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The Daidoji Shin Mysteries #1
Poison River: Legend of the Five Rings: A Daidoji Shin Mystery
A charming slacker aristocrat discovers a talent for detection and a web of conspiracies in the Emerald Empire, in this snappy novel set in the fantastical world of Legend of the Five Rings .
Daidoji Shin, unrepentant wastrel with a taste for scandal and dice, coasts through his role as Crane Clan’s trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog. But when a case of poisoned rice threatens the brittle peace between the competing clans, the Imperial Governor drags Shin from his indolence and orders him to find the culprit. Despite himself, Shin uncovers an intriguing conspiracy involving more than just dead rats. A murder with no body and a missing actress present a distraction that could finally make Shin put in a full day’s work, and maybe even save the city from tearing itself apart.
Daidoji Shin, unrepentant wastrel with a taste for scandal and dice, coasts through his role as Crane Clan’s trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog. But when a case of poisoned rice threatens the brittle peace between the competing clans, the Imperial Governor drags Shin from his indolence and orders him to find the culprit. Despite himself, Shin uncovers an intriguing conspiracy involving more than just dead rats. A murder with no body and a missing actress present a distraction that could finally make Shin put in a full day’s work, and maybe even save the city from tearing itself apart.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2020
21 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Reynolds
313 books337 followersJosh Reynolds’ work has previously appeared in such anthologies as Historical Lovecraft from Innsmouth Free Press and Horror for the Holidays from Miskatonic River Press, and his novel, Knight of the Blazing Sun, is currently available from Black Library. He can be found at: http://joshuamreynolds.wordpress.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 23, 2022
Este libro combina una trama de misterio ambientado en un escenario japonés feudal. Estos dos elementos han encajado muy bien dando lugar a una interesante y atrayente historia, la mayoría de las historias que giran en torno a ese Japón feudal involucran guerras, asesinatos y política. Estos elementos están presentes en diversos grados, pero la historia se desarrolla con tanta fluidez que me sorprendió bastante el nivel de disfrute que me dio. Sobretodo sus personajes.
Río Venenoso, una historia que tiene lugar en un mundo fantástico siguiendo las leyendas de los cinco anillos, donde se han escrito ya múltiples historias en este mismo universo. Esto es muy similar a los mundos de Dragones y Mazmorras y otros parecidos.
Daidoji Shin, un protagonista que no es el típico detective. Tiene la costumbre de meterse en problemas, beber y apostar en las partes más oscuras de la ciudad, Rana Rica y, a menudo, tiene que confiar en las habilidades y la lealtad de su compañera Hiramori Kasami para sacarlo de problemas. Las habilidades de Kasami con la katana son inigualables, dando lugar a varias e interesantes escenas y solo está protegiendo a Shin como favor hacia su abuelo.
Nadie puede negar laenorme inteligencia y capacidad de deducción de Shin para encontrar pistas, y donde nadie más buscaría. Cuando un caso de arroz envenenado amenaza la ya muy frágil paz entre los clanes en competencia, el Gobernador Imperial saca a Shin de su vagancia para encontrar al culpable. A pesar de sí mismo, Shin descubre una intrigante conspiración que involucra más que arroz envenenado y unas ratas muertas. Tenemos un asesinato sin cuerpo y a una actriz desaparecida, esto es lo que levanta el telón, será una distracción que finalmente podría hacer que Shin trabaje un día completo, y tal vez incluso salvar la ciudad de la destrucción y el caos.
Además del misterio del asesinato que debe resolverse, la historia también nos cuenta las luchas políticas e internas que tienen los clanes entre sí. El Gobernador tiene que mover sus piezas para resolver el asesinato sin ofender a nadie. Dado el poder de los clanes y sus diferencias.
Esto tiene lugar principalmente en segundo plano, pero encontré que la tensión de los clanes entre sí es muy interesante. La relación o asociación de Shin y Kasami es el motor que convierte la trama en una historia llena de misterio pero también da su punto de diversión.
Shin trabaja metódica y deliberadamente para resolver el caso, él mismo no puede evitar desviarse de sus esfuerzos. Kasami se siente en conflicto durante la mayor parte de la novela entre la lealtad a su deber y la amistad que tiene con Shin. Uno de ellos tendrá que ceder y la historia te llevará por un viaje misterioso y salvaje.
El estilo de Joshua Reynolds es muy agradable, sabe darle a los lectores unas agradables horas, con bromas y giros en el camino. Esto quizás es lo que más destacó para mí. El autor creo un camino interesante a la hora de seguir, ese humor a través de unos buenos personajes fue lo que provocó que está fuera una satisfactoria lectura.
El nivel narrativo es elevado, se nota que el autor ya tiene cierto recorrido y ya esta versado en crear historias con las palabras acertadas y sobretodo captar el interes de sus lectores. Prosa adictiva, muy embaucadora, es limpia, ágil, detallada sin tozar siquiera dos extremos de demasiado o muy poco, un nivel acertado que acompañado por su prosa, es sublime, rica en vocabulario a la vez que muy certera, y libre de descripciones vacuas.
Gracias a ello la construcción de la trama y de los personajes alcanza un nivel alto, complejo, hilados al detalle con unas ideas y giros, que son muy buenos. Engancha y además está esa ambientación en el japón feudal, tan rico, tan vivido de leer, que hace que su lectura sea un punto especial. Además de ser un mundo de fantasía.
El autor nos lleva a un lugar muy peculiar la ciudad, Rana Rica. No pertenece a ninguno de los grandes clanes. León, Unicornio y Dragón. Tienen partes de la ciudad bajo su jurisdicción, mientras que el oficial imperial gobierna todo el municipio. Como si eso no fuera suficiente, la ciudad es un enorme nodo comercial de gran prosperidad para la región, por lo que los otros clanes también tienen sus representantes en su lugar, asegurándose de que el comercio no se vea perturbado por las pequeñas disputas de sus competidores. Ese era también el papel que se suponía que debía cumplir Daidoji Shin del clan Grulla. Aprenderemos sobre su pasado.
Me gustó cómo crea personajes convincentes, que Shin fuera a la vez compasivo, derrochador, de mente abierta pero con una racha de mala voluntad y suerte. Disfruté del misterio, buen nivel. Aunque no fuera tan difícil de adivinar algunas cosillas, otras no, no hablamos de una trama digamos asombrosa, pero esta muy bien estructurada, entretenida y agradable. Es un libro recomendable, para pasar un buen rato, nada memorable, pero sí te deja con ganas de más, espero volver a este mundo pronto.. 🎋
Río Venenoso, una historia que tiene lugar en un mundo fantástico siguiendo las leyendas de los cinco anillos, donde se han escrito ya múltiples historias en este mismo universo. Esto es muy similar a los mundos de Dragones y Mazmorras y otros parecidos.
Daidoji Shin, un protagonista que no es el típico detective. Tiene la costumbre de meterse en problemas, beber y apostar en las partes más oscuras de la ciudad, Rana Rica y, a menudo, tiene que confiar en las habilidades y la lealtad de su compañera Hiramori Kasami para sacarlo de problemas. Las habilidades de Kasami con la katana son inigualables, dando lugar a varias e interesantes escenas y solo está protegiendo a Shin como favor hacia su abuelo.
Nadie puede negar laenorme inteligencia y capacidad de deducción de Shin para encontrar pistas, y donde nadie más buscaría. Cuando un caso de arroz envenenado amenaza la ya muy frágil paz entre los clanes en competencia, el Gobernador Imperial saca a Shin de su vagancia para encontrar al culpable. A pesar de sí mismo, Shin descubre una intrigante conspiración que involucra más que arroz envenenado y unas ratas muertas. Tenemos un asesinato sin cuerpo y a una actriz desaparecida, esto es lo que levanta el telón, será una distracción que finalmente podría hacer que Shin trabaje un día completo, y tal vez incluso salvar la ciudad de la destrucción y el caos.
Además del misterio del asesinato que debe resolverse, la historia también nos cuenta las luchas políticas e internas que tienen los clanes entre sí. El Gobernador tiene que mover sus piezas para resolver el asesinato sin ofender a nadie. Dado el poder de los clanes y sus diferencias.
Esto tiene lugar principalmente en segundo plano, pero encontré que la tensión de los clanes entre sí es muy interesante. La relación o asociación de Shin y Kasami es el motor que convierte la trama en una historia llena de misterio pero también da su punto de diversión.
Shin trabaja metódica y deliberadamente para resolver el caso, él mismo no puede evitar desviarse de sus esfuerzos. Kasami se siente en conflicto durante la mayor parte de la novela entre la lealtad a su deber y la amistad que tiene con Shin. Uno de ellos tendrá que ceder y la historia te llevará por un viaje misterioso y salvaje.
El estilo de Joshua Reynolds es muy agradable, sabe darle a los lectores unas agradables horas, con bromas y giros en el camino. Esto quizás es lo que más destacó para mí. El autor creo un camino interesante a la hora de seguir, ese humor a través de unos buenos personajes fue lo que provocó que está fuera una satisfactoria lectura.
El nivel narrativo es elevado, se nota que el autor ya tiene cierto recorrido y ya esta versado en crear historias con las palabras acertadas y sobretodo captar el interes de sus lectores. Prosa adictiva, muy embaucadora, es limpia, ágil, detallada sin tozar siquiera dos extremos de demasiado o muy poco, un nivel acertado que acompañado por su prosa, es sublime, rica en vocabulario a la vez que muy certera, y libre de descripciones vacuas.
Gracias a ello la construcción de la trama y de los personajes alcanza un nivel alto, complejo, hilados al detalle con unas ideas y giros, que son muy buenos. Engancha y además está esa ambientación en el japón feudal, tan rico, tan vivido de leer, que hace que su lectura sea un punto especial. Además de ser un mundo de fantasía.
El autor nos lleva a un lugar muy peculiar la ciudad, Rana Rica. No pertenece a ninguno de los grandes clanes. León, Unicornio y Dragón. Tienen partes de la ciudad bajo su jurisdicción, mientras que el oficial imperial gobierna todo el municipio. Como si eso no fuera suficiente, la ciudad es un enorme nodo comercial de gran prosperidad para la región, por lo que los otros clanes también tienen sus representantes en su lugar, asegurándose de que el comercio no se vea perturbado por las pequeñas disputas de sus competidores. Ese era también el papel que se suponía que debía cumplir Daidoji Shin del clan Grulla. Aprenderemos sobre su pasado.
Me gustó cómo crea personajes convincentes, que Shin fuera a la vez compasivo, derrochador, de mente abierta pero con una racha de mala voluntad y suerte. Disfruté del misterio, buen nivel. Aunque no fuera tan difícil de adivinar algunas cosillas, otras no, no hablamos de una trama digamos asombrosa, pero esta muy bien estructurada, entretenida y agradable. Es un libro recomendable, para pasar un buen rato, nada memorable, pero sí te deja con ganas de más, espero volver a este mundo pronto.. 🎋
February 1, 2023
Sherlock with a fast blade 🗡️
🥷🏻 On the one hand, we have a Sherlock-San who moves along methodically because there are scores of clues, scores of trails and twisted tales, scores of rabbit holes to jump into.
🥷🏻 On the other hand, every time he turns a corner, or steps into the street, or thinks he’s figured something out, someone is attacking him with a knife, a short sword, or a throwing star dipped in poison - professional assassins, shinobi, ninja 🥷🏻 🥷🏻 too many of them. The body count is rising.
🥷🏻 Luckily our hero Shin has his sidekick/bodyguard/heroine Kasima who would rather have a sword fight and run a man through than talk a problem out. Shin’s relationship with his fiery samurai is far from romantic 💘 they spar verbally almost every time they talk to one another but still .. I wonder if there might be heart sparks by the third book in the series.
🥷🏻 I did not actually solve the mystery but I think I used my sword well. Wax on wax off. Enjoy.
🥷🏻 On the one hand, we have a Sherlock-San who moves along methodically because there are scores of clues, scores of trails and twisted tales, scores of rabbit holes to jump into.
🥷🏻 On the other hand, every time he turns a corner, or steps into the street, or thinks he’s figured something out, someone is attacking him with a knife, a short sword, or a throwing star dipped in poison - professional assassins, shinobi, ninja 🥷🏻 🥷🏻 too many of them. The body count is rising.
🥷🏻 Luckily our hero Shin has his sidekick/bodyguard/heroine Kasima who would rather have a sword fight and run a man through than talk a problem out. Shin’s relationship with his fiery samurai is far from romantic 💘 they spar verbally almost every time they talk to one another but still .. I wonder if there might be heart sparks by the third book in the series.
🥷🏻 I did not actually solve the mystery but I think I used my sword well. Wax on wax off. Enjoy.
December 22, 2020
Japanese-like feudal, fantasy mystery!
Wow! That's a mouthful, but then the discovery of poisoned rice becomes a mouthful for those seeking its origin. It is like a pebble dropped into a pool, and as the ripple effect takes hold more players become involved.
This is my first foray into the world of Legend of the 5 Rings universe and hopefully not my last. Intrigue and warring factions in the land of Rokugan come to the attention of the unexpected Daidoji Shin, "Crane Clan’s trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog." I'm enamored. I loved Shin. Hes a scion of a powerful clan, one of the Seven Great Clans, the Cranes. Sent here it seems, out of sight of his house, Shin is happily settling in, as he explains to his hard put upon sidekick the samurai Hiramori Kasami a blade of the clan and Shin's bodyguard, to a life "far from the prying eyes of the Crane, or the politicking of the Winter Court. We can both relax here, serene in the knowledge that our responsibilities are minimal and no one cares about us in the least.” Well that conceit doesn't last long.
I have always had a soft spot for the sharp and observant mind hiding behind the mannerisms of an aesthete fop. Shin is that to a Tee with more than a touch of Holmsian incisive understanding. His love of theater, of Kabuki comes into play in this fantasy detective novel set in a place reminiscent of medieval Japan with various attendant gods and spirits.
A multi layered mystery concerning poisoned rice, leading to wider encompassing circles. Cleverly written, replete with acerbic and descriptive language.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of Daidoji Shin.
An Aconyte Books ARC via NetGalley
Wow! That's a mouthful, but then the discovery of poisoned rice becomes a mouthful for those seeking its origin. It is like a pebble dropped into a pool, and as the ripple effect takes hold more players become involved.
This is my first foray into the world of Legend of the 5 Rings universe and hopefully not my last. Intrigue and warring factions in the land of Rokugan come to the attention of the unexpected Daidoji Shin, "Crane Clan’s trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog." I'm enamored. I loved Shin. Hes a scion of a powerful clan, one of the Seven Great Clans, the Cranes. Sent here it seems, out of sight of his house, Shin is happily settling in, as he explains to his hard put upon sidekick the samurai Hiramori Kasami a blade of the clan and Shin's bodyguard, to a life "far from the prying eyes of the Crane, or the politicking of the Winter Court. We can both relax here, serene in the knowledge that our responsibilities are minimal and no one cares about us in the least.” Well that conceit doesn't last long.
I have always had a soft spot for the sharp and observant mind hiding behind the mannerisms of an aesthete fop. Shin is that to a Tee with more than a touch of Holmsian incisive understanding. His love of theater, of Kabuki comes into play in this fantasy detective novel set in a place reminiscent of medieval Japan with various attendant gods and spirits.
A multi layered mystery concerning poisoned rice, leading to wider encompassing circles. Cleverly written, replete with acerbic and descriptive language.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of Daidoji Shin.
An Aconyte Books ARC via NetGalley
Read
November 25, 2020A deep and nuanced preview of Legends of the Five Rings. Fans of L5R would love this! Written from a third person of view, we follow Daidoji Shin, a wastrel son of the Crane clan who's supposed to play his role as an envoy in the City of the Rich Frog but he actually spends most of his time watching kabuki or gambling. His character is witty and it is funnier when he always picks up a little fight with his stone-faced guard, Kamisami. Reynolds really emphasizes the traits of the characters' arcs because of the dynamism in Shin is really awesome. Besides, the story itself is very intriguing for the emerging mystery of the poison rice.
March 30, 2024
Una historia de investigación muy entretenida. Apta además para aquellas personas que no sean jugadoras de Cinco Anillos (aunque probablemente después de leerlo quieran saber más sobre el mundo).
January 16, 2022
In it's primary objective of telling a riveting mystery, Poison River succeeds brilliantly. In it's secondary objective of making me want to get all my friends playing Legends of the Five Rings and hang the cost it (sadly!) does very well too
March 10, 2022
Entre las enrevesadas redes de comercio de Rokugan aparece un cargamento de arroz envenenado que pretende enfrentar dos grandes clanes muy influyentes en la Ciudad de la Rana Rica. Shin, un noble del Clan de la Grulla, tendrá que investigar el incidente y descubrir quién anda detrás del crimen.
Josh Reynolds es un escritor y editor ocasional. Además de ser un apasionado de los juegos de rol, en específico de La Leyenda de Los Cinco Anillos, en el que se basa esta narración. Ha escrito más de veinte novelas y una gran variedad de relatos. Con este libro comienza la saga de “Un Misterio de Daidoji Shin”.
En esta novela es perfectamente perceptible la profundidad con la que el autor ha creado el mundo en el que se mueven los personajes. Incluso habiendo sido ya ideado en un juego de rol muy conocido, La Leyenda de los Cinco Anillos, ha sido Josh Reynolds el que le ha dado una forma definitiva a los distintos clanes que aparecen, al igual que al Imperio Esmeralda. Ha conseguido crear una serie de intrigas que nos llevarán a descubrir la importancia del comercio en esta ciudad ambientada en la japón feudal. Y reconoceremos, gracias a una maravillosa exposición de los hechos, qué clanes controlan cada sector. Debido a que este escenario está tan bien construido, podemos seguir el relato desde el punto de vista de un personaje muy perspicaz, que se nos hará en todo momento muy verosímil. Con él recorreremos los distintos estratos que conforman un mundo mágico y lleno de samuráis.
Esta obra, en efecto, se devora, dejando que el lector descubra el “worldbuilding” (“creación de mundos”) que hay detrás de la Rokugan que recorremos.
Josh Reynolds es un escritor y editor ocasional. Además de ser un apasionado de los juegos de rol, en específico de La Leyenda de Los Cinco Anillos, en el que se basa esta narración. Ha escrito más de veinte novelas y una gran variedad de relatos. Con este libro comienza la saga de “Un Misterio de Daidoji Shin”.
En esta novela es perfectamente perceptible la profundidad con la que el autor ha creado el mundo en el que se mueven los personajes. Incluso habiendo sido ya ideado en un juego de rol muy conocido, La Leyenda de los Cinco Anillos, ha sido Josh Reynolds el que le ha dado una forma definitiva a los distintos clanes que aparecen, al igual que al Imperio Esmeralda. Ha conseguido crear una serie de intrigas que nos llevarán a descubrir la importancia del comercio en esta ciudad ambientada en la japón feudal. Y reconoceremos, gracias a una maravillosa exposición de los hechos, qué clanes controlan cada sector. Debido a que este escenario está tan bien construido, podemos seguir el relato desde el punto de vista de un personaje muy perspicaz, que se nos hará en todo momento muy verosímil. Con él recorreremos los distintos estratos que conforman un mundo mágico y lleno de samuráis.
Esta obra, en efecto, se devora, dejando que el lector descubra el “worldbuilding” (“creación de mundos”) que hay detrás de la Rokugan que recorremos.
August 4, 2022
Una aventura detectivesca fresca y ligera ambientada en Rokugan. El carisma del protagonista potencia una trama sencilla de sabotajes e intrigas políticas que avanza a buen ritmo.
Creo que aunque no conozcas el mundo de La leyenda de los 5 anillos se puede leer igual.
Creo que aunque no conozcas el mundo de La leyenda de los 5 anillos se puede leer igual.
February 6, 2022
Muy entretenida. Si te gusta la leyenda de los 5 anillos es probable que está novela lo haga.
March 2, 2022
A brilliant mix of mystery and ancient Japanese culture, with samurai and river pirates tossed into the mix.
June 24, 2023
Consiglio questo libro solo a chi è appassionato della Leggenda dei Cinque Anelli, dove potrà trovare diversi spunti su come giocare i vari personaggi. Non gli ho trovato altre grandi qualità.
December 19, 2020
„Any Daidoji worth their steel knew that the Lion could only be trusted to devour all those before them. And the Crane were among their favorite prey.”
“Poison River: Legend of the Five Rings: A Daidoji Shin Mystery” by Joshua Reynolds is a novel from a fictional world from a card game “Legend of the Five Rings” (L5R). It was the second novel from this universe that I’ve read, and although it had a different vibe than “Curse of Honor”, I enjoyed it as well.
This time we the author takes us to a very peculiar location – the City of the Rich Frog. It is unique because it doesn’t belong to any of the great clans exclusively. Three of them – Lion, Unicorn and Dragon - have parts of the city under their jurisdiction while the imperial officer governs the whole municipality. Those who are familiar with the lore of L5R can only imagine how much tension one must feel in this little town.
As if that was not enough, the city is a high prospering trade node for the region, so the other clans also have their representatives in place, making sure commerce is not disturbed by petty squabbles of their competitors. That was also the role that Daidoji Shin from the Crane clan was supposed to fulfil. Although, he already managed to earn himself a reputation of the wastrel and good for nothing hedonist. Shin happily spends his days on wasting money, gambling, and enjoying shameful entertainment such as theatre. But his careless days of leisure are interrupted by request from governor which he can not refuse. He is tasked with investigating the case of poison rice.
For me, the most vital feature of the book is the involvement of so many great clans (Lion, Unicorn, Dragon, Crane). I’m sure all fans of L5R will be delighted to read this convoluted mystery. The author did brilliantly in portraying all the clans, their characteristics, little quirks and petty squabbles. The main character, Shin, is a perfect example of that. Even though he is not typical Crane (being the odd one who kept only bringing shame to his family), we can still see strong traits of his origin. He has a brilliantly sharp mind, excellent knowledge of all protocols and customs (though he very often intentionally ignores them), and fluency in telling and detecting lies.
Shin is a very likeable character. Beneath his image of foolish flippancy hides a vivid mind, that carves constant challenges and stimulation to keep out of boredom. Once he engages in the investigation, he spares no means to dig up the truth. And to find it he would have to rely on all his assets. Because in the end, it’s not only about finding the culprit, but also about keeping a status quo and prevent the conflict that could easily tear the city apart.
Like in all classical detective stories, Shin also has a partner, who in this case is his bodyguard Hiramori Kasami – no-nonsense samurai who treats her duty of protecting Shin as a burden. Her sarky comments and grumpy demeanour work brilliantly with witty and sharp-tongued Crane.
To enjoy this particular novel, I think it is good to be familiar with the basic lore of “Legend of the Five Rings”. There are so many vivid details from the Rokugan that fans will enjoy. But, at the same time, the meaning may be blurred if the reader is a complete novice in this universe. Some things are left unsaid as if the author assumed his audience is aware of them but could be confusing none the less.
“Poison River” is the first book in “a Daidoji Shin Mystery” series so that we can expect the return of witty Crane soon, hopefully. I will gladly read the next book, and I hope we will learn more about the protagonist himself and why exactly he became the black sheep of his Crane family.
“Poison River: Legend of the Five Rings: A Daidoji Shin Mystery” by Joshua Reynolds is a novel from a fictional world from a card game “Legend of the Five Rings” (L5R). It was the second novel from this universe that I’ve read, and although it had a different vibe than “Curse of Honor”, I enjoyed it as well.
This time we the author takes us to a very peculiar location – the City of the Rich Frog. It is unique because it doesn’t belong to any of the great clans exclusively. Three of them – Lion, Unicorn and Dragon - have parts of the city under their jurisdiction while the imperial officer governs the whole municipality. Those who are familiar with the lore of L5R can only imagine how much tension one must feel in this little town.
As if that was not enough, the city is a high prospering trade node for the region, so the other clans also have their representatives in place, making sure commerce is not disturbed by petty squabbles of their competitors. That was also the role that Daidoji Shin from the Crane clan was supposed to fulfil. Although, he already managed to earn himself a reputation of the wastrel and good for nothing hedonist. Shin happily spends his days on wasting money, gambling, and enjoying shameful entertainment such as theatre. But his careless days of leisure are interrupted by request from governor which he can not refuse. He is tasked with investigating the case of poison rice.
For me, the most vital feature of the book is the involvement of so many great clans (Lion, Unicorn, Dragon, Crane). I’m sure all fans of L5R will be delighted to read this convoluted mystery. The author did brilliantly in portraying all the clans, their characteristics, little quirks and petty squabbles. The main character, Shin, is a perfect example of that. Even though he is not typical Crane (being the odd one who kept only bringing shame to his family), we can still see strong traits of his origin. He has a brilliantly sharp mind, excellent knowledge of all protocols and customs (though he very often intentionally ignores them), and fluency in telling and detecting lies.
Shin is a very likeable character. Beneath his image of foolish flippancy hides a vivid mind, that carves constant challenges and stimulation to keep out of boredom. Once he engages in the investigation, he spares no means to dig up the truth. And to find it he would have to rely on all his assets. Because in the end, it’s not only about finding the culprit, but also about keeping a status quo and prevent the conflict that could easily tear the city apart.
Like in all classical detective stories, Shin also has a partner, who in this case is his bodyguard Hiramori Kasami – no-nonsense samurai who treats her duty of protecting Shin as a burden. Her sarky comments and grumpy demeanour work brilliantly with witty and sharp-tongued Crane.
To enjoy this particular novel, I think it is good to be familiar with the basic lore of “Legend of the Five Rings”. There are so many vivid details from the Rokugan that fans will enjoy. But, at the same time, the meaning may be blurred if the reader is a complete novice in this universe. Some things are left unsaid as if the author assumed his audience is aware of them but could be confusing none the less.
“Poison River” is the first book in “a Daidoji Shin Mystery” series so that we can expect the return of witty Crane soon, hopefully. I will gladly read the next book, and I hope we will learn more about the protagonist himself and why exactly he became the black sheep of his Crane family.
May 20, 2022
I've read a lot of L5R books, and the quality varies quite a bit. I enjoyed this one. It isn't the most complex plot, but it had a lot of the texture that I enjoy in the setting, and wasn't the kind of story I'm used to seeing from the property, which was refreshing.
November 29, 2020
Sent by his family to the City of the Rich Frog to oversee the Crane Clan’s trade activities, Daidoji Shin relieves his boredom by spending his days drinking and gambling, much to the dismay of his bodyguard Kasami. All that changes, however, when the Imperial governor sets him the task of uncovering the culprit behind a plot that risks upsetting the balance of power in the city. Invigorated by the investigation, Shin throws himself (and Kasami) into his work, in spite of the danger posed by rival clans, court politics and hired assassins.
This is perfect Reynolds fare, with the mystery lending the story drive and momentum while giving the characters opportunities to do plenty of talking and explore the setting in interesting ways. Shin understandably steals the show, but it’s absolutely packed full of snarky, sharp-talking characters, and between them they explore both the surface detail and the deeper workings of the city. Come for the mystery, stay for the fantastic characters, snappy dialogue and sense of fun. As the first book in a series, it’s a very promising start indeed.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/11/...
This is perfect Reynolds fare, with the mystery lending the story drive and momentum while giving the characters opportunities to do plenty of talking and explore the setting in interesting ways. Shin understandably steals the show, but it’s absolutely packed full of snarky, sharp-talking characters, and between them they explore both the surface detail and the deeper workings of the city. Come for the mystery, stay for the fantastic characters, snappy dialogue and sense of fun. As the first book in a series, it’s a very promising start indeed.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/11/...
December 17, 2020
Smart, intelligent dialogue...great layered characters
I was really impressed with this book. As a L5R fan I thought...why have a Crane do an investigation? Why not a Dragon Kitsuki investigator? The answer is a wonderfully complex protagonist that is much more than he at first appears...and cannily uses it to his advantage. The Crane are truly masters of understanding a courtier can use words and kern insight more effectively than a blade. This is my favorite of the L5R setting novels released since the FFG acquisition. I look forward to the next novel with Shin as the protagonist!
I was really impressed with this book. As a L5R fan I thought...why have a Crane do an investigation? Why not a Dragon Kitsuki investigator? The answer is a wonderfully complex protagonist that is much more than he at first appears...and cannily uses it to his advantage. The Crane are truly masters of understanding a courtier can use words and kern insight more effectively than a blade. This is my favorite of the L5R setting novels released since the FFG acquisition. I look forward to the next novel with Shin as the protagonist!
January 20, 2022
Do you like feudal Japan inspired fantasy worlds?
Do you like Sherlock Holmes?
Yes?
Well then, this here is the book for you.
Do you like Sherlock Holmes?
Yes?
Well then, this here is the book for you.
February 10, 2024
The City of the Rich Frog sits within a fragile peace between the Lion, Unicorn, and Dragonfly clans. Each has a claim to it and only imperial edict keeps them from each other’s throats. When a shipment of rice the Lion had purchased turns up poisoned, that peace is threatened. When the Imperial Governor finds himself in a position where his neutrality might easily be called into question with regard to the case he calls in Daidoji Shin, trade envoy to the Crane Clan and general wastrel, to get to the bottom of the case. In a city filled with crooked merchants, pirates, and shinobi, trying to save the city might just be the only thing that can convince Shin to do an honest day’s work.
It has been awhile since I last read a mystery and, while The Legend of the Five Rings’ setting of Rokugan is very much a fantasy setting, Josh Reynolds’ Poison River was a nice step back into mysteries as well as making for an enjoyable exploration of the way strict rules and the political balance of the various clans works, at least within the City of the Rich Frog.
Daidoji Shin is a stand out in a book full of well done characters. As a lay about noble he has sunk a lot of time into learning things that would not normally be useful. Things that, coincidentally, help with the case at hand while also establishing him as particularly well read. He pays attention to people, how they behave, what they say and do not say, something in text expected of the Crane clan. Shin comes across as very much the smart guy but done in a way that brings the reader along, many of his conclusions are things that the reader could have also figured out or that he explains to his bodyguard, Kasami, as he works. In looking for who poisoned the rice he looks both for evidence of the culprit as well as the intent behind the poisoning and clues why this was all done.
Poison River lives by its characters and, while Shin might be the stand out, Kasami was absolutely my favorite. Despite the setting having very strict rules about proper behavior and difference to social superiors, Kasami is allowed to be just completely done with Shin’s being terrible at being a noble. It is established more than once that this is deeply odd and that she really should not be allowed to act this way, but that she is allowed and does so obviously express her frustration adds to the characterization for both her and Shin as well as making her a fantastic Watson for Shin to explain his thought process to the audience through. It expands beyond that though. The shinobi, Nekoma Okuni, is key to setting up the background happenings of the mystery while also telling a solid side story of its own. The various clan representatives are both clever leaders as well as shifty in their dealings with Shin’s investigation. Minor characters like Daichi the gambler and the ship’s captain have their own background happenings that add nicely to the story and to our understanding of other characters.
The mystery itself is less about who poisoned the rice and more about who was behind the poisoning being ordered and why. I confess, I think I had figured out the broad strokes of the solution by around half way through the book, but the story was good enough for me to want to keep going and Reynolds’ use of the tangle of clan politics in the City of the Rich Frog meant that there were still some really well laid turns in what was going on that kept it engaging. I did have a little bit of frustration with the ending, it was well done and what was necessary for things to be tied up neatly, but it felt very like a matter of necessity versus justice and that sort of left an iffy taste in my mouth.
I said back in my Wrath of N’kai review that I looked forward to seeing what Josh Reynolds would do next and if Poison River is anything to go by I stand by that completely. The character work is solid. The story is enjoyable and well plotted out. Even with my single issue regarding the ending, which is entirely my issue, it easily earns a four out of five. I am definitely looking forward to the next Daidoji Shin novel later this year.
This book was provided to me through netGalley for honest review. Review was previously posted at https://tympestbooks.wordpress.com/20...
It has been awhile since I last read a mystery and, while The Legend of the Five Rings’ setting of Rokugan is very much a fantasy setting, Josh Reynolds’ Poison River was a nice step back into mysteries as well as making for an enjoyable exploration of the way strict rules and the political balance of the various clans works, at least within the City of the Rich Frog.
Daidoji Shin is a stand out in a book full of well done characters. As a lay about noble he has sunk a lot of time into learning things that would not normally be useful. Things that, coincidentally, help with the case at hand while also establishing him as particularly well read. He pays attention to people, how they behave, what they say and do not say, something in text expected of the Crane clan. Shin comes across as very much the smart guy but done in a way that brings the reader along, many of his conclusions are things that the reader could have also figured out or that he explains to his bodyguard, Kasami, as he works. In looking for who poisoned the rice he looks both for evidence of the culprit as well as the intent behind the poisoning and clues why this was all done.
Poison River lives by its characters and, while Shin might be the stand out, Kasami was absolutely my favorite. Despite the setting having very strict rules about proper behavior and difference to social superiors, Kasami is allowed to be just completely done with Shin’s being terrible at being a noble. It is established more than once that this is deeply odd and that she really should not be allowed to act this way, but that she is allowed and does so obviously express her frustration adds to the characterization for both her and Shin as well as making her a fantastic Watson for Shin to explain his thought process to the audience through. It expands beyond that though. The shinobi, Nekoma Okuni, is key to setting up the background happenings of the mystery while also telling a solid side story of its own. The various clan representatives are both clever leaders as well as shifty in their dealings with Shin’s investigation. Minor characters like Daichi the gambler and the ship’s captain have their own background happenings that add nicely to the story and to our understanding of other characters.
The mystery itself is less about who poisoned the rice and more about who was behind the poisoning being ordered and why. I confess, I think I had figured out the broad strokes of the solution by around half way through the book, but the story was good enough for me to want to keep going and Reynolds’ use of the tangle of clan politics in the City of the Rich Frog meant that there were still some really well laid turns in what was going on that kept it engaging. I did have a little bit of frustration with the ending, it was well done and what was necessary for things to be tied up neatly, but it felt very like a matter of necessity versus justice and that sort of left an iffy taste in my mouth.
I said back in my Wrath of N’kai review that I looked forward to seeing what Josh Reynolds would do next and if Poison River is anything to go by I stand by that completely. The character work is solid. The story is enjoyable and well plotted out. Even with my single issue regarding the ending, which is entirely my issue, it easily earns a four out of five. I am definitely looking forward to the next Daidoji Shin novel later this year.
This book was provided to me through netGalley for honest review. Review was previously posted at https://tympestbooks.wordpress.com/20...
April 13, 2021
I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Legend of the Five Rings book Posion River by Josh Reynolds, published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.
So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.
I am also friend with Josh on Facebook, however I am sure for him that’s more about connecting with fans rather than being one of my best buds, that said he is actually a really nice guy.
I am going to try my best to not let that cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.
So let’s crack on with a review then!
What is Legend of the Five Rings
L5R as it’s often known is a fantasy setting for a series of card games and RPGs originally published by AEG, but now taken care of by Fantasy Flight.
It’s set in the empire of Rokugan which is heavily feudal Japan influenced, with a bit of other East Asian influences, like China and Korea thrown in as well.
It’s a fantasy setting with the usual fantasy tropes of goblins and rat men, but also oni and kitsune too.
The Story
Daidoji Shin is a an aristocrat of the Crane clan banished to the City of the Rich Frog, to serve as his clans trade envoy.
He has a reputation as a wastrel and is considered a disappointment to his family, so has essentially been banished to somewhere he can’t do much harm, along with his faithful, but very put upon bodyguard Kasami.
In this story he is called upon by the cities governor to conduct an investigation into the poisoning of some rice, something which could threaten to destroy the fragile peace between the clans who call the city home.
He is only asked to do this because his clan is relatively neutral, but as it turns out, he actually has a talent for investigation, his habits of wide reading and study all manor of mundane things has made him ideal for the job.
And so he throws himself into the mystery, despite the politics and dangers posed by the clans rivalries, shinobi and the criminal underworld he finds himself embroiled in.
Conclusion
Ok so this book is very typical of Josh’s writing, in that it’s engaging and full of world building.
The novel isn’t just about Daidoji Shin but for me the main character was actually the city itself, rich and literally dripping with detail, you get a real sense of a bustling city, that is essentially a tinderbox waiting to catch fire.
The supporting cast get just as much character development as the main protagonists and it really feels like Josh has had a lot of fun developing a city that he can spend years playing with and developing.
I am hoping that’s Fantasy Flight are going to develop the city as a sourcebook for the RPG as I really want to actually play around with it and enjoy some adventures with pirates and smugglers on the docks!
Daidoji Shin is himself a fascinating character, on the surface, spoiled, rich and cares for nowt but his own pleasure, but in actual fact is an intelligent man, very much in the mould of Sherlock Holmes.
The books is utterly wonderful and I am already looking forward to the sequel, which Aconyte have already sent me.
If you want a mystery novel, with snappy dialogue, a rich setting and a cast that you are just desperate to spend more time with, then grab this book.
5 out of 5 Stars
You can buy the paperback and eBook now.
So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.
I am also friend with Josh on Facebook, however I am sure for him that’s more about connecting with fans rather than being one of my best buds, that said he is actually a really nice guy.
I am going to try my best to not let that cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.
So let’s crack on with a review then!
What is Legend of the Five Rings
L5R as it’s often known is a fantasy setting for a series of card games and RPGs originally published by AEG, but now taken care of by Fantasy Flight.
It’s set in the empire of Rokugan which is heavily feudal Japan influenced, with a bit of other East Asian influences, like China and Korea thrown in as well.
It’s a fantasy setting with the usual fantasy tropes of goblins and rat men, but also oni and kitsune too.
The Story
Daidoji Shin is a an aristocrat of the Crane clan banished to the City of the Rich Frog, to serve as his clans trade envoy.
He has a reputation as a wastrel and is considered a disappointment to his family, so has essentially been banished to somewhere he can’t do much harm, along with his faithful, but very put upon bodyguard Kasami.
In this story he is called upon by the cities governor to conduct an investigation into the poisoning of some rice, something which could threaten to destroy the fragile peace between the clans who call the city home.
He is only asked to do this because his clan is relatively neutral, but as it turns out, he actually has a talent for investigation, his habits of wide reading and study all manor of mundane things has made him ideal for the job.
And so he throws himself into the mystery, despite the politics and dangers posed by the clans rivalries, shinobi and the criminal underworld he finds himself embroiled in.
Conclusion
Ok so this book is very typical of Josh’s writing, in that it’s engaging and full of world building.
The novel isn’t just about Daidoji Shin but for me the main character was actually the city itself, rich and literally dripping with detail, you get a real sense of a bustling city, that is essentially a tinderbox waiting to catch fire.
The supporting cast get just as much character development as the main protagonists and it really feels like Josh has had a lot of fun developing a city that he can spend years playing with and developing.
I am hoping that’s Fantasy Flight are going to develop the city as a sourcebook for the RPG as I really want to actually play around with it and enjoy some adventures with pirates and smugglers on the docks!
Daidoji Shin is himself a fascinating character, on the surface, spoiled, rich and cares for nowt but his own pleasure, but in actual fact is an intelligent man, very much in the mould of Sherlock Holmes.
The books is utterly wonderful and I am already looking forward to the sequel, which Aconyte have already sent me.
If you want a mystery novel, with snappy dialogue, a rich setting and a cast that you are just desperate to spend more time with, then grab this book.
5 out of 5 Stars
You can buy the paperback and eBook now.
December 19, 2025
This one was an interesting one. It's been a while since I've had time to sit and focus on one story without jumping around to something else and giving up. I gave this one all of my attention.
From the start, it felt like a nice palate cleanser. Something different from my usual S&S or euro-centric medieval fantasies. I've also read the Hagakure and some of Miyamoto Musashi, so I've had a little taste of some authentic Japanese and samurai history. That being said, I was a little nervous about reading a book about a fantasy samurai detective from some nerd named Josh. Well, toss that fear out the window, because he did a stellar job.
The book takes place in the fantasy Legend of the Five Rings world of Rokugan where there are many different clans who occasionally make war with each other. It's extremely authentic-feeling (to the credit of the author), realistic, believable, has great characters and character interactions, and feels more like Historical Fiction from start to finish rather than high fantasy.
Here's where my first disappointment came from. I was hoping for more fantasy. Eventually some fantastical, supernatural elements emerged and were interesting, but overall it remained fairly grounded. By then I was more invested in the mystery, a few deaths, some poisoned cargo, etc., all of which served to rumble beneath the surface as clans hurled accusations, politics became palpably volatile and the two heroes dug deeper into the deadly problem at hand. Daidoji Shin, a "wastrel" samurai as he was known by his Crane Clan and family, was not the ideal person for this job, and yet was selected anyway, and I like the way he is not what he has appeared to be for many years. I think he was so good at playing the part of a lazy person, but was secretly hiding his true potential. Where some people don't know how to unlock their potential and spend a long time drawing it out over several books, I believe he is already a well-developed person who knows exactly who he is, and intentionally is hiding it from everyone around him. Perhaps in future books I will learn more, but for now I do find him interesting as a character.
His ninja partner, Kasami is also pretty cool. Very good with a blade, and they have a humorously grumpy relationship with each other. As to why they aren't in a romantic relationship, I do not know or understand why not. There's also some super modern gender stuff that is inclusive and everything but it pulls me right out of the mostly not fantastical story. Having some small knowledge of ancient feudal Japan, some elements just felt strangely out of place.
Regardless, what started as a tiny and somewhat uninteresting mystery, literally as small as a grain of rice, eventually built and built until it nearly explodes in all out war. I won't spoil anything else. It was an enjoyable ride. I want to get the whole set. Josh Reynolds really proved his skill in this one. Great work!
From the start, it felt like a nice palate cleanser. Something different from my usual S&S or euro-centric medieval fantasies. I've also read the Hagakure and some of Miyamoto Musashi, so I've had a little taste of some authentic Japanese and samurai history. That being said, I was a little nervous about reading a book about a fantasy samurai detective from some nerd named Josh. Well, toss that fear out the window, because he did a stellar job.
The book takes place in the fantasy Legend of the Five Rings world of Rokugan where there are many different clans who occasionally make war with each other. It's extremely authentic-feeling (to the credit of the author), realistic, believable, has great characters and character interactions, and feels more like Historical Fiction from start to finish rather than high fantasy.
Here's where my first disappointment came from. I was hoping for more fantasy. Eventually some fantastical, supernatural elements emerged and were interesting, but overall it remained fairly grounded. By then I was more invested in the mystery, a few deaths, some poisoned cargo, etc., all of which served to rumble beneath the surface as clans hurled accusations, politics became palpably volatile and the two heroes dug deeper into the deadly problem at hand. Daidoji Shin, a "wastrel" samurai as he was known by his Crane Clan and family, was not the ideal person for this job, and yet was selected anyway, and I like the way he is not what he has appeared to be for many years. I think he was so good at playing the part of a lazy person, but was secretly hiding his true potential. Where some people don't know how to unlock their potential and spend a long time drawing it out over several books, I believe he is already a well-developed person who knows exactly who he is, and intentionally is hiding it from everyone around him. Perhaps in future books I will learn more, but for now I do find him interesting as a character.
His ninja partner, Kasami is also pretty cool. Very good with a blade, and they have a humorously grumpy relationship with each other. As to why they aren't in a romantic relationship, I do not know or understand why not. There's also some super modern gender stuff that is inclusive and everything but it pulls me right out of the mostly not fantastical story. Having some small knowledge of ancient feudal Japan, some elements just felt strangely out of place.
Regardless, what started as a tiny and somewhat uninteresting mystery, literally as small as a grain of rice, eventually built and built until it nearly explodes in all out war. I won't spoil anything else. It was an enjoyable ride. I want to get the whole set. Josh Reynolds really proved his skill in this one. Great work!
October 30, 2020
I confess to not being a gamer, so picked up this book despite the fact it's set in the world of a particular series and on the basis that the summary sounded interesting enough for me to be going on with despite all of that.
The basic premise of Poison River, as of the game in which universe it's set, is that of warring clans in a samurai era Japanese-inspired universe, so there are plenty of thrown in Japanese terms along the way which will doubtless be familiar to anyone who's ever watched any Kurosawa movies. Our protagonist is the stereotypical Shin, who is a wastrel son of the Crane clan sent to a particular city to keep an eye on clan interests but who spends most of his time watching kabuki or gambling.
He is, of course, much cleverer than meets the eye and just needs a bit of a challenge to make him pay attention and serve his clan properly. Shin is about to get that challenge in the form of a request from the imperial governor with responsibility for the city that he look into a recent difficulty between two other clans about poisoned rice. While this might be a possible touchpaper for a massive war between said clans, there is of course much more going on behind what appears a simple act and Shin willingly digs into the investigation.
All well and good but it's just so unengaging at times. This is yet another of those books I wouldn't have bothered finishing if I wasn't reviewing it on Netgalley, as the pacing isn't good and the ending just kind of fizzles. We also get no sense of what life is actually like for any of them - for example, nothing about why Shin chooses to behave the way he does (is it defiance, boredom, arrogance?) and other characters are equally thinly drawn. Also, how exactly do the social dynamics in this universe work anyway? It seems to be absolutely fine for Shin to have a female samurai as a bodyguard and for a woman to be in charge of a major clan's activities in the city but he still should ask permission to speak with an unmarried daughter of another clan. Feels like lots of missed opportunities here to tell a story that might have been a little more interesting and that's always a shame.
By the way, I know it's something that's come over from the game but two of the clans involved are the Lion and the Unicorn and all I could think of every time they're mentioned was either Alice in Wonderland or the nursery rhyme - the unicorn in particular seemed an odd choice for a clan name in a series so clearly taken whole cloth from Japanese history.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
The basic premise of Poison River, as of the game in which universe it's set, is that of warring clans in a samurai era Japanese-inspired universe, so there are plenty of thrown in Japanese terms along the way which will doubtless be familiar to anyone who's ever watched any Kurosawa movies. Our protagonist is the stereotypical Shin, who is a wastrel son of the Crane clan sent to a particular city to keep an eye on clan interests but who spends most of his time watching kabuki or gambling.
He is, of course, much cleverer than meets the eye and just needs a bit of a challenge to make him pay attention and serve his clan properly. Shin is about to get that challenge in the form of a request from the imperial governor with responsibility for the city that he look into a recent difficulty between two other clans about poisoned rice. While this might be a possible touchpaper for a massive war between said clans, there is of course much more going on behind what appears a simple act and Shin willingly digs into the investigation.
All well and good but it's just so unengaging at times. This is yet another of those books I wouldn't have bothered finishing if I wasn't reviewing it on Netgalley, as the pacing isn't good and the ending just kind of fizzles. We also get no sense of what life is actually like for any of them - for example, nothing about why Shin chooses to behave the way he does (is it defiance, boredom, arrogance?) and other characters are equally thinly drawn. Also, how exactly do the social dynamics in this universe work anyway? It seems to be absolutely fine for Shin to have a female samurai as a bodyguard and for a woman to be in charge of a major clan's activities in the city but he still should ask permission to speak with an unmarried daughter of another clan. Feels like lots of missed opportunities here to tell a story that might have been a little more interesting and that's always a shame.
By the way, I know it's something that's come over from the game but two of the clans involved are the Lion and the Unicorn and all I could think of every time they're mentioned was either Alice in Wonderland or the nursery rhyme - the unicorn in particular seemed an odd choice for a clan name in a series so clearly taken whole cloth from Japanese history.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2023
Poison River, the first Daidoji Shin Mystery, is set in the Legend of Five Rings RPG world. It’s a mixture of Asian cultures, mostly Japanese Samurai culture, set in some imaginary historical period. In the game, there are dragons, and kaijus that threaten the society, but that wasn’t even mentioned here and there was only a hint of fantasy. I wasn’t familiar with the game world before reading, but it didn’t matter. The world was suitably Asian to feel different and western enough to be understandable.
The main character, Daidoji Shin, is an unrepentant wastrel of an important Crane clan sent to the City of the Rich Frog as a penance. He’s supposed to watch over the clan’s interests in a place where they don’t really have any clout so he can’t muck things up too badly. He’s happy to spend his time in various entertainments, much to the annoyance of his bodyguard Kasami.
Then the governor gives Shin a job. He’s to find out who poisoned a shipment of rice and prevent a war between clans if at all possible. He sets eagerly out to work and finds himself enjoying solving the mystery. It isn’t a complicated one, and the reader knows from the start who the players are, as they are given their own point of view chapters. Only the mastermind is kept hidden, and even that it isn’t all that great a mystery. The solution, when Shin reaches it, isn’t so much about justice as it is about keeping peace.
This is the kind of mystery I currently enjoy, set in a strange culture that makes both the crime and solving it feel fresh and unique. The story took a roundabout way to get to the truth, and it was slow at times, but it kept my interest from start to finish.
The worldbuilding was rich, with interesting details that felt authentic even if they weren’t. Writing was good and nothing gave to understand this was merely gameworld merchandise. Shin was a great character, seemingly lazy but with sharp mind, who was happy to gather useful people—and a theatre troupe. I’d be happy to read more about Shin and his mysteries.
The main character, Daidoji Shin, is an unrepentant wastrel of an important Crane clan sent to the City of the Rich Frog as a penance. He’s supposed to watch over the clan’s interests in a place where they don’t really have any clout so he can’t muck things up too badly. He’s happy to spend his time in various entertainments, much to the annoyance of his bodyguard Kasami.
Then the governor gives Shin a job. He’s to find out who poisoned a shipment of rice and prevent a war between clans if at all possible. He sets eagerly out to work and finds himself enjoying solving the mystery. It isn’t a complicated one, and the reader knows from the start who the players are, as they are given their own point of view chapters. Only the mastermind is kept hidden, and even that it isn’t all that great a mystery. The solution, when Shin reaches it, isn’t so much about justice as it is about keeping peace.
This is the kind of mystery I currently enjoy, set in a strange culture that makes both the crime and solving it feel fresh and unique. The story took a roundabout way to get to the truth, and it was slow at times, but it kept my interest from start to finish.
The worldbuilding was rich, with interesting details that felt authentic even if they weren’t. Writing was good and nothing gave to understand this was merely gameworld merchandise. Shin was a great character, seemingly lazy but with sharp mind, who was happy to gather useful people—and a theatre troupe. I’d be happy to read more about Shin and his mysteries.
December 7, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Aconyte Books for an advanced copy of this role playing game novelization.
Aconyte Books continues to impress with a book set in the Legend of the Five Rings games universe, which is so well written and plotted that you never need to have played the game to understand or enjoy the story. As a long time reader of books based on role playing games this is a great concept and having a writer as talented and capable a Josh Reynolds does help.
Poison River: Legend of the Five Rings: A Daidoji Shin Mystery, by the aforementioned Josh Reynolds is mystery fantasy story set in the Emerald Empire, a feudal Japan-like world set in the Five Rings game system. A young wastrel, Daidoji Shin, serves as trade envoy for the Crane Clan, one of the many clans vying for power in power in the City of the Rich Frog. Lazy, indolent, and yet of a enquiring mindset, Shin suddenly finds himself thrust into a action by the Imperial Governor, who needs a neutral/scapegoat to find out who has poisoned a shipment of rice, and endangering the fragile peace between the many clans who trade in the city. Shin's investigation soon upsets numerous people, including his own bodyguard, as he suddenly finds something more interesting than the kabuki theater he usually attends.
The characters are funny, interesting and far deeper than expected. Mr. Reynolds does a great job of developing them throughout the novel. Especially the female characters. The mystery makes sense, and unfolds well, with plenty of action and deception. The ending is clear, and yet leaves plenty of opportunities for sequels which I hope there will be. This is the first book that I have read by Mr. Reynolds, and the second in this series about the Five Rings. Mr. Reynolds is definitely an author I want to read more by, and left me very interested in the game.
Aconyte Books continues to impress with a book set in the Legend of the Five Rings games universe, which is so well written and plotted that you never need to have played the game to understand or enjoy the story. As a long time reader of books based on role playing games this is a great concept and having a writer as talented and capable a Josh Reynolds does help.
Poison River: Legend of the Five Rings: A Daidoji Shin Mystery, by the aforementioned Josh Reynolds is mystery fantasy story set in the Emerald Empire, a feudal Japan-like world set in the Five Rings game system. A young wastrel, Daidoji Shin, serves as trade envoy for the Crane Clan, one of the many clans vying for power in power in the City of the Rich Frog. Lazy, indolent, and yet of a enquiring mindset, Shin suddenly finds himself thrust into a action by the Imperial Governor, who needs a neutral/scapegoat to find out who has poisoned a shipment of rice, and endangering the fragile peace between the many clans who trade in the city. Shin's investigation soon upsets numerous people, including his own bodyguard, as he suddenly finds something more interesting than the kabuki theater he usually attends.
The characters are funny, interesting and far deeper than expected. Mr. Reynolds does a great job of developing them throughout the novel. Especially the female characters. The mystery makes sense, and unfolds well, with plenty of action and deception. The ending is clear, and yet leaves plenty of opportunities for sequels which I hope there will be. This is the first book that I have read by Mr. Reynolds, and the second in this series about the Five Rings. Mr. Reynolds is definitely an author I want to read more by, and left me very interested in the game.
January 9, 2025
The best part of this book are the characters --they are colorful and support the world built in this novel. I'm unfamiliar with the game and world this book is based on, and I only wonder if the book relies too heavily on the idea that the reader is knowledgeable--some terms, being obviously lent from Japanese culture, aren't defined and so the book does not hold your hand at all to understand certain terms or cultural norms. That all said, the plot itself is...meh. The mystery, in the end, is rather basic. It gets convoluted only for the characters themselves, because the curtain gets pulled back for the reader, following the multiply POVs, and so a chunk of the book is the reader waiting for our heroes to catch up. Also, Shin is hypocritical. When a single character, for all intents and purposes a scummy one at that, dies, Shin remarks how justice is still necessary, and he looks down upon everyone else's tradition of honor or self-serving goals, with justice and truth being his goal. In the end? He agrees to brush half the truth under the rug for the sake of some self-serving sake of a politician, more or less, and is fine with the conclusion being a forced seppuku--killing someone who he even once offered to protect off. I'm iffy on whether I will continue the series--are the characters worth it? Would the sequel provide a better mystery and a more investing, interesting plot? It's ok as a book, definitely for fans of this Game/world but a pass for mystery readers potentially.
October 26, 2022
Da amante del genere ovviamente non potevo farmi scappare l'occasione di leggere anche questa bellissima uscita Asmodee.
Fiumi di Veleno è il primo di una serie di romanzi scritti da Josh Reynolds.
Il protagonista - che mi ha ricordato moltissimo Gintoki della famosa serie manga Gintama - 3 l’affascinante Daidoji Shin, un aristocratico con la passione per gli enigmi.
Quando un carico di riso avvelenato minaccia la quiete della città, rischiando di mettere contro diversi clan che già si odiano abbastanza tra loro, viene chiesto il suo aiuto per risolvere un mistero che sta facendo impazzire tutti. Un po' come Scotland Yard fa con Sherlock.
Ma dietro tutto ciò, Shin trova qualcosa di molto più tosto: una rete di complotti all’interno dell’Impero di Smeraldo.
La serie La Leggenda dei Cinque Anelli nasce più di 25 anni fa come gioco di carte per poi divenire successivamente un un gioco di ruolo che spero di recuperare il prima possibile.
Questo primo volume romanzato mi ha appassionato tantissimo e si può leggere anche senza conoscere il gioco, proprio come ho fatto io anche se, ormai mi conoscete, ora voglio recuperare anche i giochi ahah
Una bellissima lettura per gli amanti dei gialli e dell'oriente. Super consigliato!
Fiumi di Veleno è il primo di una serie di romanzi scritti da Josh Reynolds.
Il protagonista - che mi ha ricordato moltissimo Gintoki della famosa serie manga Gintama - 3 l’affascinante Daidoji Shin, un aristocratico con la passione per gli enigmi.
Quando un carico di riso avvelenato minaccia la quiete della città, rischiando di mettere contro diversi clan che già si odiano abbastanza tra loro, viene chiesto il suo aiuto per risolvere un mistero che sta facendo impazzire tutti. Un po' come Scotland Yard fa con Sherlock.
Ma dietro tutto ciò, Shin trova qualcosa di molto più tosto: una rete di complotti all’interno dell’Impero di Smeraldo.
La serie La Leggenda dei Cinque Anelli nasce più di 25 anni fa come gioco di carte per poi divenire successivamente un un gioco di ruolo che spero di recuperare il prima possibile.
Questo primo volume romanzato mi ha appassionato tantissimo e si può leggere anche senza conoscere il gioco, proprio come ho fatto io anche se, ormai mi conoscete, ora voglio recuperare anche i giochi ahah
Una bellissima lettura per gli amanti dei gialli e dell'oriente. Super consigliato!
February 12, 2025
I've been a Legend of the Five Rings CCG player for decades, but this is the first L5R novel I've read.
I like Daidoji Shin as a protagonist; the combination of dissipation and competence, disgrace and personal honor makes for a compelling hero. The supporting characters are also memorable and entertaining.
The setting is generally a good one; Rokugan is well developed and detailed. That said, even for a longtime fan of the setting, this is complex. We have five different clans and many named characters, and the names are not especially familiar to a speaker of an Indo-European language.
Similarly, the plot is quite complex, with multiple layers of deception and hidden motives.
The result was enough confusion to make the story difficult to follow. Against that, the conclusion was done well, with hooks for follow-on novels and a satisfying solution to the riddles.
I can't give this a high rating or strong recommendation; it was too byzantine, especially for a first novel in a series. But I will likely be continuing the series, because I think the germs of a compelling series are there.
I like Daidoji Shin as a protagonist; the combination of dissipation and competence, disgrace and personal honor makes for a compelling hero. The supporting characters are also memorable and entertaining.
The setting is generally a good one; Rokugan is well developed and detailed. That said, even for a longtime fan of the setting, this is complex. We have five different clans and many named characters, and the names are not especially familiar to a speaker of an Indo-European language.
Similarly, the plot is quite complex, with multiple layers of deception and hidden motives.
The result was enough confusion to make the story difficult to follow. Against that, the conclusion was done well, with hooks for follow-on novels and a satisfying solution to the riddles.
I can't give this a high rating or strong recommendation; it was too byzantine, especially for a first novel in a series. But I will likely be continuing the series, because I think the germs of a compelling series are there.
September 16, 2021
I read this mostly for insight into the L5R setting since I like the card game as well as the 5th ed RPG. The mystery story overall was fine. Daidoji Shin, the lead character, is more or less in exile for being an embarrassment to his clan for his refusal to apply himself in any sort of useful endeavor for the betterment of the Crane (and indulging in whatever vices he feels like at any given time). He has a long-suffering bodyguard that constantly laments his bad behavior, objects to almost every move he makes, and then has to follow him anyway as she has sworn to do so. A sabotage investigation falls into Shin's lap, and he takes to it competently, partly because he was ordered to and partly because he finally finds something truly interesting with which to engage. I didn't much care for him at all, as his characterization fell into the 'lazy but brilliant' trope that I don't like.
The supporting characters were more entertaining, and who I actually rooted for. I ended up finishing the novel pretty quickly mostly to keep reading about parts of Rokugan for RPG campaign purposes and shinobi.
The supporting characters were more entertaining, and who I actually rooted for. I ended up finishing the novel pretty quickly mostly to keep reading about parts of Rokugan for RPG campaign purposes and shinobi.
December 6, 2021
Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
This was a fast read because of the archive date being tomorrow, BUT still a very enjoyable one. I really like the creativity put into this. Mainly the choice of main characters. It's so nice to see male and female protagonists being the opposite of what one would expect from them when the setting is inspired by medieval Japan. Shin is the elegant and observant one, with the sharp and cunning mind, possessing great knowledge and enjoying gambling, cultural entertainment such as theatre. Kasami is the deadly blade, strong and skilled fighter that has the not-so-pleasant task of acting as Shin's bodyguard....and she's so done with having to get him out of whatever mess he finds himself in. I so much enjoyed the crime-like mystery and their way of solving it, but most of all - I enjoyed their interaction from beginning to end. Totally recommend the novel.. And now onto a second re-read.
This was a fast read because of the archive date being tomorrow, BUT still a very enjoyable one. I really like the creativity put into this. Mainly the choice of main characters. It's so nice to see male and female protagonists being the opposite of what one would expect from them when the setting is inspired by medieval Japan. Shin is the elegant and observant one, with the sharp and cunning mind, possessing great knowledge and enjoying gambling, cultural entertainment such as theatre. Kasami is the deadly blade, strong and skilled fighter that has the not-so-pleasant task of acting as Shin's bodyguard....and she's so done with having to get him out of whatever mess he finds himself in. I so much enjoyed the crime-like mystery and their way of solving it, but most of all - I enjoyed their interaction from beginning to end. Totally recommend the novel.. And now onto a second re-read.
March 8, 2021
This is the tie-in novel of a tabletop game that I really liked. Pathfinder, D&D (Eberron, Forgotten realms), Shadowrun, Warhammer40k, Legend of the five rings from both the previous owner and fantasy flight and Vampire the masquerade. All their books either came from a person who barely read the setting or were just plain badly written.
This is not.
I liked how it creates compelling characters without sacrificing the culture and morals of the world of Rokugan. I liked that Shin was both compassionate and a wastrel, open-minded yet with a streak of xenophobic ill will. I enjoyed the mystery, although it was not that hard to follow nor it was an amazing plot, it was well-paced, well structured, entertaining, and enjoyable. Best book of the entire lot by far, although not the best fiction. (man, the free fiction has been on point)
This is not.
I liked how it creates compelling characters without sacrificing the culture and morals of the world of Rokugan. I liked that Shin was both compassionate and a wastrel, open-minded yet with a streak of xenophobic ill will. I enjoyed the mystery, although it was not that hard to follow nor it was an amazing plot, it was well-paced, well structured, entertaining, and enjoyable. Best book of the entire lot by far, although not the best fiction. (man, the free fiction has been on point)
February 24, 2023
good plotting and dialogue
Many books tied in to RPGs or other IP are of questionable quality. But Josh Reynolds’ mystery captures well the politics of Rokugan, a samurai fantasy land of the L5R role-playing games, with a well constructed mystery over a rice shipment that has been poisoned.
The crime threatens to bring two powerful factions to war with each other in a neutral city between their territories. But other actors and factions are present as well. Who has poisoned the rice? Is someone guiding the spawning conflicts? And what is the endgame?
Daidoji Shin, an unconventional samurai trying to dodge responsibility to his family, makes for an unlikely investigator. But a lifetime of louche living has given him an eclectic base of knowledge and a gift for thinking outside the box.
I found the investigation and resolution satisfying.
Many books tied in to RPGs or other IP are of questionable quality. But Josh Reynolds’ mystery captures well the politics of Rokugan, a samurai fantasy land of the L5R role-playing games, with a well constructed mystery over a rice shipment that has been poisoned.
The crime threatens to bring two powerful factions to war with each other in a neutral city between their territories. But other actors and factions are present as well. Who has poisoned the rice? Is someone guiding the spawning conflicts? And what is the endgame?
Daidoji Shin, an unconventional samurai trying to dodge responsibility to his family, makes for an unlikely investigator. But a lifetime of louche living has given him an eclectic base of knowledge and a gift for thinking outside the box.
I found the investigation and resolution satisfying.
July 1, 2022
I appreciated Reynolds’s talent for characterization and dialogue. However, the pacing and plot were a bit slow to develop. And given that it’s a mystery, I never felt intrigued or engaged in the stakes. A war could break out but it didn’t feel like a taut thriller.
Shin and Kasami were, at times, an entertaining pair, though the laughs they provoked weren’t big ones, and Reynolds didn’t give us much insight into them as people.
I like the setting, and Reynolds captures aspects of Rokugan well, but my tastes are probably more into the more fantastical elements of this world. I also tend to prefer epic fantasy vs the smaller-scale, RPG-like adventure here. Altogether, the novel left me wanting more.
Shin and Kasami were, at times, an entertaining pair, though the laughs they provoked weren’t big ones, and Reynolds didn’t give us much insight into them as people.
I like the setting, and Reynolds captures aspects of Rokugan well, but my tastes are probably more into the more fantastical elements of this world. I also tend to prefer epic fantasy vs the smaller-scale, RPG-like adventure here. Altogether, the novel left me wanting more.
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