This series was an unexpected surprise. I don’t know why I even decide to read the first book, as it is not in line with what I usually like, but I am so glad I did. The book is simply fantastic and the writing and storytelling are superb, so I continued and didn’t stop until I finished the trilogy.
Roman Adrift (Matsumoto Trilogy #0.5) available for purchase on Amazon
I decided to read this story after finishing the first book of the trilogy and I think that worked very well. The story is elaborated version of the explanation Roman gave to Vera in the first book describing how he ended up in the Empire. You should be warned, as beautiful as this story is, it is also pure sadness.
The Ex-Pacifist (Matsumoto Trilogy #1) available for purchase on Amazon
The story occurs in somewhat distant future, after the humans have already destroyed the Earth and moved on with all the advanced technology to colonise distant planets. At the heart of the story is Matsumoto dynasty with the Emperor ruling over seven planets. The rule is somewhat based on ancient Japanese model, but modernised, and with cruel and quite unreasonable set of rules. The story depicts some quite violent events at times, which is not surprising considering the types of societies featured.
The main character is Vera Matsumoto, cousin to the Emperor and the Ambasador of the Empire. It is not clear why the planets are mainly populated and ruled by very young people, but a lot has changed since the destruction of the Earth. Vera has been trained for her position practically since birth, and she has been well indoctrinated to follow the rules to the letter. Until one event when she doesn’t. Her disobedience starts a whole chain of events and reveals all kinds of foul play. The story is absolutely gripping and I could not put it down. I can’t say I liked any of the characters that much, but this is completely irrelevant to the story, as it is the idea and the story that kept me mesmerised, not the characters, which are mostly portrayed as pawns in the bigger game.
Vera is a strange character. She is a combination of very skilled diplomat and strategist, and a completely naive little girl. At times, her naivete borders on stupidity and gets her in impossibly difficult situations. However, what makes it interesting is her learning and growing process. She is thrown in impossible situations and she finds a way to cope or even to get out somehow. She is not strong or overly independent, she is intelligent but overly naive, overall nothing special, but she learns and she grows and she has potential to become special.
I find the series irresistible and I immediately started reading further. This book has an open ending, partly resolved, partly cliffhanger, completely infuriating, and I have no idea what happens next, but I prefer it that way. It is a trilogy after all, not a set of standalone novels. This was an amazing start of an amazing futuristic series and I highly enjoyed it.
The Splitting (Matsumoto Trilogy #2) available for purchase on Amazon
If the first book was an unexpected surprise, this one was even more of a surprise. I had no inkling as to what might happen in this book and how it might be resolved. It was shocking, surprising and exhilarating. I have never read anything like this. Needless to say, I have immediately started reading the next book, which is regrettably the last one in the series, downfall of trilogy.
There are so many surprises and unexpected turns in this book, it kept me awake at night. I simply could not put it down. High octane action from first to last page. No breaks. And a warning for standalone novel lovers, you better get the omnibus right from the start because just like the first book, this one has an open ending, with only some of the issues resolved and many more left for the next book. I am very glad I found this after the whole trilogy was completed!
Apart from being a great story and amazingly written with all the right character development, this book contains a complete new world building in such detail that it felt like I was there. And the development of Vera is amazing. I knew she had potential!
As I described in the first book: “She is a combination of very skilled diplomat and strategist, and a completely naive little girl. At times, her naivete borders on stupidity and gets her in impossibly difficult situations.” That is how she starts and ends the first book. How she ends this book is by being an even better diplomat and strategist, as well as a strong and independent warrior and a leader. Her transformation is shocking. Insecure little girl becomes confident and ruthless as she sheds away layers of indoctrination and false beliefs imposed on her. She maintains her compassion and never looses the view of the bigger picture. The author brilliantly and masterfully implemented gradual changes that occurred in Vera, and created one of my favourite leading female characters thus far.
The Matsumoto (Matsumoto Trilogy #3) available for purchase on Amazon
What an amazing conclusion to the trilogy!
Amazing Vera goes against all odds once again, with Roman and Patrick Driscoll. They have a new member of the team, little Ryu and there is a shift in their relationship. Vera is the protector and the leader as she was supposed to be, and she assumes her role and responsibility like a true hero.
Although some events were expected, most of the story is quite unexpected and surprising. I honestly had no idea where the story is going to go and how it is going to be resolved. Very nice and refreshing.
The trilogy reads as one complete story with seamless transition from one book to the next, the writing is superb as is world building and character development.
The Matsumoto Trilogy also comes as a book set available for purchase on Amazon.
More about the Sarah K. L. Wilson and The Matsumoto Trilogy can be found on Goodreads and the author’s website.
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