Customer Reviews

Heart of the Ronin: The Ronin Trilogy: Volume I (Five Star Science Fiction & Fantasy)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best adventure yarn I've read in years. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story focuses on a young Ronin, who was raised in unusual circumstances as a societal outsider. This turns out to be a great device to allow the reader to experience everything in this unfamiliar land and time through the fresh eyes of the narrator. All of the good sword and sorcery elements are there, but set in feudal Japan instead of somewhere fantastical. Consistent with most s&s, the magic/fantasy element in the story is pretty light--while this imagined Japan does have fantastical elements (some very fun ones), the fantastical elements are not front-and-center in the story.

So why only four stars? Really only because the first few pages of the novel are a bit flawed. The author attempts to set up an opening scene with a fight, putting you right in the action, and the prose mechanics are a little awkward. Anyone who has read only the excerpt, which is the beginning of the novel, should take this into account--don't judge based on the excerpt! After the opening pages, the writing settles down and the author gets into the skillful pacing and plotting of the story that he uses for the rest of the novel. Other than this slightly rough beginning, the author handles all other technical matters in the book very well: pacing, plotting, dialog, original/believable characters, flashbacks, fighting and action scenes, bedroom scenes, weapons and lore, palace intrigue, etc. In a world full of mediocre-to-bad fantasy novels, this is a bright spot.

I hope publishers will take note that this is a fine book that deserves to have the full trilogy published. I'll look forward to reading future volumes, but this was a satisfying read on its own.

"Heart of the Ronin" by Travis Heermann was most enjoyable. I had just finished another samurai book entitled "The Blade of the Courtesans", so I was ready for more. Of the two, Heermann's was superior. If you like well written historial fiction, tinged with a bit of heroic fantasy, then this title is for you. I strongly recommend this title to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure. Since David Gemmell passed away, I've been looking for an adventure writer to take his place. Mr. Heermann has that potential. This book showed great promise. I hope Mr. Heermann will quickly write the rest of the trilogy. Very highly recommended.

Travis Heermann has created an intriguing and exciting world in Heart of the Ronin, where historical fiction and fantasy combine in old Japan. Having lived in Japan for 4 years, I appreciated the fact that despite being a fantasy novel, the novel maintains a feeling of Japanese "authenticity" throughout.

The overall story, following the ronin Ken'ishi, was very engrossing, and involved numerous plot twists, and characters from all parts of society. The descriptions of the battle scenes and other fantastical creatures that populate the world were tense, well-written and engrossing.

Finally, the way that Mr. Heermann builds up to the future volumes makes the reader wish for the next books to be published swiftly. The last hundred or so pages, and in particular the final battle scene, were difficult to put down. Highly recommended!

In thirteenth century Japan, orphaned seventeen years old Ken'ishi is a Ronin, a samurai without a master at a time when a recent peace after years of war have left many warrior unfettered and turning to crime to survive. Accompanied by Akao the dog, he carries a legendary sword Silver Crane that "talks" to him, which someone so young should not own. As he wanders the countryside, Ken'ishi saves the life of Kazuko, a daughter of powerful Lord.

Prepared to mysteriously vanish as he always does following a heroic deed, Ken'ishi instead is trapped inside treachery as he feels he must keep Kazuko safe. Soon the Ronin ponders who is ally and who is betrayer as paid assassins and monsters out of the myths that should not be alive try to kill him.

The opening Ronin historical Japanese fantasy is an exciting tale that is filled with unexpected but entertaining twists as Ken'ishi protects Kazuko. The story line is action, action, and more action as the adventures never slow down. Sub-genre fans will enjoy trekking along side of Ken'ishi from his opening duel and the villagers' reaction although much is left dangling for the next two tales.

Harriet Klausner

Travis, you do know there were no Geisha in 13th century Japan, don't you?

Apparently you don't.

So much for doing your homework.