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Warriors of the Forgotten Way: The Samurai Cowboys - Book One
In Nate Wagner's award-winning debut novel, this Outlaw Josey Wales meets The Last Samurai meets John Wick tale and action-packed western immerses readers in a boldly original setting as three orphans of the Civil War are trained by a samurai warrior in the ruthless and deadly American West––and then forced to choose between honor, loyalty, and redemption when one of them wants out.
The Sword and the Gun
In 1865, the American Civil War comes to an end, and the United States enters the Reconstruction era of postwar rebuilding and industrial development.
In 1868, Japan establishes a more modern, centralized government, and the feudal era, during which dozens of independent states had been at war with one another for hundreds of years, also comes to an end. The samurai class, without masters to serve or battles to fight, is abolished a few years later.
The transcontinental railroad is completed in 1869, connecting the United States from coast to coast. This starts a race between companies to extend miles of track across open land and introduces immigrants and their culture from Asia and the Pacific.
The big expansion of the American West welcomed everyone bold enough to make the journey and strong enough to survive. Many moved to the vast wide-open territory to chase fortunes in gold and silver, while others sought to own land for ranching, farming, and other natural resources. And others just wanted a new life.
It was a time of opportunity and lawlessness, with stories of famous cowboys and gunfighters. But some of those stories have remained untold ... until now.
Warriors of the Forgotten Way is book one of The Samurai Cowboys series, and winner of the Best Historical Fiction / Western [Silver – BookFest Fall 2023]
The Sword and the Gun
In 1865, the American Civil War comes to an end, and the United States enters the Reconstruction era of postwar rebuilding and industrial development.
In 1868, Japan establishes a more modern, centralized government, and the feudal era, during which dozens of independent states had been at war with one another for hundreds of years, also comes to an end. The samurai class, without masters to serve or battles to fight, is abolished a few years later.
The transcontinental railroad is completed in 1869, connecting the United States from coast to coast. This starts a race between companies to extend miles of track across open land and introduces immigrants and their culture from Asia and the Pacific.
The big expansion of the American West welcomed everyone bold enough to make the journey and strong enough to survive. Many moved to the vast wide-open territory to chase fortunes in gold and silver, while others sought to own land for ranching, farming, and other natural resources. And others just wanted a new life.
It was a time of opportunity and lawlessness, with stories of famous cowboys and gunfighters. But some of those stories have remained untold ... until now.
Warriors of the Forgotten Way is book one of The Samurai Cowboys series, and winner of the Best Historical Fiction / Western [Silver – BookFest Fall 2023]
- GenresWesterns
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2023
63 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 3, 2023
I enjoyed Nate Wagner's story, set in a Western background, that describes how a young man raised as a Samurai could come to the realization that violence is not truly the "way of the warrior" Relevant theme today with the world still hung up on guns and violence based on politics and religion.
July 21, 2024
A Different Western, But In A Good Way.
This book is a page turner. The story told is riveting and will hold your interest up until the last word. Nate Wagner has written a different western, but in a good way. This book has to be one of the best western I have read. Get the book if you enjoy a good western yarn.
Joe Corso
Author of The Last Gun-Shark.
This book is a page turner. The story told is riveting and will hold your interest up until the last word. Nate Wagner has written a different western, but in a good way. This book has to be one of the best western I have read. Get the book if you enjoy a good western yarn.
Joe Corso
Author of The Last Gun-Shark.
May 17, 2023
A very good read. Who would have thought Samurai warriors would be in the SW. And more important how and why? You will find a little unrequited love, pioneer living, friendships and much violence. I had to lay down and pick up this book more often than I like. But, I was always anxious to get back to it. I had to turn the pages and continue with the story. As all books in a series it will leave you hanging at the end. Will our hero accomplish his mission? Highly recommend.
October 6, 2023
When I heard the news that Wild West alternate history/cowboy fantasy was one of the fastest growing sub-genres on Amazon, I thought to myself, "Hmm. That sounds interesting, okay, I'll bite." I had read the Alvin Maker books 30 years ago and wondered how the genre would evolve. I started with Carys Davis' West (see earlier review) and then picked up this little delight.
"Warriors of the Forgotten Way - The Samurai Cowboys" is a deliciously layered confection of action adventure, Samurai honor, and a squeaky clean romance set in the post Civil War dust of New Mexico.
There are good guys and bad guys and those who try to redeem their past transgressions by finding gold, stealing gold, and offering gold as a bargaining tool. There's the overwhelmed sheriff, the smarmy landowner who wants the wrong girl, and a world-weary protagonist who just wants to find a space where the sun shines, the work is honest, and the pretty girl smiles back.
Oh come on, we all know how it ends. The setting could be on a spaceship in a galaxy, a dystopian future where the rebellion is rising, an adventure leading back to the shire, or a mercenary for hire revealed as the future king of the land. The reason this story is told over and over in so many iterations, is because it is a great story!
My thanks to the author for such an entertaining tale! What an enjoyable way to spend this cold rainy day.
"Warriors of the Forgotten Way - The Samurai Cowboys" is a deliciously layered confection of action adventure, Samurai honor, and a squeaky clean romance set in the post Civil War dust of New Mexico.
There are good guys and bad guys and those who try to redeem their past transgressions by finding gold, stealing gold, and offering gold as a bargaining tool. There's the overwhelmed sheriff, the smarmy landowner who wants the wrong girl, and a world-weary protagonist who just wants to find a space where the sun shines, the work is honest, and the pretty girl smiles back.
Oh come on, we all know how it ends. The setting could be on a spaceship in a galaxy, a dystopian future where the rebellion is rising, an adventure leading back to the shire, or a mercenary for hire revealed as the future king of the land. The reason this story is told over and over in so many iterations, is because it is a great story!
My thanks to the author for such an entertaining tale! What an enjoyable way to spend this cold rainy day.
May 9, 2024
Nate Wagner combines old West characters, Samurai swordsmen, wonderful fight scenes, mystery, and even romance in his debut novel to keep you turning pages from the first chapter to the final one! The American Civil War may be over, but more fighting is about to take place. Wagner pulls his reader into a violent world where a highly skilled Samurai warrior has had enough senseless killing for his Benefactor. But the Benefactor isn't about to let him walk away, especially since a lot of gold disappeared the same time the warrior did. Two more Samurais will come for the gold--and maybe the warrior's head as well! Clear your schedule before you open this book because you won't want t put it down until you've finished reading it!
June 19, 2025
ordinary in every way
⭐️ - awful, probably DNF
⭐️⭐️- didn’t like but not terrible, actually finished it
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - it was ok, passed the time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - good story, good writing, entertaining, just not great
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - great, could not put it down, excellent writing and story
As it says above, it passed the time. Not especially well written, and predictable in every aspect. But it was a different approach to the western genre so that was a small plus. I won’t be looking for the next installment.
⭐️ - awful, probably DNF
⭐️⭐️- didn’t like but not terrible, actually finished it
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - it was ok, passed the time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - good story, good writing, entertaining, just not great
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - great, could not put it down, excellent writing and story
As it says above, it passed the time. Not especially well written, and predictable in every aspect. But it was a different approach to the western genre so that was a small plus. I won’t be looking for the next installment.
November 4, 2024
What a fun read!
This story has all the twists and turns you’d expect from a modern version of a historical story. Given the factual historical context of the Influx of immigrants from the far east, Samurai Cowboys is as probable a western twist as any other, and twice as good!
You’ll have trouble putting this book down!
This story has all the twists and turns you’d expect from a modern version of a historical story. Given the factual historical context of the Influx of immigrants from the far east, Samurai Cowboys is as probable a western twist as any other, and twice as good!
You’ll have trouble putting this book down!
November 5, 2024
great book
From start to finish what a great book and well written. This author makes the story flow and the battles and lessons are written into the storyline. Highly recommend this book
Hope for the sequel soon
From start to finish what a great book and well written. This author makes the story flow and the battles and lessons are written into the storyline. Highly recommend this book
Hope for the sequel soon
February 27, 2025
warriors of the Forgotten Way -Review by JG
This is an excellent book that combines Samurai cowboys and the old West. The story holds your interest and the characters are great. Overall this is an entertaining read and holds your interest from start to end
This is an excellent book that combines Samurai cowboys and the old West. The story holds your interest and the characters are great. Overall this is an entertaining read and holds your interest from start to end
July 16, 2025
A new western series!
I love a good western and this one fits the bill. While it has the usual fight for a ranch, an evil land baron, and Samurai Cowboys. I can't wait to read the next book.
I love a good western and this one fits the bill. While it has the usual fight for a ranch, an evil land baron, and Samurai Cowboys. I can't wait to read the next book.
July 26, 2025
Timeless
A beautiful story populated with highly imaginative characters, that come together in an unusual way. A rendering of loneliness, honor and need to belong. Could not put it down. Conrad Samayoa.
A beautiful story populated with highly imaginative characters, that come together in an unusual way. A rendering of loneliness, honor and need to belong. Could not put it down. Conrad Samayoa.
November 15, 2024
A Japanese western?
Viper has to fight two of his old friends to the death just to go on living. While doing so he also kills 22 more people. Now on to the next book.
Viper has to fight two of his old friends to the death just to go on living. While doing so he also kills 22 more people. Now on to the next book.
January 9, 2025
Cowboys with katanas. Lightweight Western fun: starts off a little slow and ponderous but picks up nicely as it goes on.
October 2, 2025
Enjoyed this book. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
November 10, 2023
Very proud of this award-winning debut novel. It's a perfectly imperfect original.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews