review 1: Ninjas are awesome, and this book does a great job of bringing them to life. At times it's like watching Naruto, except that without all of the over-the-top anime theatrics (and with a more adult approach), you can focus more on the realities. A fun trip to a faraway time and place, light on violence and gore (though there is a little) and well worth the read for anyone who's a fan of Japanese history and mysteries. review 2: Susan Spann's debut mystery is understatedly humorous, always clever, always fun and ALWAYS impeccably researched and therefore fascinating. I wasn't necessarily intrinsically drawn to the world of medieval Japan, but after reading this book Spann has changed my mind and made me hungry for much more. Each book (I have to disclose that she ... moreis a friend, and I know her devious plans!) will focus on a different aspect of Japanese culture: the teahouse world, the breweries, the Shogunate, etc....it's a brilliant way to organize her series. I can't recommend this book highly enough; Spann's star is rising. less
