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The Awakened #3
Grey Ronin
Mamoru Saitō was well suited for life as a samurai of Matsushita Electronics Corporation, except for one thing―his conscience.
In 2418, Japan has reinvented itself as an anachronism of feudalism and high technology. Corporations govern entire prefectures, each ruled by a CEO wielding the authority of a warlord.
Mamoru’s supernatural ability to embody machines and change software at a thought makes him a coveted weapon in an endless cyberspace war. Ever with the sense he does not belong, he serves without question until an outsider wrests him from his master’s grip, forcing him to flee Japan.
Now a ronin, his sense of honor compels him to exact revenge upon the person responsible for his disgrace. His search reunites him with his past and brings acceptance that he is one of a handful of rare, potent psionics who call themselves The Awakened.
Caught between two factions vying to control him, Mamoru realizes that family is all he truly wanted, but his epiphany may have come too late.
In 2418, Japan has reinvented itself as an anachronism of feudalism and high technology. Corporations govern entire prefectures, each ruled by a CEO wielding the authority of a warlord.
Mamoru’s supernatural ability to embody machines and change software at a thought makes him a coveted weapon in an endless cyberspace war. Ever with the sense he does not belong, he serves without question until an outsider wrests him from his master’s grip, forcing him to flee Japan.
Now a ronin, his sense of honor compels him to exact revenge upon the person responsible for his disgrace. His search reunites him with his past and brings acceptance that he is one of a handful of rare, potent psionics who call themselves The Awakened.
Caught between two factions vying to control him, Mamoru realizes that family is all he truly wanted, but his epiphany may have come too late.
360 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2016
9 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Matthew S. Cox
181 books265 followersBorn in a little town known as South Amboy NJ in 1973, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. Somewhere between fifteen to eighteen of them spent developing the world in which Division Zero, Virtual Immortality, and The Awakened Series take place. He has several other projects in the works as well as a collaborative science fiction endeavor with author Tony Healey.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
Hobbies and Interests:
Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.
He is also fond of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 3, 2016
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
So far, The Awakened series has been anything but what I've been expecting to read. After my initial disappointment in the second book, Archon's Queen, where characters and setting were changed compared to Prophet of the Badlands, I was once up for a complete change of cast for the major part of Grey Ronin, but this time I was waiting for it.
However, all these changes between the books makes it difficult to really feel for the characters. Normally the characters sort of grow on you as you continue the series, but here there's the need to get attached to completely new characters (for example the main character from the first book is mentioned about once in the entire book).
The new setting, of a futuristic Japan which has returned to a feudal system, also didn't really convince me. Granted, it sounds awfully cool, but it didn't make too much sense. In the second half though, there is a change of scenery and also the reappearance of some of the characters from mostly the second book. It could hold my interest better, but I wouldn't classify it an easy read. However, I still want to read the next book, of course.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
So far, The Awakened series has been anything but what I've been expecting to read. After my initial disappointment in the second book, Archon's Queen, where characters and setting were changed compared to Prophet of the Badlands, I was once up for a complete change of cast for the major part of Grey Ronin, but this time I was waiting for it.
However, all these changes between the books makes it difficult to really feel for the characters. Normally the characters sort of grow on you as you continue the series, but here there's the need to get attached to completely new characters (for example the main character from the first book is mentioned about once in the entire book).
The new setting, of a futuristic Japan which has returned to a feudal system, also didn't really convince me. Granted, it sounds awfully cool, but it didn't make too much sense. In the second half though, there is a change of scenery and also the reappearance of some of the characters from mostly the second book. It could hold my interest better, but I wouldn't classify it an easy read. However, I still want to read the next book, of course.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 30, 2016
Five stars to Gray Ronin by Matthew S. Cox
First I want to say that I got this book for free, to review by the Author. It's the first book of his that I have ever read. This is also the third book in the series, but can be read as a standalone book as I have done.
Synopsis:
What would have happened if Japan's feudal era never stopped?
Japan's feudal era took place from 1185 to 1600 but was most prominent from 1400-1600 AD. It's also called the warring states era. In this book the era never stopped, but became the future of Japan. Here the Shoguns are presidents of major corporations and have divided Japan into sections under their control. They use Samurais and Ninjas to defend and spy on each other and are constantly fighting, spying and stealing. In this book you follow Mamoru who is a samurai for the Tokyo Shogun. Things happen in his world of order, that makes him reconsider his view on life and his purpose in it. He is a new type of samurai, who fights with technology as much as with a sword. Like Neo in the Matrix he has to decide if he wants to go back to the life he knows or step into the unknown and fight.
The book start out at full speed with an elaborate virtual battle scene. You watch as a samurai assassin (Mamoru) fights in a match where the real and the virtual blend in a dance to the death. After he finishes the assassination, one of his supervisors shows up at his house and the following scene takes place:
Quote chapter three:
"The way she looked at him made him uncomfortable, as if he were a bit of sashimi she debated consuming. No one else in the service of Matsushita could equal him, inside or outside the GlobeNet. A serious frown curled his lip. This woman would have him as a personal guard, wiling away each day inside an office attending to her every need. He thought of Nami and Ayame, of the blinking red light, and adjusted the collar of his haori jacket."
Conclusion:
One of the things that has stood out to me are all the many details in dialogue and descriptions. It's a book to read slowly over time, so you are able to take in all the details. It's a clever marriage of Science fiction and suspense. It made me want to read the previous books in the series.
Anime lovers of Ghost in the shell and Psycho Pass will love this book, since the worlds are very similar.
Though the book has some mature content I would still recommend it for young adults who will love the action, world and movie like writing style
First I want to say that I got this book for free, to review by the Author. It's the first book of his that I have ever read. This is also the third book in the series, but can be read as a standalone book as I have done.
Synopsis:
What would have happened if Japan's feudal era never stopped?
Japan's feudal era took place from 1185 to 1600 but was most prominent from 1400-1600 AD. It's also called the warring states era. In this book the era never stopped, but became the future of Japan. Here the Shoguns are presidents of major corporations and have divided Japan into sections under their control. They use Samurais and Ninjas to defend and spy on each other and are constantly fighting, spying and stealing. In this book you follow Mamoru who is a samurai for the Tokyo Shogun. Things happen in his world of order, that makes him reconsider his view on life and his purpose in it. He is a new type of samurai, who fights with technology as much as with a sword. Like Neo in the Matrix he has to decide if he wants to go back to the life he knows or step into the unknown and fight.
The book start out at full speed with an elaborate virtual battle scene. You watch as a samurai assassin (Mamoru) fights in a match where the real and the virtual blend in a dance to the death. After he finishes the assassination, one of his supervisors shows up at his house and the following scene takes place:
Quote chapter three:
"The way she looked at him made him uncomfortable, as if he were a bit of sashimi she debated consuming. No one else in the service of Matsushita could equal him, inside or outside the GlobeNet. A serious frown curled his lip. This woman would have him as a personal guard, wiling away each day inside an office attending to her every need. He thought of Nami and Ayame, of the blinking red light, and adjusted the collar of his haori jacket."
Conclusion:
One of the things that has stood out to me are all the many details in dialogue and descriptions. It's a book to read slowly over time, so you are able to take in all the details. It's a clever marriage of Science fiction and suspense. It made me want to read the previous books in the series.
Anime lovers of Ghost in the shell and Psycho Pass will love this book, since the worlds are very similar.
Though the book has some mature content I would still recommend it for young adults who will love the action, world and movie like writing style
July 29, 2016
Combining a nuanced fusion of Japanese culture and future tech with a strong focus on common humanity, Cox provides a fresh perspective on the Asian-corporate trope common to cyberpunk.
This novel is the third in The Awakened series. As such this review might overwrite your surprise buffers in places.
Twenty-fifth century Japan is a fusion of ultra-tech and neo-feudalism: CEOs rule prefectures guarded by vibrokatana-wielding samurai and virtual-reality dragons. Possessing both exceptional physical prowess and the ability to psychically influence technology, Mamoru Saitō is Matsushita Electronics Corporation’s leading samurai in and out of cyberspace. However, when a mysterious hacker frames him for crimes against his master, he is cast out and dishonoured.
As with the previous volumes, this book deals with its protagonist discovering they are one of the Awakened, possessing psychic powers orders of magnitude greater than society realises exist, and the attempts of the Archon to recruit them into his post-human nation project. However, unlike the previous volumes, Mamoru is a member of the élite within a highly advanced and convoluted society rather than someone trapped at the bottom of a dystopia; as such both the attempts to recruit him and his personal goals are vastly different.
Born into a culture where superhuman feats have been the expected result of piety and training for centuries, Mamoru is particularly resistant to Archon’s claims he is a new, better version of humanity. While this does introduce a thread of mysticism, Cox handles this delicately, avoiding both the genre-weakening psionics-as-magic and the stereotypical all-Asians-are-martial-arts-masters.
In addition to the ongoing series arc of Awakened finding (or rejecting) their place in society, the novel contains a complete personal arc for Mamoru. Thus – while some events are likely to lack necessary context – readers can enjoy it without having read the previous volumes.
Based on genuine Japanese history rather than the usual tropes of Western cyberpunk, Cox’s Japan is – while objectively more authentic – likely to seem more alien to many readers. However, Cox skilfully balances flavour with common experience, preventing this potential cultural difference from forming a barrier.
This balance is especially noticeable once Mamoru flees the anachronistic society of the Matsushita prefecture for the more Westernised fringes of Japanese society and beyond. Making full use of his protagonist’s mix of competence and cultural inexperience, Cox both seamlessly inserts explanations of new technologies and cultures, and reframes aspects of previous volumes.
Mamoru is an engaging character. Too honourable to reject his culture or his assigned role within it, but too compassionate to take pleasure in his high status, he is torn between the need to fight injustice and the need to preserve a rigid social order.
The supporting cast are similarly nuanced, displaying shared cultural traits while remaining individuals with complex motivations.
Perhaps ironically this complexity is least evident in recurring characters from previous volumes. While they do develop, much of their presence is the culmination of events that occurred before this book started; as such, readers who are unfamiliar with those books might find some characters less engaging.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a futuristic thriller with an immersive world.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
This novel is the third in The Awakened series. As such this review might overwrite your surprise buffers in places.
Twenty-fifth century Japan is a fusion of ultra-tech and neo-feudalism: CEOs rule prefectures guarded by vibrokatana-wielding samurai and virtual-reality dragons. Possessing both exceptional physical prowess and the ability to psychically influence technology, Mamoru Saitō is Matsushita Electronics Corporation’s leading samurai in and out of cyberspace. However, when a mysterious hacker frames him for crimes against his master, he is cast out and dishonoured.
As with the previous volumes, this book deals with its protagonist discovering they are one of the Awakened, possessing psychic powers orders of magnitude greater than society realises exist, and the attempts of the Archon to recruit them into his post-human nation project. However, unlike the previous volumes, Mamoru is a member of the élite within a highly advanced and convoluted society rather than someone trapped at the bottom of a dystopia; as such both the attempts to recruit him and his personal goals are vastly different.
Born into a culture where superhuman feats have been the expected result of piety and training for centuries, Mamoru is particularly resistant to Archon’s claims he is a new, better version of humanity. While this does introduce a thread of mysticism, Cox handles this delicately, avoiding both the genre-weakening psionics-as-magic and the stereotypical all-Asians-are-martial-arts-masters.
In addition to the ongoing series arc of Awakened finding (or rejecting) their place in society, the novel contains a complete personal arc for Mamoru. Thus – while some events are likely to lack necessary context – readers can enjoy it without having read the previous volumes.
Based on genuine Japanese history rather than the usual tropes of Western cyberpunk, Cox’s Japan is – while objectively more authentic – likely to seem more alien to many readers. However, Cox skilfully balances flavour with common experience, preventing this potential cultural difference from forming a barrier.
This balance is especially noticeable once Mamoru flees the anachronistic society of the Matsushita prefecture for the more Westernised fringes of Japanese society and beyond. Making full use of his protagonist’s mix of competence and cultural inexperience, Cox both seamlessly inserts explanations of new technologies and cultures, and reframes aspects of previous volumes.
Mamoru is an engaging character. Too honourable to reject his culture or his assigned role within it, but too compassionate to take pleasure in his high status, he is torn between the need to fight injustice and the need to preserve a rigid social order.
The supporting cast are similarly nuanced, displaying shared cultural traits while remaining individuals with complex motivations.
Perhaps ironically this complexity is least evident in recurring characters from previous volumes. While they do develop, much of their presence is the culmination of events that occurred before this book started; as such, readers who are unfamiliar with those books might find some characters less engaging.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a futuristic thriller with an immersive world.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
December 19, 2015
Grey Ronin is a breath of fresh air to me.
The Sci-fi world combined with the ancient one with samurais and ninjas is just so great! The possibilities are endless!
Let's talk about our ah-mazing main character!
Mamoru's powers are so amazing, he could even beat one of the X-men in a match! Imagine being able to control any form of electronics. That would be stupendous, won't it? Ah, just great!
Now when we talk about Mamoru's personality.. I would say that he's one of the most intriguing characters I've ever come across. He's a samurai for crying out loud! He's built on mysteries! O_O He's the formal type and he takes his honor VERY SERIOUSLY. He is so calm on the outside even though on the inside, he's in turmoil. I love just how humorous it comes out when he can't understand modern terminologies! Haha! He's also very smart. I love how his mind works. Gosh! I think he's my favorite now when it comes to powers and calm demeanor.
Now when we talk about the plot... I can say that it's very imaginative. This is a story that will literally take you to places. I would be very honest in saying that I got lost in some descriptions of places, especially when it comes to the virtual world.. But when I got the hang of it, things started to look up. Maybe I'm just not a fan of lengthy descriptions. Anyway, the story revolves around Mamoru's loyalty and the way he values his honor. It's all about that. He has a very inconvenient past and it all catches up to him here. In the moment of dire need, his character is tested and numerous people come to his aid. He gets to meet friends, foes and some people in between. I just love how the action gets incorporated in every few pages. It makes things more exciting and edgy. He faces each obstacle with all of his heart and strength. By the end of this book, I am satisfied with how well developed his character has become. He has learned a lot, so I expect more awesomeness coming from him in the next books (whichever one he'll be present in).
All in all, I love how Mamoru's character grew. I enjoyed the thrill and the msyteries behind everything too. There are some questions that are left unanswered, but I'm quite sure that they'll be answered on the next book/s. Trust in the author, I shall. :)
A good read indeed!
An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The Sci-fi world combined with the ancient one with samurais and ninjas is just so great! The possibilities are endless!
Let's talk about our ah-mazing main character!
Mamoru's powers are so amazing, he could even beat one of the X-men in a match! Imagine being able to control any form of electronics. That would be stupendous, won't it? Ah, just great!
Now when we talk about Mamoru's personality.. I would say that he's one of the most intriguing characters I've ever come across. He's a samurai for crying out loud! He's built on mysteries! O_O He's the formal type and he takes his honor VERY SERIOUSLY. He is so calm on the outside even though on the inside, he's in turmoil. I love just how humorous it comes out when he can't understand modern terminologies! Haha! He's also very smart. I love how his mind works. Gosh! I think he's my favorite now when it comes to powers and calm demeanor.
Now when we talk about the plot... I can say that it's very imaginative. This is a story that will literally take you to places. I would be very honest in saying that I got lost in some descriptions of places, especially when it comes to the virtual world.. But when I got the hang of it, things started to look up. Maybe I'm just not a fan of lengthy descriptions. Anyway, the story revolves around Mamoru's loyalty and the way he values his honor. It's all about that. He has a very inconvenient past and it all catches up to him here. In the moment of dire need, his character is tested and numerous people come to his aid. He gets to meet friends, foes and some people in between. I just love how the action gets incorporated in every few pages. It makes things more exciting and edgy. He faces each obstacle with all of his heart and strength. By the end of this book, I am satisfied with how well developed his character has become. He has learned a lot, so I expect more awesomeness coming from him in the next books (whichever one he'll be present in).
All in all, I love how Mamoru's character grew. I enjoyed the thrill and the msyteries behind everything too. There are some questions that are left unanswered, but I'm quite sure that they'll be answered on the next book/s. Trust in the author, I shall. :)
A good read indeed!
An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2016
Grey Ronin is the third book in The Awakening series and each book is a wild ride of sci-fi and fantasy. In 2418 Japan, technology and feudalism rule, reminisce of the samurai and warlord days.
Mamoru has it made in life until he is falsely accused and disgraced. He can embody machines and change software but doesn't realize he is psionic and that there are others like him. As he fights to regain his honor and survive attempts on his life, he learns his life wasn't what he thought it was. How will he handle what he has learned and what side of a brewing battle does he choose.
I highly recommend this character fueled, fast paced, action packed tale of fantasy if you like the sci-fi/fantasy genre.
Mamoru has it made in life until he is falsely accused and disgraced. He can embody machines and change software but doesn't realize he is psionic and that there are others like him. As he fights to regain his honor and survive attempts on his life, he learns his life wasn't what he thought it was. How will he handle what he has learned and what side of a brewing battle does he choose.
I highly recommend this character fueled, fast paced, action packed tale of fantasy if you like the sci-fi/fantasy genre.
August 8, 2016
This is the best book by Matthew Cox so far! You don't have to read them in order, you can start with this one. And if you love Samurai or Cyberpunk, or both, you will love this book. What's NOT to love? Mamoru is a fantastic character with a quest that kept me turning pages all the way to the end. This author's work just keeps getting better and better.
May 7, 2018
Wow! So many different views yet...
I want to ask all of my programming friends to read this one. I personally was bedazzled by my imagination of code as this is written. The underlying cause revealing it self more each book. The cliffhanger twist in the end left me gasping. Have to rush my review rounds to open next in series.😉
I want to ask all of my programming friends to read this one. I personally was bedazzled by my imagination of code as this is written. The underlying cause revealing it self more each book. The cliffhanger twist in the end left me gasping. Have to rush my review rounds to open next in series.😉
December 18, 2016
Grey Ronin (The Awakened #3) by Matthew S. Cox is a fast and wild ride into sci-fi and fantasy. A world where CEOs are like warlords in Japan and Japan has both high technology and feudalism. At first, it is hard to like the main character because he is a rich,has two slave women, and he treats people of the street like they are worthless. But later, when he is on the run after being wrongfully accused of things, his past is made clear and things make more sense. Lots of action, fighting, mind powers in action through the computer and in person. Very imaginative and exciting to read. Never dull. The book ends ready for the next one. I received this book for a honest review.
May 3, 2018
I think the problems I have with this series is they are all different. Its not a continuation but others stories and in different places and times. It can be hard for the reader to wrap our heads around it. I dont think these series of books are part of a series although they are. Author is a talented writer and I enjoy his stories. This series has thrown me for a loop I admit. I got confused sometimes and there are times things moved too slow for me. When I started this book I was completely confused! It took some time for me to unravel that. I dont think myself as unintelligent but this book made me feel like I was a little dumb ha. His books have always been complex but I've always been able to follow for the most part but this one was the exception. If your into the Japanese comics you'll probably understand this better than most. It was a miss for me unfortunately.
August 28, 2019
Mamoru Saitō is a Samurai that in his time meant stealing , killing, and doing the bidding of leader of corporation. Ordinary people are terrified to glance at him . A man who uses his special abilities to serve the CEO of huge corporation even though he is not an honorable man. Mamoru thought it an honor to serve him until someone accuse's him of something that has his master against him. Mamoru must flee to save his life and find his accuser . I would recommend to begin reading this series from the beginning as it is confusing. I feel that I lost out on some detail about him. This was an interesting read read that once I got into the story , I was sucked into it. Nice work Matthew S. Cox
April 26, 2018
Out of all the books in this series, this is my least favorite but it wasn't bad. It just took me a while to get into it. It's a great story but maybe not the type of story i would typically read, even though I love post apocalyptic. However, in this type of genre the author can really get creative and put their own spin on things and that's what he did. Overall, it was good and I'll definitely continue with the series
November 5, 2016
In the Grey Ronin, Matt introduces a new primary character outside of his usual cute, but tough waiflike female lead. In a future Japan (more of his 25th Century dystopian world as also seen in the Division Zero and Virtual Immortality series), the Feudal system that ended half a dozen centuries before has been reinstated. Corporate CEOs reign as modern day Warlords, with Samurais and Ninjas, serving at their master’s pleasure. Mamoru Saitō is the ultimate samurai, controlled by the honor of his position and his belief in the code of the Samurai. After decades of training and experience, he is as powerful in the real world as his avatar is in the virtual world inside the global network. This is where the conflict lies, since his conscience is at odds with his training and his code. When you throw in Anchon, Aurora and Pixie (first seen in Anchon’s Queen – Book Two of the Awakened Series), The Angel Raziel (from Hand of Raziel) and a sister who he thought was long dead you get an honorable man thrown into internal and external conflict.
Like his other books (from Hard Sci-Fi, to Tween Text to Young Adult novels, Matthew has put together another book with the key elements of success for a fiction writer. He has developed a fast-paced story that is well thought out and filled with constantly changing storylines that keep you guessing at what will occur next. He has placed this story in the middle of his vision of a high-tech world that has not changed the inner workings of the people involved. He has developed complex characters that are strong and well developed, yet follow their inner truths when all is taken from them. Most important, he and the people at Quills Press have presented a work that is well edited, thoroughly proofed and highly polished. So often today, authors will simply pass the text of their book through MS Word’s Spelling and Grammar Checker, thinking that is all it takes to edit a work. Thankfully, Matt does so much more than that.
My only complaint with this book is the ending. When I turned a page at a climactic moment and instead of reading a resolution to the current crisis, the Acknowledgements page popped up and the book was done. It left me longing for a conclusion. If I did not know there were more books in the series to come, where all will be resolved, I would be completely at a loss (The Amazon Order Page says “Book 3 of 3 in The Awakened - 3 Book Series”). I prefer a book that can act as a stand-alone tome as well as being a key cog in the series storyline. He did a great job of tying previously introduced characters into the current story without having to retell the previous story. Often, a writer (WEB Griffin comes to mind), even in a well-written and well-received series can use more than a quarter of the current book to retell what occurred previously, when often it would only take a few sentences to explain what happened earlier. Then there are authors (Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas and Mike Markel’s Detectives Seagate and Miner series’) that write stand-alone books that are tied together by a common story thread. Since we know there is a follow-on book continuing Saitō’s quest to recover his honor, we can excuse Matt’s ending, as long as we are willing to buy and read the other books in the series. I know I can excuse the ending and that I will be reading the next books in this and Matt’s other series.
Like his other books (from Hard Sci-Fi, to Tween Text to Young Adult novels, Matthew has put together another book with the key elements of success for a fiction writer. He has developed a fast-paced story that is well thought out and filled with constantly changing storylines that keep you guessing at what will occur next. He has placed this story in the middle of his vision of a high-tech world that has not changed the inner workings of the people involved. He has developed complex characters that are strong and well developed, yet follow their inner truths when all is taken from them. Most important, he and the people at Quills Press have presented a work that is well edited, thoroughly proofed and highly polished. So often today, authors will simply pass the text of their book through MS Word’s Spelling and Grammar Checker, thinking that is all it takes to edit a work. Thankfully, Matt does so much more than that.
My only complaint with this book is the ending. When I turned a page at a climactic moment and instead of reading a resolution to the current crisis, the Acknowledgements page popped up and the book was done. It left me longing for a conclusion. If I did not know there were more books in the series to come, where all will be resolved, I would be completely at a loss (The Amazon Order Page says “Book 3 of 3 in The Awakened - 3 Book Series”). I prefer a book that can act as a stand-alone tome as well as being a key cog in the series storyline. He did a great job of tying previously introduced characters into the current story without having to retell the previous story. Often, a writer (WEB Griffin comes to mind), even in a well-written and well-received series can use more than a quarter of the current book to retell what occurred previously, when often it would only take a few sentences to explain what happened earlier. Then there are authors (Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas and Mike Markel’s Detectives Seagate and Miner series’) that write stand-alone books that are tied together by a common story thread. Since we know there is a follow-on book continuing Saitō’s quest to recover his honor, we can excuse Matt’s ending, as long as we are willing to buy and read the other books in the series. I know I can excuse the ending and that I will be reading the next books in this and Matt’s other series.
July 19, 2016
Review originally published at Book of Bogan
When I received this book, I was not aware that it was the third book in a trilogy, and have not read the others in the series. With that said, I don't think that they were required reading to be able to appreciate, and understand Grey Ronin.
Grey Ronin presents an interesting world, where the medieval Japanese empire has survived into the mid 3rd millenia. The main character is a sort of cyber samurai, who moves seamlessly between the world of computers, and the real world... which can get a bit dizzying at times until you realise what is happening. The main character is a bit of a dick to start with - he has two slave women, with some of the intended consequences, but as the story progresses, and as his own life starts to go downhill, he is revealed as more of a human being.
When the action was taking place on earth, I got an excellent sense of place, and where things were going on, but once he shipped offworld, I sort of got lost. I thought that the author could have done a better job of describing what was actually going on at times.
I thought that the author has done an excellent job of translating the Japanese culture into a futuristic setting, and all of the characters remain consistently well thought out, and well-executed. (no pun intended) Having read the third book, I will now have to read the rest of the books to see how we ended up here.
The author has a style which was reminiscent to me of early William Gibson, and to a lesser extent, Neal Stephenson's early Cyberpunk fiction, before he started writing doorstop-sized books.
A thoroughly excellent read!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
When I received this book, I was not aware that it was the third book in a trilogy, and have not read the others in the series. With that said, I don't think that they were required reading to be able to appreciate, and understand Grey Ronin.
Grey Ronin presents an interesting world, where the medieval Japanese empire has survived into the mid 3rd millenia. The main character is a sort of cyber samurai, who moves seamlessly between the world of computers, and the real world... which can get a bit dizzying at times until you realise what is happening. The main character is a bit of a dick to start with - he has two slave women, with some of the intended consequences, but as the story progresses, and as his own life starts to go downhill, he is revealed as more of a human being.
When the action was taking place on earth, I got an excellent sense of place, and where things were going on, but once he shipped offworld, I sort of got lost. I thought that the author could have done a better job of describing what was actually going on at times.
I thought that the author has done an excellent job of translating the Japanese culture into a futuristic setting, and all of the characters remain consistently well thought out, and well-executed. (no pun intended) Having read the third book, I will now have to read the rest of the books to see how we ended up here.
The author has a style which was reminiscent to me of early William Gibson, and to a lesser extent, Neal Stephenson's early Cyberpunk fiction, before he started writing doorstop-sized books.
A thoroughly excellent read!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2016
Here is another fantastic example of Matthew Cox's talent in Grey Ronin. his name is Mamoru, at first i wasn't sure I was going to like this character because of his lack of compassion, or so I thought. but I soon found out that he was not the cold hearted person I thought that he was! I grew to love this character and the things he gets into but at times I wanted to shake him to let him aware of certain people. if you like Syfy and Matthew Cox, then this is one book that you need to read.
April 24, 2018
I must say that when I started reading this book I was just a little baffled . But then it started to make sense to me . What would you do if the empirical age in Japan just kept going on and on . That is the case for Mamoru , a samurai for the Tokyo Shogun . Everything is life and death for him . So when someone puts a mark on him all he can do is run and figure out what is going on . There are things that are starting to make him rethink is place in the world and how he is functioning in the said world of technology .
This book had me a little on the fence at the beginning . I was trying to figure out what was going on . It took me a few chapters but when I finally figured out what was going on the story took off and I couldn't put it down . The characters grew on me and I wanted to see Mamoru and Caiden succeed in getting to where they are suppose to be . The characters are well written and very complex . You will have your favourite characters and the characters you hate .
The author created such a stunning world with these characters . The story is complex and has so many twists and turns that will keep you reading all night long .
This book had me a little on the fence at the beginning . I was trying to figure out what was going on . It took me a few chapters but when I finally figured out what was going on the story took off and I couldn't put it down . The characters grew on me and I wanted to see Mamoru and Caiden succeed in getting to where they are suppose to be . The characters are well written and very complex . You will have your favourite characters and the characters you hate .
The author created such a stunning world with these characters . The story is complex and has so many twists and turns that will keep you reading all night long .
May 19, 2024
Grey Ronin is a warrior in a strange land. Japan in the future shapes itself around the world of the Shonin. CEOs are the Shonin and Mamoru is a Samurai filled with duty bound principles of honor, respect, and sepukku. All of that's a wondrous dream until "someone" rips it all away and Mamoru is a ronin dealing with the dishonor. He has an awesome power which many are pulling their strings to bring him to them as a toy for their ambitions. He is who he is in a world of powerplays.
The Awakened series is great and this is only #3 in the making with characters from the previous books popping up. Along the way and continuing among all six books reveals the whole picture of The Awakened. From the first, the reader gets the picture of the cities, the Badlands, and Mars. Matthew Cox has done a tremendous job bringing the entire world all together with its distinct characters and how they feel about their lives.
The book is mind boggling with details (some computer) and people dealing with their fates. And yes, they do intermix.
The Awakened series is great and this is only #3 in the making with characters from the previous books popping up. Along the way and continuing among all six books reveals the whole picture of The Awakened. From the first, the reader gets the picture of the cities, the Badlands, and Mars. Matthew Cox has done a tremendous job bringing the entire world all together with its distinct characters and how they feel about their lives.
The book is mind boggling with details (some computer) and people dealing with their fates. And yes, they do intermix.
December 18, 2016
This book was a complete surprise to me. The first being I received a copy from the author at no cost and not a single string attached. The second, and the best part of the surprise, I found this story to be the best of the "Awakened" series. And here is briefly why.
From the opening sequence of the battle between Samurai and machines, which I really believed was actually happening in real life, in real time, in the story, but was all being played out in cyberspace. From there on, I was totally trapped in this story and the imagination of Mr. Cox and his writing.
My best advice: Read this book and keep an open mind because what is real and what is played in cyberspace will seldom be as your mind thinks it is.
From the opening sequence of the battle between Samurai and machines, which I really believed was actually happening in real life, in real time, in the story, but was all being played out in cyberspace. From there on, I was totally trapped in this story and the imagination of Mr. Cox and his writing.
My best advice: Read this book and keep an open mind because what is real and what is played in cyberspace will seldom be as your mind thinks it is.
February 5, 2023
Interesting concepts, well-written, enjoyed the battle scenes and the world-building. HOWEVER, author is not familiar enough with Japanese culture/language enough that character decisions and the reasons behind them were very steeped in Orientalism. This is a sticky point that MOST READERS WILL NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE worried about being familiar with. But over 30 years of Japanese language/culture (I have a degree, live and work in Japan as a translator/interpreter), so it sticks with me. I don't blame the author for not knowing, as I think he must have done a great deal of research, but it DOES affect my reading. There were some scenes that made me roll my eyes. So excellent effort, I think this is a book MOST scifi/samurai fiction reader WILL LOVE. It just wasn't for me.
March 19, 2017
I received an ecopy of Grey Ronin from the author for a honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Grey Ronin is the third book in the science fiction series, The Awakened. Like the other two books, this one centers on another Awakened and his journey. The setting is a feudal high tech Japan which reminds me a bit of Ghost in the Shell. If you don't care for Japanese tradition or culture, this book may be a bit of a miss for you. Mamoru is a deeply honor bound character. He doesn't question his position very much, but understands where he is in the scheme of things.
I honestly didn't care for him as a character. He lacked in personality and it was hard to understand him. I did like his abilities and his love for tradition, but in means of what made him unique, I felt he was too quiet of a character.
That isn't to say that the book isn't interesting. The world Cox crafted is filled with technology and abilities that surpass much of my own imagination. It is thick with imagery and conspiracy.
For me, it was the world and the hint of what is to come in the future book. All of the players seem to be converging and I can only expect it to be filled with action.
Grey Ronin is the third book in the science fiction series, The Awakened. Like the other two books, this one centers on another Awakened and his journey. The setting is a feudal high tech Japan which reminds me a bit of Ghost in the Shell. If you don't care for Japanese tradition or culture, this book may be a bit of a miss for you. Mamoru is a deeply honor bound character. He doesn't question his position very much, but understands where he is in the scheme of things.
I honestly didn't care for him as a character. He lacked in personality and it was hard to understand him. I did like his abilities and his love for tradition, but in means of what made him unique, I felt he was too quiet of a character.
That isn't to say that the book isn't interesting. The world Cox crafted is filled with technology and abilities that surpass much of my own imagination. It is thick with imagery and conspiracy.
For me, it was the world and the hint of what is to come in the future book. All of the players seem to be converging and I can only expect it to be filled with action.
June 24, 2016
The Price Of False Honor
This series must be read in order. The first book is Prophet Of The Badlands. The second book is Archon's Queen. This is the third book. I can't wait to read Daughter Of Ash!
Mamoru was raised to believe in the Shinto religion and ancient practices of Japan including a Samurai's duty to his Shogun. He knows little truth of his past and feels his parents died because they were too weak which makes it just. His chi allows him to perform superhuman feats as well as become one with machines. This makes him very valuable and well respected until the unthinkable happens. After being approached by Oni (at least that is his only comprehension of the being) to defect to the UFC, someone steals his honor and turns his Shogun against him. Fleeing for his life, and under the auspices of getting to the bottom of the mystery, he flees to Mars to get revenge and restore his honor. Will he ever find out who has destroyed everything he stands for? Can he become a Samurai again? Or will he forever be Ronin? Why would someone do this despicable thing? Can he trust anyone? Or will his quest to restore his honor only end in death?
***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy futuristic sci-fi action adventure set in a post postapocalyptic dystopian world filled with superstitions and prejudices where paranormal elements fight with elements of the government and society over the fate of anyone with paranormal powers :)
This series must be read in order. The first book is Prophet Of The Badlands. The second book is Archon's Queen. This is the third book. I can't wait to read Daughter Of Ash!
Mamoru was raised to believe in the Shinto religion and ancient practices of Japan including a Samurai's duty to his Shogun. He knows little truth of his past and feels his parents died because they were too weak which makes it just. His chi allows him to perform superhuman feats as well as become one with machines. This makes him very valuable and well respected until the unthinkable happens. After being approached by Oni (at least that is his only comprehension of the being) to defect to the UFC, someone steals his honor and turns his Shogun against him. Fleeing for his life, and under the auspices of getting to the bottom of the mystery, he flees to Mars to get revenge and restore his honor. Will he ever find out who has destroyed everything he stands for? Can he become a Samurai again? Or will he forever be Ronin? Why would someone do this despicable thing? Can he trust anyone? Or will his quest to restore his honor only end in death?
***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy futuristic sci-fi action adventure set in a post postapocalyptic dystopian world filled with superstitions and prejudices where paranormal elements fight with elements of the government and society over the fate of anyone with paranormal powers :)
March 25, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from the author, Matthew S. Cox, for an honest review.
I hate to say it, but this is the first miss for me by Cox. I don't know if it is because I didn't read any manga when I was younger but I found it difficult to get into this book. I also found many of the concepts a little over my head. Again this may be due to my lack of experience in the realm of Manga and Japanese literature.
Mamoru Saito has psionic abilities that he attributes to chi. He is unaware of the fact that his abilities are anything other than something given to him by the gods. He has the ability to enter machines and change the programming software in them. He sees the programming as a world unto itself. He believes himself to be a Samuri in a world that no longer believes in the old ways.
Even though many of the ideas were a little over my head, I found myself rooting for Mamoru. He was fighting a losing battle and knew it but felt honor bound to continue on his path.
Although this book wasn't my favorite, I look forward to reading the 4th book in this series.
I hate to say it, but this is the first miss for me by Cox. I don't know if it is because I didn't read any manga when I was younger but I found it difficult to get into this book. I also found many of the concepts a little over my head. Again this may be due to my lack of experience in the realm of Manga and Japanese literature.
Mamoru Saito has psionic abilities that he attributes to chi. He is unaware of the fact that his abilities are anything other than something given to him by the gods. He has the ability to enter machines and change the programming software in them. He sees the programming as a world unto itself. He believes himself to be a Samuri in a world that no longer believes in the old ways.
Even though many of the ideas were a little over my head, I found myself rooting for Mamoru. He was fighting a losing battle and knew it but felt honor bound to continue on his path.
Although this book wasn't my favorite, I look forward to reading the 4th book in this series.
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