Sisters of the Sword - Hardcover

Grade 5–8—As daughters of a 13th-century Japanese feudal lord, Kimi and Hana have been trained in the arts of self-defense. Though Kimi dreams of becoming a great samurai warrior, she knows it is a future she could never realistically achieve. One fateful day, her life is turned upside down. Called to their home for a visit, Kimi's uncle betrays her father, murdering him in order to seize power. The sisters escape, determined to find their mother and younger brother, and to eventually exact revenge on their callous uncle, they disguise themselves as peasant boys and travel to a samurai school run by their father's old friend, Master Goku. They gain entry as servants, but are allowed to continue their training. Filled with battles and bloodshed, this exciting story is placed against a strongly depicted historical setting evoked through everyday details and descriptions of cultural practices. Kimi and Hana are vividly drawn characters, and their emotions ring true, from their terror and shock in the aftermath of the murders to their dedication to restoring their family honor. Youngsters will stand in awe of these two talented, steadfast, and remarkably brave young women, and the cliff-hanger ending will have readers impatiently awaiting the next installment.—Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library
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