Customer Reviews

The Book of the Sword

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I picked this book up yesterday at a bookstore while I was there getting another book. I didn't know what to expect, but from the back it sounded iteresting, so I decided to give it a shot. I have not regretted that for a second. In fact, I want to run out right now and buy the other 2 books in the series. (but I won't, this second anyway)

I totally love the authors style of writing. The book just seems so honest. You get to read everything the girl is thinking, and it makes you get into the book like you are the girl. I also like the little diary entries at the end of most chapters, it lets you understand all of the characters.

I will admit, this book is not for everyone, especially the younger readers. The book does have a few 'profane' words, and some sexual innuendo, but its not that big of a deal. Anyone who really wants or can understand what this book is about will not mind, or their parents won't mind the few parts of it. I would say if you are into romance/action/adventure thing and are High School age, you should check out this book.

Nineteen-year-old Heaven is famous throughout Japan -- she was the miracle baby, sole survivor of a fiery plane crash when she was just six months old. When no one stepped forward to claim her, she was adopted by the wealthy Kogo family and since then has lived a sheltered, pampered life on their estate near Toyko. But now she is to married off to Teddy Yukemura, the son of her father's business rival. Heaven desperately wants to avoid marrying Teddy, but fears she will have to go through. But her wedding is crashed by a mysterious ninja -- and Heaven's beloved brother dies to save her. She flees, and finds herself lost and alone in America. The only thing she can do is seek out her brother's best friend -- and persuade him to train her as a samurai so she can avenge her brother's death and find out the truth about her father. This is the first book in a new teen adventure series that looks like it will be great. I highly recommend it to teenage girls who enjoy adventures with strong female characters.

So, the summer began and I found myself in a state of bordom. Having done all my required summer reading, I decided to stop by the book store. Looking through the aisles nothing really caught my attention until I landed in the Young Adult section. Skimming through the selves, I soon find myself face to face with this book. I debated with myself for awhile and finally ended up buying it. While looking for a escape from my boredom, I had stumbled upon a excellent book. I was hooked after the first chapter. I finished it in about 2 and half hours. And had the second book in my hands by the next afternoon. This book has everything love, lost, sacrifice, romance, action, failure, triumph, drama, among many other things. I would recommend this book to anyone. And if your debating on whether or not you should buy this book, stop, and BUY IT!!.....You won't regret it!!!...I promise!!...

I love this series and can't wait for Book of the Wind to come out. Every character has 3D personalities-(for example) Karen isn't you're average jealous "i-want-him" antagonist, she's also a nice person and possibly likeable except for the fact that the reader naturally goes for the narrator (Heaven). The characters add a sense of realism to the plot because the author doesn't coat the plot with sterotypes or 2D personalities that would eventually leave the series flat. These books, like the Harry Potter series, can also appeal to all types of people because they're easy to read and aren't boring or so full of plot twists that only the devoted reader will stay with the book. Despite some crudeness and violence, the Heaven Kogo series is absolutely wonderful so far.

I'm always on the lookout for new teen materials for my students to read. This one caught my eye in the store, and I bought Book 1 and 2. This is really a book about growing up from being a sheltered teenager to a responsible young adult. I noticed how some readers felt that the main character, Heaven, was far too innocent; I think this really demonstrates how a person grows by experience.

There is some material in this book that I would be hesitant to have my 14 year old students read, and there is a fair amount of violence in this book, but it is not the focus.

All in all, a good read.

Since the end of SVH SY I've been wanting a new series to look forward to. When I noticed this book I pre-ordered it and was pretty excited about how it looked. Got it yesterday, and finished it already. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and can't wait for more in the series. Another thing I was delighted by was the illustrations throughout. Why don't more books have illustrations?
Thanks for the new series!

I wont bother summarizing this book, since other reviews have already done that in great detail. Go look at one of those! =) Sure, this book isn't entirely believable. It may not be miraculously deep or insightful, but it's still a fun read. Samurai girl is a short, and simple book. If you're looking for something challenging or complex, this isn't for you. However, if you're just looking for an easy read, with like-able characters and a fun plot, this is perfect!

Samurai Girl is a great idea for a novel. And the plot begins well, but as the first book in the series, it feels too much like a teaser and not a stand alone book. Great insight into a girl's thought process and even into the cultural aspects of her life/family. However, some essential plot features were never answered in this book: what did her father want to tell her? And much of the book seemed to meander to it's climatic ending. Yes, it makes me want to get the next book to find out these answers, but not because I was satisfied with this story.

Finally, an actual book with an Asian heroine! If you think about it, there are no actual Asian or Indian figures, not to mention Native American, Middle Eastern, or HIspanic figures, in American pop culture. Movies or books that COUlD be about someone from any race, and don't pertain to any particular culture, are usually about White people. Now, I'm not prejudiced. Being Asian and having experienced prejudice and ignorance in my lifetime, I really shouldn't be. I know this book really HAD to be about a Japanese girl, but it is nice to actually read a book about someone who is Asian.

That being said, it's time to move on to the actual book.

When I first picked this book up, I expected it to be some sort of weird time travelly novel, what with the whole samurai thingy. I felt the title was a bit misleading, which is why I gave the book three stars.

I also gave the book three stars because it wasn't really substantial literature. I understand not all teen novels are very substantial, and by that, I don't mean short, I mean, well, substantial. The Clique novels are substantial. Books by Meg Cabot are somewhat substantial, but not really. This series is VERY low on that meter. It was good to occupy your time with, but not something very memorable, nor was it very well written.

This book is okay, but not great. It was an alright read, but a bit unrealistic. Now that may sound weird, you may be thinking "Hello,it's..um..Fiction!" But if you think about it, all the good books can make fiction seem real. I haven't read the next book, and though this was a little unreal, it was still kinda good, so maybe the books get better as they go. It's a bet I'm willing to make or take.