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There are some who believe that the honor of a samurai is reserved for men. But they are wrong.
Keiko was born the daughter of a samurai. But as a mere younger sister, her future was to run errands for her lovely elder sister and obey her father.
Until the day her brother thought it would be amusing to teach Keiko the way of an onna-bugeisha—a warrior woman of the samurai.
As a samurai, Keiko finds a new place in the world. One where it suddenly falls on her to defend the honor of her family.
After her sister is disgraced, Keiko travels to the Floating World, Edo’s pleasure district, not only for vengeance, but for her first taste of the world outside her home.
Keiko was born the daughter of a samurai. But as a mere younger sister, her future was to run errands for her lovely elder sister and obey her father.
Until the day her brother thought it would be amusing to teach Keiko the way of an onna-bugeisha—a warrior woman of the samurai.
As a samurai, Keiko finds a new place in the world. One where it suddenly falls on her to defend the honor of her family.
After her sister is disgraced, Keiko travels to the Floating World, Edo’s pleasure district, not only for vengeance, but for her first taste of the world outside her home.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2019
416 people are currently reading
638 people want to read
About the author
India Millar
41 books249 followersWith a literary journey spanning more than a dozen captivating novels set in historical Japan and a collection of evocative haikus, India Millar has embarked on a diverse career. Her professional odyssey commenced amidst the machinery of British Gas's heavy industry, eventually culminating within the hallowed halls of the British Library, where the tapestry of knowledge and storytelling merged seamlessly.
Now, India finds herself in the idyllic embrace of early retirement on the enchanting Costa Blanca. As she continues to explore the realms of history and poetry, India remains deeply grateful for the winding path that has led her to this peaceful and creative haven. Each word written, each page turned, is a testament to the enduring passion for storytelling that continues to shape her life's narrative.
Now, India finds herself in the idyllic embrace of early retirement on the enchanting Costa Blanca. As she continues to explore the realms of history and poetry, India remains deeply grateful for the winding path that has led her to this peaceful and creative haven. Each word written, each page turned, is a testament to the enduring passion for storytelling that continues to shape her life's narrative.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 12, 2021
The classic theme of the underestimated person rising to be the one that survives everything, this "woman warrior of the samurai" is a very readable book. The character is compelling, her narrative voice well done.
Why three stars?
Well, the sex scenes are a bit too much. I understand why they're there--heck, as a writer, I've written some pretty steamy stuff, too. But the scenes go on too long and you start to feel like a voyeur rather than an observer.
Also, the main character escapes her main danger only because someone else comes in to save her. Call me old fashioned, but I like my women warriors self-sufficient.
Why three stars?
Well, the sex scenes are a bit too much. I understand why they're there--heck, as a writer, I've written some pretty steamy stuff, too. But the scenes go on too long and you start to feel like a voyeur rather than an observer.
Also, the main character escapes her main danger only because someone else comes in to save her. Call me old fashioned, but I like my women warriors self-sufficient.
January 24, 2023
A complete review soon.
I am totally involved in the martial arts, have been since a teen - judo, Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do 🥋, katana and shinobi 🥷🏻 - meditation and koans - so I love samurai fiction (my term) especially and only with a strong female lead 🎌 ⚔️
I am totally involved in the martial arts, have been since a teen - judo, Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do 🥋, katana and shinobi 🥷🏻 - meditation and koans - so I love samurai fiction (my term) especially and only with a strong female lead 🎌 ⚔️
December 26, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well-written and mostly entertaining. Unfortunately, it seems to me the story wasn't very historically accurate and also some parts of the book seemed to have the sole aim to shock the reader. I am not sure I will read more novels by this author.
October 16, 2019
I would give the story three stars, but some of the things were just plain wrong. The author comes off as someone who just did a brief Google search for what they wanted and didn't do any real research. A geisha is not a prostitute. Soru doesn't mean sky, that would be sora. Why would someone who's upper class use a Lowe class euphemism? I had other issues with other translations and euphemisms throughout the book.
I don't care enough about the story to continue the with the next book. My disappointment with this book makes me not want to read others by this author.
I don't care enough about the story to continue the with the next book. My disappointment with this book makes me not want to read others by this author.
October 16, 2019
I love this plot and characters. A wonderful written plot and characters. I volunteered to read an advance copy for an honest review.
February 19, 2023
I was heartened to read that the author India Millar is married because this is one sexy hot historical fiction novel set in Japan decades past. All those quite hot images she draws, wow; hence, my relief that she personally more than likely gets what she needs and does not have to rely on her most imaginative pen to get it.
That said, there is more to this novel than the sexual acts; there is the sexual politics, which we perhaps can assume in Japan in this era are quite dominantly chauvinistic, even degrading to women and dashing of any of their hopes for self-fulfillment economically or socially beyond their assigned very limited roles. Basically, what you are born into, whether gender or class, determines how one will marry and where one will stay economically and socially for the remainder of his/her life. Further, the class differences reveal the callous disregard the self-serving"noble" class has for the suffering of the "peasants." Millar creates a number of despicable characters to illustrate quite well these social problems and restrictions; all the characters, major and minor, are quite vividly drawn and developed.
Reading with our modern minds we see the obvious hypocrisies and inequities of these worn out Japanese systems. Yet, as the subtitle suggests, there are exceptions to these caste and gender-determined systems, and those who choose them often have lives of hardship and severe discipline; these are the samurai, and most intriguingly to me, woman warriors who train with them. This is an exciting adventure story of one of the women. "The code imposes seven virtues on the true samurai: loyalty, courage, truthfulness, honor, righteousness, politeness, and benevolence."
Early in the novel the main character says, "I was the catalyst for all the changes, nobody and nothing else. I was learning to fight like a man and to think like one. For a moment, I felt almost sorry for my future bridegroom, who was no doubt expecting a dutiful, obedient wife."
One of the ironies of the culture revealed by Millar was the contrast between a highly rigid and controlled society of assigned gender and caste roles, largely based on a strict sense of duty and saving face in public, also can have sexually promiscuous private lives with very little boundaries. Outside/inside, what one looks like in public and what one acts like in private are dramatically different ways of being. I found this intriguing.
That said, there is more to this novel than the sexual acts; there is the sexual politics, which we perhaps can assume in Japan in this era are quite dominantly chauvinistic, even degrading to women and dashing of any of their hopes for self-fulfillment economically or socially beyond their assigned very limited roles. Basically, what you are born into, whether gender or class, determines how one will marry and where one will stay economically and socially for the remainder of his/her life. Further, the class differences reveal the callous disregard the self-serving"noble" class has for the suffering of the "peasants." Millar creates a number of despicable characters to illustrate quite well these social problems and restrictions; all the characters, major and minor, are quite vividly drawn and developed.
Reading with our modern minds we see the obvious hypocrisies and inequities of these worn out Japanese systems. Yet, as the subtitle suggests, there are exceptions to these caste and gender-determined systems, and those who choose them often have lives of hardship and severe discipline; these are the samurai, and most intriguingly to me, woman warriors who train with them. This is an exciting adventure story of one of the women. "The code imposes seven virtues on the true samurai: loyalty, courage, truthfulness, honor, righteousness, politeness, and benevolence."
Early in the novel the main character says, "I was the catalyst for all the changes, nobody and nothing else. I was learning to fight like a man and to think like one. For a moment, I felt almost sorry for my future bridegroom, who was no doubt expecting a dutiful, obedient wife."
One of the ironies of the culture revealed by Millar was the contrast between a highly rigid and controlled society of assigned gender and caste roles, largely based on a strict sense of duty and saving face in public, also can have sexually promiscuous private lives with very little boundaries. Outside/inside, what one looks like in public and what one acts like in private are dramatically different ways of being. I found this intriguing.
September 24, 2021
This book is set in a fictional version of Japan, possibly in the 16th century. Individuals who are unmistakably Europeans are mentioned in one scene, as are harquebuses, which were in use about that time. These details are irrelevant to the plot, however, which concentrates on Keiko, a younger daughter of a samurai family. At her brother's suggestion, Keiko transforms herself into a female samurai, or onna-bugeisha, and resolves to live by the samurai code of bushido.
It appears the author has immersed herself in Japanese culture and history to write this and other books, but I haven't the knowledge to assess the accuracy of her representation of these elements. Certainly the book includes enough references to Japanese clothing, customs, architecture, and other details to provide a sense of authenticity to readers without an in-depth knowledge of Japan.
The plot is similar to many YA novels in that the main character is a teenaged girl trying to forge her identity while dealing with family issues. One thing that struck me is how many scenes involve sex. The book is not erotica, and the sex scenes aren't offensive, but they are quite detailed. Sex is a major element in the story, as a reward, a punishment, an amusement, or a way to make a living.
While I thought Keiko's training in different types of martial arts was interesting, it struck me as peculiar that she would be able to engage in it without anyone in her family noticing, except for the brother who encourages her. In fact, a great deal of the plot depends on the main character doing things that a girl of her class would not be permitted to do, and getting away with them too easily.
The ending is a bit of a shocker, and an obvious setup for the next book in the series. Altogether, I found this a diverting read, largely due to the exotic setting.
It appears the author has immersed herself in Japanese culture and history to write this and other books, but I haven't the knowledge to assess the accuracy of her representation of these elements. Certainly the book includes enough references to Japanese clothing, customs, architecture, and other details to provide a sense of authenticity to readers without an in-depth knowledge of Japan.
The plot is similar to many YA novels in that the main character is a teenaged girl trying to forge her identity while dealing with family issues. One thing that struck me is how many scenes involve sex. The book is not erotica, and the sex scenes aren't offensive, but they are quite detailed. Sex is a major element in the story, as a reward, a punishment, an amusement, or a way to make a living.
While I thought Keiko's training in different types of martial arts was interesting, it struck me as peculiar that she would be able to engage in it without anyone in her family noticing, except for the brother who encourages her. In fact, a great deal of the plot depends on the main character doing things that a girl of her class would not be permitted to do, and getting away with them too easily.
The ending is a bit of a shocker, and an obvious setup for the next book in the series. Altogether, I found this a diverting read, largely due to the exotic setting.
January 21, 2023
I decided to pick this up when I saw that it was free on Amazon. A warrior woman samurai? sounds amazing.
TW: Sexual assualt, sexual slavery (towards the end of the book)
Young Keiko is the second daughter in a samurai family but is ignored and hated by her father because her mother died giving birth to her. She is bullied by her elder sister and loves her brother who seems to be the only nice one to her. She thinks she has no prospects as it is unlikely her father will find a husband for her but things change when her brother, Isamu introduces her to the Onna-bugeisha.
Then Keiko begins to come into her power slowly, she is resourceful and brave. The society that story is set in is very sexist and traditional, women have no rights and rely on their fathers and male family members to get things done. Their culture sounds stifling and is about maintaining face, as in the Asian culture in general. But it feels toxic here as things that are very wrong are not known because of politeness.
She does retain a naivety and privilege of her social class. It was interesting to see how the Japanese viewed caucasians as a minority.
The story was rather slow the beginning with the coming of age and underdog theme but it becomes more dramatic and disturbing towards the end. There wasn't enough focus on her training to convince me she was a warrior. There are elements that are interesting, some romance but I don't think I will be reading further.
TW: Sexual assualt, sexual slavery (towards the end of the book)
Young Keiko is the second daughter in a samurai family but is ignored and hated by her father because her mother died giving birth to her. She is bullied by her elder sister and loves her brother who seems to be the only nice one to her. She thinks she has no prospects as it is unlikely her father will find a husband for her but things change when her brother, Isamu introduces her to the Onna-bugeisha.
Then Keiko begins to come into her power slowly, she is resourceful and brave. The society that story is set in is very sexist and traditional, women have no rights and rely on their fathers and male family members to get things done. Their culture sounds stifling and is about maintaining face, as in the Asian culture in general. But it feels toxic here as things that are very wrong are not known because of politeness.
She does retain a naivety and privilege of her social class. It was interesting to see how the Japanese viewed caucasians as a minority.
The story was rather slow the beginning with the coming of age and underdog theme but it becomes more dramatic and disturbing towards the end. There wasn't enough focus on her training to convince me she was a warrior. There are elements that are interesting, some romance but I don't think I will be reading further.
December 28, 2023
A historical fiction novel set in an unspecified period of Japanese history (as the capital is Edo with a well established pleasure quarter and there’s mention of the Shogun, I’m going to guess c. 1750). Our heroine is Keiko, second daughter to her father (a landed samurai but not top dog in the region), and utterly ignored/belittled by everyone. Then her brother decides to teach her how to fight with various weapons as well as some of the (peacetime) theorising about the ideal warrior. She laps it all up and becomes an “ideal” warrior. But there’s trouble: due to crop failures, the peasants are starving and her dad may not be doing anything about it (just collecting his taxes as usual).
This is an entertaining read taking in a small samurai house and the Edo pleasure quarters. It’s also nice to see a heroine being attractive to a man because of her fighting skills rather than beauty. However, the sex scenes could all be deleted as they’re all superfluous to the plot and rather gratuitous. The ending, well, it just stops rather than providing a satisfying resolution. Due to this ending, I can’t give it more than 2* and without the sex scenes I’d have rated it higher still.
This is an entertaining read taking in a small samurai house and the Edo pleasure quarters. It’s also nice to see a heroine being attractive to a man because of her fighting skills rather than beauty. However, the sex scenes could all be deleted as they’re all superfluous to the plot and rather gratuitous. The ending, well, it just stops rather than providing a satisfying resolution. Due to this ending, I can’t give it more than 2* and without the sex scenes I’d have rated it higher still.
May 23, 2023
1st in Warrior Woman of the Samurai Book
It is the tale of Keiko, youngest of three children born into a well to do samurai family during the Tokugawa Shogunate. Keiko is homely while her older sister is beautiful and receives all the attention as well as being self-centered. The oldest is a brother who is is training to be abd lives the life of a well to do samurai. Keiko is ignored by her father so is really a fifth wheel in the household and unhappy with her lot.
Things change when her older brother shows her what is essentially a magic history book. the book depicts a famous "onna-bugeisha," literally, a female martial artist. Keiko and her brother decide that Keiko will become a onna-bugeisha and she fines a purpose and quickly becomes very skilled.
The background is filled with rivalries, people scheming to gain more power and growing discontent among the peasants.
This is less a mystery and more how Keiko finds her purpose in life and has to survive the swirling forces that play a role in daily feudal Japanese life.
It is the tale of Keiko, youngest of three children born into a well to do samurai family during the Tokugawa Shogunate. Keiko is homely while her older sister is beautiful and receives all the attention as well as being self-centered. The oldest is a brother who is is training to be abd lives the life of a well to do samurai. Keiko is ignored by her father so is really a fifth wheel in the household and unhappy with her lot.
Things change when her older brother shows her what is essentially a magic history book. the book depicts a famous "onna-bugeisha," literally, a female martial artist. Keiko and her brother decide that Keiko will become a onna-bugeisha and she fines a purpose and quickly becomes very skilled.
The background is filled with rivalries, people scheming to gain more power and growing discontent among the peasants.
This is less a mystery and more how Keiko finds her purpose in life and has to survive the swirling forces that play a role in daily feudal Japanese life.
June 26, 2022
.
.
OMG! I wish I were a woman!!!!!!
“Tomoe Gozen was especially beautiful. She had white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman, she was a warrior worth a thousand men, ready to confront demon or god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill. Whenever a battle was imminent, her husband sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow. She performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.”
I can NOT wait for this boring story to be over….
We are TOLD she is trained, but we don’t see it.
We are TOLD she can fight, but we are not really shown anything extraordinary.
This seems a mass of emotions.
I SKIPPED OVER THE ENTIRE SCENE OF SEX ON THE DIRT/GROUND. I just skipped the pages without reading them. No loss.
I hate sex in books.
I stopped reading at Page #180. The book was boring me to death and so I tossed it. Book was bad.
.
.
.
OMG! I wish I were a woman!!!!!!
“Tomoe Gozen was especially beautiful. She had white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman, she was a warrior worth a thousand men, ready to confront demon or god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill. Whenever a battle was imminent, her husband sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow. She performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.”
I can NOT wait for this boring story to be over….
We are TOLD she is trained, but we don’t see it.
We are TOLD she can fight, but we are not really shown anything extraordinary.
This seems a mass of emotions.
I SKIPPED OVER THE ENTIRE SCENE OF SEX ON THE DIRT/GROUND. I just skipped the pages without reading them. No loss.
I hate sex in books.
I stopped reading at Page #180. The book was boring me to death and so I tossed it. Book was bad.
.
.
February 11, 2025
Well, that’s left me feeling a bit grubby. I should know not to expect anything at all from free kindle books, and this was just smut dressed up as a tale of ancient Japan and the samurai. I only chose it to fit a reading challenge that I didn’t have anything to fill, and I guess I knew how that would go. I won’t bother with any more in the series, not my thing at all. I will never be able to hear the word tree without sniggering, so I suppose there’s that…
June 5, 2020
Beautifully written new series of India Millar. I enjoyed her Geisha With Green Eyes series, so I was happy to see some of the places and characters back in this book. This story, too, grapped me from the start. I'm curious to see where Keiko will go and what adventures she will have in the next books!
January 9, 2022
I was disappointed, but the disappointment stems from my expectations, not necessarily from the story. I was expecting Warrior WOMEN of the Samurai, and set my mind to find one character in each novel of the series; I was not expecting a series about one woman.
What I read was wonderful, but I'm not sure I'm captivated enough to go seeking the rest of the volumes. I'll probably wait a week or so, and if I'm still wondering about the unfinished story lines, I'll pick up volume 2.
What I read was wonderful, but I'm not sure I'm captivated enough to go seeking the rest of the volumes. I'll probably wait a week or so, and if I'm still wondering about the unfinished story lines, I'll pick up volume 2.
February 16, 2022
A really enjoyable read. In the hierarchical samurai world, Keiko is less than nothing. Unfortunately, she is a perceptive young woman and quietly challenges the restrictions placed upon her. She becomes the victim of events within and beyond her control. She becomes a silent warrior and it changes her whole world. A recommended read.
October 8, 2023
This is a solid historical fiction about a daughter of a samurai who feels trapped - she wants to be free. There are lots of familiar tropes here, but it is well written. There is a nice balance of history, setting, intrigue and romance.
Note that this ends on a downer cliffhanger. I will read the next one to see if this 8-book series is worth following.
Note that this ends on a downer cliffhanger. I will read the next one to see if this 8-book series is worth following.
February 3, 2024
Glorious
An era and history rarely written about in a way that is so fascinating and absorbing. I loved Keiko and felt I was next to her as she grew from an ignored middle child to a samurai. To learn about this culture, including its underworld was nothing short of amazing. I'm looking forward to book 2.
An era and history rarely written about in a way that is so fascinating and absorbing. I loved Keiko and felt I was next to her as she grew from an ignored middle child to a samurai. To learn about this culture, including its underworld was nothing short of amazing. I'm looking forward to book 2.
August 30, 2024
DNF
Not the book for me. I couldn't get through the first few chapters. I wanted to know more about Japanese history and in this book an attempt was made to explain this, but it felt like overexplaining. At some point, I couldn't understand where this story was headed. The misogyny and sexual harassment also made it difficult to continue.
Not the book for me. I couldn't get through the first few chapters. I wanted to know more about Japanese history and in this book an attempt was made to explain this, but it felt like overexplaining. At some point, I couldn't understand where this story was headed. The misogyny and sexual harassment also made it difficult to continue.
September 20, 2025
I got this book for free at some point and I was in the mood for historical fiction. But this felt more like fantasy than something grounded in fact. The writing itself was good, the pacing was good, and I was invested in the characters but about half way through, I realized that this held a lot of stereotypes that took me out of the novel and made it much less authentic feeling.
June 29, 2020
I think this novel will please young readers between 15-25 but for an old hen like me the first half felt too highschool. I also thought a lot of the thinking too European. Towards the end it became a lot more interesting.
January 19, 2022
A Heart-Tugging Tale of Japanese Culture
Obviously researched to include much of the samurai culture and creatively blended it into realistic characters of that era. Very entertaining.
Obviously researched to include much of the samurai culture and creatively blended it into realistic characters of that era. Very entertaining.
October 8, 2022
It's a change from my usual Tudor period, or war's of the roses.
The kindle makes it easy with the dictionary to explain some of the Japanese term's.
It has a good story line if at times rather explicit and had no hesitation getting book two.
If I continue to get more hope it ends at eight.
The kindle makes it easy with the dictionary to explain some of the Japanese term's.
It has a good story line if at times rather explicit and had no hesitation getting book two.
If I continue to get more hope it ends at eight.
July 14, 2023
It was an easy read and the setting was interesting. Randomly intense smutty scenes which didn’t necessarily fit the rest of the story but it’s a decent beach read. Wouldn’t pay to continue reading the series though; glad it was a free download.
May 8, 2020
Reminiscent of Life of a Geisha, very convoluted and sympathetic.
February 14, 2021
Totally enjoyed this first book in the series. Second was also enjoyable.
November 7, 2021
Enthralling
My 11year old sun is infatuated with the Samurai, so I told him I’d read this novel on his recommendation! What a great read!
My 11year old sun is infatuated with the Samurai, so I told him I’d read this novel on his recommendation! What a great read!
January 13, 2022
Incredible
Well written story about a Japanese girl who is the daughter of a Samurai warrior. Her brother, also a Samurai, teaches her to become a warrior woman. Great read
Well written story about a Japanese girl who is the daughter of a Samurai warrior. Her brother, also a Samurai, teaches her to become a warrior woman. Great read
November 21, 2022
finally a good read
Finally a good read with no fluff.a lot of research went into the writing of this book that made the book come alive.
.
Finally a good read with no fluff.a lot of research went into the writing of this book that made the book come alive.
.
January 1, 2024
Interesting. Not typical. For everyone who enjoys a bit of twisted historical Japan. Very easy and enjoyable to read.
November 26, 2019
What I Loved:
The main character in this story is Keiko and I loved her SO MUCH! She was given a cruddy lot in life, but she is sure going to try to turn it around! The character building is amazing and made me connect very quickly to the story.
How I Felt:
I was pulled into this story right from the start. The characters are rich and full of life, while the world is built in such descriptive depth that I could envision everything. I loved the strength that Keiko shows through every step of her journey.
Keiko’s family is just awful to her and it grated on me over and over. Her sister is especially terrible to her. This adversity in the story made every achievement of Keiko’s so much greater for me. I really appreciate the author’s ability write a character I hate so much that I WANT to read so I know that the main character overcomes!
My 4 star rather than a 5 star is due to some of the sexual sections that did not feel like they even belonged in the book. I did not like the way they flowed into the story, and felt that they were a bit overdone and could have been shortened or eluded to, but not described.
To Read or Not To Read:
This is a historical fiction novel with some romance in it. Historical fiction junkies will enjoy this, but I believe it reaches beyond just those readers. If you enjoy a story with a strong female main character, a journey of self-growth and discovery, or Japanese history this book is perfect for you.
What’s This Book About Anyway?
In this book, we meet Keiko, the youngest of the Samurai family. She expects to spend her days running errands and taking care of her older, beautiful sister. She is the lowest family member and she reminds herself to be grateful as her father could have killed her as a child, just because he could.
Keiko is only treated nicely by her brother and her sister’s fiance. One day, her brother brings her to see an ancient book of the onna-bugeisha, a female samurai. She had always believed these stories to be fairy tales, until her brother opens her eyes to a very real historical onna-bugeisha. He begins to train her in the way of the onna-bugeisha and she is determined to succeed.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
All of my reviews can be found at: https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
The main character in this story is Keiko and I loved her SO MUCH! She was given a cruddy lot in life, but she is sure going to try to turn it around! The character building is amazing and made me connect very quickly to the story.
How I Felt:
I was pulled into this story right from the start. The characters are rich and full of life, while the world is built in such descriptive depth that I could envision everything. I loved the strength that Keiko shows through every step of her journey.
Keiko’s family is just awful to her and it grated on me over and over. Her sister is especially terrible to her. This adversity in the story made every achievement of Keiko’s so much greater for me. I really appreciate the author’s ability write a character I hate so much that I WANT to read so I know that the main character overcomes!
My 4 star rather than a 5 star is due to some of the sexual sections that did not feel like they even belonged in the book. I did not like the way they flowed into the story, and felt that they were a bit overdone and could have been shortened or eluded to, but not described.
To Read or Not To Read:
This is a historical fiction novel with some romance in it. Historical fiction junkies will enjoy this, but I believe it reaches beyond just those readers. If you enjoy a story with a strong female main character, a journey of self-growth and discovery, or Japanese history this book is perfect for you.
What’s This Book About Anyway?
In this book, we meet Keiko, the youngest of the Samurai family. She expects to spend her days running errands and taking care of her older, beautiful sister. She is the lowest family member and she reminds herself to be grateful as her father could have killed her as a child, just because he could.
Keiko is only treated nicely by her brother and her sister’s fiance. One day, her brother brings her to see an ancient book of the onna-bugeisha, a female samurai. She had always believed these stories to be fairy tales, until her brother opens her eyes to a very real historical onna-bugeisha. He begins to train her in the way of the onna-bugeisha and she is determined to succeed.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
All of my reviews can be found at: https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews