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The Katana Series, #1-5
Book One:
When Katana stops several attackers using only her chi, Master Osaka sends her away to the Hall of the Dragon to learn to use and control her power. Soon after her arrival, a mysterious band of warriors tries to steal the Scroll of the Five Masters, which contains the key to immortality. Katana learns that they are the Arashi, a secret society that preserves the dark art of dim mak.
It was believed that knowledge of the art’s highest power, the death touch, was taken to the grave by its ancient master. But now a new dim mak master has risen, commanding a power even more terrifying than the death touch—and he will stop at nothing to obtain the Scroll of the Five Masters. In the end, it’s up to Katana to confront this new enemy and uncover the shocking truth of his identity.
Book Two:
The Arashi have stolen the Scroll of the Five Masters from the Hall of the Dragon, but their master cannot unlock its secret: the key to immortality. Believing the answer must lie in the temples’ secret archives, he’s on the offensive. And it’s only a matter of time before he attacks the Hall of the Dragon.
The Hall is launching a covert mission to foil his plans, but they’re running out of time. Katana has already mastered two of the mysterious Chen Do skills, and is on her way to achieving a third. But will she be powerful enough to confront the enemy when he infiltrates the Hall? In the end the fate of her mentor will lie in her hands.
Book Three:
A mysterious assassin is targeting the Arashi; secrets from the Hall of the Dragon’s past are resurfacing; and all the while, Katana continues to grow in her power. But when she unearths the darkest secret of all, will it send her down the same path as the enemy?
Book Four:
After the pivotal events of the previous book, this story explodes off the pages! The enemy has learned Katana’s true identity. And before the end, Katana will discover her hidden connection to her nemesis. Now he will stop at nothing to acquire her: can she escape the fate that awaits her?
Book Five:
The end has come... Yin and yang. Dark and light. Neither can exist without the other.
When Katana stops several attackers using only her chi, Master Osaka sends her away to the Hall of the Dragon to learn to use and control her power. Soon after her arrival, a mysterious band of warriors tries to steal the Scroll of the Five Masters, which contains the key to immortality. Katana learns that they are the Arashi, a secret society that preserves the dark art of dim mak.
It was believed that knowledge of the art’s highest power, the death touch, was taken to the grave by its ancient master. But now a new dim mak master has risen, commanding a power even more terrifying than the death touch—and he will stop at nothing to obtain the Scroll of the Five Masters. In the end, it’s up to Katana to confront this new enemy and uncover the shocking truth of his identity.
Book Two:
The Arashi have stolen the Scroll of the Five Masters from the Hall of the Dragon, but their master cannot unlock its secret: the key to immortality. Believing the answer must lie in the temples’ secret archives, he’s on the offensive. And it’s only a matter of time before he attacks the Hall of the Dragon.
The Hall is launching a covert mission to foil his plans, but they’re running out of time. Katana has already mastered two of the mysterious Chen Do skills, and is on her way to achieving a third. But will she be powerful enough to confront the enemy when he infiltrates the Hall? In the end the fate of her mentor will lie in her hands.
Book Three:
A mysterious assassin is targeting the Arashi; secrets from the Hall of the Dragon’s past are resurfacing; and all the while, Katana continues to grow in her power. But when she unearths the darkest secret of all, will it send her down the same path as the enemy?
Book Four:
After the pivotal events of the previous book, this story explodes off the pages! The enemy has learned Katana’s true identity. And before the end, Katana will discover her hidden connection to her nemesis. Now he will stop at nothing to acquire her: can she escape the fate that awaits her?
Book Five:
The end has come... Yin and yang. Dark and light. Neither can exist without the other.
2500 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2020
232 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 24, 2024
KATANA
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I learned a lot about martial arts, read up on the different things the kids did, and wished that I had continued taking Kung Fu when I was a teenager.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I learned a lot about martial arts, read up on the different things the kids did, and wished that I had continued taking Kung Fu when I was a teenager.
November 29, 2020
The first and foremost aspect that needs to be said is to forget about doubts you might foster regarding the crossing over of several subgenres, where this set could easily fill the shoes of pioneering ways to blend an unexpected compilation of reading classifications; coming of age, mythology, young adult, speculative fiction (fantasy), epic and contemporary fantasies, action and adventure, mythology and historical roots, to name but several without having to search for ideas.
Katana is the kind of destiny rich character who grows and hooks you greater as the books progress. Her mentor, best friends, teachers and even her nemeses become as important as she within the first book; leading to a growing fascination with all. She has a fated past that shapes who destiny, and your awareness of this and the importance it bestows takes it from sadness to relevance. From the onset of her teens, and thus the storyline, her winning personality not only opens doors for the way she makes new friends, and keeps them, makes the story all the more endearing and hard to put down. The challenges she faces are endowed in mythology, or perhaps historical drama could be the better way to describe them. The first book falls into my top five first in series stories that pave a way to outstanding series. Furthermore, top five boxsets, top five for arousing an unstoppable need to read-on, top five blending of multidisciplinary genres, top five for all books in a series being as outstanding as one another... and top five ___ so on and so forth.
If you're a fantasy fanatic who seeks out being dazzled in unexpected ways, then The Katana Series is without compare. If you love fantasy and want blends that tantalise in unexpected and enduring ways, reinventing your ideas and love of them in ground breaking new ways then this series is for you. If you're a martial art/action aficionado who seeks historical telling with traces of mythology in its dawning years then this is for you. If you want to tantalised in new ways you couldn't predict if you tried then this is the series for you.
In essence it should be obvious that I have no negative impressions of these stories, only wonderful positive impressions, and that the blending permits the series to air in new ways without compare. The environments, characters, content, completeness of the final story, and a myriad of other reasons are present for your delights. At its present steal of a price tag you'd be a mug if you failed to take up this incomparable opportunity to get these benefits for less than an individually costed price of near to $AU0.30 (even when rounded up) for each entry makes it one of the greatest steals you'll have gotten for 2020.
In a tally sporting more than several hundred books from the typical sub-genres of fantasy reading, I struggle to recall comparable examples (or even a single example whatsoever). For me it's up there with The Shannara Series for impact on my fantasy preferences. Indeed, straight off the bat I'd say they're an equal first in my top fives, The Shannara collection perhaps only winning out because of its sheer size. But such a comparison is exemplary in the dangers of using such a dimension to decide what stories you want to read. I can't even constructively feed back any info for Ken to take onboard, or for your consideration, as all the aforementioned shows how the positives come to light.
Purchase it, read it, review it/them: as I have every confidence these choices will see you arriving at the same pleasurable outcome, and I dare you to read the series and thus find out for yourself if my review is incorrect... because I haven't and you won't. Furthermore, this is all from the perspective of an early forties reader, so if I didn't find the ages restrictive in any manner, then neither should you: so don't let premature ideas about age relevance lead you astray.
Katana is the kind of destiny rich character who grows and hooks you greater as the books progress. Her mentor, best friends, teachers and even her nemeses become as important as she within the first book; leading to a growing fascination with all. She has a fated past that shapes who destiny, and your awareness of this and the importance it bestows takes it from sadness to relevance. From the onset of her teens, and thus the storyline, her winning personality not only opens doors for the way she makes new friends, and keeps them, makes the story all the more endearing and hard to put down. The challenges she faces are endowed in mythology, or perhaps historical drama could be the better way to describe them. The first book falls into my top five first in series stories that pave a way to outstanding series. Furthermore, top five boxsets, top five for arousing an unstoppable need to read-on, top five blending of multidisciplinary genres, top five for all books in a series being as outstanding as one another... and top five ___ so on and so forth.
If you're a fantasy fanatic who seeks out being dazzled in unexpected ways, then The Katana Series is without compare. If you love fantasy and want blends that tantalise in unexpected and enduring ways, reinventing your ideas and love of them in ground breaking new ways then this series is for you. If you're a martial art/action aficionado who seeks historical telling with traces of mythology in its dawning years then this is for you. If you want to tantalised in new ways you couldn't predict if you tried then this is the series for you.
In essence it should be obvious that I have no negative impressions of these stories, only wonderful positive impressions, and that the blending permits the series to air in new ways without compare. The environments, characters, content, completeness of the final story, and a myriad of other reasons are present for your delights. At its present steal of a price tag you'd be a mug if you failed to take up this incomparable opportunity to get these benefits for less than an individually costed price of near to $AU0.30 (even when rounded up) for each entry makes it one of the greatest steals you'll have gotten for 2020.
In a tally sporting more than several hundred books from the typical sub-genres of fantasy reading, I struggle to recall comparable examples (or even a single example whatsoever). For me it's up there with The Shannara Series for impact on my fantasy preferences. Indeed, straight off the bat I'd say they're an equal first in my top fives, The Shannara collection perhaps only winning out because of its sheer size. But such a comparison is exemplary in the dangers of using such a dimension to decide what stories you want to read. I can't even constructively feed back any info for Ken to take onboard, or for your consideration, as all the aforementioned shows how the positives come to light.
Purchase it, read it, review it/them: as I have every confidence these choices will see you arriving at the same pleasurable outcome, and I dare you to read the series and thus find out for yourself if my review is incorrect... because I haven't and you won't. Furthermore, this is all from the perspective of an early forties reader, so if I didn't find the ages restrictive in any manner, then neither should you: so don't let premature ideas about age relevance lead you astray.
Read
November 28, 2020WOW! What do you get with a little Harry Potter and mix in a little Veronica Roth? Ken Warner's The Scroll of the Five Masters! Outstanding read! Although it's a bit of a stretch to see the main characters as middle-schoolers. I look forward to the second book.
Katana Nidan: The Unwritten Koan. Outstanding read! I look forward to the third book.
Katana Sandan: The Code of Bodhidharma. WOW! From the first book, Ken Warner's The Scroll of the Five Masters, I knew I was reading an epic in the making. I don’t know where the series is going next, but I realize that my criticism in book 1 that was a bit of a stretch to see the main characters as middle-schoolers, was an error on my part. For whatever reason these kids are special. No spoilers here. This is the best of the three so far.
Katana Yodan: The Immortal Masters . (Katana #4). After over 900 pages (465 in this book) the story will continue in a fifth book, that's a good thing! This book, the series, is INCREDIBLE! Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings are the only series that comes to mind as series to even approach this series. I look forward to book 5.
Katana Godan: Nemesis (Katana #5). The worst part of a book 5 is that a tremendous pentalogy is ending. From the first book, Ken Warner's The Scroll of the Five Masters, I knew I was reading an epic in the making. I've realized that my criticism in book 1 that was a bit of a stretch to see the main characters as middle-schoolers, was an error on my part. For whatever reason these kids are special. No spoilers here. This is the best of the series and (spoiler) a HEA ending as you can get with someone who lives forever. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Katana Nidan: The Unwritten Koan. Outstanding read! I look forward to the third book.
Katana Sandan: The Code of Bodhidharma. WOW! From the first book, Ken Warner's The Scroll of the Five Masters, I knew I was reading an epic in the making. I don’t know where the series is going next, but I realize that my criticism in book 1 that was a bit of a stretch to see the main characters as middle-schoolers, was an error on my part. For whatever reason these kids are special. No spoilers here. This is the best of the three so far.
Katana Yodan: The Immortal Masters . (Katana #4). After over 900 pages (465 in this book) the story will continue in a fifth book, that's a good thing! This book, the series, is INCREDIBLE! Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings are the only series that comes to mind as series to even approach this series. I look forward to book 5.
Katana Godan: Nemesis (Katana #5). The worst part of a book 5 is that a tremendous pentalogy is ending. From the first book, Ken Warner's The Scroll of the Five Masters, I knew I was reading an epic in the making. I've realized that my criticism in book 1 that was a bit of a stretch to see the main characters as middle-schoolers, was an error on my part. For whatever reason these kids are special. No spoilers here. This is the best of the series and (spoiler) a HEA ending as you can get with someone who lives forever. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
June 12, 2021
Worth the read, took a while to get through
So I liked the series it dragged on but it was well written! This was my first time read a martial arts type of book so I was intrigued. Not sure if I’ll read any others as it’s not really my thing. A couple of slight spoilers I wish so many people we liked didn’t die in the book and also the ending kind of sucked!!! Like who cares about Billy lol! I would have preferred a ending where the author maybe jumped into the future and gave us a glimpse at katanas life since she’ll have a long one. I would have enjoyed reading about how she handled how “special” she is as the world changed around her. So the ending was disappointing.
So I liked the series it dragged on but it was well written! This was my first time read a martial arts type of book so I was intrigued. Not sure if I’ll read any others as it’s not really my thing. A couple of slight spoilers I wish so many people we liked didn’t die in the book and also the ending kind of sucked!!! Like who cares about Billy lol! I would have preferred a ending where the author maybe jumped into the future and gave us a glimpse at katanas life since she’ll have a long one. I would have enjoyed reading about how she handled how “special” she is as the world changed around her. So the ending was disappointing.
July 18, 2021
Wow
This is not my normal read but I loved this series. The storyline was awesome and the characters were wonderful. I will say and it's kind of a spoiler so be warned. Two of the characters that died were unnecessary. It was almost a deal breaker for me but I stayed. It is a great read though and anyone reading this review should definitely download the series. You won't regret it.
This is not my normal read but I loved this series. The storyline was awesome and the characters were wonderful. I will say and it's kind of a spoiler so be warned. Two of the characters that died were unnecessary. It was almost a deal breaker for me but I stayed. It is a great read though and anyone reading this review should definitely download the series. You won't regret it.
March 11, 2021
Very great and compelling story
I become attached to the characters. I laughed and cried. The writing was great but the story itself draws you in. Never once did I become bored or wished the story would move along. A very good read that does what a great story should, draw you in and keep you invested throughout.
I become attached to the characters. I laughed and cried. The writing was great but the story itself draws you in. Never once did I become bored or wished the story would move along. A very good read that does what a great story should, draw you in and keep you invested throughout.
June 18, 2021
The Katana Series: Complete 5 Book Set
Anyone into martial arts will love these books. I don’t know the first thing about martial arts and I still loved these books! Good guys, bad guys, and a little fuzzy grey area in between that makes the good guys have to work to stay on the right side - this story delivers.
Anyone into martial arts will love these books. I don’t know the first thing about martial arts and I still loved these books! Good guys, bad guys, and a little fuzzy grey area in between that makes the good guys have to work to stay on the right side - this story delivers.
July 5, 2021
Move Over, Star Wars
At the age of 75 I have been a devout science fiction and fantasy fan since riding Robert Heinlein's "Have Space Suit, Will Travel" at the age of seven. I've not read a story or series that has moved me as much as this Katana Saga. It would easily make a film series to rival the "Star Wars" saga! Read it and fall in love with the entire cast of characters.
At the age of 75 I have been a devout science fiction and fantasy fan since riding Robert Heinlein's "Have Space Suit, Will Travel" at the age of seven. I've not read a story or series that has moved me as much as this Katana Saga. It would easily make a film series to rival the "Star Wars" saga! Read it and fall in love with the entire cast of characters.
September 4, 2023
This series is great. It opened my eyes to the many forms of marshal arts, which I knew next to nothing about.
The characters are strong and quite believable. There are some tear-jerker moments, but also many happy ones.
I would recommend reading this series followed by "The Kwan Thriller Series." I read that series first and wished I had read this one before I read it.
The characters are strong and quite believable. There are some tear-jerker moments, but also many happy ones.
I would recommend reading this series followed by "The Kwan Thriller Series." I read that series first and wished I had read this one before I read it.
September 20, 2025
A beautifully imagined world of wonder and danger
Absolutely brilliant fantasy fiction.
I started this box set expecting a certain type of fantasy fiction but what I got was so much better.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to more from this author.
Absolutely brilliant fantasy fiction.
I started this box set expecting a certain type of fantasy fiction but what I got was so much better.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to more from this author.
May 13, 2021
Great action, adventure, and characters
Series is great. Each book flows into the next. I literally had a hard time putting this series down and stayed up all night a few nights. I had to make myself stop and eat and sleep. I laughed and cried
Series is great. Each book flows into the next. I literally had a hard time putting this series down and stayed up all night a few nights. I had to make myself stop and eat and sleep. I laughed and cried
June 14, 2021
I thought the series was really good. I was sad and sorry that Chris died. I do not know why the author killed him off because he was a main character throughout the story. But I am glad that Katana was told by the Boyds that she could come and do all holidays and vacations with them so that she did have a family after all the tragedy that happened with Fujiwara and the Arashis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2021
The Katana Series
I usually don’t write reviews I just give stars but this series caught me off guard. It is an absolute must read. I went through all 5 books in 2 and a half weeks. Absolutely great.
I usually don’t write reviews I just give stars but this series caught me off guard. It is an absolute must read. I went through all 5 books in 2 and a half weeks. Absolutely great.
February 14, 2022
A good read especially for young readers.
The story is about a young girl in high school and growing up while learning martial arts. It includes gaining new friends and how she deals with the loss of some of them.
The story is about a young girl in high school and growing up while learning martial arts. It includes gaining new friends and how she deals with the loss of some of them.
April 14, 2022
From start to finish enjoyable.
This five book set from start to finish was a brisk and entertaining journey for the reader. Excellent characters an strong smooth flowing story line
This five book set from start to finish was a brisk and entertaining journey for the reader. Excellent characters an strong smooth flowing story line
November 1, 2023
Truly excellent
What a great ride!! The best series I've read all year. I have been telling everybody about this "kung fu harry potter" series but ya know, I think I like Katana better.
I can't wait to read it again!!
What a great ride!! The best series I've read all year. I have been telling everybody about this "kung fu harry potter" series but ya know, I think I like Katana better.
I can't wait to read it again!!
March 3, 2024
I wanted to like this series, but I felt it dragged too much. I decided about 1/3 of the way through that the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. Other seem to like it, so if it appeals to you I would say give it a try, just be aware it's a long read.
February 6, 2025
The story is awesome - kept me hooked and engaged from start to finish. I read the whole box set in 3 days! I cried and laughed with the characters.
Highly recommend this box set as well as the intersecting story line in the Giza books.
Totally wish this had narration as well
Highly recommend this box set as well as the intersecting story line in the Giza books.
Totally wish this had narration as well
May 2, 2021
A brilliant good set
I loved reading this series from the first page to the last. It has everything in it it to keep the reader enthralled, I haighly recommend it!!
I loved reading this series from the first page to the last. It has everything in it it to keep the reader enthralled, I haighly recommend it!!
May 26, 2021
So many suprises, they never stop
The action never stops and neither do the suprises. The characters and their world are well described. Great read. Thanks.
The action never stops and neither do the suprises. The characters and their world are well described. Great read. Thanks.
May 30, 2021
Loved this series
This was a great series. The characters were well written. Good storyline. I was sad when it came to an end.
This was a great series. The characters were well written. Good storyline. I was sad when it came to an end.
June 28, 2021
Superb reading.
The Katana Series was wonderful reading. I could hardly stop reading. I enjoyed this series so much. Would recommend to all age groups.
The Katana Series was wonderful reading. I could hardly stop reading. I enjoyed this series so much. Would recommend to all age groups.
July 6, 2021
Very good reading, full of action! If you liked Harry Potter, you'll love Katana! Well written, interesting main character, etc.
August 9, 2021
Great read
Greatest
Great read, well done. When's the next installment. Place me on the order list, ill buy it for sure
Greatest
Great read, well done. When's the next installment. Place me on the order list, ill buy it for sure
January 9, 2022
Excellent series
An excellent series with insights into competitive karate and a good explanation of what the martial arts stand for.
T TenBrink
1st Dan Black Belt
Tang Soo Do
An excellent series with insights into competitive karate and a good explanation of what the martial arts stand for.
T TenBrink
1st Dan Black Belt
Tang Soo Do
February 6, 2022
Excellent
The impact of the story goes on and on. You cannot put down the book as the twists and turns keep you turning the pages.
The impact of the story goes on and on. You cannot put down the book as the twists and turns keep you turning the pages.
February 11, 2022
Great series with lots of action. I really enjoyed the books being all together on Kindle. Easy to read and I found myself rooting for the good guys throughout. Would definitely recommend!
September 18, 2022
Epic Tale
Took me 2 weeks to read this on holiday but couldn't put it down. Colourful characters, twists and turns, happiness and tears. All in all a great read.
Took me 2 weeks to read this on holiday but couldn't put it down. Colourful characters, twists and turns, happiness and tears. All in all a great read.
September 27, 2022
Great series!
Very enjoyable read. Good character creation and storyline, the author always keeps the reader wanting to learn what happens next.
Very enjoyable read. Good character creation and storyline, the author always keeps the reader wanting to learn what happens next.
February 20, 2023
Such a good read
The Katana series of books are a rare treat so refreshing to read of a young heroine and her friends
The Katana series of books are a rare treat so refreshing to read of a young heroine and her friends
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews