This would have been perfectly plausible as a fantasy novel, but I doubt it would have had anything like the dreamy reviews it got as "Fiction". The plot has been standard for at least seven hundred years (rural orphan becomes noble warrior); the author has the good sense to steal from the best originals, and openly refer to the inimitable; and the writing is fine.
But... why on earth is there a secret Tribe of born assassins who can make themselves invisible and project second selves? And why does the hero have to be one of the best ones? Tokugawa-period politics was plenty interesting without. The rural orphan would be even more impressive if he didn't have the free deluxe extension set of powers from Month Two. Oh, well, this is a grudge I have against much of the pop entertainment of our day.
The high-medieval tragic romances, with swordfights, are just the thing.
ISBN: 1-57322-332-8
So wrote clew in Fiction (21st c.). | TrackBack