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Matador #9
The Musashi Flex
Three people--Lazlo, a battle-scarred extreme martial arts warrior; Cayne, an ambitious journalist who will stop at nothing to get a story; and Ellis, a billionaire who longs for something money cannot buy--will have their fates decided in the brutal arena of Musashi Flex. Original.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
23 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Steve Perry
311 books361 followersLibrarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Steven Carl Perry has written over fifty novels and numerous short stories, which have appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Perry is perhaps best known for the Matador series. He has written books in the Star Wars, Alien and Conan universes. He was a collaborator on all of the Tom Clancy's Net Force series, seven of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. Two of his novelizations, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Men in Black have also been bestsellers. Other writing credits include articles, reviews, and essays, animated teleplays, and some unproduced movie scripts. One of his scripts for Batman: The Animated Series was an Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Writing.
Perry is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Animation Guild, and the Writers Guild of America, West
Steven Carl Perry has written over fifty novels and numerous short stories, which have appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Perry is perhaps best known for the Matador series. He has written books in the Star Wars, Alien and Conan universes. He was a collaborator on all of the Tom Clancy's Net Force series, seven of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. Two of his novelizations, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Men in Black have also been bestsellers. Other writing credits include articles, reviews, and essays, animated teleplays, and some unproduced movie scripts. One of his scripts for Batman: The Animated Series was an Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Writing.
Perry is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Animation Guild, and the Writers Guild of America, West
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 17, 2020
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
- Can be read as a standalone.
- I enjoyed how the author tried to make the story similar to the life/journey of Musashi.
- Modern slang/terminology in the future threw me out of the "time setting". Also, a lot of the attitudes are fairly old school, noir macho type.
- Characters were predictable but I liked two out of the four core cast.
Overall, a good popcorn read. If the rest of the series ends up on Audible Plus, I would read them.
Currently on Audible Plus
- Can be read as a standalone.
- I enjoyed how the author tried to make the story similar to the life/journey of Musashi.
- Modern slang/terminology in the future threw me out of the "time setting". Also, a lot of the attitudes are fairly old school, noir macho type.
- Characters were predictable but I liked two out of the four core cast.
Overall, a good popcorn read. If the rest of the series ends up on Audible Plus, I would read them.
April 11, 2020
I was looking for a comfort re-read and picked this one out of stack. As usual, Steve Perry does not disappoint and this was as much fun as the last time I read this.
January 18, 2022
Fun pulpy sci-fi. You do not need to have read any of the other books in this series to follow along with this one ( I have not read any of the previous entries ). This is mostly a blood sport / highlander mix with a science fiction coat of paint on it. Good time .
April 20, 2017
Solid addition to the Matador series. This book can be read independent of the other books but there are a few ties that make it more enjoyable in my opinion. Characters were interesting, if not a tad cliche--but an interesting end that tied everything up nicely made up for some of that.
February 18, 2013
On the whole I really enjoyed this book, and it was an interesting visit back to the universe of The Man Who Never Missed, which was the first Steve Perry book I ever read. Going back and seeing the formation of the movement which led to the education of this pivotal character provided some very interesting foundation material. After all these years it was nice to see this material come into publication in what will likely be the final book in this series. Fortunately, while it may be the final book in the series, it fills its role nicely and really does round out the series, providing it with a very different starting place than we might have ever imagined when we picked up the original book in the series.
Aside from the role the book plays in the series, the writing style of Perry has definitely shifted over the years. In many cases it has matured quite nicely, with the content being better assembled and more entertaining to read. I rarely find a point in his newer books where things start to lag and the story temporarily loses momentum. However, while his style has certainly matured over the years, there is another possible down side to how he writes today. These days he seems to enjoy writing multiple plot thread, stringing them along, developing them, and eventually (hopefully) bringing them all together in the end of the book. In some books he pulls this off rather well, but in others it feels more like he didn't really have enough story to tell for one character to make it worth being a full book so he wrote a few other plot threads and loosely wove them into the original, thus fluffing the volume of the book. Fortunately, while we have multiple plot threads in this book, he does a much better job managing them, and begins bringing them to logical tie-in points over the course of the book. I can only hope that he manages future books with the same skill and talent that he displayed with this book rather than reverting to a style that really felt more like lazy writing than anything of any quality.
This book is a winner, filling a critically missing hole in the story, and is a worth addition to the library of anyone who was a fan of the original book in the seriesl
Aside from the role the book plays in the series, the writing style of Perry has definitely shifted over the years. In many cases it has matured quite nicely, with the content being better assembled and more entertaining to read. I rarely find a point in his newer books where things start to lag and the story temporarily loses momentum. However, while his style has certainly matured over the years, there is another possible down side to how he writes today. These days he seems to enjoy writing multiple plot thread, stringing them along, developing them, and eventually (hopefully) bringing them all together in the end of the book. In some books he pulls this off rather well, but in others it feels more like he didn't really have enough story to tell for one character to make it worth being a full book so he wrote a few other plot threads and loosely wove them into the original, thus fluffing the volume of the book. Fortunately, while we have multiple plot threads in this book, he does a much better job managing them, and begins bringing them to logical tie-in points over the course of the book. I can only hope that he manages future books with the same skill and talent that he displayed with this book rather than reverting to a style that really felt more like lazy writing than anything of any quality.
This book is a winner, filling a critically missing hole in the story, and is a worth addition to the library of anyone who was a fan of the original book in the seriesl
April 15, 2016
This book is set in the Matador universe (it is a prequel to "The 97th Step"), and tells the story of the man who created the 97 steps fighting system of Sumito.
It and "The Man Who Never Missed" are my favorites from the series.
Lazlo Mourn is ranked in the Top Twenty of the Musashi Flex, a highly dangerous and illegal underground fight game that spans dozens of Confed planets. The Flex players search out higher ranked player to challenge, dueling for the honor of being ranked the number one fighter. Lazlo has reached the peak of his game, and is beginning to wonder whether it is all worth it, when he has one of those eureka moments and begins to develop a new style of fighting. His journey to perfect the new system brings him to a life or death battle for top rank of the Musashi Flex, and completes his quest to find meaning in life.
I give it an R rating for sex and violence.
It and "The Man Who Never Missed" are my favorites from the series.
Lazlo Mourn is ranked in the Top Twenty of the Musashi Flex, a highly dangerous and illegal underground fight game that spans dozens of Confed planets. The Flex players search out higher ranked player to challenge, dueling for the honor of being ranked the number one fighter. Lazlo has reached the peak of his game, and is beginning to wonder whether it is all worth it, when he has one of those eureka moments and begins to develop a new style of fighting. His journey to perfect the new system brings him to a life or death battle for top rank of the Musashi Flex, and completes his quest to find meaning in life.
I give it an R rating for sex and violence.
August 25, 2013
A pre-prequel of the Matador trilogy-turned-franchise, The Musashi Flex was as engaging a read as the best of Steve Perry's series. Perry is an able story-teller, and it's a joy to read his well-crafted work. I don't ever stumble over missteps in his mechanics, so I can simply immerse myself in the wide universe of his imagination. I can't wait for the next novel in this universe.
January 29, 2021
Our culture has always had the desire for violent entertainment. In the twenty-third century, that entertainment was the Musashi Flex. The Musashi Flex was a rating system of elite fighters with blades or bare fists. The challenge was open to all in the galaxy, the rules defining who could challenge who at what rank. Our main protagonist, Lazlo Mourn is ranked in the top twenty of the Musashi Flex. He is in his forties and has come to realize that it is time to fight smarter, not harder. Another critical character is Kane Sola, an investigative journalist with a desire to pen an exposé of the Musashi Flex and its fighters. Last but not least, is Ellis Shaw, a multi-billionaire whose final tick in his bucket list is to be Premiero in the Musashi Flex. Although this book is marked as number nine, it poses no difficulty as a stand-alone novel. The martial arts history and references were fascinating. The interactions and relationships between Mourn and Sola, Shaw and Azul, were wonderful additions to the tale. This was one of the better stories I’ve listened to in some time.
November 19, 2020
Almost. This was almost a 5-star for me. The action is excellent, the martial arts and attitude are on point. The plot, while not over complicated dispenses itself at a good, steady pace, and the character are relatable with motivations that can be understood.
But the sex. Lé sigh. You can just tell us there was sex and let us extrapolate. Or describe it in depth if that’s the sort of book you want to tell. But the decision to split the difference and go light on detail while also always, always telling us how many times either partner orgasmed? That decision was poor, and a bit bizarre. Fix it for an instant fifth star.
I do like the rather excellent use of the old adage about how at a certain point in one’s martial arts journey, the only way to advance is through teaching.
All in all, really enjoyed it, will definitely reread, and be looking into more works from this author. I usually don’t ever start midway through a series, but all the research pointed to this being a standalone.
But the sex. Lé sigh. You can just tell us there was sex and let us extrapolate. Or describe it in depth if that’s the sort of book you want to tell. But the decision to split the difference and go light on detail while also always, always telling us how many times either partner orgasmed? That decision was poor, and a bit bizarre. Fix it for an instant fifth star.
I do like the rather excellent use of the old adage about how at a certain point in one’s martial arts journey, the only way to advance is through teaching.
All in all, really enjoyed it, will definitely reread, and be looking into more works from this author. I usually don’t ever start midway through a series, but all the research pointed to this being a standalone.
January 12, 2023
It gets better every time. The Musashi flex is something mentioned in the previous volumes. This book is about it. And about how the 97 steps came to be. And somehow the seed for the rest of the stories. I enjoyed reading it very much. If I could give a bonus star, I would.
May 23, 2017
I didn't expect this to be a prequel.
Still, I enjoyed reading this tale.
Still, I enjoyed reading this tale.
September 29, 2018
A great concept and solid world-building accompanied by well-written characters and a swiftly moving plot made this a really fun read.
March 4, 2018
Last week I jumped in head first on a bushido kick, haven't had that feeling in a while. This book is a nice kickoff for the 7 such books I bought.
December 23, 2017
Helped fill in more history of the series
March 23, 2008
Perry wrote a series which began, originally, with a short book about a revolutionary who fought the corrupt intergalactic government and not just won but came out alive. That book was called The Man Who Never Missed.
The series is fiction, lots of fighting, lots of sex, some serious perversions- though those aren’t too graphic in the novels.
Perry wrote the books for the most important/interesting characters. And they were great. He even gave the hero an unknown daughter and finally married the guy off to the girl’s mother.
This is not that kind of book. There’s some sex, but it’s not titillating. The story develops very slowly. He starts with four characters who aren’t connected and slowly weaves them together. The story never really speeds up. He throws in a red herring that has you sure one character will connect with another in a certain way. It may not be a real red herring. At some point it may come out to be true. But not in this book.
About a quarter of the way into it I thought about quitting the book. And I might have except that I’m trying to keep my list of new books read up. So that meant I read this instead of re-reading something else. I can re-read old books, from last year even, but I don’t count books I read and re-read in 2007.
But the book gets more interesting. It’s actually very interesting. You get to hear where the Musashi Flex came from. You get to see the 97 Steps come into being.
It makes you wonder if maybe you are reading the beginning of the Siblings of the Shroud. (Is there another book I haven’t seen? Maybe I am reading it.)
It’s interesting, even though the book itself is not as tight, not as fascinating, as the others. If you hold on, it’s a good read.
The series is fiction, lots of fighting, lots of sex, some serious perversions- though those aren’t too graphic in the novels.
Perry wrote the books for the most important/interesting characters. And they were great. He even gave the hero an unknown daughter and finally married the guy off to the girl’s mother.
This is not that kind of book. There’s some sex, but it’s not titillating. The story develops very slowly. He starts with four characters who aren’t connected and slowly weaves them together. The story never really speeds up. He throws in a red herring that has you sure one character will connect with another in a certain way. It may not be a real red herring. At some point it may come out to be true. But not in this book.
About a quarter of the way into it I thought about quitting the book. And I might have except that I’m trying to keep my list of new books read up. So that meant I read this instead of re-reading something else. I can re-read old books, from last year even, but I don’t count books I read and re-read in 2007.
But the book gets more interesting. It’s actually very interesting. You get to hear where the Musashi Flex came from. You get to see the 97 Steps come into being.
It makes you wonder if maybe you are reading the beginning of the Siblings of the Shroud. (Is there another book I haven’t seen? Maybe I am reading it.)
It’s interesting, even though the book itself is not as tight, not as fascinating, as the others. If you hold on, it’s a good read.
February 14, 2017
This was a book that got me into reading in the first place. You know how everyone has a story about "that book" that opened their eyes to the possibilities of the written word? Yeah, this was mine. I was once in remedial reading until someone let me borrow their copy of "The Musashi Flex," and from then on I've been a heavy reader.
I always come back to this novel. Maybe because it was my first, but it always takes me someplace else, and carries me away with its story. The rest of the series is good, too, but this is, by far, the best of Perry's work. And you can read it without reading any others--it stands alone just fine.
I always come back to this novel. Maybe because it was my first, but it always takes me someplace else, and carries me away with its story. The rest of the series is good, too, but this is, by far, the best of Perry's work. And you can read it without reading any others--it stands alone just fine.
March 21, 2010
Steve Perry's martial-arts inspired science fiction novels are a guilty pleasure. This is one of the more enjoyable ones. I remember reading one many years ago that caught my fancy (I don't remember if it was The 97th Step or The Man Who Never Missed) and then being somewhat disappointed that the others didn't live up to it. But this one was fun. It seems to be an alternate origin-story about the 97 steps martial art and its role in the revolution against the Confederation. (I don't remember the other books well enough to know if there are any connections beyond the most superficial, but it doesn't seem to me to match the others too closely in its history of how the martial art was developed.)
A good action read, nothing profound.
Thinking that Goodreads needs a separate rating system for "this was a fun read" and "this is a great book." I'm slightly embarrassed giving it four stars, given that it's not much in the way of literature. But if you're looking for an action adventure, it's a good one.
A good action read, nothing profound.
Thinking that Goodreads needs a separate rating system for "this was a fun read" and "this is a great book." I'm slightly embarrassed giving it four stars, given that it's not much in the way of literature. But if you're looking for an action adventure, it's a good one.
December 15, 2023
Where Sumito started - another one knocked out the park
The Man Who Never Missed was I think the first book published in the Matadors series - and marvellous it is. Probably the best entry point to the Matadors series. In that book, The 97 Steps, the martial art known as ‘Sumito’ was, if not exactly widely known, still an already mature and fully developed combat style. This book, the Mushashi Flex, tells of how Sumito came to be, though it never says that name. And, though never explicitly mentioned, the genesis of the organisation known as the ‘Siblings of the Shroud’ is touched on. The players here (no pun intended, honest…) are not saints, and are arguably sinners, but always fascinating. If you like other books in the Matadors series, this is absolutely *required* reading. If you’re new to the Matadors, this is a good point to enter the world, the time where it all began. Enjoy !
The Man Who Never Missed was I think the first book published in the Matadors series - and marvellous it is. Probably the best entry point to the Matadors series. In that book, The 97 Steps, the martial art known as ‘Sumito’ was, if not exactly widely known, still an already mature and fully developed combat style. This book, the Mushashi Flex, tells of how Sumito came to be, though it never says that name. And, though never explicitly mentioned, the genesis of the organisation known as the ‘Siblings of the Shroud’ is touched on. The players here (no pun intended, honest…) are not saints, and are arguably sinners, but always fascinating. If you like other books in the Matadors series, this is absolutely *required* reading. If you’re new to the Matadors, this is a good point to enter the world, the time where it all began. Enjoy !
September 16, 2016
Best martial arts book I've ever read.
Steve Perry's Matadors series is an incredible saga. Rich with both fighting and philosophy that lovers of the martial arts will appreciate, it has a richly developed world that is both incredible and yet very down to earth. One of my favorite series. I only deducted a point for this edit of the book. There are several random breaks when using an ebook reader. For those of us who are anal retentive about grammar and editing they are mildly annoying, jarring me out of the flow but not something that will bother most people. Either way a great book you need to ingest with your face at your earliest convenience.
Steve Perry's Matadors series is an incredible saga. Rich with both fighting and philosophy that lovers of the martial arts will appreciate, it has a richly developed world that is both incredible and yet very down to earth. One of my favorite series. I only deducted a point for this edit of the book. There are several random breaks when using an ebook reader. For those of us who are anal retentive about grammar and editing they are mildly annoying, jarring me out of the flow but not something that will bother most people. Either way a great book you need to ingest with your face at your earliest convenience.
May 13, 2009
Perry is very good at what he does. And what he does is write good action stories with a sci-fi backdrop and lots of manly-man stuff *Hoowah* like swords, knives, codes of honor, people fighting and dying, and manly men getting the girls. The plot here isn't the thickest, and the only major twist is the one that was surprisingly not there. But it is certainly a good yarn in the style I've come to expect and appreciate from Steve Perry.
March 1, 2014
I decided to read a Steve Perry book because I thought his Star Wars books were some of the better ones. This book, number 9, in the Matador series, does stand alone quite well. The first half of the book was very good: multiple plot angles, compelling characters, and the little bits of humor that drew me to read more of Perry's books. The second half was not as good; it became more philosophical than I anticipated, and I accurately predicted most of what happened chapters in advance.
February 6, 2016
I really enjoy this book, taking me back to how the universe got started, and coming up with the basis behind so many things. To be fair, if you're new to the Matador series, this is a great introduction - you don't need to know anything else before jumping into it. A great stand-alone book from one of my favorite writers!
November 4, 2015
Why do you want to learn
karate?
So I won't have to fight.
All those years ago in a goofy 80s karate film.
Watching Lazlo discover the 97 steps was fantastic. Glad I saved this one for last.
karate?
So I won't have to fight.
All those years ago in a goofy 80s karate film.
Watching Lazlo discover the 97 steps was fantastic. Glad I saved this one for last.
January 25, 2008
Welcome to my world...
September 23, 2008
another really good sci fi read
books-with-go-references
June 13, 2010Brief go references on p. 17, 73.
June 16, 2011
Great book for knifemakers!
January 22, 2012
A fantastic story about the development of Sumito, the martial art which is the at the core of Perry's Matador cycle.
September 14, 2011
Just read this not too long ago. I loved "the Man who never missed" and the Matador series, it was what got me started into Sci-Fi, so this was a great read about the creation of the 97 steps.
June 20, 2012
I enjoyed this. Its not deep, but it has some interesting characters, and he writes action well. And it never pretends to be more than it is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews