The Return of the Warrior (Young Samurai book 9)

I enjoyed this book and appreciated how the relationship between Akiko and Jack and the rivalry between Jack and Kazuki both came full circle, as well as Jack’s ties to England (Jess, mainly) and Japan. However, one thing that I didn’t like was that Jack seemed to struggle more than I thought he would with the challenges he has faced. After all he has learned over the past eight books, I think he wouldn’t have had as much trouble in England as he did! I also think that more of the skills he has learned should’ve been used in this book (Ninja fighting, “magic”, and evasion, Drunken Fist, etc.). However, I did like that he had to learn to use a rapier and the way he combined Japanese and English sword work. Good book and an overall fulfilling ending to a great series!

Although the series is unrealistic at times it is still one of the greatest book series I have ever read. I finished the first series when I was in high school but graduated before the next series came out. I went several years out before picking the series back up as an adult. It still enthralled me! I can’t say that for all book series I have read as a kid. I recently tried to read another series from my childhood and let’s just say it wasn’t appealing.

I loved the first eight books, and book 9 was every bit as awesome. I read the whole thing in about a day and a half, if that. Jack's return to England was interesting, and his quest for his sister was every bit as fun an adventure to read as his travels in Japan.I wanna see a sequel series, no question. The series does come to a pretty satisfying conclusion, but at the same time it almost feels like there could be a sequel or even a series of them, given the way the story closes out.In all, a worthwhile buy. I'm just hoping there's more to come in the future. What can I say, the world and characters are wonderfully written, and I want more. Sue me.

What a magnificent send off to this amazing book series. I can’t describe in words how great the entire series was. I hate to say it but I almost cried when it ended, not because the ending was sad but that there will be no more young samurai books. As Geoffrey Chaucer once said “ all good things must come to an end.” In regard to how long it took to read. About 6 hours straight for Me. I’ve read this series books1-8, 7 times through and now have completely read the series. Best fiction series ever.

What I loved about the book is it showed Jacks friends Akkio and Yurio learn about the ways of England. It showed how the English were ignorant of alot of things of the far east and Jack had been away so long he forget his culture but with a new fence Master he learns the ways of a fencer.

I Love Chris Bradford's writing style. I have thoroughly enjoyed the book series from the beginning. His ability to write an adventure story with thorough character development and depth is among the very best of authors. This new story is equally engaging and (I believe) correct for the historic period. I do hope he continues the series. I Highly Recommend this book.

Great book series, especially for the martial arts enthusiast. Nothing raunchy or cringe-worthy, just a great story and a lot of action!

When I was 10 years old I was in a local bookstore and being a new student of martial arts wanted to if something about Martial arts or samurai and I found The Way of the Warrior and loved it. Here I am almost 12 years later I'm again captivated by an amazing story. It really is a prefect ending to a marvelous series.

A great book and an awesome ending to the Young Samurai series. My son actually introduced me to this series and wr both love. We have been waiting for this book for over two years. In the acknowledgments page Chris Bradford said he went through a bit of a dark time whilst writing this book. I a glad he came through it, like the warrior he is, more for himself and his family but the selfish part of me is also glad he finished this book.I did find the book a bit slow, then a rollercoaster of misfortune then the book really turned around for me. For some reason when I finished the last book I did think things would be smooth sailing for young Jack Fletcher. That was not the case and it should not have been.If I had one complaint about this book it is the after seven years of intense martial arts training, not to mention the literal wars he had been through, I did think he should have been able to give a better accounting of himself. However the more I progressed in the book, and thought about it, this was the way it should have been as Jake is dealing with unfamiliar styles and has become a foreigner in his own land.The second half of the book the mixing of East and West and adaptation was to key to success for Jack and the book as a whole. There is literally no time to catch my breath in this book it is continuously from frying pan to fire and back then repeated.This book would be great as a standalone but it is an incredible ending that definitely worth of this incredible series. Not only is the action and martial arts great but the writing getting both Japanese and 1600 English culture spot on is one of the things that has made this book so special for me. I can say enough things in praise of this book. Well worth the wait.

The weakest of the series by far. I wasn’t a fan of the previous book either, mainly because of the treatment of the character Miyuki. Akiko is just as dull and boring as usual. Yori has his moments but again, mostly dull and boring. Miyuki and Saburo would’ve been better companions for Jack in my opinion but I digress. Why do I dislike this book more than the any of the others? Simple, The location. London. It no longer felt like a Young Samurai novel, the intrigue and culture that I loved from the series is mostly gone. London doesn’t have to same mystery to it as Japan did. The side characters to put it bluntly are garbage. The London gang brutes are stereotypically annoying and the villains are uninspired. Rose was a decent character but it didn’t change the fact that this novel was a massive let down. Books 1-7 are some of my favourite novels of all time that I simply couldn’t stop reading when I picked them up. Book 8 was a let down but still had good moments. Book 9 has some decent stuff but I can’t get passed the fact it’s not based in Japan anymore and it really ruined my enjoyment of the story. If Chris Bradford ever does do another he has to take it back to Japan and keep it there. There is so much Samurai history he could insert Jack into, I’d love to read that.

I finished the Ring of Sky many years ago, and long assumed that it would be the last Young Samurai book I would read. Naturally, for a series as good as this was/is, I searched online if there was ever going to be a resolution to the plot set up in book 1-in other words, this book-but I gave up hope and moved on.Now I can say for sure that I am glad I stumbled across this new release! As opposed to what I would have expected, this book has a strong sense of chronology-ideas introduced all the way throughout the series, but more surprisingly many from the first book!-have turned The Return of the Warrior into a strong conclusion to the series. Chris Bradford has certainly taken the time and care to ensure that a novel release SEVEN YEARS after his eighth book in the series still flows on in a natural way.For all readers of these reviews, from devout long time fans to somebody just seeing this in an Amazon recommendation, I strongly recommend buying this book, and at least buying/borrowing the first book along with this if you haven't read any of the others. Far more plot than meets the eye for a children's book, a real thriller.

Having read all of the books from a young age all the way through to my early twenties, I can honestly say that much like J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter, The Young Samurai series is timeless. I can return to them time and time again and this final book in the series is not exception. However, the author Chris Bradford discloses that due to personal reasons he ended up struggling to complete the book and needed hypnotherapy to complete it and...it shows. The plot is a little messy and the pace continues to move along without any sight in resolution, but then rushes to end far to quickly to satisfy the customer (which it does but it's too quick) and there was A LOT of things repeated in the book from previous books that are meant to act as friendly reminders or nods to the old books but it feels slightly repetitive and un original. I think if you are a young child/teen like this book is aimed at then you may not notice any of this and Chris if you read this I am sorry!Overall, the book was nostalgic and it does it's job, it answers the question we all had 'Did Jack make it home? Did he find Jess? What is England like now?Will he return to Japan?' and I would have to say my absolute favourite thing about the book was the description of London. Chris Bradford as ever does not disappoint when it comes to setting the scene and really bringing the place to life. Akiko as always is awesome. Jack as always is unending in his desire to do what is right and accomplish his goals with the help and assistance if his friends. And I will add boy oh boy was England as l disgusting a place I you may have thought it was to be in the 1600s! Or not if you know nothing of English history. Overall, I would say if you have come so far in the series, read this one, it is worth the resolution towards the end and also just the simple pleasure of being back In Jack's head once more! I shall end with one of my favourite proverbs Seven times down, eight times up!

I last read a Young Samurai book in August 2019, and I have to admit that I started this book with low expectations! Because it has been almost a year since reading Book 8, I had shamefully dismissed it as young and as an easy, boring read. But I couldn't have been more wrong! Once again, I was captivated by Bradford's gripping and fast-paced story. I did miss Japan in this story but it was interesting to learn about England. It was a wonderful story with some very surprising twists! (one word: ninja). All in all, a great book, which, if it is the end (which im hoping it's not!!) was an amazing finish to a fantastic series!