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In a classic conflict between good and evil, a cruelly sadistic samurai from the past is reincarnated to do battle with a young warrior who lives by a code of revenge as ancient as his enemy
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
50 people want to read
About the author
Marc Olden
53 books40 followersMarc Olden (1933–2003) was the author of forty mystery and suspense novels. Born in Baltimore, he began writing while working in New York as a Broadway publicist. His first book, Angela Davis (1973), was a nonfiction study of the controversial Black Panther. In 1973 he also published Narc, under the name Robert Hawke, beginning a hard-boiled nine-book series about a federal narcotics agent.
A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.
A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 14, 2025
I like Olden's work but did not find this to be one of his best. Sword of Vengeance can be read as a standalone, but really is the sequel to Dai-sho. Both feature Frank DiPalma, a retired vice cop in NYC who now has his own 'true crime' show on a major network. From the last volume, we know his son, Todd, aged 12, somehow became possessed by an ancient Samurai from Japan, along with some odd 'dark spirit'. The climax of that volume involved a showdown between Todd and a modern Japanese film maker who in another life was the ancient Samurai's master.
Olden introduces and new antagonist here, one Lin Pao, who rose from the ashes of WWII to become (now) a leader of the Triads. As in Dai-Sho, the story centers on Hong Kong, which will be turned over to China in the 90s. Lin Pao lives in Taiwan, where much of the organized crime from China moved after Mao. His empire, however, is global, and the USA has become the next frontier. An ancient priest, however, tells Lin Pao that he only has 21 days to live; Karma has come full circle! Lin Pao, however, is determined to prove the prophecy wrong, and we also know little Todd is the arm of vengeance from the grave...
The pros: Olden takes us down many rabbit holes here as the story progresses, spending time narrating the events of WWII China, largely from Lin Pao's perspective, and we follow his ruthless, bloody rise to the top of the triads. I loved the details of the organized crime, its pervasiveness throughout Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even the Philippines. Frank DiPalma does not really even become a player until about halfway through the volume. The details of the sweatshop in the Philippines were horrific, along with the ways the powers that be hid the nasty to keep attracting Western business.
The cons: the novel meanders all over the place, filled with colorful vignettes to be sure, but I often just wanted the plot to move along! You also have to buy into to Todd being possessed by some ancient samurai and the evil spirit, which challenged my ability to suspend my disbelief to no small degree. Are we all fated to live out our lives following the footsteps of our previous lives? Whew. I might recommend this to fans of Oriental thrillers and martial arts-- Olden seems to really know his stuff here. 3 samurais.
Olden introduces and new antagonist here, one Lin Pao, who rose from the ashes of WWII to become (now) a leader of the Triads. As in Dai-Sho, the story centers on Hong Kong, which will be turned over to China in the 90s. Lin Pao lives in Taiwan, where much of the organized crime from China moved after Mao. His empire, however, is global, and the USA has become the next frontier. An ancient priest, however, tells Lin Pao that he only has 21 days to live; Karma has come full circle! Lin Pao, however, is determined to prove the prophecy wrong, and we also know little Todd is the arm of vengeance from the grave...
The pros: Olden takes us down many rabbit holes here as the story progresses, spending time narrating the events of WWII China, largely from Lin Pao's perspective, and we follow his ruthless, bloody rise to the top of the triads. I loved the details of the organized crime, its pervasiveness throughout Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even the Philippines. Frank DiPalma does not really even become a player until about halfway through the volume. The details of the sweatshop in the Philippines were horrific, along with the ways the powers that be hid the nasty to keep attracting Western business.
The cons: the novel meanders all over the place, filled with colorful vignettes to be sure, but I often just wanted the plot to move along! You also have to buy into to Todd being possessed by some ancient samurai and the evil spirit, which challenged my ability to suspend my disbelief to no small degree. Are we all fated to live out our lives following the footsteps of our previous lives? Whew. I might recommend this to fans of Oriental thrillers and martial arts-- Olden seems to really know his stuff here. 3 samurais.
February 14, 2024
Before James Clavell became very popular with Shogun, Marc Olden was writing verry suspenseful Asian thrillers, taking place in Korea and Japan.
Te was one of his first ones and a copy was very hard to get.
As with most of his thrillers, the characters are wild and crazy and there is lots of action.
Once I lock in on a writer, I usually read everything he ever wrote, and I do like his writing style.
Te was one of his first ones and a copy was very hard to get.
As with most of his thrillers, the characters are wild and crazy and there is lots of action.
Once I lock in on a writer, I usually read everything he ever wrote, and I do like his writing style.
January 15, 2022
История преступной группы с сильным Азиатским колоритом. Действия происходят на Тайване, Филиппинах, в Гонконге, США.
Интересное развитие событий и персонажей. Даже лёгкий мистиуизм не портит картину.
Интересное развитие событий и персонажей. Даже лёгкий мистиуизм не портит картину.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews