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Dragonfly Trilogy #1
The Year of the Barbarian
The Year of the Barbarian
Dragonfly Trilogy, Book One
A New York merchant risks all. A samurai’s daughter seeks truth. Pitfalls lie ahead in mid-nineteenth-century Japan.
Sumi Taguchi, a samurai’s daughter, eagerly anticipates the arrival of foreigners from the West, who will end Japan’s centuries-long isolation from the world. Maybe these foreigners will bring answers to life’s troublesome riddles. But to be free to meet these newcomers, she must first avoid a nightmarish betrothal and the fallout from her rash curiosity.
The young New York merchant, John Cardiff, risks his inheritance by sailing to the far side of the world. His fascination with Japan leads to a tantalizing, but dangerous trading venture. As trouble mounts, he dreads the shipwreck of not only his sail ship but his life.
Elizabeth Ann Boyles won the ACFW national Genesis award and the ACFW Virginia Crown award for historical romance / historical fiction.
Dragonfly Trilogy, Book One
A New York merchant risks all. A samurai’s daughter seeks truth. Pitfalls lie ahead in mid-nineteenth-century Japan.
Sumi Taguchi, a samurai’s daughter, eagerly anticipates the arrival of foreigners from the West, who will end Japan’s centuries-long isolation from the world. Maybe these foreigners will bring answers to life’s troublesome riddles. But to be free to meet these newcomers, she must first avoid a nightmarish betrothal and the fallout from her rash curiosity.
The young New York merchant, John Cardiff, risks his inheritance by sailing to the far side of the world. His fascination with Japan leads to a tantalizing, but dangerous trading venture. As trouble mounts, he dreads the shipwreck of not only his sail ship but his life.
Elizabeth Ann Boyles won the ACFW national Genesis award and the ACFW Virginia Crown award for historical romance / historical fiction.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2020
96 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Ann Boyles
9 books14 followersElizabeth Ann Boyles brings historical eras to life in her fictional stories of adventure, danger, and opposing cultures, with a strand of romance. She developed a love for the Far East, one source of her stories' settings, when she lived in Japan, where she met her missionary husband. She spent many years teaching and building relationships with her international students at a Christian university in Dallas. After her husband of fifty years took his final step into heaven, she moved to Colorado. She treasures spending time at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with her daughter and son while entreating her three Texas grandsons to visit often.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 28, 2020
An interesting historical fiction account
The story starts with Taguchi Sumi (aka Sumi; in Japan, last names come first), the marriageable aged only child of a Samurai of the Chosun tribe, loyal to the Shogunate. For y÷ars, only the Dutch have been permitted to trade with Japan. Sumi's father is a Dutch Translator, both a title and a job description that shows him to be a man of character that can't be swayed by "barbarians." His daughter is interested in the wider world. Her grandfather, the head of their family, wants nothing to do with foreigners. He is very interested in getting his granddaughter married off asap. Over a certain age, even with a sizeable dowry, marriage becomes more difficult to arrange as it is assumed something is wrong with the girl. At 17, she is betrothed to someone she knows nothing about, but is willing to give him a chance. Then he and his family die when illness of some sort sweeps through their area. Her cousin's parents both die of illness as well, as does her cousin's fiance, whose engagement was closer to her pending wedding, forcong her into mourning apparently primarily not for her parents, though she is in mourning for them as well, but for a man she has met only rarely. Because of the deaths, her dowry has gotten smaller and she lives with Sumi and her family. Instead of being a friend, Kiyo, her cousin, spends all her time in one-upmanship. Kiyo is accomplished in the feminine arts and the use of naginata, a spear-like weapon with a small blade at the end, with which daughters of samurai train. Sumi has no real knack for any of those arts, and is constantly being chastised as her cousin shows her up all the time.
The US has recently insisted that trade be opened to all Western countries, and the shogunate has agreed. In preparation, Sumi's father has been tasked woth elarning English, which he does, and with very little to go on. He teaches Sumi a few words.
Meanwhile, a ronon samurai has left the service of the shogunate becaise he sides with the Divine Emporer, who believes all foreigners are foreign devils who shouls be expelled from the cluntry, as happened on the past, when practicing foreign "kirishitans" and those Japanese who had learned of the religion and followed it were alike dashed on the rocks below a series of cliffs for their beliefs. It would seem the Divine Emporer didn't appreciare the refusal of this new religion to worship him and the Japanese pantheon. This Samurai has intimidated a number of people into being spies for him. He is not fond of Sumi.
Sumi's grandfather arranges a nother match, and the final negotiations have begun. Sumi dislikes the overbearing young man, who seems both foolish and churlish despite supposedly being a scholar. He keeps trying to sound her out and trap her into some answer that will show his superiority, but she dodge s his accusing questions and soon discovers he is not really very intelligent. She also discovers him meeting with the ronin in a park,agreeing to side with the Emporer against the shogunate, but no one would believe her because she is a woman. She does try to trap him by asking who the strange man was woth whom he was conversing in the park, and she has a good reas9n for doing so.
The story also follows a young man who is courting a woman andnwhise father insists he should go investigate the company in which he has invested as smuggling opium is suspected. Once he arrives, he discovers it is true, and he amd his brother create their own company, buying a Russian ship with steam and wind power (early waterborne Prius?) , bargaining, and heading for Jaoanese islands that allow limited trade. While in China, the man's brother tells him about the opium trade in which most companies are involved, & shows him the ravages of the opium dens. While he is on the ship's first voyage, pirates and a storm pursue them. Prayer and Bible reading diring this time brings him closer to God. The young man, as fascinated by Japan as Sumi is by barbarians, accepts a position as consul in Nagasaki rather than see it go to someone who will ruin things for Westerners in Japan. He sends his ship on its way, with instructions for a branch office of his nascent company in San Francisco, and boards a US Navy ship to Nagasaki. He has on board someone who fouts the laws of both the ship and Japan, deals with it, reminds the locals of the Shogun's permission for them to observe their religion in their homes, and finally, with the odd mishap, settles into the International Area, along with an older couple retiring there. The ronin apprehends them on the bridge, denouncong them in the name of the Divine Emporer. When faced with the militia, he escapes, but Sumi, who has been watching the procession, points out where the ronin has gone...which is apparently frowned upon.
Sumi desires to see the wider world, and learn about other cultures, as much as does John, the young consul.
This is the 1st of 3 books.
The story starts with Taguchi Sumi (aka Sumi; in Japan, last names come first), the marriageable aged only child of a Samurai of the Chosun tribe, loyal to the Shogunate. For y÷ars, only the Dutch have been permitted to trade with Japan. Sumi's father is a Dutch Translator, both a title and a job description that shows him to be a man of character that can't be swayed by "barbarians." His daughter is interested in the wider world. Her grandfather, the head of their family, wants nothing to do with foreigners. He is very interested in getting his granddaughter married off asap. Over a certain age, even with a sizeable dowry, marriage becomes more difficult to arrange as it is assumed something is wrong with the girl. At 17, she is betrothed to someone she knows nothing about, but is willing to give him a chance. Then he and his family die when illness of some sort sweeps through their area. Her cousin's parents both die of illness as well, as does her cousin's fiance, whose engagement was closer to her pending wedding, forcong her into mourning apparently primarily not for her parents, though she is in mourning for them as well, but for a man she has met only rarely. Because of the deaths, her dowry has gotten smaller and she lives with Sumi and her family. Instead of being a friend, Kiyo, her cousin, spends all her time in one-upmanship. Kiyo is accomplished in the feminine arts and the use of naginata, a spear-like weapon with a small blade at the end, with which daughters of samurai train. Sumi has no real knack for any of those arts, and is constantly being chastised as her cousin shows her up all the time.
The US has recently insisted that trade be opened to all Western countries, and the shogunate has agreed. In preparation, Sumi's father has been tasked woth elarning English, which he does, and with very little to go on. He teaches Sumi a few words.
Meanwhile, a ronon samurai has left the service of the shogunate becaise he sides with the Divine Emporer, who believes all foreigners are foreign devils who shouls be expelled from the cluntry, as happened on the past, when practicing foreign "kirishitans" and those Japanese who had learned of the religion and followed it were alike dashed on the rocks below a series of cliffs for their beliefs. It would seem the Divine Emporer didn't appreciare the refusal of this new religion to worship him and the Japanese pantheon. This Samurai has intimidated a number of people into being spies for him. He is not fond of Sumi.
Sumi's grandfather arranges a nother match, and the final negotiations have begun. Sumi dislikes the overbearing young man, who seems both foolish and churlish despite supposedly being a scholar. He keeps trying to sound her out and trap her into some answer that will show his superiority, but she dodge s his accusing questions and soon discovers he is not really very intelligent. She also discovers him meeting with the ronin in a park,agreeing to side with the Emporer against the shogunate, but no one would believe her because she is a woman. She does try to trap him by asking who the strange man was woth whom he was conversing in the park, and she has a good reas9n for doing so.
The story also follows a young man who is courting a woman andnwhise father insists he should go investigate the company in which he has invested as smuggling opium is suspected. Once he arrives, he discovers it is true, and he amd his brother create their own company, buying a Russian ship with steam and wind power (early waterborne Prius?) , bargaining, and heading for Jaoanese islands that allow limited trade. While in China, the man's brother tells him about the opium trade in which most companies are involved, & shows him the ravages of the opium dens. While he is on the ship's first voyage, pirates and a storm pursue them. Prayer and Bible reading diring this time brings him closer to God. The young man, as fascinated by Japan as Sumi is by barbarians, accepts a position as consul in Nagasaki rather than see it go to someone who will ruin things for Westerners in Japan. He sends his ship on its way, with instructions for a branch office of his nascent company in San Francisco, and boards a US Navy ship to Nagasaki. He has on board someone who fouts the laws of both the ship and Japan, deals with it, reminds the locals of the Shogun's permission for them to observe their religion in their homes, and finally, with the odd mishap, settles into the International Area, along with an older couple retiring there. The ronin apprehends them on the bridge, denouncong them in the name of the Divine Emporer. When faced with the militia, he escapes, but Sumi, who has been watching the procession, points out where the ronin has gone...which is apparently frowned upon.
Sumi desires to see the wider world, and learn about other cultures, as much as does John, the young consul.
This is the 1st of 3 books.
February 23, 2021
With her father serving as a Dutch interpreter, Sumi has grown up with foreign books and ideas. She wants to learn more about the “barbarians.” Curiosity, though, is not an ideal quality when negotiating a betrothal. Japanese wives are supposed to be subservient to their husbands in all things, a future Sumi dreads.
Meanwhile, after learning the company he invested his inheritance in is smuggling opium, John Cardiff is searching for a new business venture. He travels to China to begin a new trade. His dream is Japan, a country that fascinates him but whose ports have long been closed to foreigners. However, the threat of pirates pursuing them on his first voyage may shatter all of John’s dreams. Will the risks to claim his dream also claim his life?
John is fascinated with the distant shores of Japan. He’s coming into his own while hoping to prove his worth to the family of the woman he’s courting. His travels bring a bit of intriguing adventure to the story. Sumi is an intelligent, lively character whose future threatens to swallow everything about her—a sadly common theme for women throughout history. Boyles does a good job making Sumi believably spirited while also keeping her period-accurate.
The cultural distinctions are done well. I loved Sumi’s first impressions of Americans. “Barbarians” who wear their shoes indoors, wear their emotions on their faces, and clutter their homes with large furniture—how strange! This is a well-researched and character-driven story of cultures colliding for the first time. The narrative is ripe with feelings of honor, wonder, fear, and suspicion. I anticipate book two to be an equally fascinating study of two worlds trying to find common ground and understanding. Recommended.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Meanwhile, after learning the company he invested his inheritance in is smuggling opium, John Cardiff is searching for a new business venture. He travels to China to begin a new trade. His dream is Japan, a country that fascinates him but whose ports have long been closed to foreigners. However, the threat of pirates pursuing them on his first voyage may shatter all of John’s dreams. Will the risks to claim his dream also claim his life?
John is fascinated with the distant shores of Japan. He’s coming into his own while hoping to prove his worth to the family of the woman he’s courting. His travels bring a bit of intriguing adventure to the story. Sumi is an intelligent, lively character whose future threatens to swallow everything about her—a sadly common theme for women throughout history. Boyles does a good job making Sumi believably spirited while also keeping her period-accurate.
The cultural distinctions are done well. I loved Sumi’s first impressions of Americans. “Barbarians” who wear their shoes indoors, wear their emotions on their faces, and clutter their homes with large furniture—how strange! This is a well-researched and character-driven story of cultures colliding for the first time. The narrative is ripe with feelings of honor, wonder, fear, and suspicion. I anticipate book two to be an equally fascinating study of two worlds trying to find common ground and understanding. Recommended.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
June 26, 2025
I had to spend some time at the auto shop getting my car repaired, so I grabbed my recently purchased copy of THE YEAR OF THE BARBARIAN, by Elizabeth Ann Boyles, to while away the time.
Sat down, opened the book, and started reading. Three hours later I looked up in surprise as the mechanic told me my car was ready. Had you asked me, I would have said it had only been fifteen minutes.
Yes, the book is this good.
The Year Of The Barbarian is set in Japan in the mid-1860's, just as it is starting to open up trading with the Western Barbarians, as the English, Dutch, and (gasp!) Americans are called. It follows Sumi, daughter of a samurai, who is fascinated by the barbarians. This is a dangerous fascination as Japanese society at that time was highly suspicious of western customs and influences and had stringent rules against any barbarian influence. If you practiced their religion, or even expressed an interest in it, you could be sent to the mines for life or executed.
The book also features John Cardiff, an American merchant who sails to Japan to make his fortune. Through a series of events and misadventures, he ends up being appointed the first American consul in Nagasaki, with all the challenges that entails.
The book is fascinating, filled with descriptions of Japanese life at that time. Sumi and John are well developed characters, and while I have a few guesses as to how their story will end (this is the first book of the Dragonfly Trilogy), they only meet in the final few pages of the book. I liked this, as it enabled me to become invested in Sumi and John before what I suspect will be their romance takes center stage. They are two people I would enjoy meeting and sharing a cup of tea with.
Do you enjoy learning about how people lived in different times and cultures? Then I highly recommend The Year Of The Barbarian.
Sat down, opened the book, and started reading. Three hours later I looked up in surprise as the mechanic told me my car was ready. Had you asked me, I would have said it had only been fifteen minutes.
Yes, the book is this good.
The Year Of The Barbarian is set in Japan in the mid-1860's, just as it is starting to open up trading with the Western Barbarians, as the English, Dutch, and (gasp!) Americans are called. It follows Sumi, daughter of a samurai, who is fascinated by the barbarians. This is a dangerous fascination as Japanese society at that time was highly suspicious of western customs and influences and had stringent rules against any barbarian influence. If you practiced their religion, or even expressed an interest in it, you could be sent to the mines for life or executed.
The book also features John Cardiff, an American merchant who sails to Japan to make his fortune. Through a series of events and misadventures, he ends up being appointed the first American consul in Nagasaki, with all the challenges that entails.
The book is fascinating, filled with descriptions of Japanese life at that time. Sumi and John are well developed characters, and while I have a few guesses as to how their story will end (this is the first book of the Dragonfly Trilogy), they only meet in the final few pages of the book. I liked this, as it enabled me to become invested in Sumi and John before what I suspect will be their romance takes center stage. They are two people I would enjoy meeting and sharing a cup of tea with.
Do you enjoy learning about how people lived in different times and cultures? Then I highly recommend The Year Of The Barbarian.
August 31, 2020
First of all, I felt that this was a very well researched book. I have visited Japan numerous times and lived in Asia so I am aware of the culture.
I loved the characters. John is going to hold firm to his faith and beliefs even if it means he won't have as much business. Sumi is searching for truth though she might not realise that at this time. I have found that to be true with many of my Asia friends.
There is a strong Christian faith in this book.
If you are looking for another time and place, I highly recommend this book. It will take you to Asia in the mid-1800s when Japan is closed to foreigners.
I loved the characters. John is going to hold firm to his faith and beliefs even if it means he won't have as much business. Sumi is searching for truth though she might not realise that at this time. I have found that to be true with many of my Asia friends.
There is a strong Christian faith in this book.
If you are looking for another time and place, I highly recommend this book. It will take you to Asia in the mid-1800s when Japan is closed to foreigners.
February 15, 2022
Wow!! This book soooo impressed me!! I have never read historical Japanese fiction before but this author makes me want to go read anything I can get my hands on!! The descriptions made me feel as if I were there seeing it, the temples and fierce samurais! The history in this novel is astounding!! How intricate the details woven in. All without making you bogged down!! I plan to finish this series!! There is no way I cannot know the rest of the story!! This will interest those who have an adventurous spirit and also a desire to know history better!! Highly recommend!! This author is next level amazing!!
September 1, 2021
I bought this book after meeting the author in a local grocery store. We had a conversation about her life and how she came to write the trilogy. My interest was piqued and I decided to read them.
The setting is Japan in the 1850s when East meets West. Foreigners were considered barbarians and prohibited from the country. Contact made and trade began. This sets up conflict within the Japanese people over foreign ideas and religion.
I knew literally zero about this culture and time period in Japanese history and religion. Fictional story with lots of history.
The setting is Japan in the 1850s when East meets West. Foreigners were considered barbarians and prohibited from the country. Contact made and trade began. This sets up conflict within the Japanese people over foreign ideas and religion.
I knew literally zero about this culture and time period in Japanese history and religion. Fictional story with lots of history.
August 1, 2020
I must order the other two books in this trilogy. The story of East meeting West in the persons of Sumi Taguchi and John Cardiff in 19th-century Japan is full of intrigue. Boyles knows the Japanese culture intimately and writes of it lovingly.
September 24, 2020
I was reading along, totally caught up in the story and then...it suddenly ended. I forgot this was a series, and it stopped begging me to go buy book 2 in the series.
I was thinking throughout, Sumi you've made yet another bad decision--why?!!!
I was thinking throughout, Sumi you've made yet another bad decision--why?!!!
October 17, 2023
This story took place during the middle 1800’s, in Japan. I was fascinated with the descriptive details of the land, the culture, and the people in this story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 29, 2020
Loved it
Very intriguing glimpse into feudal Japan as it was in the beginning of relations with the USA. I can't wait to read more about Sumi and John Cardiff
Very intriguing glimpse into feudal Japan as it was in the beginning of relations with the USA. I can't wait to read more about Sumi and John Cardiff
October 14, 2021
1858. Sumi’s Japan is being opened to people from foreign lands. Are the Americans really barbarians? She wants to find out for herself.
October 21, 2023
Japanese Traditions
Very much liked the contrast of traditions between the two countries customs and criticisms of the unknown. Very well written story!
Very much liked the contrast of traditions between the two countries customs and criticisms of the unknown. Very well written story!
July 24, 2020
Captivating story!
In Elizabeth Ann Boyles debut novel, you the reader, get to experience 19th century Japan through the eyes of a young woman of high family stature Sumi, and an American seafaring businessman Johnathan.
You can tell by the lovingly crafted novel much research has been undertaken about this time in our world's history. The inner workings of class structure are interesting and add depth to this novel.
Each character plays a role like a well choreographed chess match. And, the strict social mores, and family structure add to the dynamics in this novel.
There are two more novels in the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing Sumi and Jonathan again. I've got a feeling more will be revealed in their striking story.
In Elizabeth Ann Boyles debut novel, you the reader, get to experience 19th century Japan through the eyes of a young woman of high family stature Sumi, and an American seafaring businessman Johnathan.
You can tell by the lovingly crafted novel much research has been undertaken about this time in our world's history. The inner workings of class structure are interesting and add depth to this novel.
Each character plays a role like a well choreographed chess match. And, the strict social mores, and family structure add to the dynamics in this novel.
There are two more novels in the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing Sumi and Jonathan again. I've got a feeling more will be revealed in their striking story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews