2024
Wow! Just wow! This story is just awesome. I loved it.
The characters are all so well fleshed out and they have their own unique personalities which is so different from each other that I was never confused about who was who while reading this late into the night.
The fight scenes were written so well and it helped me to visualize them and enjoy the scenes even more. Each character has their own fighting style and it's written in a way that I could easily differentiate between them.
The undead were creepy and really terrifying. I don't like to read about zombies but this is an unique take on this overused trope which was really refreshing.
The pacing was perfect. We do get lots of action but we also get in depth character development especially the flashbacks of the past events which shaped the characters into what they are in the present. This really made me connect to them much more.
That ending broke my heart but because of it this story left it's mark on me.
A must read for horror fans and for readers who love fast paced and action packed stories.
The characters are all so well fleshed out and they have their own unique personalities which is so different from each other that I was never confused about who was who while reading this late into the night.
The fight scenes were written so well and it helped me to visualize them and enjoy the scenes even more. Each character has their own fighting style and it's written in a way that I could easily differentiate between them.
The undead were creepy and really terrifying. I don't like to read about zombies but this is an unique take on this overused trope which was really refreshing.
The pacing was perfect. We do get lots of action but we also get in depth character development especially the flashbacks of the past events which shaped the characters into what they are in the present. This really made me connect to them much more.
That ending broke my heart but because of it this story left it's mark on me.
A must read for horror fans and for readers who love fast paced and action packed stories.
December 7, 2023
Undead Samurai by Baptiste Pinson Wu
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
funny hopeful, informative, inspiring,
mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0 🌟
Unreservedly the BEST book that I've read ALL year.
I loved the way it was framed. I loved the introduction of the cast of characters. I loved the history/culture that was woven into the very fabric of the story. Excellently crafted. Honoured the land, the religion, the people and the culture that it came from.
I was NOT expecting it to be so potent in its ability to convey, not only the story as well as it did, but that I would FEEL the emotions of each character's trials (failures/successes).
It's a multi-POV story, but from the start...I focused on one particular character as my favourite. Not sure what others will/have done, but for me...THAT character spoke to me.
Also, as I read, I could smell tea (and I'm a coffee drinker)...Jasmine...for some reason. I also smelled things burning at times and felt the rain and how it sounds/smells.
I could feel the oppressiveness of silence during certain times, and the peacefulness of that SAME silence in others.
I decided that this book should (for me) be read at night...where there was little distractions. I wanted to devote my time to it, almost as if it was a religious tomb.
The fight scenes were cinematic and revealed themselves so clearly in my head, which is a RARE thing for me. I don't usually see things, when I read, but in this story, it played like a TV mini series (which, BTW, I hope that some day, it gets a treatment and is made...so that the brouder audience can see this story revealed before them on the small screen).
Also, it subverted my expectations, but it did it with such style and grace...that I didn't mind being wrong. [tears are welling up...as I write this]
The ending is SO good, and so tied to the way it HAD to be. No pulled punches, but also the PERFECT somber note for a warrior to learn from.
I wouldn't want to pressure the author to make a sequel, but man...I wish he does. OR, at least play in this sandbox again.
Thank you Baptiste Pinson Wu for crafting a tale...that will be something that I'm able to reread (picking up morsels along the way...that I missed on the first readin) and loving it even more.
It couldn't be a better story. You did an amazing job. Again, thank you.
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
funny hopeful, informative, inspiring,
mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0 🌟
Unreservedly the BEST book that I've read ALL year.
I loved the way it was framed. I loved the introduction of the cast of characters. I loved the history/culture that was woven into the very fabric of the story. Excellently crafted. Honoured the land, the religion, the people and the culture that it came from.
I was NOT expecting it to be so potent in its ability to convey, not only the story as well as it did, but that I would FEEL the emotions of each character's trials (failures/successes).
It's a multi-POV story, but from the start...I focused on one particular character as my favourite. Not sure what others will/have done, but for me...THAT character spoke to me.
Also, as I read, I could smell tea (and I'm a coffee drinker)...Jasmine...for some reason. I also smelled things burning at times and felt the rain and how it sounds/smells.
I could feel the oppressiveness of silence during certain times, and the peacefulness of that SAME silence in others.
I decided that this book should (for me) be read at night...where there was little distractions. I wanted to devote my time to it, almost as if it was a religious tomb.
The fight scenes were cinematic and revealed themselves so clearly in my head, which is a RARE thing for me. I don't usually see things, when I read, but in this story, it played like a TV mini series (which, BTW, I hope that some day, it gets a treatment and is made...so that the brouder audience can see this story revealed before them on the small screen).
Also, it subverted my expectations, but it did it with such style and grace...that I didn't mind being wrong. [tears are welling up...as I write this]
The ending is SO good, and so tied to the way it HAD to be. No pulled punches, but also the PERFECT somber note for a warrior to learn from.
I wouldn't want to pressure the author to make a sequel, but man...I wish he does. OR, at least play in this sandbox again.
Thank you Baptiste Pinson Wu for crafting a tale...that will be something that I'm able to reread (picking up morsels along the way...that I missed on the first readin) and loving it even more.
It couldn't be a better story. You did an amazing job. Again, thank you.
October 3, 2024
Behold my first 5 ⭐️ given to a fantasy book!
I’m not well versed in fantasy books therefore if you’re an experienced one my words may come as a novice. But I did read other fantasy books before reading this one.
This historical fantasy and horror book seems to have been made for me.
Fast paced, comprehensive, lovable characters, cool and heroic battle scenes, LGBTQ rep, age diversity, etc… There’s a lot to love about this book for me.
At first I was skeptical of the 9 POVs but it was executed so well (in my opinion) that I was impressed at the author’s skills to do that without the typical “going on… and on… and on… and…” pages!
This stand-alone fantasy made me smile, laugh and shed some tears there and there and I’ve never experienced this before with fantasy… In a way that it can be remembered.
After reading the author’s notes I understood why I was loving this book.
This is definitely a love letter to Japan. I could feel the work behind this novel and the appreciation for the culture!
I have a fear of fantasy series but with Baptiste Pinson Wu, I will gather my courage to read “The Three Kingdoms Chronicles” someday in the future. That’s a promise that I shall not break.
I’m not well versed in fantasy books therefore if you’re an experienced one my words may come as a novice. But I did read other fantasy books before reading this one.
This historical fantasy and horror book seems to have been made for me.
Fast paced, comprehensive, lovable characters, cool and heroic battle scenes, LGBTQ rep, age diversity, etc… There’s a lot to love about this book for me.
At first I was skeptical of the 9 POVs but it was executed so well (in my opinion) that I was impressed at the author’s skills to do that without the typical “going on… and on… and on… and…” pages!
This stand-alone fantasy made me smile, laugh and shed some tears there and there and I’ve never experienced this before with fantasy… In a way that it can be remembered.
After reading the author’s notes I understood why I was loving this book.
This is definitely a love letter to Japan. I could feel the work behind this novel and the appreciation for the culture!
I have a fear of fantasy series but with Baptiste Pinson Wu, I will gather my courage to read “The Three Kingdoms Chronicles” someday in the future. That’s a promise that I shall not break.
March 13, 2024
I received an advanced reader copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.
The second I saw the title of this book, I knew it was something I needed to read ASAP. I’m not going to lie, I thought at first it would be about a zombie samurai but what I got was so much better.
The timing of my reading Undead Samurai was perfect. I was, and still am as of this writing, watching The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and Shogun week to week and this book filled the void in the days in between perfectly.
We follow nine companions with various and fascinating backstories as they are thrust into a mission to stop a rising tide of the undead in Japan and the person controlling them. As a westerner whose knowledge of Japanese culture is embarrassingly limited, I found this take on zombies, or kyonishi, incredibly intriguing. But any good zombie story is only as good as its human protagonists and Wu delivers on every level in this respect.
Most the chapters are dedicated to one of the nine and starts with a little backstory/flashback. What Wu manages to do in very little page time is extraordinary. He can make you sympathize with a character quickly, balancing character work and action excellently. I was a little worried that nine characters in a 300 page novel was too many and I’m happy to report I couldn’t be more wrong.
Ancient Japan is beautifully depicted and described by Wu. For me, it almost felt like reading a fantasy story at times, with the huge gap in time and culture. Watching Shogun definitely helped as it gave me some visual references for the world this novel takes place in. Wu’s love for Japan, its culture and history bleeds from the page like the unlucky victims of the kyonshi.
Undead Samurai is a fantastic historical fiction that blends genres in some genius ways. Blending history and lore into a believable and gripping tale, Wu takes you on a terrifying and action-packed journey through ancient Japan with more than a few zombies thrown in, but never loses sight of what attracts us to stories the most, relatable and believable characters. I cannot recommend this book enough. Bring on Undead Gladiator!
The second I saw the title of this book, I knew it was something I needed to read ASAP. I’m not going to lie, I thought at first it would be about a zombie samurai but what I got was so much better.
The timing of my reading Undead Samurai was perfect. I was, and still am as of this writing, watching The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and Shogun week to week and this book filled the void in the days in between perfectly.
We follow nine companions with various and fascinating backstories as they are thrust into a mission to stop a rising tide of the undead in Japan and the person controlling them. As a westerner whose knowledge of Japanese culture is embarrassingly limited, I found this take on zombies, or kyonishi, incredibly intriguing. But any good zombie story is only as good as its human protagonists and Wu delivers on every level in this respect.
Most the chapters are dedicated to one of the nine and starts with a little backstory/flashback. What Wu manages to do in very little page time is extraordinary. He can make you sympathize with a character quickly, balancing character work and action excellently. I was a little worried that nine characters in a 300 page novel was too many and I’m happy to report I couldn’t be more wrong.
Ancient Japan is beautifully depicted and described by Wu. For me, it almost felt like reading a fantasy story at times, with the huge gap in time and culture. Watching Shogun definitely helped as it gave me some visual references for the world this novel takes place in. Wu’s love for Japan, its culture and history bleeds from the page like the unlucky victims of the kyonshi.
Undead Samurai is a fantastic historical fiction that blends genres in some genius ways. Blending history and lore into a believable and gripping tale, Wu takes you on a terrifying and action-packed journey through ancient Japan with more than a few zombies thrown in, but never loses sight of what attracts us to stories the most, relatable and believable characters. I cannot recommend this book enough. Bring on Undead Gladiator!
January 3, 2025
Man I loved it. Especially after having watched blue eye samurai, this was perfect. Thank you for writing this book!
February 15, 2024
Totally killer. This is a little outside my normal genres of reading but I soaked it up. Wonderful historical based fantasy/horror. The pacing was spot on, character development present and with its fair share of depth and twists and surprises. The action was well written,gore and slime and utilizes the 1600s Japan setting to its fullest potential. This was a really fun and engaging read and one I highly recommend.
December 3, 2023
Undead Samurai - by Baptiste Pinson Wu.
Japan, 1625
A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon their peace to once again roam the land of the living, swinging rusty blades and chattering rotten teeth at his behest.
This is basically a dream read, think Seven Samurai crossed with the walking dead.
A young daimyō puts out a challenge for Samurai across the land, many Samurai answer only nine succeed. Once the nine are sworn on their honour to secrecy the daimyō weaves a tale hard to believe. The group are to travel to a place called Onijima the source of the curse and break it, all that stands in their way? A horde of the undead and a band of Shinobi (Ninjas)
The band of nine are a disparate bunch, an eclectic mix of legends, apprentice, Rōnin, drunks, monks and even the Onna-musha (female warriors) get a place.
What could of easily just turned into a hack and slash read, actually turned out to be an introspective character study as not only was this a multiple pov read, but we got wonderful glances into each of the nines backstories, the decisions that led them ultimately to this path. Honour not surprisingly plays a big part in this book, but not always in the way you would think. There are some scenes that are so strongly written and yet with a certain poetry to them I, at times had to put the book down and walk away, or found myself with tears in my eyes. The action is non stop as the nine are besieged almost from the get go, the fights, both individual and the battles are incredibly well written and at times I had to resist lashing out for fear of rotten teeth or blade coming for me from the darkness. Each of the nine get their moment to prove themselves, the young Ronin's use of Iaido (quick draw) was impressive and his strong sense of honour and right kept the group together, however for me, my favourite characters? My heart will always be with Ame the young lady musketeer and my admiration will always go to Tadatomo whose struggles to let go off the past to my mind makes him one of the best characters written this year.
Needless to say that this is a fast paced fairly gruesome read, but not without some laugh out loud moments to. I didn't really need it, but there is a handy glossary also, for the Japanese terms, weapons and meanings. This has definitely been one of the best reads of the year for me. Easily five stars.
I received an arc-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Japan, 1625
A new Drum Master has risen, and soon the nation will fall to the curse of Izanagi. Answering the call of his kotsuzumi, dead warriors abandon their peace to once again roam the land of the living, swinging rusty blades and chattering rotten teeth at his behest.
This is basically a dream read, think Seven Samurai crossed with the walking dead.
A young daimyō puts out a challenge for Samurai across the land, many Samurai answer only nine succeed. Once the nine are sworn on their honour to secrecy the daimyō weaves a tale hard to believe. The group are to travel to a place called Onijima the source of the curse and break it, all that stands in their way? A horde of the undead and a band of Shinobi (Ninjas)
The band of nine are a disparate bunch, an eclectic mix of legends, apprentice, Rōnin, drunks, monks and even the Onna-musha (female warriors) get a place.
What could of easily just turned into a hack and slash read, actually turned out to be an introspective character study as not only was this a multiple pov read, but we got wonderful glances into each of the nines backstories, the decisions that led them ultimately to this path. Honour not surprisingly plays a big part in this book, but not always in the way you would think. There are some scenes that are so strongly written and yet with a certain poetry to them I, at times had to put the book down and walk away, or found myself with tears in my eyes. The action is non stop as the nine are besieged almost from the get go, the fights, both individual and the battles are incredibly well written and at times I had to resist lashing out for fear of rotten teeth or blade coming for me from the darkness. Each of the nine get their moment to prove themselves, the young Ronin's use of Iaido (quick draw) was impressive and his strong sense of honour and right kept the group together, however for me, my favourite characters? My heart will always be with Ame the young lady musketeer and my admiration will always go to Tadatomo whose struggles to let go off the past to my mind makes him one of the best characters written this year.
Needless to say that this is a fast paced fairly gruesome read, but not without some laugh out loud moments to. I didn't really need it, but there is a handy glossary also, for the Japanese terms, weapons and meanings. This has definitely been one of the best reads of the year for me. Easily five stars.
I received an arc-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2023
I signed up to get a free eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED IT.
I've been consuming anime since I was a kid, and I love Japanese culture. Japanese films, especially Kurosawa, Kitano, Miike and the likes are some of my favourites. The author himself has described as 'a love letter to Japan', and reading it felt exactly that.
And if that isn't enough for you... add zombies to the mix and you know you're gonna have a wild ride ahead of you.
THE GOOD:
The book is RICH. Seriously, it is as rich as can be, and you can see the author's attention to detail make this experience a very fulfilling one. Knowing that many of the characters are based on real-life historical figures actually made me want to read more about the history of Japan.
The story unfolds like a rich tapestry, and you can see how much the author admires Japanese culture. Since I love it myself, it was very easy for me to get into this story. I would've devoured this book faster if not for some other commitments.
The story itself isn't all too unique or complex. It's a simple motley crew on a mission. The plot if fairly simple and straightforward. Medium-paced and full of action, I loved how each action set-piece played out.
Coming to my favourite part of the book - the characters. The author weaves each character's backstory seamlessly with the present, and every single flashback does a fantastic job of building this world. Every character stood out to me, but my favourites were Tadatomo and Ronin. Seriously, the characters are what raise this book's level quite a few notches.
THE BAD:
Well, there isn't anything bad from my perspective, but I can see how the attention-to-detail can feel distracting to some readers. The plot, twists, and ending too can feel underwhelming to an extent, although those weren't a problem for me.
All in all, it's a 4.5/5. But I'm rating it a 5 because I really enjoyed the ride, start-to-finish!
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: insights into Japanese culture and history, the characters
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: some plot points, although they weren't that big of an issue for me
I LOVED IT.
I've been consuming anime since I was a kid, and I love Japanese culture. Japanese films, especially Kurosawa, Kitano, Miike and the likes are some of my favourites. The author himself has described as 'a love letter to Japan', and reading it felt exactly that.
And if that isn't enough for you... add zombies to the mix and you know you're gonna have a wild ride ahead of you.
THE GOOD:
The book is RICH. Seriously, it is as rich as can be, and you can see the author's attention to detail make this experience a very fulfilling one. Knowing that many of the characters are based on real-life historical figures actually made me want to read more about the history of Japan.
The story unfolds like a rich tapestry, and you can see how much the author admires Japanese culture. Since I love it myself, it was very easy for me to get into this story. I would've devoured this book faster if not for some other commitments.
The story itself isn't all too unique or complex. It's a simple motley crew on a mission. The plot if fairly simple and straightforward. Medium-paced and full of action, I loved how each action set-piece played out.
Coming to my favourite part of the book - the characters. The author weaves each character's backstory seamlessly with the present, and every single flashback does a fantastic job of building this world. Every character stood out to me, but my favourites were Tadatomo and Ronin. Seriously, the characters are what raise this book's level quite a few notches.
THE BAD:
Well, there isn't anything bad from my perspective, but I can see how the attention-to-detail can feel distracting to some readers. The plot, twists, and ending too can feel underwhelming to an extent, although those weren't a problem for me.
All in all, it's a 4.5/5. But I'm rating it a 5 because I really enjoyed the ride, start-to-finish!
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: insights into Japanese culture and history, the characters
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: some plot points, although they weren't that big of an issue for me
February 21, 2024
I read this book as a cross-genre activity.
I arrived at this book through the authors highly excellent ‘Three Kingdoms’ series. (I ‘Followed’ the author & was notified of this book)
I’m NOT into the ‘Zombie’ genre. It’s simply not something I personally have any interest in. So, why did I read this book? It was simple: I thought the title of the book was ‘Unread Samurai’ & I don’t read synopsis’!
I know, how crazy is that? However, as outlandish as the story sometimes sounded, the ‘martial’ part and the historical elements actually make it readable to a ‘non-zombie’ fan.
Furthermore, the characters, storyline and tension all make it thoroughly readable, too. The author is good with descriptive action, dialogue and scenery, this all helps to present a great narrative & make the story.
So, even if you are not into bloodsucking dead zombies, crazed fools and whatever else, if you like martial action stories, have a penchant for Far Eastern style novels, this ‘could’ still do the business for you.
Now I’ve read this first book, I’d be inclined to say I probably would read more of them to see what else went on in the characters ‘story’ lives.
I do hope the author is working hard on more ‘Three Kingdoms’ titles as they were what I really do like the most. The author could always do a Japan series in the vein of ‘The Inn of The Fallen Leaves!’ (Sans Zombies!)
I arrived at this book through the authors highly excellent ‘Three Kingdoms’ series. (I ‘Followed’ the author & was notified of this book)
I’m NOT into the ‘Zombie’ genre. It’s simply not something I personally have any interest in. So, why did I read this book? It was simple: I thought the title of the book was ‘Unread Samurai’ & I don’t read synopsis’!
I know, how crazy is that? However, as outlandish as the story sometimes sounded, the ‘martial’ part and the historical elements actually make it readable to a ‘non-zombie’ fan.
Furthermore, the characters, storyline and tension all make it thoroughly readable, too. The author is good with descriptive action, dialogue and scenery, this all helps to present a great narrative & make the story.
So, even if you are not into bloodsucking dead zombies, crazed fools and whatever else, if you like martial action stories, have a penchant for Far Eastern style novels, this ‘could’ still do the business for you.
Now I’ve read this first book, I’d be inclined to say I probably would read more of them to see what else went on in the characters ‘story’ lives.
I do hope the author is working hard on more ‘Three Kingdoms’ titles as they were what I really do like the most. The author could always do a Japan series in the vein of ‘The Inn of The Fallen Leaves!’ (Sans Zombies!)
January 15, 2025
I was not sure what to expect from this book and picked it up on a bit of a mood read decision.
This book exceeded my expectations in every way.
The characters were fantastic and I really came to care for all 9 main characters that set out in this journey. The way the back stories of each character is told while out on their mission is fantastic. There were many laugh out loud moments along with much heart break.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of this book with many real world places and people being used in a fantasy setting. It forced me many times to pause and do my own research on the real world historical figures being mentioned which I found fascinating.
I was already excited about the prospect of this authors upcoming book blood of the Kami but this has me even more excited for it and will now be a priority read once released.
If you love a story involving an odd and unique band of characters working together to try pull off a seemingly impossible mission then this one is for you
This book exceeded my expectations in every way.
The characters were fantastic and I really came to care for all 9 main characters that set out in this journey. The way the back stories of each character is told while out on their mission is fantastic. There were many laugh out loud moments along with much heart break.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of this book with many real world places and people being used in a fantasy setting. It forced me many times to pause and do my own research on the real world historical figures being mentioned which I found fascinating.
I was already excited about the prospect of this authors upcoming book blood of the Kami but this has me even more excited for it and will now be a priority read once released.
If you love a story involving an odd and unique band of characters working together to try pull off a seemingly impossible mission then this one is for you
August 20, 2025
I needed this book!👏
From the very beginning, it was able to lock me into the story & it never let me go. There are multiple POVs (nine), and reveals a bit of their backstory. I know that multiple POVs can be discouraging to some readers but honestly, the author does an amazing job juggling them in this book and making sure each character stands out.
There is queer representation, strong female representation, and I absolutely loved the "founded family" dynamic they shared with one another. It made me emotion!
The story is fast paced with the perfect amount of gore & terror. The zombies in here are insane because they dont feel anything, they have nothing to lose, they want to rip people apart, and ❗️Spoiler❗️, they are able to remember their training for a past life. So, we get a lot of action and action that is written very well.
I cant really speak on the historical accuracy since I'm no expert but you can tell that the author did their research. Also, the author gave their own twist to real historical people who were included as characters in the story. For example, Miyamoto Mushashi, who was one of the greatest swordsman in all of Japan. I remember the name from the Vagabond manga and it was cool to read about him in a different narrative.
Overall, this was an awesome read! I HIGHLY recommend you check out Baptiste Pinson Wu's books because his writing is phenomenal!
From the very beginning, it was able to lock me into the story & it never let me go. There are multiple POVs (nine), and reveals a bit of their backstory. I know that multiple POVs can be discouraging to some readers but honestly, the author does an amazing job juggling them in this book and making sure each character stands out.
There is queer representation, strong female representation, and I absolutely loved the "founded family" dynamic they shared with one another. It made me emotion!
The story is fast paced with the perfect amount of gore & terror. The zombies in here are insane because they dont feel anything, they have nothing to lose, they want to rip people apart, and ❗️Spoiler❗️, they are able to remember their training for a past life. So, we get a lot of action and action that is written very well.
I cant really speak on the historical accuracy since I'm no expert but you can tell that the author did their research. Also, the author gave their own twist to real historical people who were included as characters in the story. For example, Miyamoto Mushashi, who was one of the greatest swordsman in all of Japan. I remember the name from the Vagabond manga and it was cool to read about him in a different narrative.
Overall, this was an awesome read! I HIGHLY recommend you check out Baptiste Pinson Wu's books because his writing is phenomenal!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. This was the first book of Baptiste Pinson Wu's that I've read. He really dives into the historical fiction element while bringing a totally unique aspect into the story. Zombies and samurai is a great horror story to tell while still having a cast of characters that make the story lighter with their conversations to balance the heaviness. Kiba and Ame ended up being my favorite characters. I did find that after the gripping prologue that the beginning took a bit for me to get into but by the end there was a lot of action happening. If this was made into a movie, I would definitely watch it.
December 7, 2023
What an absolutely phenomenal story. First time reading this author, I’m a fan of the time period and setting so I went in cautiously optimistic but none of it prepared me for the absolute thrill ride that it turned out to be.
Packed with action, humour, deception, drama, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it to the point that I wished it wouldn’t end.
Great book, great fun. 1000% recommended!!
Packed with action, humour, deception, drama, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it to the point that I wished it wouldn’t end.
Great book, great fun. 1000% recommended!!
January 12, 2024
Oh my word! This book was an absolute joy to read! The characters were so much fun to learn about and watch grow throughout the story, the action was breathtaking, the horror aspect (if you would classify it as such) kept you coming back for more, and the conclusion was not unexpected but done in an incredible fashion. This book kind of fell in my lap as a chance to review before release, and based on the cover art alone, I said heck ya! I’m so glad I did, because this combined all my favorite things in a book, history, swords, action, a great backstory for every character, and an overwhelming conclusion! If you’re even on the fence about little with this one, please do yourself a favor and check it out! You won’t be disappointed!
March 29, 2024
Such a fun and surprising 5/5 read. I didn’t know I would love this book so much! The story was great, the incorporation of history with fantastical adventure was terrific, the horror elements were perfectly balanced, and the nine were such a great crew to follow. I loved the vignettes for each chapter and character, and it had me really invested in in these characters very quickly. The last 100 pages I could not put the book down!
April 14, 2024
Feudal Japan with zombies
4.5 stars rounded up.
I picked this up after hearing about it from Rob J Hayes, author of the Mortal Techniques series. If you liked Never Die, definitely give Undead Samurai a go.
Fast paced, action packed, distinct characters; zombies, samurai and ninjas... enough said.
4.5 stars rounded up.
I picked this up after hearing about it from Rob J Hayes, author of the Mortal Techniques series. If you liked Never Die, definitely give Undead Samurai a go.
Fast paced, action packed, distinct characters; zombies, samurai and ninjas... enough said.
March 24, 2024
Great historical fiction in Japan that mixes with horror.
April 3, 2024
Not at all what I expected
I’ll admit it, when I read the title “Undead Samurai”, scenes straight out of a direct to video playing forever on late night Cinemax came to mind. Or maybe some over the top ‘90s action movie playing at the drive in. What I got was a deeply researched & layered story, full of history & lore.
This book is among the very best of the saturated zombie survival genre, with equally loving nods to Night of the Living Dead by George Romero, & Seven Samurai by the master Akira Kurosawa. Both of these classics have been repeated, copied, & homaged… I don’t know that any combination of the two could have been done better.
I’ll admit it, when I read the title “Undead Samurai”, scenes straight out of a direct to video playing forever on late night Cinemax came to mind. Or maybe some over the top ‘90s action movie playing at the drive in. What I got was a deeply researched & layered story, full of history & lore.
This book is among the very best of the saturated zombie survival genre, with equally loving nods to Night of the Living Dead by George Romero, & Seven Samurai by the master Akira Kurosawa. Both of these classics have been repeated, copied, & homaged… I don’t know that any combination of the two could have been done better.
April 8, 2024
This book was perfect, highly entertaining. I hope there is a follow up!
January 16, 2024
Rogue One meets the Fellowship meets the Army of the Dead featuring Zombie Samurais!!!!!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review and boy, I am happy to say this book is a total blast from start to end. To paraphrase Jerry Maguire – “You had me at…. Undead Samurai”. Obviously, a cool concept goes only that much – which is where the author builds a rousing story that, while paying homage to classic tropes, is packed with propulsive action, gritty thrilling one to one combat and terrific character motivations
First of all, that’s quite a lovely cover in itself. Secondly, the story element itself bringing together a group of 9 members, each with unique characteristics and motivations and station in life, to go on a quest for an artifact that could unleash evil upon the world is as direct a comparison to Lord of the Rings as it can get. That can easily put any story or author at a massive disadvantage but rooting this entire saga in 1600s Japan and peppering it with enough Japanese idioms and phrases allows for that shift enabling you as a reader to put that comparison aside and sink your teeth into the story (see, what I did there)
The story mostly follows a linear timeline but cuts away with interludes for each of our 9 characters and their motivations. It does serve as a neat break from the pacey narrative while allowing us to understand where each character comes from. Our view to us this world comes from unnamed Ronin, a warrior with no hope, who has been wandering for quite a while and chances upon a challenge from a young ruler that leads to this quest. Ronin leads pretty much a pained purposeless existence but the possibility and the thrill of this quest opens him up to the group. The 9-member group is a disparate one that brings in a few masters from differing schools of combat, different weapons (including the early version of guns), a blind priest warrior, a drunkard, a master and an apprentice – all with their own fears, drives, motivations and dark secrets; All of which gets unpacked as the story progresses and explains their actions and reactions
There is variegated storytelling at work here – with the entire countryside against them in their quest, the group is beset by the undead (zombie) samurais as well as rogue bands of ninja that seek to thwart them at every turn. A significant portion of the book is all about the chase and action but it also allows for moments of levity and smaller moments that seek to bond and build the team. There is a small sequence on boats that introduces an element of mirth to the overall team dynamics as well.
The author peppers the book with Japanese lore & phrases – while it takes you out a bit especially in the beginning, you are pretty much in flow of the things once the action starts picking up. The action is also pretty well spread out and more often than not features our small group facing off with scores of undead. Those sequences are quite wonderfully written & the action sequences coherently explained. While those are the moments you expect from a book like this, the one-on-one sequences in the book are pretty breath-taking. Those moments also give the author an opportunity to explain some of the backstory for the characters while also bringing forth the pain and burden they have been carrying.
The climax of the story draws parallels to the Mines of Moria section and the tension is quite taut all the way through. Where the book does falter a bit is towards the end especially in the identity of the person responsible for raising the undead and also the betrayal twist – it kind of felt a bit predictable but then the sequences that follow are fabulously thrilling. While there is still the element of trope at play, the action sequences are both frenetic & heartfelt as well. The ending, suitable action-packed, is laced with poignancy as the author ties it back to the character motivations etched in the beginning of the book, revealed pretty satisfactorily.
Undead Samurai (Zombie Samurai sounds better) is a fun action ride with just the right amount of trope homage that makes it stand apart. The pacing & character sequences are pretty good and I strongly think this has all the makings of a great television show along the lines of Into the Badlands & the soon to be released Shogun
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review and boy, I am happy to say this book is a total blast from start to end. To paraphrase Jerry Maguire – “You had me at…. Undead Samurai”. Obviously, a cool concept goes only that much – which is where the author builds a rousing story that, while paying homage to classic tropes, is packed with propulsive action, gritty thrilling one to one combat and terrific character motivations
First of all, that’s quite a lovely cover in itself. Secondly, the story element itself bringing together a group of 9 members, each with unique characteristics and motivations and station in life, to go on a quest for an artifact that could unleash evil upon the world is as direct a comparison to Lord of the Rings as it can get. That can easily put any story or author at a massive disadvantage but rooting this entire saga in 1600s Japan and peppering it with enough Japanese idioms and phrases allows for that shift enabling you as a reader to put that comparison aside and sink your teeth into the story (see, what I did there)
The story mostly follows a linear timeline but cuts away with interludes for each of our 9 characters and their motivations. It does serve as a neat break from the pacey narrative while allowing us to understand where each character comes from. Our view to us this world comes from unnamed Ronin, a warrior with no hope, who has been wandering for quite a while and chances upon a challenge from a young ruler that leads to this quest. Ronin leads pretty much a pained purposeless existence but the possibility and the thrill of this quest opens him up to the group. The 9-member group is a disparate one that brings in a few masters from differing schools of combat, different weapons (including the early version of guns), a blind priest warrior, a drunkard, a master and an apprentice – all with their own fears, drives, motivations and dark secrets; All of which gets unpacked as the story progresses and explains their actions and reactions
There is variegated storytelling at work here – with the entire countryside against them in their quest, the group is beset by the undead (zombie) samurais as well as rogue bands of ninja that seek to thwart them at every turn. A significant portion of the book is all about the chase and action but it also allows for moments of levity and smaller moments that seek to bond and build the team. There is a small sequence on boats that introduces an element of mirth to the overall team dynamics as well.
The author peppers the book with Japanese lore & phrases – while it takes you out a bit especially in the beginning, you are pretty much in flow of the things once the action starts picking up. The action is also pretty well spread out and more often than not features our small group facing off with scores of undead. Those sequences are quite wonderfully written & the action sequences coherently explained. While those are the moments you expect from a book like this, the one-on-one sequences in the book are pretty breath-taking. Those moments also give the author an opportunity to explain some of the backstory for the characters while also bringing forth the pain and burden they have been carrying.
The climax of the story draws parallels to the Mines of Moria section and the tension is quite taut all the way through. Where the book does falter a bit is towards the end especially in the identity of the person responsible for raising the undead and also the betrayal twist – it kind of felt a bit predictable but then the sequences that follow are fabulously thrilling. While there is still the element of trope at play, the action sequences are both frenetic & heartfelt as well. The ending, suitable action-packed, is laced with poignancy as the author ties it back to the character motivations etched in the beginning of the book, revealed pretty satisfactorily.
Undead Samurai (Zombie Samurai sounds better) is a fun action ride with just the right amount of trope homage that makes it stand apart. The pacing & character sequences are pretty good and I strongly think this has all the makings of a great television show along the lines of Into the Badlands & the soon to be released Shogun
February 13, 2024
Let it be said that Undead Samurai is a cracking book. For what is potentially quite a grim plotline (I mean, undead samurai! Dear god!), it was insanely fun. But don't go thinking that this is all light-hearted. No, there are some deep themes to be uncovered with a few heartbreaking moments. I think that the author, Baptiste Pinson Wu, has done a superb job here.
We start with a vague invitation to a mysterious competition - get to the top of the mountain. Right, I'm in. A big reveal and we have our crew ready to go. And the characters really are top-notch. All have a little bit of history, which is shown through a series of short flash-backs. Sometimes these can be a bit confusing but it is done well here. Because I'm me, I didn't realise that the flash-back chapters were all named with the character it is related to until half way through the book (yes, I know...) but even so, I was able to tell which character is was talking about. And not because you are hit in the face with information. The characterisation just allows that knowledge to flow through the story. I loved this diverse cast and I especially loved some of the character progression we see. My favourite is Tadatomo with the water skin. All of their flaws and graces are portrayed in a clever and thoughtful way.
The atmosphere is deliciously spooky, which is not surprising. Zombie samurai! To me, it a slightly terrifying idea and it was, again, done exceedingly well. The addition of the drum master adds to the trickle of doom that comes just before a big fight. You know something is about to happen and then bam! With one strike of the drum, it's zombie time! And not just any zombies, but samurai zombies. Zombies that know their way around a weapon.
Set in feudal Japan, it is clear that the author has done a lot of research here. There is a glossary at the beginning for heathens like me that don't know their Fundoshi from their Hakama (thank you Baptiste!), which helped with any confusion. I did get some of the names muddled to begin with but I know that is a me being a bit western-centric problem. However, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the plot in any way. It is an excellent use of the era and I actually learnt a few things, amongst all the fun.
Undead Samurai is a fast-paced, samurai fantasy with some horror aspects. It can get a bit slasher-happy (zombie samurai!) but I wouldn't say it's particularly gory. The characters are the star for me here but the plot and atmosphere are also top-notch. I'm not sure if this is a standalone but I hope not. There are some mysteries there that are not solved so I would love to see more books here. Emotionally charged but with some delightfully humorous moments, I had an excellent time with this wonderful book.
I received a free copy from the Author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
We start with a vague invitation to a mysterious competition - get to the top of the mountain. Right, I'm in. A big reveal and we have our crew ready to go. And the characters really are top-notch. All have a little bit of history, which is shown through a series of short flash-backs. Sometimes these can be a bit confusing but it is done well here. Because I'm me, I didn't realise that the flash-back chapters were all named with the character it is related to until half way through the book (yes, I know...) but even so, I was able to tell which character is was talking about. And not because you are hit in the face with information. The characterisation just allows that knowledge to flow through the story. I loved this diverse cast and I especially loved some of the character progression we see. My favourite is Tadatomo with the water skin. All of their flaws and graces are portrayed in a clever and thoughtful way.
The atmosphere is deliciously spooky, which is not surprising. Zombie samurai! To me, it a slightly terrifying idea and it was, again, done exceedingly well. The addition of the drum master adds to the trickle of doom that comes just before a big fight. You know something is about to happen and then bam! With one strike of the drum, it's zombie time! And not just any zombies, but samurai zombies. Zombies that know their way around a weapon.
Set in feudal Japan, it is clear that the author has done a lot of research here. There is a glossary at the beginning for heathens like me that don't know their Fundoshi from their Hakama (thank you Baptiste!), which helped with any confusion. I did get some of the names muddled to begin with but I know that is a me being a bit western-centric problem. However, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the plot in any way. It is an excellent use of the era and I actually learnt a few things, amongst all the fun.
Undead Samurai is a fast-paced, samurai fantasy with some horror aspects. It can get a bit slasher-happy (zombie samurai!) but I wouldn't say it's particularly gory. The characters are the star for me here but the plot and atmosphere are also top-notch. I'm not sure if this is a standalone but I hope not. There are some mysteries there that are not solved so I would love to see more books here. Emotionally charged but with some delightfully humorous moments, I had an excellent time with this wonderful book.
I received a free copy from the Author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
March 15, 2025
Wow, that's all I can say here. This book was phenomenal. From the cast of wayward souls to the frenetic pace to the depth of growth to the use of undead warriors, this book was great from start to finish.
I thought the unique take on the undead (not mindless zombies) was very fun and had a cool bit of Japanese lore. The concept of a drum and curse that brought the dead back to life was neat but then throw in the longer they are reanimated, the more they recall of their previous life was tip top. Made it far more dangerous to the characters.
But this story wouldn't work if not for the motley crew of characters. From Ronin, a warrior so broken, to a disgraced drunken samurai, to three women (a warrior, a musketeer, and an archer), to the famous Mushashi and his acolyte, to a blind monk, and a cursed assassin in a demon mask. Not only were these characters great on their own, but we are given flashbacks at the start of their POV chapters and they are excellent. These flashbacks really show why these characters are in their present state of misery. It was an excellent choice by the author here.
The action is hectic as you expect a zombie book to be but there is also a lot of intimate moments of this crew becoming comrades. The pace never flags and the prose is great. The climax was engaging and when the inevitable demises started coming, you feel each as these characters were so well-rounded, as well as them going out like bosses.
A highly recommended read!
I thought the unique take on the undead (not mindless zombies) was very fun and had a cool bit of Japanese lore. The concept of a drum and curse that brought the dead back to life was neat but then throw in the longer they are reanimated, the more they recall of their previous life was tip top. Made it far more dangerous to the characters.
But this story wouldn't work if not for the motley crew of characters. From Ronin, a warrior so broken, to a disgraced drunken samurai, to three women (a warrior, a musketeer, and an archer), to the famous Mushashi and his acolyte, to a blind monk, and a cursed assassin in a demon mask. Not only were these characters great on their own, but we are given flashbacks at the start of their POV chapters and they are excellent. These flashbacks really show why these characters are in their present state of misery. It was an excellent choice by the author here.
The action is hectic as you expect a zombie book to be but there is also a lot of intimate moments of this crew becoming comrades. The pace never flags and the prose is great. The climax was engaging and when the inevitable demises started coming, you feel each as these characters were so well-rounded, as well as them going out like bosses.
A highly recommended read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews