Customer Reviews

YOUNG SAMURAI: THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a long way from this book's demographic - yet I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

It is well written, fast moving, with a solid plot and plenty of period detail about life in Japan in the early 1600's.

One historical writer wrote the key is not what the author puts into the book - it's what the author leaves out. It's very easy for a historical novel to be overwhelmed with detail. This book does not suffer from that. There is enough about the times - large and small facts, Japanese words, etc. - to give one a feel for the times.

There isn't too much to get in the way of the story.

Although the main character is a young man, there is a strong female character, as well. Brave, strong, wise - she doesn't depend on the young man to be successful.

I think girls as well as boys will enjoy this novel. And I look forward to the author's next one!

Overall, a solid read.

First, the cons: The book isn't very imaginative. The plot is nothing special; half the plot points seem to come from The Last Samurai. A lot of narrative, which can be seen as a con because it slows the pace of the read.

The pros - I, however, loved the vivid descriptions, no matter how long they were. Descriptions of Tokaido Road and the cherry blossom garden and the ivory sword of legend. The author does an excellent job of conveying the serene beauty of ancient Japan.

The biggest strength of the story? Its authenticity. Bradford is clearly very familiar with Japanese culture and history. As a student of world history and of Japanese culture myself, I was able to appreciate the little details (small cultural customs) Bradford included, that would have escaped me had I read it several years ago. Everything is authentic; the mannerisms, history (the Portugese in Japan), customs (from the concept of forgiveness to the noisy slurping of noodles), the language - everything.

The martial arts details are also authentic. The fight scenes are solid, but in an unusual way. They are not breathtaking and gripping, true, but they are enjoyable nonetheless for any samurai buff. Akiko and Matsumoto are flat characters, but Jack and Yamato are more interesting in their development. By far my favorite character was Sensei Yamada (brought Mr. Miyagi to mind), but I still felt the author could have done more with him. His "pearls of wisdom" were hilarious, I wish there had been more of them.

Overall, nothing extraordinary, and perhaps for those uninterested in Japanese culture or history, this won't make for a great read. Basically, just go in with the right expectations and you'll enjoy it. It's not a thriller with deep, intricate characters. It's a simple yet authentic glimpse into samurai-age Japan filled with samurai vs ninja battles, katanas and wakazashis, martial arts, etc. If you like Japan and its culture/history and don't mind an average book in terms of storytelling/plot, then this might be a good read.

Know what the best thing about this "Young Samurai" series is? "The Way of the Warrior, Book 1" is two years old--meaning that there are two more books already in print--meaning that the reader doesn't have to wait for the next book to be published! "Young Samurai" is a fantastic read in the middle school category! (Please note that the YA designation does not preclude adults from enjoying the series!)

Jack Fletcher. No need to write this name--it's one the reader will remember. Akiko. Yamato. Masamoto. Dokugan Ryu. Key characters in Book 1: The Way of the Warrior.

At twelve Jack is a rigging monkey on board his father's ship, a job that will prepare him for an important scene much later. Alas, when the ship and crew finally reach the Japans, the ninja Dokugan Ryu and his gang slip aboard the ship in the dead of night and kill everyone on board except Jack. He escapes with his life--barely--because Daimyo Masamoto, the local lord, and his samurai chase off the ninjas and rescue Jack.

Although Jack loses his father, he does save his father's rutter, the only book of its kind on the seven seas, a map of the oceans. And that was what Dokugan Ryu was seeking. The rest of the novel is fraught with several encounters between Jack and this evil ninja intent on taking that rutter.

Let the reader not focus on just this amazing boy, who is adopted by Masamoto to the consternation of his own son, Yamato. Yamato's older, highly respected brother was killed by Dokugan Ryu and now Yamato lives in his shadow. There's also Akiko, a beautiful young girl, also twelve, also a samurai in training.

This is 17th century Japan, the period of the samurai, a period parallel with an earlier Medieval Europe and knights. But the customs differ, of course. Instead of eggs and bacon for breakfast, Jack gets a bowl of rice and pickled vegetables. Saving face is very important to the Japanese. This Jack learns the hard way and makes an enemy of Yamato, the daimyo's son.

The story digs in when Masamoto invites Jack, Akiko, and Yamato to train at his samurai school in Kyoto. Bushido--the Way of the Warrior with its emphasis on courage, loyalty, honesty, benevolence, self-control, sincerity, and honor becomes the whole-life policy for Jack to learn and inculcate into his being. He meets derision and opposition initially because he is blonde-haired and blue-eyed, a stand-out physically in homogeneous Japan. "Gaijin" (foreigner) is the word he must obliterate through his actions and following of the code.

I loved this book for several reasons. Jack Fletcher reminded me of Alex Rider, another marvel-making main character of another series. Instead of a secret agent, Jack is becoming a samurai. Another reason is its setting. Japan becomes integral to the story, not just as a physical setting but a cultural one. Readers, especially young adults, will get an idea of food, culture, language, a mindset that is Japanese and thus broaden their horizons and world view. A third reason is the empowerment of girls. One of the primary characters, Akiko, is not only Jack's friend and cultural teacher, but a fellow samurai-in-training. I love that!

"Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior" is one of the nominees for the Louisiana Young Readers Choice Awards for 2012. Each state has its own nominees, although there are often commonalities. Books are promoted from the time of announcement until voting in late February (2012). "Young Samurai" is part of the list for Grades 6-8.

In this swashbuckling adventure story by first-time British author Chris Bradford, we meet young Jack Fletcher, 12, who finds himself alone in Japan in 1609 when all his shipmates, including his father, are killed by ninja pirates. At this time the Portuguese were the only Westerners who had found the route to Japan, and Jack manages to salvage from the ship his father's rutter, which contains all the ocean charts, an incredibly valuable resource for whoever has the rutter in his possession. Miraculously, Jack is adopted by a samurai lord who has lost his own son to the same pirates, and he rapidly learns Japanese. He is then sent to samurai school, where despite his talents, he is mocked as a barbarian foreigner.

This is a very exciting adventure story, perfect for boys who are reluctant readers and who may be anime or manga fans. Girls may enjoy it as well, as there is a very strong Japanese female character who is also training to be a samurai. Similar to the James Clavell novel Shogun in many ways, only for kids, I can't help thinking of this book as Shogun Light. The author, himself trained in numerous martial arts including samurai swordsmanship, provides lots of interesting historical details and details on fighting techniques that make the book sure to appeal to many boys.

I read this book with my child for a school project, Voices In the Prairie. Not my usual style at all, but a perfect choice for a junior high read. Not only are readers exposed to the Japanese culture, the story is fast paced and entertaining, appealing to a diverse group.

Englander Jack Fletcher, orphaned after the murder of his father, struggles to find acceptance in Japan. He must learn everything about the culture, including the ways of the Samurai Warrior, if he wants to avenge his father's death. His female companion, Akiko, helps him navigate within this new world, proving her loyalty and worthiness throughout the journey.

Chris Bradford's writing is simple, yet direct, and this story zips along, keeping the tension taunt. Lots of swords fights as well as sage, spot-on zenful advise from expert warrior sensei teachers propel the characters along toward their final, ultimate battle.

I bought this for my 10 year old son and he loved it! He can't wait to read another by this author.

My 13-year old son read this book and absolutely loved it. Books have to grab him and not let go within the first page or two or he won't read them. They also have to keep the level of excitement and adventure high for him to keep going. This one definitely fit the bill on both counts. I bet your sons (or daughters!) will love it, too. Thank you, Chris Bradford, for such a terrific book! Please keep them coming!!

In previous books, Jack Fletcher sailed to Japan with his father only to lose him to the wave of anti-Christian sentiment sweeping the island nation. When the Ninja who murdered his father steals Jack's father's logbook, Jack's only possession and an invaluable guide to the world's oceanic trading paths, Jack vows to retrieve the book. I assume that's where the last book in the series ended, but I'm not positive as I jumped into this book without ever having read the first novel.

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.

Storyline - In 1611, Jack Fletcher is on a voyage with his father to find the Japans and trade with them. But when ninja assassins attack the wounded ship, everyone on board is killed except Jack who is rescued by a Japanese family and then adopted by a samurai. Not understanding the language or customs is difficult but, as he is learning, Jack also starts to pick up the bokken (a wooden version of the katana) and gets attacked again by the ninja who killed his father. Eventually, he is take to a samurai school to learn the Way of the Warrior. As he's there, he has to over come people who resent him because he is not Japanese, learns Bushido, and must defend the school's honor.

Personal Opinion - I would have really enjoyed this book if not for my faith being put in such a bad light which kind of ruined it for me. First, a sailor called a Jesuit a devil and someone said that the Catholics could have "poisoned the minds of" the native Japanese so then, since the sailors were Protestant, they might be killed for being heretics. When Jack meets a priest, he is very insulting to Jack because he is a Protestant and English (the priest was Portuguese. There was some sort of conflict between the two countries at the time I guess). The priest was made out to be not a very great character and kept you second guessing what the man's motives were as he started being kind to Jack. Also, when the priest kissed a cross once, it was called a talisman. Now, there have been Catholics who have made mistakes because we are still human and, also, hostility between Portuguese and English and Protestants and Catholics might have been true during that time period, but it being the only example of Catholics is insulting and misleading. Not all Catholics are like that and it's not far how that is how they are portrayed. The book showed even two sides of the samurai and the Japanese people but didn't even give Catholics a fighting chance. It is unfortunate how my faith was depicted because Chris Bradford is a good writer. He kept the story going well without loosing any details but it didn't drag either. The 'Pronounciation Guide' in the back was very helpful in understanding Japanese words and one of the best I had ever used (in fact I learned a few with the book and I know how to speak Japanese a little. Whether I pronounce them right is another matter. A little interested in learning that language now but that is besides the point). The characters are diverse and interesting, too. You can understand how they feel and could identify with them. But, becasue of how my faith was shown in the book, it's because of this, and this alone, that will probably keep me from reading the rest of the books in this series. And keep me from recommending it. I could have looked over everything else, but this.

Although set in 17th-century Japan, YOUNG SAMURAI will remind you in some ways of the HARRY POTTER series. Luckily, it's more than that, but first, the parallels: we have a young orphan (Jack Fletcher) sent to strange surroundings (feudal Japan, thanks to a shipwreck) who must adopt to a new lifestyle (Bushido) and learn complicated new skills (the way of the warrior). He is protected by friendly adults (Masamoto), befriended by a young, pretty girl (Akiko) and a goofy but winsome boy (Saburo), challenged by a bully (Kazuki), and hunted by an arch-nemesis killing machine (the ninja, Dragon Eye). Ultimately he attends a school (Niten Ichi Ryu) and is taught by great teachers (sensei) in the ways of the samurai. Sound familiar? And I'll bet you can exchange every name and place I mentioned with its Harry Potter equivalent.

That said about lack of originality and some predictability in plot, the book will win you over anyway. For one, it packs plenty of action to attract the young reader. And, in a move that should warm the hearts of teachers and parents everywhere, it is well-researched and historically-accurate. Meaning? Young readers will actually learn about Japanese culture, psychology, warfare, manners, tastes, and quirks. Plus, Chris Bradford has a knack for description. Yes, he might let the odd (and even) cliché slip in now and again, but overall, not bad -- not bad at all. Finally, this is the first of a series (the second and third of which have already been released). Recommended for reluctant readers and readers interested in Japanese culture.