One of the best samurai series I've read. It's like Akira Kurosawa on print; with a great balance of an interesting character and Japanese culture. I'm hoping that there might be more in the future. ( )

This book is the last one in the Samurai series.

Overall I enjoyed the series, though it was wearing a bit thin by this book. I read them back to back.

All the books are what I would call light. The strengths are the characters, the setting and the history, culture and lore of the world of the Japanese Samurai.

The problem is the story is rather weak. Because it is the last book in the series the story arc has to finish. Everything that didn't work in the previous books has been pushed into this book.

The basic story is that of a masterless Samurai, Kaze, called a Ronin who is the main character. He was on the losing side in the recent war to determine the ruler of Japan. He is unable to kill himself and join his dead lord, lady and his own family, because his lord's lady commanded him to find her young daughter first. The lady has been violated and tortured and dies, leaving the job firmly in Kaze's hands. The daughter was sold off by one of the vengeful winning samurai, and Kaze is tasked to find her and rescue her.

The story of the 3 books is Kaze's journey to find the young daughter. She was 7 when sold and would be about 9 when the series ends. Throughout each book Kaze wanders the countryside looking for her, and as a result ends up involved in multiple problems and mysteries that people have who live in the areas he wanders through. Sort of a medieval Japanese Shane. Kaze is a decent person, and he treats the peasants well, something a normal Samurai wouldn't do. Kaze is very good with a sword, and very smart and tries to have a Zen outlook. In short by the 3rd book he is just about perfect, and you know he isn't going to die/fail his task and it gets predictable and a bit boring.

The predictability problem is compounded in this book because Kaze has come to Edo and the new Shogun is involved. It is very obvious how the story will play out, so it is like reading something that you already have read.

Also the idea of the masterless Ronin tramping the roads of Japan with a 9 year old noble-born, now damaged girl, just doesn't work. What is the point of rescuing her, when he has nothing to offer her ? Not a roof, not a position in society, not a family, or any hope for the future.

Throughout it all Kaze is like a superhero, killing other samurai, thugs, and even ninjas. He is kind, good-hearted, and true to the code of Samurai honor. He falls into mysteries, and solves them easily. By the third book it became a little too pat, a little too contrived.

Still I enjoyed it, but am happy the series has come to an end. ( )

Third of trilogy, see same author