Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan, his beloved father and the crew lie slaughtered by ninja pirates.
Rescued by a legendary master swordsman and brought under his wing, Jack begins the grueling physical and psychological training needed to become a samurai. Life at Samurai school is fraught with difficulty for Jack who is bullied and treated as an outcast.
With his friend the remarkable, beautiful Akiko at his side and all the courage he can muster, Jack has to prove himself. Will he be able to face deadly rivals and challenges that will test him to his very limits?
. . . a fantastic adventure that floors the reader on page one and keeps them there until the end. The pace is furious and the martial arts detail authentic (Eoin Colfer)
A beautifully written, excellently researched and thoughtfully presented work . . . Chris Bradford has caputered the essence of what it meant to be samurai (Sensei Akemi, eldest daughter of an old samurai family and Lecturer of Japanese Culture)
A really exciting, action-packed martial arts adventure . . . the fast pace and attention to detail makes this a wonderful read for all children, whether they are involved in martial arts or not (Steve Cowley, 6th Dan Instructor Kyo Shin Taijutsu)