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Nicholas Linnear #4
The Kaisho
From New York Times bestselling author Eric Lustbader, the suspense mastermind behind the smash bestsellers featuring Robert Ludlum’s™ Jason Bourne, comes a blockbuster thriller of one man’s debt of honor—and his ultimate destiny.
Years ago, Nicholas Linnear, a.k.a. “the Ninja,” made a promise to his If a man named Mikio Okami ever sought his help, he would respond without question, no matter the cost. Now the time has come to fulfill his pledge. Okami is the Kaisho—the boss of bosses of the Yakuza, the Japanese underworld—and in his Venice headquarters, he realizes that he has been marked for death. But the identity of the assassin and the inexorable compulsion that drives him are shrouded in mysticism and madness. Honor bound to protect Okami, Linnear is prepared to make the ultimate a descent into a chasm of knowledge so potent, of dangers so unfathomable, that even if he survives, he will emerge changed forever.
Years ago, Nicholas Linnear, a.k.a. “the Ninja,” made a promise to his If a man named Mikio Okami ever sought his help, he would respond without question, no matter the cost. Now the time has come to fulfill his pledge. Okami is the Kaisho—the boss of bosses of the Yakuza, the Japanese underworld—and in his Venice headquarters, he realizes that he has been marked for death. But the identity of the assassin and the inexorable compulsion that drives him are shrouded in mysticism and madness. Honor bound to protect Okami, Linnear is prepared to make the ultimate a descent into a chasm of knowledge so potent, of dangers so unfathomable, that even if he survives, he will emerge changed forever.
562 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
99 people are currently reading
717 people want to read
About the author
Eric Van Lustbader
167 books1,227 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 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 18, 2019
Nicholas Linnear gets involved with the Yakuza AND the mafia as a result of a favor owed by his father. Esoteric in parts. Like a movie Steven Seagal should have made in others.
Mixed results.
Mixed results.
July 20, 2020
A possible reread from over 27 years ago! I loved these books when they first came out. I forgot where I left off. Pretty darn sure I read the first 3, so I dropping back now to #4 and soon to
before I take on
. So hard to believe I read the first Nicholas Linnear novel in 1980! I have read several of Eric's other titles, to include the first four of his Bourne novels.
This book recaptures many of the elements that I remember of
. The ole cast of characters came back and the danger, the big deals, the fighting. Familiar elements from
as well (totally different author). East meets West. Thank goodness Erik is a prolific writer. So many titles to choose from and enjoy.
before I take on
. So hard to believe I read the first Nicholas Linnear novel in 1980! I have read several of Eric's other titles, to include the first four of his Bourne novels.This book recaptures many of the elements that I remember of
. The ole cast of characters came back and the danger, the big deals, the fighting. Familiar elements from
as well (totally different author). East meets West. Thank goodness Erik is a prolific writer. So many titles to choose from and enjoy.
September 1, 2017
She went to the bookstore on a cold December afternoon. She found this book. She picked the book up. She read the blurb. She bought the book. The earliest “books” are thought to be clay tablets, along with scrolls and sheets of papyrus. These eventually gave way to press-printed tomes along with the mass-printed ones most common in the world today. The book she chose was a huge book, but she could not read it when she first obtained it, for she was reading other things.
Six months passed, and it finally came time for her to read the book. But was she truly prepared to read the book? Two disappointing books in a row prior to that point, which had been preceded by an okay book, which in turn had been preceded by a horrendous one, had nearly put her at her wit’s end, preventing her from touching the membrane at the heart of the book-universe, and truth to tell, she was hoping for a miracle in the form of The Kaisho .
Alas, it did not come.
The book was off to a good start. She was invested in the psychic warfare that played an important part in the book. However, she quickly found herself crawling through the jarring pacing and long blocks of exposition. Exposition, according to Google, is “a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory”. The word derives from the Latin verb exponere, meaning “to put out, exhibit, explain”. By the time she finished, she found that at least fifty pages of the book could have been done away with altogether. But was she certain that those fifty pages were useless? She was aware that the book was the fourth one in a series, and she thought it worked as a standalone, though she had seen that aspect handled far better in the past. And when she finally got to the ending, she realized that it was an underwhelming ending, one that would surely prevent her from opening the glorious book-gates of the book-universe. She was aware that things were being set up for a sequel, but she knew that that was no way to handle an ending in any circumstance. The ending was boring . . . too boring.
She finished the book on the beach while vacationing on the shores of Italy on a bright summer day. Summer is the warmest season of the year, succeeding spring and preceding autumn, beginning on or around June 21 and ending on or around September 21. She put the book down. She sighed. She sat back in her beach chair. Five days later, her father had decided to read the book for himself. She told him that she would have given it three stars, but after much reconsideration (and hearing his progress updates), she decided to bring her rating down to two stars. Star ratings are often used to determine the quality of the product that one uses or the book one reads. One star means the product is bad; five stars means the product is excellent. Truth to tell, she ultimately decided to give the book two and a half stars. Unfortunately, she could not give half-star ratings. It would have been convenient for her interests.
But was it actually convenient for her interests?
Her father had given up at page 87. They both agreed that the book was bad. And then, they roasted it. And three weeks later, this review came to fruition. Which brings us to the present.
The End.
And that, fellow readers, is what reading The Kaisho was like.
VERDICT: 4.5/10
Six months passed, and it finally came time for her to read the book. But was she truly prepared to read the book? Two disappointing books in a row prior to that point, which had been preceded by an okay book, which in turn had been preceded by a horrendous one, had nearly put her at her wit’s end, preventing her from touching the membrane at the heart of the book-universe, and truth to tell, she was hoping for a miracle in the form of The Kaisho .
Alas, it did not come.
The book was off to a good start. She was invested in the psychic warfare that played an important part in the book. However, she quickly found herself crawling through the jarring pacing and long blocks of exposition. Exposition, according to Google, is “a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory”. The word derives from the Latin verb exponere, meaning “to put out, exhibit, explain”. By the time she finished, she found that at least fifty pages of the book could have been done away with altogether. But was she certain that those fifty pages were useless? She was aware that the book was the fourth one in a series, and she thought it worked as a standalone, though she had seen that aspect handled far better in the past. And when she finally got to the ending, she realized that it was an underwhelming ending, one that would surely prevent her from opening the glorious book-gates of the book-universe. She was aware that things were being set up for a sequel, but she knew that that was no way to handle an ending in any circumstance. The ending was boring . . . too boring.
She finished the book on the beach while vacationing on the shores of Italy on a bright summer day. Summer is the warmest season of the year, succeeding spring and preceding autumn, beginning on or around June 21 and ending on or around September 21. She put the book down. She sighed. She sat back in her beach chair. Five days later, her father had decided to read the book for himself. She told him that she would have given it three stars, but after much reconsideration (and hearing his progress updates), she decided to bring her rating down to two stars. Star ratings are often used to determine the quality of the product that one uses or the book one reads. One star means the product is bad; five stars means the product is excellent. Truth to tell, she ultimately decided to give the book two and a half stars. Unfortunately, she could not give half-star ratings. It would have been convenient for her interests.
But was it actually convenient for her interests?
Her father had given up at page 87. They both agreed that the book was bad. And then, they roasted it. And three weeks later, this review came to fruition. Which brings us to the present.
The End.
And that, fellow readers, is what reading The Kaisho was like.
VERDICT: 4.5/10
December 21, 2016
The book has a good storyline with a very gripping introduction which at first hooks you into reading it. The plot however is complex and many characters are constantly introduced which means that you really forget some that do not play a prominent role as you go along. The book is very lengthy and steeped in mysticism of its own making yet very expertly written. The hero in the story not so much the hero....it seems more like more than one hero with very much similar characteristics. The fight in the lake and the sword a little bit too fantastic but in a story with all this mysticism it is not totally out of place. Nevertheless a good read with some things not answered like Mikio Okami is still missing as well as other loose ends which makes you think that there is a trailer following this book.
November 29, 2022
This is the 4th in the Nicholas Linnear/NINJA book series. The Kaisho is the legendary boss of bosses of the Japanese underworld. It kept me on edge, but I can’t deny that I was bored in parts, too. I still love the series and look forward to finishing up the last two books in his thrilling series. Eric (the author) has a great way with profound words. What an excellent writer! Here are the lines that captured me in this book:
“We all have our ways of rationalizing what we do...”
“In the end, we’re all animals. We’ve got to get dirty sometime.”
Kaisho meant ‘The Mysterious Commander’.
It may be unfortunate, but one cannot live one’s life as a saint; one must often times make compromises, painful and questionable though they may be.
All chickens eventually come home to roost. *
Politicians were like dogs. They liked best to lie down with their own breed.
“You’d be astounded at the advances in electronic surveillance since you left the force.”
“I fancy your humor. Dry and distinct, like a fine wine.”
His blood had begun to sing. It felt good to have a purpose again, to be caught up in mystery and intrigue, to have a murder to solve.
There was a devious streak to him. This somewhat dubious talent was necessary in order to be successful in Southeast Asia.
“The end of October, the beginning of November is All Hallow’s Eve, the one night, when masks once again become the norm. The masks protect us, as they once did our ancestors.”
“As a matter of fact, I make it a habit never to expect anything. It makes for clear thought and pure reaction.”
“You must understand something of the changing nature of the world I have inhabited for all my life. The world is our oyster.”
“You and I must struggle toward our own understanding. Only from that can we expect a connection to evolve...an alliance.”
He hated the Communists as much as he hated the French and the Americans—more, even, because Communists were his own people, and they should know better than to turn on their own.
He had learned the only lesson worth remembering in Asia: That it wasn’t money one sought in life; it was power.
“Harden your heart until it is like unto a stone in your breast, for your path is as treacherous as it is arduous.”
He had a way of speaking that was almost hypnotic, as if by this voice alone he could conjure magic out of the very atmosphere.
Listen to NESSUN DORMA, the opera song.
“Your body will possess remarkable recuperative and regenerative capabilities.”
“I will be close to immortality.”
“In the end, that will be for you to determine.”
“He possesses KORYOKU, the illuminating power. Over ninety and with the strength and will of a fifty-year-old.”
“I often find myself homesick for the town where I was born. The feeling is natural.”
“I know where we are—the center point of the universe; the place where heaven and earth meet. Here time flows in all directions at once.” *
“You know the odds are that this mission is no longer what it once was.
“It’s occurred to me that it never was what it was supposed to be.”
‘The truth about a man lies first and foremost in what he hides.’ --Andre Malraux
Whoever believes in his own fate? What had happened was meant to happen.
Tension, he had invariably found, was a fecund medium for inadvertent revelation.
He knew from experience that love was not so ephemeral a thing as most people supposed. The areola of love was like the kiss of an angel, invisible in itself, yet discernible by the intimations of its eminence.
Washington DC was shark city, where even people who purported to be your friends would turn on you at the first sign of political pressure.
When the POTUS-President of the United States sends out EYES ONLY material, he expects it to be read. Immediately.
“We all need comfort, now and again.”
“But in the past are hidden all our sins. And our sins are what, in the end, lead to our undoing.”
“We Venetians have a saying: When history is inadequate, myth will do.”
They walked toward the PLACE DES VOSGES, the most famous spot in the area.
“Today is not the same as yesterday.”
He sought PRANA, the slow, cleansing inhalation and exhalation that brought oxygen all the way to the bottom of the lungs.
“The management of power, there’s the riddle that has baffled mankind thought the ages, eh?”
He thought it interesting that Americans had such a strict taboo against sexual liaisons between men; in Japan, it had been an accepted part of life for centuries.
“He chose his own path, no one pushed him.”
“Madness is born of the meditation on revenge. It will do you good to remember that.”
“They were the kind of friends who, though not having seen each other for long periods of time, could pick up their conversation as if the intervening years had never passed. People like that were rare in life.”
It was all too easy for men to confuse LOVE with LUST at the outset of an affair, to convince themselves they felt something in their heart, when the stirring occurred quite a bit lower.”
“As to his sexual peccadilloes, he couldn’t help himself. Who among us can?”
“You must understand that in every culture of the world flight is one of the greatest of shamanic powers. The bird is a symbol—not only of flight---but of the transformation of man into God.”
What good was a mask unless it changed you?
“LOVE is all around you.”
There is always in the human heart the hope for transformation.
“Isn’t it curious how blind one becomes when one cries.”
“I’m tired. I never realized before how power could exhaust you.”
His intelligence made for a restless soul. And I, personally, can never fully trust restless souls.
TIME is somehow akin to the ocean. There are tides, currents, eddies which at certain nexus points overlap, creating a kind of whirlpool of events that repeat like ripples until, having spread sufficiently outward, are spent upon a rocky shore.
Nothing was ever so cut-and-dried in LIFE; even as well as good wore many different faces.
Tomorrow it would be New Year’s Day, a time of renewal, when all things were possible.
“We all wear masks to hide what is most important to us.”
“I see only you when I look at you.”
“We all have our ways of rationalizing what we do...”
“In the end, we’re all animals. We’ve got to get dirty sometime.”
Kaisho meant ‘The Mysterious Commander’.
It may be unfortunate, but one cannot live one’s life as a saint; one must often times make compromises, painful and questionable though they may be.
All chickens eventually come home to roost. *
Politicians were like dogs. They liked best to lie down with their own breed.
“You’d be astounded at the advances in electronic surveillance since you left the force.”
“I fancy your humor. Dry and distinct, like a fine wine.”
His blood had begun to sing. It felt good to have a purpose again, to be caught up in mystery and intrigue, to have a murder to solve.
There was a devious streak to him. This somewhat dubious talent was necessary in order to be successful in Southeast Asia.
“The end of October, the beginning of November is All Hallow’s Eve, the one night, when masks once again become the norm. The masks protect us, as they once did our ancestors.”
“As a matter of fact, I make it a habit never to expect anything. It makes for clear thought and pure reaction.”
“You must understand something of the changing nature of the world I have inhabited for all my life. The world is our oyster.”
“You and I must struggle toward our own understanding. Only from that can we expect a connection to evolve...an alliance.”
He hated the Communists as much as he hated the French and the Americans—more, even, because Communists were his own people, and they should know better than to turn on their own.
He had learned the only lesson worth remembering in Asia: That it wasn’t money one sought in life; it was power.
“Harden your heart until it is like unto a stone in your breast, for your path is as treacherous as it is arduous.”
He had a way of speaking that was almost hypnotic, as if by this voice alone he could conjure magic out of the very atmosphere.
Listen to NESSUN DORMA, the opera song.
“Your body will possess remarkable recuperative and regenerative capabilities.”
“I will be close to immortality.”
“In the end, that will be for you to determine.”
“He possesses KORYOKU, the illuminating power. Over ninety and with the strength and will of a fifty-year-old.”
“I often find myself homesick for the town where I was born. The feeling is natural.”
“I know where we are—the center point of the universe; the place where heaven and earth meet. Here time flows in all directions at once.” *
“You know the odds are that this mission is no longer what it once was.
“It’s occurred to me that it never was what it was supposed to be.”
‘The truth about a man lies first and foremost in what he hides.’ --Andre Malraux
Whoever believes in his own fate? What had happened was meant to happen.
Tension, he had invariably found, was a fecund medium for inadvertent revelation.
He knew from experience that love was not so ephemeral a thing as most people supposed. The areola of love was like the kiss of an angel, invisible in itself, yet discernible by the intimations of its eminence.
Washington DC was shark city, where even people who purported to be your friends would turn on you at the first sign of political pressure.
When the POTUS-President of the United States sends out EYES ONLY material, he expects it to be read. Immediately.
“We all need comfort, now and again.”
“But in the past are hidden all our sins. And our sins are what, in the end, lead to our undoing.”
“We Venetians have a saying: When history is inadequate, myth will do.”
They walked toward the PLACE DES VOSGES, the most famous spot in the area.
“Today is not the same as yesterday.”
He sought PRANA, the slow, cleansing inhalation and exhalation that brought oxygen all the way to the bottom of the lungs.
“The management of power, there’s the riddle that has baffled mankind thought the ages, eh?”
He thought it interesting that Americans had such a strict taboo against sexual liaisons between men; in Japan, it had been an accepted part of life for centuries.
“He chose his own path, no one pushed him.”
“Madness is born of the meditation on revenge. It will do you good to remember that.”
“They were the kind of friends who, though not having seen each other for long periods of time, could pick up their conversation as if the intervening years had never passed. People like that were rare in life.”
It was all too easy for men to confuse LOVE with LUST at the outset of an affair, to convince themselves they felt something in their heart, when the stirring occurred quite a bit lower.”
“As to his sexual peccadilloes, he couldn’t help himself. Who among us can?”
“You must understand that in every culture of the world flight is one of the greatest of shamanic powers. The bird is a symbol—not only of flight---but of the transformation of man into God.”
What good was a mask unless it changed you?
“LOVE is all around you.”
There is always in the human heart the hope for transformation.
“Isn’t it curious how blind one becomes when one cries.”
“I’m tired. I never realized before how power could exhaust you.”
His intelligence made for a restless soul. And I, personally, can never fully trust restless souls.
TIME is somehow akin to the ocean. There are tides, currents, eddies which at certain nexus points overlap, creating a kind of whirlpool of events that repeat like ripples until, having spread sufficiently outward, are spent upon a rocky shore.
Nothing was ever so cut-and-dried in LIFE; even as well as good wore many different faces.
Tomorrow it would be New Year’s Day, a time of renewal, when all things were possible.
“We all wear masks to hide what is most important to us.”
“I see only you when I look at you.”
July 7, 2017
this is the 4th book in the Nicholas Linnear series .... but, it can be read as a standalone .... it provides adequate backstory and characterization to enjoy it alone. The story is cleverly plotted and weaves back and forth between Tokyo, Paris , Venice & Washington ... layer upon layer is laid down until the action back denouement. The story is packed with martial arts and mysticism ... although at times approaching royal hokeyness.
Nicholas, the Ninja, has to embark on an adventure that starts in Venice ... where is has to repay a moral debt to his father's faithful friend, Mikio Okami . Okami is the "Kaisho" , the Godfather of the entire Yakusa organization ... and has been targeted for termination by a Kabal of unknown forces.
In order to intervene, Nicholas must encounter and defeat the master assassin Du Doc ... he must master both the light and dark side of Tau Tau. The last quarter of the book proceeds at breakneck speed ... and does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more about Nicholas Linnear.
Nicholas, the Ninja, has to embark on an adventure that starts in Venice ... where is has to repay a moral debt to his father's faithful friend, Mikio Okami . Okami is the "Kaisho" , the Godfather of the entire Yakusa organization ... and has been targeted for termination by a Kabal of unknown forces.
In order to intervene, Nicholas must encounter and defeat the master assassin Du Doc ... he must master both the light and dark side of Tau Tau. The last quarter of the book proceeds at breakneck speed ... and does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more about Nicholas Linnear.
January 18, 2021
As a martial artist I used enjoy this author's novels, but over time I stopped reading them and had forgotten why. Now I remember.
Too much mysticism, that is completely unrealistic in my view (and I've studied martial arts for nearly 60 years). This book might me an interesting read for those not involved in serious martial art training - but hasten to add that they shouldn't take anything in his books too seriously.
Too much mysticism, that is completely unrealistic in my view (and I've studied martial arts for nearly 60 years). This book might me an interesting read for those not involved in serious martial art training - but hasten to add that they shouldn't take anything in his books too seriously.
August 20, 2017
THE KAISHO is an excellent book, almost as good as my favorite Lustbader novels: SUNSET WARRIOR, SHALLOWS OF NIGHT, THE NINJA and BLACK BLADE, all of which are great.
If I had to offer any criticism about this book it would be EVL's slight tendency to use certain words again and again, over describing scenery (although his depiction of Venice made me want to catch the next flight out) and the unlikely coincidences involving an underwater fight and two characters turning out to be sisters, plus one very cagey individual's not noticing an old woman reaching for a gun which had been foreshadowed in such a way I knew what would happen chapters before it did. These are very minor quibbles that in no way downgraded the overall reading experience.
I lived in Japan for two years and compliment Lustbader's keen understanding of the Oriental mindset, especially in regard to barbarous foreigners, tradition and duty. THE KAISHO offers ninja action, sex, the Yakuza, the Mafia and compelling character motivation. The 1947 flashback was a high point as well as the ones during the Vietnam war. This is not a spoiler, but when Lustbader killed a major character I found myself genuinely shocked.
If I had to offer any criticism about this book it would be EVL's slight tendency to use certain words again and again, over describing scenery (although his depiction of Venice made me want to catch the next flight out) and the unlikely coincidences involving an underwater fight and two characters turning out to be sisters, plus one very cagey individual's not noticing an old woman reaching for a gun which had been foreshadowed in such a way I knew what would happen chapters before it did. These are very minor quibbles that in no way downgraded the overall reading experience.
I lived in Japan for two years and compliment Lustbader's keen understanding of the Oriental mindset, especially in regard to barbarous foreigners, tradition and duty. THE KAISHO offers ninja action, sex, the Yakuza, the Mafia and compelling character motivation. The 1947 flashback was a high point as well as the ones during the Vietnam war. This is not a spoiler, but when Lustbader killed a major character I found myself genuinely shocked.
September 17, 2022
I love this author.
I think the firs book I read of his was Zhan witch was Briliant. The characters , the Twists ,the Sex he loves to describe...
The Kashio was the first book I read in the Nicholas Linear saga, witch I think is one of the best ever written.
In my opnion the Kashio and White Ninja r the best of the series.
Read it in 1996 I think. Nicholas Linear goes to Japan
Because of his wifes father who is a maneger of a big company.
His Rival in this book is Do Doc , A proffession assasin who served in a Commando unit in Vietnam with a Soldier bamed Rock .
The story line gose back and forth ,to back to the 70s
Where we learn about Docs Combat teaining and past
to Mike Leonfort a smart american who is tge Commander of Docs unit.
This series should have bern made in to movies of into a series ,its better then Jams Bond or as good in my opnion.
I think the firs book I read of his was Zhan witch was Briliant. The characters , the Twists ,the Sex he loves to describe...
The Kashio was the first book I read in the Nicholas Linear saga, witch I think is one of the best ever written.
In my opnion the Kashio and White Ninja r the best of the series.
Read it in 1996 I think. Nicholas Linear goes to Japan
Because of his wifes father who is a maneger of a big company.
His Rival in this book is Do Doc , A proffession assasin who served in a Commando unit in Vietnam with a Soldier bamed Rock .
The story line gose back and forth ,to back to the 70s
Where we learn about Docs Combat teaining and past
to Mike Leonfort a smart american who is tge Commander of Docs unit.
This series should have bern made in to movies of into a series ,its better then Jams Bond or as good in my opnion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2021
First in the second Nicholas Linnear trilogy isgreat
I've been a fan of Van Lustbader's Nicholas Linnear novels since the 80s. I finished the first trilogy and really enjoyed them back then. Before I could start the second trilogy life got in the way.
Recently I decided to revisit the world of The Ninja. This installment provided the complex characters and intricate story I've come to expect from Van Lustbader. Although, if I had one criticism its the fact that he doesn't explain the mystic aspects of the stories much. You just have to label them "magic" in your head and move past them.
If you can do that, you'll find the stories really exciting and worth the time it takes to read them.
I've been a fan of Van Lustbader's Nicholas Linnear novels since the 80s. I finished the first trilogy and really enjoyed them back then. Before I could start the second trilogy life got in the way.
Recently I decided to revisit the world of The Ninja. This installment provided the complex characters and intricate story I've come to expect from Van Lustbader. Although, if I had one criticism its the fact that he doesn't explain the mystic aspects of the stories much. You just have to label them "magic" in your head and move past them.
If you can do that, you'll find the stories really exciting and worth the time it takes to read them.
February 23, 2025
I am not sure if I can call it thriller. For me there was too many cerulean eyes, physically fit Appalonian figures, everyone was beautiful , gifted or femme fatale. There were only two people who didn’t have ninja-model bodies, but they were astonishingly fit nonetheless. I find it funny. The looking inward descriptions of the inner eye made me somewhat tired & I skipped many paragraphs because of them. Also one of the main characters was lost in the process rather abruptly without reappearing again. The end was a bit jammed.
Other than that, the story line was interesting & engaging.
Other than that, the story line was interesting & engaging.
May 28, 2017
It is getting boring
As much as I enjoy the ninja , miko, it seems like Eric has lost his Midas touch of the mystic ninja and starts into the occult Ancient art with no clear understanding of the research. This leading to unexplained actions by otherwise great character buildup
Also the lead character Nicholas is getting less and less of action time but more of unknown mind blogging mysticism that needs more explaining
As much as I enjoy the ninja , miko, it seems like Eric has lost his Midas touch of the mystic ninja and starts into the occult Ancient art with no clear understanding of the research. This leading to unexplained actions by otherwise great character buildup
Also the lead character Nicholas is getting less and less of action time but more of unknown mind blogging mysticism that needs more explaining
May 9, 2019
i am a huge fan of this author and his nicholas linnear series, they are hard to put down. it seems as well i love to learn about anything foreign and the mysteries of japan are no exception. this book is a fabulous tale reaching globally, japan, new york, washington and telling us a bunch about venice as well. great characters and character development surround linnear and he learns more about himself, his powers and his path Lustbader gives it all to us. a wonderful read.
October 18, 2023
Eric Lustbader did a remarkable job intertwining the cultures of Japan, Vietnam, Venice, and North America across time periods. The plot was intriguing and complex. I would have preferred greater character development over setting description. The author interrupted key dialogue with explanations of the scene that did not enhance the conversation taking place, provide a break from the tension, or assist the reader in placing themselves in the location.
July 16, 2018
the novel was well plotted and it the Renshi aspect certainly brought a science fictional aspect. the part in Vietnam dragged and was unnecessary. I was a big fan of Lustbaders Bourne series until the Protagonist died. I found this book in a second hand store and may well read the rest of the series.
September 4, 2021
Another well written piece in the Shadow Warrior series. Nicholas Linnear is becoming more of a psychic-warrior than physical martial artist. While slow in parts, the plot inevitably rumbled forward to a unique conclusion. While a solid chapter in the series, the excerpt for the next book sounds more action oriented.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2020
Very hard to follow...to much mambo jumbo. Read the four books that keep getting more outlandish. I’m done.
October 18, 2025
It had good parts but also a bit boring parts
January 3, 2026
Low Energy!
** 2 Stars.
** 2 Stars.
January 19, 2026
busy, but good 👍
January 14, 2023
Mikio Okami, viejo amigo de Nicolas Linnear, se ve amenazado de muerte y necesita ayuda.
April 22, 2008
Of Lustbader's Linnear stories, this has been the best so far. I desperately grabbed onto the strong women Lustbader presented in this tale. It was amazing to me how much more I enjoyed the story once it contained heroines who do not have an obvious need to be saved from themselves. Lustbader's decision to take Linnear away from Asia and set some of the ninja-action in Venice was also a good one. Venice has that surreal quality that can tolerate just about any stretch of the imagination. In this book Lustbader off-handedly disposes of Justine. While a part of me was horrified at the decision, another part of me was surprised that he hadn't done it sooner. In the classic James-Bond-type story it doesn't pay to have the hero tied up in a monogamous relationship. Even though this book was easier to get sucked into than the previous Linnear novels, I probably will not continue with the series. I accidentally purchased this novel without realizing it was the fourth in a series. The whole point of reading up to this point was to have the context to read this novel.
May 29, 2015
Eric has overstepped the bounds of adjective story telling
While the story of Sato continues, the authors seemed at a loss for succinct fiction. Instead, we have a tedious story of overly descriptive adjectives of people, places, and events. I am a Van Lustbader fan and will continue the Linnear series . It is my hope Eric can find his way back to his original style. He owes it to his readers...it is his giri.
While the story of Sato continues, the authors seemed at a loss for succinct fiction. Instead, we have a tedious story of overly descriptive adjectives of people, places, and events. I am a Van Lustbader fan and will continue the Linnear series . It is my hope Eric can find his way back to his original style. He owes it to his readers...it is his giri.
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August 11, 2016This was a complete waste of my time. I believed I would be reading something along the lines of the 80's film Black Rain with American and Yakuza interests colliding. What I got was a Dr. Strange character based in Japanese mysticism. And did I say it's too long at 600 pages? No Stars (if I can save the review that way).
June 5, 2021
Im vierten Band hatte ich den Eindruck, dass Eric van Lustbader den Inhalt der ersten drei Bände zum Teil aus den Augen verloren hatte. Insbesonder in der ersten Hälfte des Buches gibt es viele Unstimmigkeiten zu dem vorangegangenen Bänden. Die Reise in den Mystizismus geht auch in diesem Band weiter.
May 10, 2015
Read this in the mid 90's when just a horny teen - the Ninja stuff (and of course the sexy stuff) blew my massively hormonal juvenile mind. Haven't read this since, and I honestly don't know if I'd like it just as much but a nostalgic 5 stars for sure - for then at least.
December 28, 2009
The action spills over into Venice, but gets back to Japan where this story could be true (?). Maybe. If you believe really hard. Loved it.
May 5, 2011
More intrigue into Japanese society. I enjoy the insight into their Yakuza.
June 22, 2011
A dangerous woman and Linnear to boot? DEAL! thank you for your unabashedness, Mr. Van Lustbader.
June 20, 2012
It was actually really enjoyable. A fitting capstone. Hate to think what happened to Nicholas Linnear and his company in the tech crash of 2000 and in in subsequent years.
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