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Sunset Warrior Cycle #3
Dai-San
In was Kai-feng, the end of days, the time of chaos.
One by one, the four grisly abominations called the Makkon had come together, marshaling their inhuman armies to reap a bitter harvest of death. Mankind's struggle to turn back the tide of blood was doomed, for soon the hideous Makkon would summon their master, The Dolman. Truly, then, would all hope be lost.
No choice, no chance remained for humanity -- save only one. The arcane magics of the mysterious Scroll of the Ancients would have to be invoked. For only if Ronin could discover the true meaning of the Scroll's secrets would he unlock the power to face the inconceivable horror of The Dolman, in the final battle at the end of time.
One by one, the four grisly abominations called the Makkon had come together, marshaling their inhuman armies to reap a bitter harvest of death. Mankind's struggle to turn back the tide of blood was doomed, for soon the hideous Makkon would summon their master, The Dolman. Truly, then, would all hope be lost.
No choice, no chance remained for humanity -- save only one. The arcane magics of the mysterious Scroll of the Ancients would have to be invoked. For only if Ronin could discover the true meaning of the Scroll's secrets would he unlock the power to face the inconceivable horror of The Dolman, in the final battle at the end of time.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
84 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Eric Van Lustbader
167 books1,226 followersEric Van Lustbader was born and raised in Greenwich Village. He is the author of more than twenty-five best-selling novels, including The Ninja, in which he introduced Nicholas Linnear, one of modern fiction's most beloved and enduring heroes. The Ninja was sold to 20th CenturyFox, to be made into a major motion picture. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages.
Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...
Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2020
He stood in the icy cold, surveyed the burned and blackened pine forest, thinking of his first terrifying encounter with himself, knowing that now, within that twisted tangle, pulsed the Dolman, come at last to the world of man.
Dawn will see them face to face, the culmination of his life, the last burning page of history of this dying age within which they all lived and felt joy and suffered.
2.5 stars and take that rating with a grain of salt. When I requested this from the library I didn't realize it was the third in a series and a fantasy at that! Some of the backstory is inferred, but I think I was lacking enough that I felt I didn't understand all of the characters & their place in the story.
Some of it was a real mismash of different mythologies as Ronin goes in search of a fabled island Ama-No-Mori where he hopes to find one who can interpret a scroll that may save mankind from evil forces in the world and discover his own destiny in that endeavor. There was a section that was reminiscent of Roman & Greek mythology and one that drew from the Aztecs, the latter seemed superfluous. He does reach the island which was the strongest part of the story and reflected Lustbader's affinity for Japan. When Ronin is transformed & returns to battle the evil Dolman, and if you are into blood & gore, there are some spectacular battle scenes between the soldiers & various supernatural creatures.
Dawn will see them face to face, the culmination of his life, the last burning page of history of this dying age within which they all lived and felt joy and suffered.
2.5 stars and take that rating with a grain of salt. When I requested this from the library I didn't realize it was the third in a series and a fantasy at that! Some of the backstory is inferred, but I think I was lacking enough that I felt I didn't understand all of the characters & their place in the story.
Some of it was a real mismash of different mythologies as Ronin goes in search of a fabled island Ama-No-Mori where he hopes to find one who can interpret a scroll that may save mankind from evil forces in the world and discover his own destiny in that endeavor. There was a section that was reminiscent of Roman & Greek mythology and one that drew from the Aztecs, the latter seemed superfluous. He does reach the island which was the strongest part of the story and reflected Lustbader's affinity for Japan. When Ronin is transformed & returns to battle the evil Dolman, and if you are into blood & gore, there are some spectacular battle scenes between the soldiers & various supernatural creatures.
December 11, 2020
I enjoyed these when I was younger, though even then I could see that the writing wasn't very good. I liked the use of Asian culture in what is in some ways a standard Western fantasy with a dark lord, a quest, etc. That was lot less common back then.
In this book the writing is no better than in the second, though there are some good descriptions of the natural world. Lustbader continues his fascination with certain words. Here the continuing repetition of the word "oblique" from earlier books is joined by "lavender" and others, and no description of the sea is complete without a reference to the "creaming" waves. There is a lot of repetition in other ways, as combat always seems to involve someone getting spattered with brain matter, and for some reason half the fights Ronin is in end with him being nearly strangled.
But the book has other problems. There are 50 pages of a side-adventure unrelated to the main plot at the beginning of the book. The Asian culture this time is Japanese, much more recognizably than the culture in the previous book was Chinese, and thus it is much less original. There are too many pages of nonsensical mystical experiences (nonsensical in the sense of haphazard--they don't flow from anything or seem symbolic of anything.) And at the end, when Ronin is finally prepared for the final conflict, you look at the book and realize there are 100 pages to go!
The first book is the best, because the writing is simpler (and thus less annoying), the story moves along quickly, there are clear mysteries to solve right from the beginning, and there are enemies who are not distant mystical forces or things that just show up unpredictably. All of these things become issues with the later books.
I advise those who want to finish the trilogy to just skim most of this.
In this book the writing is no better than in the second, though there are some good descriptions of the natural world. Lustbader continues his fascination with certain words. Here the continuing repetition of the word "oblique" from earlier books is joined by "lavender" and others, and no description of the sea is complete without a reference to the "creaming" waves. There is a lot of repetition in other ways, as combat always seems to involve someone getting spattered with brain matter, and for some reason half the fights Ronin is in end with him being nearly strangled.
But the book has other problems. There are 50 pages of a side-adventure unrelated to the main plot at the beginning of the book. The Asian culture this time is Japanese, much more recognizably than the culture in the previous book was Chinese, and thus it is much less original. There are too many pages of nonsensical mystical experiences (nonsensical in the sense of haphazard--they don't flow from anything or seem symbolic of anything.) And at the end, when Ronin is finally prepared for the final conflict, you look at the book and realize there are 100 pages to go!
The first book is the best, because the writing is simpler (and thus less annoying), the story moves along quickly, there are clear mysteries to solve right from the beginning, and there are enemies who are not distant mystical forces or things that just show up unpredictably. All of these things become issues with the later books.
I advise those who want to finish the trilogy to just skim most of this.
January 10, 2017
The mythical world of violence is sometimes very comforting ;)
January 11, 2018
Read this trilogy years ago. One of the best I’ve ever read. Getting ready to read it again.
April 23, 2019
Holy crap. The story continues to build from the first two books. Takes a fantastic turn. I’m like wee-yoo! Let’s go!
September 12, 2021
I skimmed this, as I found book 2 to be a tedious series of random unconnected and unexplained events. And this seems to be the same, but with added trippy mysticism.
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October 23, 2025From the author of THE NINJA comes the third book in Eric Van Lustbader's epic fantasy series, THE SUNSET WARRIOR CYCLE. The triumph of evil draws close. Sorcerous hordes gather beneath the sheer walls of Kamado, last outpost of the human race. The world shudders as the deathless armies of darkness gain ground. In the smoking forests and high, frozen wastelands the bestial legions of The Dolman are marshalled for the final savage onslaught. On the last stage of his desperate mission, Ronin the Bladesman seeks the power of the warrior mages. Only their ancient wisdom and deadly skills can fulfil his destiny and secure salvation for humanity. The swords are drawn for the Last Battle - between the forces of annihilation and THE SUNSET WARRIOR.
May 10, 2020
Somewhat disappointing
July 17, 2020
Epic Story loved it.
May 23, 2021
Introduces Moichi, who leads the next two books.
March 3, 2015
The final volume of Eric Van Lustbader's Sunset Warrior Cycle begins where "Shallows of Night" ended. Ronin, the mute warrior woman Moeru, and new companion Moichi set sail from Sha'angh'sei in search of the fabled floating island of Ama-no-mori and the semi-mythical race of warriors known as the Bujun, who live there. There, they hope to be able to decipher the scroll of Dor-Sefrith which Ronin still carries, and discover a means to defeat The Dolman, whose forces are massing on the continent of man.
It is not long after departure, however, that an old enemy reappears with vengeance on his mind, timing his strike against Ronin with an attack by creatures who are other than human. Later, Ronin finds himself in a mysterious land where he confronts ancient gods and their priests and learns of his own link to the divine, before at least reaching Ama-no-mori.
Ronin is unaccountably at home in the land of the Bujun, but soon becomes entangled in a native power struggle that threatens to stymie his efforts to stop The Dolman. Finally, however, his destiny as The Sunset Warrior - the one being who can hope to stop the annihilation of mankind at the hands of The Dolman - is revealed.
"Dai-San" is a solid, if unspectacular, conclusion to the Sunset Warrior Cycle, completing the transformation of the story from one rooted in dystopian science fiction to one founded on sword and sorcery heavily influenced by Japanese mythology. There are some well-worn tropes, but they are balanced against the author's unique take on the quest saga. This third book is not quite the equal of the first two volumes, but it remains well worth the reader's time, and represents a satisfying end to the trilogy.
It is not long after departure, however, that an old enemy reappears with vengeance on his mind, timing his strike against Ronin with an attack by creatures who are other than human. Later, Ronin finds himself in a mysterious land where he confronts ancient gods and their priests and learns of his own link to the divine, before at least reaching Ama-no-mori.
Ronin is unaccountably at home in the land of the Bujun, but soon becomes entangled in a native power struggle that threatens to stymie his efforts to stop The Dolman. Finally, however, his destiny as The Sunset Warrior - the one being who can hope to stop the annihilation of mankind at the hands of The Dolman - is revealed.
"Dai-San" is a solid, if unspectacular, conclusion to the Sunset Warrior Cycle, completing the transformation of the story from one rooted in dystopian science fiction to one founded on sword and sorcery heavily influenced by Japanese mythology. There are some well-worn tropes, but they are balanced against the author's unique take on the quest saga. This third book is not quite the equal of the first two volumes, but it remains well worth the reader's time, and represents a satisfying end to the trilogy.
August 25, 2024
I read this novel over twenty five years ago after reading another of Van Lustbader's novels which I had found marvellously readable and fun. This novel was also tremendously readable and great fun and it says something that at a time when I was disposing of, or losing, all sorts of things I hung on to this novel. Since then I have read quite a few of Van Lustbader's stories in anthologies but not another novel. Maybe I have to many fond memories of Van Lustbader's novels and their connection to a very complicated time in my past. They gave me a great deal of pleasure when I needed it. His novels are way superior to authors like Ian Fleming and as good as Moorcock when he wrote his Elric and Castlebras novels. Van Lustbader remains more readable to me today (2023) then Moorcock's later fiction.
I am only giving him three stars because I must draw some sort of distinction between books I love and admire and would reread and those which meant something at particular time but which I doubt I will return to. But I would not mean to discourage anyone who might want to from reading this or any of Van Lustbader's many books.
I am only giving him three stars because I must draw some sort of distinction between books I love and admire and would reread and those which meant something at particular time but which I doubt I will return to. But I would not mean to discourage anyone who might want to from reading this or any of Van Lustbader's many books.
September 11, 2020
You know, my copies of this trilogy are from the 1980s, bought in a department store that no longer exists. They are very worn but every now and again I pull them out of a box and enjoy them. It still generates a sense of memory and has "those moments" for me that I enjoy in a tale like this.
May 15, 2013
Again this book picks up were the last one ended. Ronin now knowing more about the scroll and the prophey and what it has to do with him.
Journeys to amnamori to the land of the bujun. Great warriors who perfer their own company. Who are only hinted at in legend. Ronin saileds to this rumored island to find out more about the scroll and for the man who may be able to read it. Leading up to a final ultimate battle.
Journeys to amnamori to the land of the bujun. Great warriors who perfer their own company. Who are only hinted at in legend. Ronin saileds to this rumored island to find out more about the scroll and for the man who may be able to read it. Leading up to a final ultimate battle.
June 9, 2016
Well this was a very confusing read. been reading it on the kindle and it is very badly laid out goes from one scene straight into another so had to keep re reading sections . overall enjoyable plot with plenty of action but not as good as the first two books in the series.
September 25, 2020
A fun read with some nice action and imagery and flashes of imagination (earlier books in the series do this better) however the plot utterly lacks tension and transitions to a frankly dull ending that caps off a story that has near complete predictability.
November 10, 2011
Lustbaders fantasy trilogy would have been a lot more enjoyable if it wasn't for the authors abundant use of similes in his writing. For people that enjoy purple prose.
February 12, 2012
Third novel of the Sunset Warrior cycle doesn't deliver as much as I'd hoped.
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May 5, 2013Goes with the other two - a must read if you like this type of mystical stuff.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews