The Way of the Sword is the second book in the Young Samurai series, centered around a young English teen named Jack in the 1600s. Jack was shipwrecked on the coast of Japan, where his father was killed by ninjas attempting to steal his father's rutter (map of the oceans and trade routes). Jack was adopted by a samurai and received formal training in a Kyoto samurai school. In this, his second year, Jack faces increasing hostility toward foreigners and the ever-stalking presence of the green-eyed ninja... looking to claim his father's rutter for an unknown employer. Jack must learn the way of sword if he has any hope of surviving!
This was an enjoyable, though not complex, addition to the series. There are few books for teens that explore world trade and Japanese history in the 1600s. Jack's cultural misunderstandings illuminate how far England was behind the East when it came to medicine, hygiene, and literacy. Characterization is sacrificed for action much of the time, unfortunately, but: ninjas! Samurais! Epic battles! I can think of quite a few teens who would love this action-packed series. It's good for the plot-driven readers among us. I wish I knew someone who knew a lot about this culture and time period, because I'd love to know how accurate the book is.
Verdict: Hand this one to teen boys who think that books are stupid and boring. EVIL NINJAS! You can't go wrong with that.
