Review: Toru: Wayfarer Returns (Sakura Steam #1) by Stephanie R. Sorensen

Toru: Wayfarer Returns (Sakura Steam #1)

by Stephanie R. Sorensen

Revolutionary young samurai take on the West in this alternate history steampunk techno-fantasy set in 1850's samurai-era Japan.

In Japan of 1852, the peace imposed by the Tokugawa Shoguns has lasted 250 years. Peace has turned to stagnation, however, as the commoners grow impoverished and their lords restless. Swords rust. Martial values decay. Foreign barbarians circle the island nation's closed borders like vultures, growing ever more demanding.

Toru, a shipwrecked young fisherman rescued by American traders and taken to America, defies the Shogun's ban on returning to Japan, determined to save his homeland from foreign invasion. Can he rouse his countrymen in time? Or will the cruel Shogun carry out his vow to execute all who set foot in Japan after traveling abroad? Armed only with his will, a few books, dirigible plans and dangerous ideas, Toru must transform the Emperor's realm before the Black Ships come.

My Take:

Japan in 1852 was a closed country, outlawing all trade or even contact with the outside world. The Tokugawa Shogun ruled in the Emporor's name with an iron fist. Anyone who violated the edict against contact with the rest of the world, met a violent untimely death. However, while Japan stagnates with primitive flintlocks, martial arts, and katanas as their primary means of defense, the rest of the world is industrializing, building cannon, airships, steamships, and rifles.

Toru begins his journey at the end of a journey. He is a humble shipwrecked fisherman who was rescued by American sailors and taken to the US, where his explorations take him across the country, gathering knowledge of the American factories, military, and people.

Their indomitable spirit, technological prowess and plans to force trade on the world, coupled with the recent forcing of trade with China, propels him to return at the inescapable forfeit of his life, to galvanize his beloved home country into action to prevent a foreign invasion. Armed with books, plans, and hope, he returns with the means to prevent the destruction of his beloved country.  Can he rouse his country to arms in time before he is executed?

Content:

Drug Content:

PG - Quite a bit of sake is consumed through the course of the book, and a touch of drunkenness. 

Violence:

PG-13 - In several scenes, there are ambushes, where soldiers are dropped with arrows in their throats, through an eye, or decapitated by a sword. For a war book, there's not a lot of violence.

Language:

PG - Very few curse words that I recall.

Adult Content:

PG - There are a few scenes of geisha houses, but nothing happens. There is quite a bit of angst, but not even kissing.

Christian content:

The Christian book, the bible, is outlawed, on pain of death. But it is included in Toru's box of books he brings to Japan. Though it is mentioned several times as a dangerous thing to have, there is no scripture or even use of the book. It appears that no one reads it. A brief mention is made that Toru is afraid of what he has read in it.

There are multiple times when Toru and others pray to their gods, to Buddha, and even to the Christian god for help. Some characters have faith, but not in Christ. Toru and others are more than willing to give up their lives for the love of their country and others. Multiple people give their lives for others. The common people accept their starving and downtrodden lot in life under the boot of the samurai, but winds of change give hope for them, especially characterized in Toru's best friend Jiro, the coarse blacksmith. Friendship, self-sacrifice, patriotism, and hope are strong strokes in this beautiful picture of pre-industrial Japan.

Final analysis:

I gotta say, Japanese Steampunk is a rare combination, but it worked very well in this edge-of-the-seat action-packed adventure. From the time Toru hits the shore of Japan his life hangs by a thread. There is obvious a lot more to this humble fisherman than meets the eye. And as he stays one jump ahead of the headsman, he sets in motion a transformation of Japan from a stagnating relic to a world power. The characters, especially the supporting cast, are well defined and realistic. The setting is magnificent. The plot is stellar, and the action gripping. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Stephanie is a writer based in the Victorian mining town of Leadville, Colorado, where she lives at 10,152 feet with her husband, five chickens, two bantam English game hens and one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. After a former life in big cities-New York City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Boston, Mexico City, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Santa Fe-she now enjoys the birdsong and quiet writing time she finds in Leadville. When she's not writing, Stephanie stays busy sewing fancy gowns, playing MMOS, running the historic Tabor Opera House and working as a part-time technology venture capitalist. Her first novel draws on her experience living and working in Japan; her next historical novel is set in Mexico where she also lived for several years. As a Leadville local, she likes her Victorian attire spiced with a little neo-Victorian futurism and the biggest bustle possible.

Review: Behind Her Mask was Death by Aria E. Maher

Behind Her Mask was Death
by Aria E. Maher

People don't generally think about death, especially not on the night they are going to die...

Devon Lavender never thought he'd end up in the middle of a murder mystery. But when an unnamed red haired woman dies in his arms on the dance floor in the middle of the Prince's extravagant costume ball, it would seem obvious to everyone who the killer is. Devon finds himself with one chance, and one chance only, to prove his innocence and discover the real murderer, before it's too late.

My Take:
Devon Lavender has spent his life trying NOT to be the object of any attention. After all, in the Kingdom of Plutch, getting the attention of the Marquis is a good way to end up dead. But once the prince's girlfriend dies in his arms, Devon finds that he's the center of attention, and that his life hangs by a micro-filament. There won't be any hiding behind masks. Just an unmasking of the real culprit. Before somebody else ends up dead.

This is a novella, but it could have been fleshed into a full length novel. It covers the events of one fateful night, and is a fluid stream of action throughout, as Devon races against time to find the real killer and prove his innocence, with the assistance of the woman dressed as the grim reaper at the costume ball. Devon and the Princess make a great team, and her sarcastic wit and his confused puppydog innocence produce chuckles throughout.

Content:
Violence:
PG - Well, mainly because somebody dies. After all, it's a murder mystery, so there needs to be a body. There's the threat of torture, but no real description of what that would look like.

Language:
G - I don't remember a single curse word in the book. .

Drug Content:
G - There's some discussion about the main character avoiding the wine, and a description of the hangover he gets the next morning. I'd call that PG, but there's a drunken scene in Sleeping Beauty that's a lot worse.

Adult Content:
None.

Christian content:
Not much, pro or con. There's a bit of discussion about heaven in passing. The Marquis could be a typecast for the devil - he's evil enough, but plays by a strict set of rules even so.

Final analysis:
This delightful novella is an intriguing murder mystery with a few twists to keep you wondering whodunit. The stakes are clearly life and death. The characters are entertaining and relatively believable, and the action moves along at a good clip right to the exciting conclusion. Five Stars!

About the Author:
I wrote my first book when I was eight, chronicling the grand adventures of the Super Mario Bros. in pages torn from a sketchbook and bound with masking tape. At ten, I ditched my writing for a career as a robotics engineer, and constructed interesting devices (which never worked) out of old bits of computers and washing machines. But then, dismayed that I would have to study mathematics (oh, the horror!) in order to be an engineer, I returned to my writing, and constructed bizarre fantasy worlds filled with fairies, portals, mad wizards, and flying castles built on clouds.
Currently, I'm in the middle of publishing my first book, Behind Her Mask was Death, a YA mystery/fantasy novella. My favorite inspirations are steampunk (and Victorian things in general), Terry Pratchett's remarkable Discworld novels, and the random fantasy landscape art I find on Pinterest.

Review: The Rocks of Aserol by Richard Dee

The Rocks of Aserol
by Richard Dee

Norlandia is a country in the midst of a technological explosion. since the development of machines of Brass and Steel, powered by Steam and Gas, it has become a force in the World.
Now Horis Strongman, from the Ministry of Coal is given a job by his superior, “Find out what’s happening at the Waster Mine.” It means a long journey over a holiday, so he thinks he’s been given the job because he’s the junior. But other, darker forces are at work, and he finds himself involved as the scapegoat for a terrible crime.
With his new found friends, and unsure who he can trust, he sets off to clear his name, but for all his efforts there will be a price to pay.
As he discovers more, he comes to see a bigger picture, corruption and the ruthless use of power to keep the status quo.
Now it becomes a race to save everything, and Horis will need all his wits about him to survive.
Set against a background of strange new things, in a world how ours might have been, from the Ocean to the Mines and the Skies above, the Rocks of Aserol could change the World.

My Take:
Dee has created an immersive world of steampunk in this delightful novel. His descriptions of the technology and contraptions in the city, and its comparison to the relative rural primitive nature of the mining town of Aserol, are full of dimension.

The characters in the book were likeable as well, and in the final analysis, just as deep. The innocent perspective Horis puts on life at the beginning, and his dependence on the law and structure, is reminiscent of Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, without any of the bald arrogance. It makes for a captivating contrast to the ex-military jadedness of Maloney and his friends, and the naivete of Grace, who plays the part of the Damsel a bit too well.

In the end Grace proves quite resourceful, and Horis rides a painful and jarring character arc to a clear understanding of the criminals he works for and the lengths they will go to.

Content:

Drug Content:
PG - There is a significant amount of drinking in this book, wine and ale, and a discussion between the soldiers of whether to stay at a particular inn because they refused to serve ale.

Violence:
PG-13 - There are several violent scenes in the book, one where a person is shot to death, one stabbing, and an attack by dragons (Drogans) where several people are decapitated, and several burn to death.

Language:
PG - There is very little swearing in the book, but there is some.

Adult Content:
PG-13. There is a scene where two people who have just met have sex in a hotel room. The act is not described but it's enough for me to bump it past PG.

Christian content:
Well, not any, really. There is significant homage of a god named Bal. (A little close to Baal for my taste, your mileage may vary.) This god seems to be Lord of the Harvest and a provider. The good characters seem to be believers in Bal, and try to live their lives honestly. There is no real spiritual attack or help.

Final analysis:

The Rocks of Aserol is an entertaining read, full of intrigue, action, and a liberal dose of steampunk. It is well-written and immersive, with a love story full of romance and rescue. Five Stars.

About the Author:
Richard Dee is a native of Brixham in Devon, England. He left Devon in his teens and travelled the world in the Merchant Navy, qualifying as a Master Mariner in 1986. Coming ashore to be with his growing family, he flirted with various jobs, including Dockmaster, Marine Insurance surveyor, and Port Control Officer, finally becoming a Thames Pilot over twenty years ago.

He regularly took vessels of all sizes through the Thames Barrier and upriver as far as London Bridge. He recently returned to live in Brixham, where he has taken up food writing and blogging. He retired from pilotage in 2015.

The Rocks of Aserol is his third science Fiction novel; his other titles, Freefall and Ribbonworld are available in paperback and electronically. He is married with three adult children.