Book Review of The Young Samurai: Way of the Warrior
Aug
24, 2011 |Filed in:
Uncategorized
I have to say, my lack of previous experience in Jack’s story did not stop me from enjoying this book, which is surely a rarety among sequels: an outstanding standalone novel. (Since writing the above, I’ve done my research. Not only is there a book before this one, there’s a series. I have a lot of catch up to do!)
In Way of the Warrior, the story still winds around Jack, the lost logbook and Jack’s efforts to become a samurai, but the war against foreigners and the other Daimyo (provincial rulers) now takes center stage. In fact, the latter half of the book rates as among the most moving pieces of YA or warfare reading material I’ve been privileged to read. The self sacrifice of Jack’s classmates moved me beyond words at times.
If you have boys looking for good reading material, I can’t think of anything much better than this book. As someone who hates reading series, it surely speaks volumes that I want to read Mr. Bradford’s other work.
As a matter of fact, I do have boys who love ninjas. Great review. This will definitely be a series we will check out!
Hugs~
Like the sound of this book. Will check it out.
Cat, the entire time I read it, I was thinking of you and your boys and how I HAD to tell you about this series. They'll eat the books for breakfast. I looked up reviews on the rest of the series and they are all well liked books on Amazon. 😀
Thanks, Rachna!
Ooh this sounds like a great series. I actually love series, especially when they are executed in such a way that I can still enjoy a book even if I missed the ones before it. 🙂
Well, you will marvel at this one. I was amazed I've missed at least four novels worth of back story and yet I followed the plot and character development without difficulty and WITH a lot of enjoyment! Thanks for dropping by, Misha!
Good review, thanks! This sounds interesting!
Have a great weekend! 🙂
Oh what a good find. I don't have boys of my own, but when I was teaching 6th grade I had lots of boys who were looking for good adventures. This is one they would have loved. I will pass it on to the librarian at my old school. Thanks, Victoria
Hey, thanks for doing that, Elizabeth! These books really deserve it. And you've just reminded me I need to post my review on Amazon, Historical Novel Review and Goodreads. LOL *__*
This sounds like a good book. Thanks for sharing about it.
Not a book for me, but Victoria if you have a short fiction set in China up to 5,000 words I might have a place for you to submit in China in English.
I know that you focus on the Tang dynasty and I found out that I quote of the poet from Tang dynsaty in my novel and also have the name of another. Aparently the two poets form the Tang dynasty are views as the best poets ever in China. Did you put a poet in your novel?
It is a great book. Thanks for dropping by, Natalie!
Thanks for the tip, Giora. I DO have a short story within that word range, so I'll contact you privately on that, but it's not set in the Tang period. In fact, it's historical fantasy and isn't set in a real period at all, though Tang might be as close as it gets… LOL
My novel is set in the Han Dynasty and the MC does write poetry. I wonder if you're thinking of Jeannie Lin? She's also in the AoAN group and has several wonderful romances in that period. I'll gladly be confused with her! 😀