Customer Reviews

Last of the Zinja (Shike, Book 2)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought the two Shike books about five years ago and they remained forgotten until I dusted them off the shelf, peered curiously at the first chapter, and opened myself to one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The first mistake one can make about these novels is the comparison to James Clavell. Clavell is good in his own right, but what I found refreshing about "Shike" is that there is no western influence anywhere. No shipwrecked sailor or trade baron's are found here. All the characters are three dimensional, living beings and the reader can identify with every one of them. Shea's vocabulary makes the medieval Japanese Zen ideal easy to comprehend and contributes to the story and characterization. Another aspect I found facinating was Japans relationship to the rest of Asia, which is explored fully in these books. The author takes you to China, Mongolia, and all over the islands of Japan. Anyone who has made generalizations about Asian culture will get a wonderful education. It's a shame that most of the authors books are out of print. He has the rare gift of telling a wonderful tale and exposing you to a wonderful world.

This is a story that takes us through the lives of two young people. One is a fearsome warrior from a secretive monk caste who is born from a Mongolian father and a Japanese mother. His growth throughout the story, with having to deal with the struggles of not fitting into a discriminating Japanese culture, allows us to readily identify with him. The other character is a very young girl who is to be sent away from home to meet her husband, prior to her prearranged marriage. From there on it is a tale of Combat, Love, and Friendship against the backdrop of Feudal Japan during a war of the clans. The tides of war and betrayal then take our subjects to China during the invasion of the Mongols, and then back to Japan under the newly proclaimed Shogun, preparing to face the Mongol Hordes. If you are considering reading this series, stop considering and get it. You will want to reread them over and over. Monks, Samurai, and Mongols ... what else is there to say.

One wouldn't think of a book like this to be the life-changing kind. But it can be. I read this books a few years ago, getting a copy in the strangest of ways. I read the first book and loved it. But this one is something else. Little I would know that I'd find myself on a trip to India and learning japanese fencing and solving Zen koans inspired partly by it. A very impressive close to the story, and I certainly regret there is no third installment on the series, for it would make a hell of a story. Historic timeline is sharply set aside, but it takes a history freak to check all the details out, so most people won't notice. Even better than the first, and the emphasis on spiritual experiences and growth is more marked in this book. The end is majestic and adequate to a marvelous saga. I almost hope to find a reference to a wandering japanese monk in Shea's next series: Saracen. It wouldn't be too hard.

I came across this book in the early 80's I was almost overwhelmed by the scope and well developed characters. This book transports us to early feudal Japan and immerses you in Japanese culture. An easy equal to Eiji Yoshikawa's classic prose. I have read and re-read this title many times and cannot get tired of it. It's enthralling and epic in it's development. I was heart-broken when I learned author Robert Shea passed away. I was also grateful that he left this priceless gift to the world. I searched for many years to find copies of this book in hardcover for my private collection of favorites. It is almost criminal that the publisher has let this title fall out of print. With such popularity being given to historical fiction novels; this is clearly a timeless best-seller. I urge all who want to be surprised to read this book. I find ragged and worn used copies and give them to friends. I am always ingratiated for gifting this book to them. All the women are moved to tears. (Sometimes the men, too.) Even I have been moved to being moist-eyed by the powerfully written chapters in this book. I urge the publishers to re-print this title and give it back to us. It has a high collectible value as it is. You will have dependably high sales. Maybe one day, some ambitious director will cast this book into film. If so, don't cheat us with a two hour movie. Give us the mini-series in full scope and detail. If my house was on fire; I would run into it and grab my hardcover editions and trade paperbacks and run back out again, thanking God it wasn't too late!!! That's how good this novel is!!!

I am a 21 year old student interested in all things mysterious and interesting. I love reading and have read many great book, but the "Shike" series is by far the most amazing i have ever read. Upon reading the first few chapters, i was instantly transported back in time to ancient Japan following the journey of the warrior Zinka monk, Jebu, and his soul mate, Taniko. Filled with suspense, mystery, romance and compelling war scenes, this book has made its place in my top 5 books of all time. Im currently 104 pages into the second book, "Last of the Zinja", and i only statred it yesterday! A MUST read for anyone wanting a thrilling jouney into the lives of olden day Japan, or to just read to see what the fuss is about. You wont be dissapointed!

And to think my mother found both copies for 90 cents in a Salvation Army Store!!

This book covers many years in the lives of its Japanese protagonists, and also spends several years in the camp of Kublai Khan the famous Mongol leader. For those who know Japanese history, the basic story is based on the Tale of the Heike which describes a major civil war between two Samurai clans in the 12th century. However the book also includes the two later attempts by Kublai Khan to invade Japan. The main characters are very well done and always interesting. The secondary characters such as Kublai Khan are done well too. Overall this is an excellent book with a great deal of excitement. The Kindle edition is a good choice for such a long book.

Capers Jones

I'm confused...is there a 3rd book to this series or not? If so, what's its name?

I couldn't believe how wonderful this book was. A friend actually GAVE THEM TO ME. She didn't think they would be any good. Wonderful writing, adventure and romance. I only wish shea wrote more books

I couldn't believe how far the story took me in the first 60 pages without me feeling like I had missed something. Although I am a martial artist, I don't usually read this type of book. But, this is one incredible book. I have trouble putting it down so I can go to work in the morning. I can't wait to start book two.

I found this book in a $1 sale bin at my local library and it has become a family treasure! I am eagerly awaiting word on a copy of "Last of the Zinja." The writing is incredibly detailed and inviting, with character interactions that demand your total attention. You are swept away in the tides of war, the currents of love, and the waves of revenge that flow through out the book. A must read for a book fan, especially anyone interested in Ancient Asia!