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The Ronin #1
Heart of the Ronin: A Historical Fantasy Adventure
A fateful duel makes him an outlaw...
... and a demon turns him into a hero.
Thus begins Ken'ishi’s epic journey to discover his past and find service with a worthy master.
Amid ruthless crime lords, capricious spirits, and Mongol spies, Ken'ishi is an orphan and a ronin, a samurai without a master, tossed on the waves of fate and fortune.
His only link to his past is Silver Crane, his father's sword, a blade that holds its secrets close... Such as the secret of Ken’ishi’s bloodline.
But when he meets the woman of his dreams, he might just discover that his dreams are actually nightmares.
You'll love this epic adventure because it has the perfect blend of history, action, and fantasy.
Get it now.
... and a demon turns him into a hero.
Thus begins Ken'ishi’s epic journey to discover his past and find service with a worthy master.
Amid ruthless crime lords, capricious spirits, and Mongol spies, Ken'ishi is an orphan and a ronin, a samurai without a master, tossed on the waves of fate and fortune.
His only link to his past is Silver Crane, his father's sword, a blade that holds its secrets close... Such as the secret of Ken’ishi’s bloodline.
But when he meets the woman of his dreams, he might just discover that his dreams are actually nightmares.
You'll love this epic adventure because it has the perfect blend of history, action, and fantasy.
Get it now.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2009
187 people are currently reading
2520 people want to read
About the author
Travis Heermann
66 books193 followersTravis Heermann is also known as T. James Logan.
Freelance writer, novelist, award-winning screenwriter, editor, poker player, poet, biker, roustabout, Travis Heermann is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop, a member of the Authors Guild, an Active member of SFWA and the HWA, and the author of The Hammer Falls, The Ronin Trilogy, Rogues of the Black Fury, and co-author of Death Wind. His short fiction appears in anthologies and magazines such as Apex Magazine, Alembical, Blood & Gasoline, BattleTech: Legacy, and many others. As a freelance writer, he has contributed a metric ton of work to such properties as Firefly Roleplaying Game, Legend of Five Rings, EVE Online, and BattleTech.
He enjoys cycling, collecting martial arts styles and belts, torturing young minds with otherworldly ideas, and monsters of every flavor, especially those with a soft, creamy center.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 12, 2013
Heart of the Ronin is set in feudal Japan, a setting that Travis Heermann wove into the story with great skill to the point where it almost becomes like an extra character in the story. The story's protagonist, Ken'ishi, is an outsider as his name would suggest. Taught in the art of the samurai by a most unusual instructor, Ken'ishi is a skilled warrior who is trying to find a place in society that isn't ready to accept him. Besides his skill as a warrior, Ken'ishi is also able to speak with animals. There is an inherent shyness and lack of confidence to his personality, which works well in the story.
There are a good number of action and fighting scenes, which Heermann wrote with some skill. These were some of the more enjoyable scenes in the story. There is also a great deal of character development both with Ken'ishi and Yohachi. The pace of the story worked well, and there was sufficient tension throughout. From a technical standpoint, I enjoyed Heermann's prose. There was a level of professionalism that, as a fellow writer, I could admire. Heart of the Ronin sets itself up for a sequel at the very least, and I would look forward to reading it.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
There are a good number of action and fighting scenes, which Heermann wrote with some skill. These were some of the more enjoyable scenes in the story. There is also a great deal of character development both with Ken'ishi and Yohachi. The pace of the story worked well, and there was sufficient tension throughout. From a technical standpoint, I enjoyed Heermann's prose. There was a level of professionalism that, as a fellow writer, I could admire. Heart of the Ronin sets itself up for a sequel at the very least, and I would look forward to reading it.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
November 26, 2016
“[Small birds] forgot kindness so quickly and remembered wrongs for so long … much like people.”
Well—conceived and well-written Japanese historical fantasy. Kind of a parallel universe with this world during the Kamakura shogunate. Plus an apt mix of real and fantastic.
“Once you got high enough, you cannot see the evils happening far below … while believing you see everything.
Evokes another time and another place. A story as old as time. Multiple points of view and story arcs draw the reader into both this story and the culture at a pivotal moment in history. Enough threads were tied off to provide a satisfying conclusion to this volume, while unresolved threads draw the reader into the next. Well done.
“Hate was one of the world’s great evils, and it harmed one’s own soul.”
Heermann draws an apt contrast between the Way of the Warrior and the concerns and struggles of normal people. The contrast is most telling when comparing the Samurai—not with the poor, but with the rich and powerful, but political.
“There was no before and no after, only the Now.”
Well—conceived and well-written Japanese historical fantasy. Kind of a parallel universe with this world during the Kamakura shogunate. Plus an apt mix of real and fantastic.
“Once you got high enough, you cannot see the evils happening far below … while believing you see everything.
Evokes another time and another place. A story as old as time. Multiple points of view and story arcs draw the reader into both this story and the culture at a pivotal moment in history. Enough threads were tied off to provide a satisfying conclusion to this volume, while unresolved threads draw the reader into the next. Well done.
“Hate was one of the world’s great evils, and it harmed one’s own soul.”
Heermann draws an apt contrast between the Way of the Warrior and the concerns and struggles of normal people. The contrast is most telling when comparing the Samurai—not with the poor, but with the rich and powerful, but political.
“There was no before and no after, only the Now.”
February 25, 2011
Why I listened to this audiobook?
In generally, I am fascinated by all things Japanese. I'd heard Heart of the Ronin by Travis Heermann promo'ed on Myr Lafferty's 'I Should Be Writing' podcast then again on Adventures in SciFi Publishing. These promos coincided with the December release of the Kindle version of the book, even though the print and audiobooks were released in 2009.
My one sentence summary:
Ken'ichi, a wandering Ronin raised by a Tengu, searches to find his place in a politically volatile world.
Kuddos:
As I said at the start, I love everything connected to feudal Japan. Heermann is at his best when he switches into storyteller mode, and Ken'ichi is relating the stories from his upbringing. The interlude with the fox is particularly intriguing. The fight scenes are action-packed, and the characters appealing.
Quibbles:
This story confused me. At times, I felt it oscillated between middle grade novel and an explicit story. The sexual references are clunky and clash with the supposed innocence of the characters.
The overall tone is uneven. Characters are not consistent in their actions, personalities, and knowledge. The plot feels more like a collection of episodes rather than the progression of a unified story. There is no end. Granted this book is meant to be the first of a series, however, even books in a series must be books onto their own.
Perhaps the least enjoyable part of listening to this audiobook was fighting my inner editor. Even though this book has been put in print by a publisher, it felt poorly edited. Words were repeated often. Sentences are awkward. The production of the audiobook was not without its own flaws.
Final verdict:
I honestly wish this book was a middle-grade Ronin adventure fable. It's got some solid characters but major flaws. Had I paid to read this book, I would have been disappointed. It makes me reconsider the quality of my own work. I know how hard it is to finish a novel, let alone bring it to publication. However, this book feels like a trunk novel. It pains me to say so because I know someone might look at Between Love and Lust and think the same thing.
In generally, I am fascinated by all things Japanese. I'd heard Heart of the Ronin by Travis Heermann promo'ed on Myr Lafferty's 'I Should Be Writing' podcast then again on Adventures in SciFi Publishing. These promos coincided with the December release of the Kindle version of the book, even though the print and audiobooks were released in 2009.
My one sentence summary:
Ken'ichi, a wandering Ronin raised by a Tengu, searches to find his place in a politically volatile world.
Kuddos:
As I said at the start, I love everything connected to feudal Japan. Heermann is at his best when he switches into storyteller mode, and Ken'ichi is relating the stories from his upbringing. The interlude with the fox is particularly intriguing. The fight scenes are action-packed, and the characters appealing.
Quibbles:
This story confused me. At times, I felt it oscillated between middle grade novel and an explicit story. The sexual references are clunky and clash with the supposed innocence of the characters.
The overall tone is uneven. Characters are not consistent in their actions, personalities, and knowledge. The plot feels more like a collection of episodes rather than the progression of a unified story. There is no end. Granted this book is meant to be the first of a series, however, even books in a series must be books onto their own.
Perhaps the least enjoyable part of listening to this audiobook was fighting my inner editor. Even though this book has been put in print by a publisher, it felt poorly edited. Words were repeated often. Sentences are awkward. The production of the audiobook was not without its own flaws.
Final verdict:
I honestly wish this book was a middle-grade Ronin adventure fable. It's got some solid characters but major flaws. Had I paid to read this book, I would have been disappointed. It makes me reconsider the quality of my own work. I know how hard it is to finish a novel, let alone bring it to publication. However, this book feels like a trunk novel. It pains me to say so because I know someone might look at Between Love and Lust and think the same thing.
July 23, 2009
Ken-eshi is a masterless samurai called a Ronin in ancient feudal Japan. He possesses a legendary sword and is looking for a Lord to serve, but mostly he is hungry as he walks from village to village with his dog. It seems like any other feudal story except Ken-eshi is able to talk to his dog, he was raised by a tenga, and his sword seems to be able to warn him of danger.
Set in a could have been feudal Japan, this medieval Fantasy is a welcome change from the oftentimes feudal English countryside.
The Ronin is forced early on in the story to kill a Samurai constable who thinks the young Ronin is an easy mark and dies for his mistake. This is not the best thing because one of the Samurai's aides Toro hunts for the Ronin throughout the novel.
Meanwhile, the young Ronin rescues a young Maiden being attacked by bandits and is forced to kill an Oni or demon, who is the leader of the bandits.
The Oni has raped the Maiden's lady in waiting and the demon's poison gradually warps the woman. Later the same thing happens to Toro who is attacked by the dieing Oni.
Toro finds the young Ronin and attacks him but the Ronin, defeats him and cuts off his arm. However Toro does not stop hunting the Ronin and starts to gain powers from the Oni. He kills often and starts to blackout and wake up in the homes of murdered victims.
So he becomes one pursuer of the Ronin.
Meanwhile the Ronin falls in love with the maiden, but his love is not to be as the killed Samurai story follows him --s uch that he has to leave the Lord and she ends up married to an older Lord who is unknowingly served by an evil crime lord -- the Green Tiger who is trying to help the Mongols take over Japan, and at the same time destroy the maiden's father and husband's houses. Lastly he is seeking the young Ronin's blade as he has recognized it and desires it.
The novel has a lot of interesting plot lines and I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Set in a could have been feudal Japan, this medieval Fantasy is a welcome change from the oftentimes feudal English countryside.
The Ronin is forced early on in the story to kill a Samurai constable who thinks the young Ronin is an easy mark and dies for his mistake. This is not the best thing because one of the Samurai's aides Toro hunts for the Ronin throughout the novel.
Meanwhile, the young Ronin rescues a young Maiden being attacked by bandits and is forced to kill an Oni or demon, who is the leader of the bandits.
The Oni has raped the Maiden's lady in waiting and the demon's poison gradually warps the woman. Later the same thing happens to Toro who is attacked by the dieing Oni.
Toro finds the young Ronin and attacks him but the Ronin, defeats him and cuts off his arm. However Toro does not stop hunting the Ronin and starts to gain powers from the Oni. He kills often and starts to blackout and wake up in the homes of murdered victims.
So he becomes one pursuer of the Ronin.
Meanwhile the Ronin falls in love with the maiden, but his love is not to be as the killed Samurai story follows him --s uch that he has to leave the Lord and she ends up married to an older Lord who is unknowingly served by an evil crime lord -- the Green Tiger who is trying to help the Mongols take over Japan, and at the same time destroy the maiden's father and husband's houses. Lastly he is seeking the young Ronin's blade as he has recognized it and desires it.
The novel has a lot of interesting plot lines and I am looking forward to reading the next one.
September 6, 2015
Too Many Balls In The Air, Too Many Telegraphed Punches
The book has potential. There are things in here I liked a great deal - enough that I bought the book after reading the sample.
The problem is that the author has too many plots running at the same time. Some authors can handle this number of simultaneous stories. This one, sadly, could not.
Not only that, but I have a pretty good idea how the series is going to end. To many plot points within the book were too clearly telegraphed for me to believe that there will be a twist later in the series.
The book has potential. There are things in here I liked a great deal - enough that I bought the book after reading the sample.
The problem is that the author has too many plots running at the same time. Some authors can handle this number of simultaneous stories. This one, sadly, could not.
Not only that, but I have a pretty good idea how the series is going to end. To many plot points within the book were too clearly telegraphed for me to believe that there will be a twist later in the series.
January 4, 2018
I have been pleasantly surprised by this book. The characters are interesting, and I want to know how their stories turn out.
June 8, 2024
For what this is (a historical fantasy with YA leanings), this is very good. Not enough for me to continue the series, but a book has to be special to make me want to read another (not a fan of long series).
Warnings for graphic sexual assault and other sexual details. The research that’s gone into this is exquisite and the battle scenes are its strength.
But it’s fantasy so be prepared for that angle.
Very good piece.
Warnings for graphic sexual assault and other sexual details. The research that’s gone into this is exquisite and the battle scenes are its strength.
But it’s fantasy so be prepared for that angle.
Very good piece.
July 23, 2014
Heart of the Ronin is an interesting historical fantasy set in the Japan of the late 1200's when the country is officially unified under the Minamoto Shogunate after the victory of that clan in the civil war against the Taira clan and the utter destruction of the Taira lines. But the Minamoto proved themselves weak and a lesser line, the Hojo clan usurped the Shogun power though holding it in his name.
On the continent the great Mongol Empire established by Genghis is at its height under the able Kublai Khan of Marco Polo fame.
And the Khan is not happy with Japan so he plans an invasion and Japanese nobles of the vanquished Taira line are more than happy to assist with intelligence and preparation.
In this volatile mix, a young ronin - masterless - samurai Ken'ishi with a famous sword and mysterious parentage, as well as raised by a mythical creature of legend, a Tengu and able to talk with animals, tries to make a living. Challenged by an unscrupulous village constable who covets his sword, Ken'ishi easily kills him in duel, but he makes powerful enemies out of the constable friends and followers who blacken his name and try to have him killed.
Yatsuoki is a shadowy lesser noble, adviser to an important clan. But Yatsuoki is of the Taira clan and burns with the desire for power an vengeance. If Kublai is the path to that, Yatsuoki thinks nothing of betraying his country and his people.
Kazuko is the only child of a landowning noble and she is the only hope of her father who taught her how to fight and plans for her to marry a powerful neighboring noble who is Yatsuoki's master.
The destinies of Ken'ishi, Kazuko and Yatsuoki are clearly intertwined, though in this first novel we only start to glimpse how.
A very good opening to the trilogy, I liked Heart of the Ronin a lot and it was a very fast read with sword battles, intrigue, romance and fantastic elements blending well with the historical ones.
The only minor gripe I have is that the book ends at an arbitrary point in the action with nothing resolved, the big picture barely touched upon, so we have to wait for the next volume to find out what happens with our heroes.
On the continent the great Mongol Empire established by Genghis is at its height under the able Kublai Khan of Marco Polo fame.
And the Khan is not happy with Japan so he plans an invasion and Japanese nobles of the vanquished Taira line are more than happy to assist with intelligence and preparation.
In this volatile mix, a young ronin - masterless - samurai Ken'ishi with a famous sword and mysterious parentage, as well as raised by a mythical creature of legend, a Tengu and able to talk with animals, tries to make a living. Challenged by an unscrupulous village constable who covets his sword, Ken'ishi easily kills him in duel, but he makes powerful enemies out of the constable friends and followers who blacken his name and try to have him killed.
Yatsuoki is a shadowy lesser noble, adviser to an important clan. But Yatsuoki is of the Taira clan and burns with the desire for power an vengeance. If Kublai is the path to that, Yatsuoki thinks nothing of betraying his country and his people.
Kazuko is the only child of a landowning noble and she is the only hope of her father who taught her how to fight and plans for her to marry a powerful neighboring noble who is Yatsuoki's master.
The destinies of Ken'ishi, Kazuko and Yatsuoki are clearly intertwined, though in this first novel we only start to glimpse how.
A very good opening to the trilogy, I liked Heart of the Ronin a lot and it was a very fast read with sword battles, intrigue, romance and fantastic elements blending well with the historical ones.
The only minor gripe I have is that the book ends at an arbitrary point in the action with nothing resolved, the big picture barely touched upon, so we have to wait for the next volume to find out what happens with our heroes.
February 8, 2016
I was given the second book in the trilogy by Goodreads First Reads giveaways. Of course, when I signed up for the giveaways, I didn't realize it was the second book, so of course, when I got it, I had to go and get this, the first book in the series.
This book is about Ken'ishi, a ronin in an alternative 13th century Japan. We know its 13th century due to the threat of Kublai Khan invasion from mainland Asia. We also know it is alternative due to the heavy presence of magic and demons. I thought that Heermann really hammered home the desperate situation that ronin found themselves in; no master, distrusted, and no peaceful skills to trade with in times of peace. Ken'ishi is really just scraping by until events unfold that take him in new directions. He is a ronin due to his orphaning, being taken in and trained by a mysterious sword master. A lot of his back story is filled in as he shares his story with others or runs through them in his own mind. He carries a sword, Silver Crane, which is hinted at having a history and power that is unknown to Ken'ishi and the reader.
This book was a fun read. I enjoyed the bits of Japanese poetry and samurai wisdom from the Hagakure at the beginning of each chapter. Also, I found the super fast fights to be much more realistic than usual for fantasy books; in most the first mistake was the fatal one. And, as I said, I found myself very empathetic for Ken'ishi, who, through no fault of his own, has to deal with this extremely difficult lot in life, determined to make more of himself.
This book is only a small part of a much storyline. Most of the action is rather superficial while a much larger plot lurks in the background, mostly unnoticed by any of the characters. I'm looking forward to reading book 2.
This book is about Ken'ishi, a ronin in an alternative 13th century Japan. We know its 13th century due to the threat of Kublai Khan invasion from mainland Asia. We also know it is alternative due to the heavy presence of magic and demons. I thought that Heermann really hammered home the desperate situation that ronin found themselves in; no master, distrusted, and no peaceful skills to trade with in times of peace. Ken'ishi is really just scraping by until events unfold that take him in new directions. He is a ronin due to his orphaning, being taken in and trained by a mysterious sword master. A lot of his back story is filled in as he shares his story with others or runs through them in his own mind. He carries a sword, Silver Crane, which is hinted at having a history and power that is unknown to Ken'ishi and the reader.
This book was a fun read. I enjoyed the bits of Japanese poetry and samurai wisdom from the Hagakure at the beginning of each chapter. Also, I found the super fast fights to be much more realistic than usual for fantasy books; in most the first mistake was the fatal one. And, as I said, I found myself very empathetic for Ken'ishi, who, through no fault of his own, has to deal with this extremely difficult lot in life, determined to make more of himself.
This book is only a small part of a much storyline. Most of the action is rather superficial while a much larger plot lurks in the background, mostly unnoticed by any of the characters. I'm looking forward to reading book 2.
December 3, 2015
I read the whole Ronin trilogy one after another so this review is really of the whole thing. I liked these books a lot, and they definitely kept me interested the whole way through. Great stuff if you like Japanese folklore, samurai movies, and/or straightforward epic fantasy that comes in a flavor other than generic medieval European. High points: good characters that grow over the course of the series, a smattering of interesting magic, and classic themes of honor, love, duty, and good vs. evil. Low points: there were some torture and war scenes I had a hard time with, but at least they were there for a good reason and not gratuitous (I just get squeamish sometimes.) A very satisfying series overall.
November 9, 2017
This was a really bad book. It demonstrated absolutely no understanding of actual social and political dynamics of 13th century Japan. Just the premise of being trained by someone to become a samurai is ridiculous. Samurai, for what I feel like is the 1500000th time I've said it, is a social class. You are BORN a samurai, or raised to the status as a bloodline by the shogun or emperor. That's it. A farmer cannot become a samurai. It isn't a catch all for warrior. Just that premise alone, jarring vocabulary, a lack of cultural awareness and just really bad pacing, writing and everything, made this a DIFFICULT, nearly impossible read.
October 8, 2022
A refreshing and immersive take on the Samurai character of Feudal Japan, "Heart of the Ronin" comes highly recommended for those with an interest in Japan as a setting and appreciation for action and adventure with elements of fantasy.
Things I liked
*A good protagonist
* Implements fantastical elements of Japanese culture (oni, kodami, tengu, etc.) while maintaining a believable historical setting
*Fight scenes
Things I disliked
*One of the villains of the story (Taro) felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional. More effort could have been done to construct a personality to this character that could have added more weight to the story.
Things I liked
*A good protagonist
* Implements fantastical elements of Japanese culture (oni, kodami, tengu, etc.) while maintaining a believable historical setting
*Fight scenes
Things I disliked
*One of the villains of the story (Taro) felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional. More effort could have been done to construct a personality to this character that could have added more weight to the story.
August 27, 2019
I did enjoy this but was hoping for a bit more. The overall story was ok and was well written but it dragged a bit in the middle and I was disappointed in the lack of fantasy actually in the story. We learn early on that kinishi can speak with animals and that skill is almost never used. Even his conversations with his friend/dog were few and far between. I wanted more of that kind of story. But as I said I did enjoy this. Especially as a free audiobook podcast.
August 11, 2013
Great dynamic between characters with such great relationships. So glad I supported the Kickstarter for Sword of the Ronin.
March 12, 2014
Couln't put this down!
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Samurai or Japanese folklore. Travis Heerman is a true story teller!
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Samurai or Japanese folklore. Travis Heerman is a true story teller!
November 5, 2015
Another podiobooks.com gem. Fantastic on all levels. Loved this book
December 30, 2020
Adopted at an early age by a birdlike Tengu sword master, the teenage Ken’ishi tries to make his way in a world filled with demons and duplicitous humans. With only a dog for companionship, his dead father’s mystical and coveted sword, Silver Crane, and with no master to serve, Ken’ishi roams feudal Japan as a ronin.
From the first chapter, Ken’ishi gets himself into trouble and finds himself duelling a village constable. Thanks to his training, Ken’ishi is a formidable swordsman. Unfortunately, as a ronin, his act of self-defence is construed as murder, and Ken’ishi is forced to flee the village and the district. His flight sets him on an adventure involving forbidden love, an imminent invasion by Kublai Khan, a hunt for Ken’ishi's mysterious sword and the corruption of two human souls by one demonic Oni. Poor Ken’ishi. All he wants is to fit in and become a samurai.
At the start of the book, I found myself getting a little frustrated with the main character, Ken’ishi. Often, he’d get himself into trouble due to a combination of naivety and a sense of misplaced honour. But then he’d redeem himself with random acts of kindness. I had to remind myself that he’s only seventeen and has spent most of his formative years living with a mythical creature that despises humans!
What I enjoyed most about this story was how the author fused a feudal Japan and its everyday intrigues with the fantastic. For example, a nasty lesser noble, Yatsuoki, manipulates people while employing an Oni and his bandits to rob travellers to fund his political ambitions. Yatsuoki is a very nasty antagonist. He’s all kinds of trouble to everyone, and he’s set his heart on getting Ken’ishi’s sword, Silver Crane. I look forward to reading about Yatsuoki’s downfall in the later books.
While there is a lot to like about the numerous subplots, the book does end with hardly any convergence or resolution. So long as you know you’re reading the first part of a trilogy, this shouldn’t come as a disappointment.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment of The Ronin Trilogy, Sword of the Ronin.
From the first chapter, Ken’ishi gets himself into trouble and finds himself duelling a village constable. Thanks to his training, Ken’ishi is a formidable swordsman. Unfortunately, as a ronin, his act of self-defence is construed as murder, and Ken’ishi is forced to flee the village and the district. His flight sets him on an adventure involving forbidden love, an imminent invasion by Kublai Khan, a hunt for Ken’ishi's mysterious sword and the corruption of two human souls by one demonic Oni. Poor Ken’ishi. All he wants is to fit in and become a samurai.
At the start of the book, I found myself getting a little frustrated with the main character, Ken’ishi. Often, he’d get himself into trouble due to a combination of naivety and a sense of misplaced honour. But then he’d redeem himself with random acts of kindness. I had to remind myself that he’s only seventeen and has spent most of his formative years living with a mythical creature that despises humans!
What I enjoyed most about this story was how the author fused a feudal Japan and its everyday intrigues with the fantastic. For example, a nasty lesser noble, Yatsuoki, manipulates people while employing an Oni and his bandits to rob travellers to fund his political ambitions. Yatsuoki is a very nasty antagonist. He’s all kinds of trouble to everyone, and he’s set his heart on getting Ken’ishi’s sword, Silver Crane. I look forward to reading about Yatsuoki’s downfall in the later books.
While there is a lot to like about the numerous subplots, the book does end with hardly any convergence or resolution. So long as you know you’re reading the first part of a trilogy, this shouldn’t come as a disappointment.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment of The Ronin Trilogy, Sword of the Ronin.
April 20, 2024
Ken'ishi is just 17 years old and an orphan after the mysterious death of his parents. He dreams of training with a master who will some day help him become a samurai. Traveling with Silver Crane, a sword that belonged to his father, and a dog, Akao, for a sidekick, Ken'ishi's adventures begin after he murders a policeman and must flee. Just when he thinks he has escaped trouble, he saves Kazuko, the daughter of an influential lord, from a group of bandits. In return, he is asked to live in the lord's house, where he falls in love with Kazuko. Forced to flee once again, Ken'ishi goes on a hunt to discover his past while fighting off warriors and demons, not to mention worrying about the bounty that's on his head. Will he find out if his father really was a samurai or why the sword he wields seems to be infused with magic?
Samurai, Ronin, a love story combined with tengu and Japanese myths all leading to a captivating story.
Samurai, Ronin, a love story combined with tengu and Japanese myths all leading to a captivating story.
February 8, 2021
How Strange the Scrolls of One's Life
An adventure about a ronin raised by a tengu named Kaa. This novel contains the first two scrolls and is essentially two short novels bound into one.
In the background is espionage and the threat of the great Khan and the mongol invasion of Japan.
Passionate youthful love contrasts with a different kind of love and tragedy with Kiose and her son.
Oni warriors and Kappa monsters abound cut down by the miracle of Silver Crane a dangerous and deadly artifact. A brave dog and cunning rogues steal across the land or hide in small villages.
I really enjoyed this series and recommend it to people who enjoy a bit if fantasy mixed with their japanese mythos. Check out Tokyo Magic for a look at modern Japan in the same setting.
An adventure about a ronin raised by a tengu named Kaa. This novel contains the first two scrolls and is essentially two short novels bound into one.
In the background is espionage and the threat of the great Khan and the mongol invasion of Japan.
Passionate youthful love contrasts with a different kind of love and tragedy with Kiose and her son.
Oni warriors and Kappa monsters abound cut down by the miracle of Silver Crane a dangerous and deadly artifact. A brave dog and cunning rogues steal across the land or hide in small villages.
I really enjoyed this series and recommend it to people who enjoy a bit if fantasy mixed with their japanese mythos. Check out Tokyo Magic for a look at modern Japan in the same setting.
April 26, 2022
I liked certain aspects of this novel. The characterization was excellent, as was most of the dialogue and prose generally. However, as a novel, the plot lacked tension, as they characters meandered through their lives with little clear purpose. Events just happened to them, and I kept reading in the hope that this would change.
That said, I guess that the book’s course also may be true to life, even though it doesn’t necessarily make for exciting reading.
Readers should also be forewarned that there are also some adult situations in the novel, most of which I was OK with, except a sexual assault. I found the female characters to be believable, but they are treated (and mistreated) by the other characters as one would expect in this semi-historical setting.
That said, I guess that the book’s course also may be true to life, even though it doesn’t necessarily make for exciting reading.
Readers should also be forewarned that there are also some adult situations in the novel, most of which I was OK with, except a sexual assault. I found the female characters to be believable, but they are treated (and mistreated) by the other characters as one would expect in this semi-historical setting.
June 13, 2023
To paraphrase, "I'm sorry my womanly frailty keeps me from helping you carry the stretcher."
It was alright. The book was good enough, but, that little line was confusing as poop. Especially after said character proved she was physically capable, as she cleaved a guy's leg off so obviously had muscles.
The audiobook was...hm...dramatic music between scenes instead of the author saying which character we were bouncing between.
Overall it's worth a listen to. But it does remind me why I'm moving away from historical fictions. Having a character talk about a girl of 14 being in the, "Prime of her womanhood was just...gross...but appropriate
It was alright. The book was good enough, but, that little line was confusing as poop. Especially after said character proved she was physically capable, as she cleaved a guy's leg off so obviously had muscles.
The audiobook was...hm...dramatic music between scenes instead of the author saying which character we were bouncing between.
Overall it's worth a listen to. But it does remind me why I'm moving away from historical fictions. Having a character talk about a girl of 14 being in the, "Prime of her womanhood was just...gross...but appropriate
December 1, 2020
It was good but not good enough to want to get any of the others. The book takes place before the Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274. There is a bit of fantasy to it as well. Kenishi’s teacher is a tengu, a bird like creature. Early in the story Kenishi kills an oni, an evil demon spirit. Even though Kenishi knows to burn the body to completely consume the evil, the oni still manages to infect two people with its evil. Kenishi will be forced to destroy these two people before the story is finished, or die trying.
June 4, 2021
It took me a little bit to get into this book, but I mostly enjoyed it. Perhaps having just read many adventures of Usagi Yojimbo, much of this tale seemed very familiar, right down to the kappa towards the end. Some of the story pacing and scenes lead me to believe this may have been the authors first attempt at writing. However, I enjoyed the blend of Japanese folklore and will likely return one day to finish the trilogy. I suspect the future volumes will benefit from the experience gained from this book.
June 18, 2024
Late to reading this as it came out some time ago, I was drawn to the story because it takes place in feudal Japan, (which I love), and I love the magical realism aspects, especially that the main characters side-kick is a dog he can speak to, and his martial arts teacher/foster parent is a type of bird. The story is well told and I really cared about the main character, enough that I'll be getting the next books in the series. The writing drops you into a feudal Japanese world full of spirits, politics, martial arts fighting, and even love. Overall enjoyed and recommend.
July 3, 2018
Very Good Japanese fantasy
I picked it up because i liked the cover, I know I know "Don't judge a book yada yada", and it was a free read. And then read it cover to cover in a day. Like almost all samurai/ronin/ninja books it had politics, history, and sword fights but it also contained mystical creatures like oni, kappa, and tengu-all presented with some very good story telling. I bought the second book immediately. I am hooked.
I picked it up because i liked the cover, I know I know "Don't judge a book yada yada", and it was a free read. And then read it cover to cover in a day. Like almost all samurai/ronin/ninja books it had politics, history, and sword fights but it also contained mystical creatures like oni, kappa, and tengu-all presented with some very good story telling. I bought the second book immediately. I am hooked.
October 17, 2020
An interesting mix of historical fiction and Japanese folk tales. There are several characters that are given their own chapters throughout the book. But the main character is Ken'ishi an orphan with a strange past. This past is slowly revealed in flashbacks. Ken'ishi being unfamiliar with all the ways of Japanese culture allows the author to introduce various aspects as seen from an outsiders view.
Ken'ishi is anxious to make a name for himself and prove his worth as a samurai. His teacher told him that his father was a great warrior who was killed by unknown enemies. He was raised by his strange master as a form of repayment. Armed with his father's sword Ken'ishi seeks his fortune but runs awry of the politics of 13th century Japan as well as a bandit Oni, and plain misfortune.
Ken'ishi is anxious to make a name for himself and prove his worth as a samurai. His teacher told him that his father was a great warrior who was killed by unknown enemies. He was raised by his strange master as a form of repayment. Armed with his father's sword Ken'ishi seeks his fortune but runs awry of the politics of 13th century Japan as well as a bandit Oni, and plain misfortune.
October 22, 2020
Ronin
It’s something to be said about a well done fantasy book in a setting not reminiscent of medieval Europe.
Another plus when reading this book was exploring the fork lore creatures of ancient Japan. The characters overall were good but not great. I also felt the ending was abrupt it could’ve been smoothed out some. Either way I plan on reading the next installment.
Rating: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Narration: N/A
Favorite Line: N/A
It’s something to be said about a well done fantasy book in a setting not reminiscent of medieval Europe.
Another plus when reading this book was exploring the fork lore creatures of ancient Japan. The characters overall were good but not great. I also felt the ending was abrupt it could’ve been smoothed out some. Either way I plan on reading the next installment.
Rating: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Narration: N/A
Favorite Line: N/A
August 22, 2021
Well researched.
Prime freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Excellent grasp of Japanese monsters. Reminds me of the Initiate Brother Duology. A story of a ronin who is destined for greatness. Historical time of the shogunate before the Mongol invasion of kubla khan's grandson. Excellent beginning to a series.
Prime freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Excellent grasp of Japanese monsters. Reminds me of the Initiate Brother Duology. A story of a ronin who is destined for greatness. Historical time of the shogunate before the Mongol invasion of kubla khan's grandson. Excellent beginning to a series.
April 16, 2019
A wonderful beginning to a very interesting trilogy. I love how the author blends the reality of 13th century Japan with the myths of Japanese culture. The characters are easy to relate to and the plot is amazing. Looking forward to the next installment.
May 27, 2020
Found this book on Podcast Addict as a free novel and I found it entertaining and engaging. I am intrigued about the Shogun time period in Japanese history and intend to learn more about this historical era.
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