Jet Black and the Ninja Wind

by Leza Lowitz, Shogo Oketani

Seventeen-year-old Jet Black is a ninja. There's only one problem--she doesn't know it. Others do, however, and they're scheming to capture her and uncover her secrets. When her mother dies, Jet knows only that she must go to Japan to protect a family treasure hidden in her ancestral land. She's terrified, but if Jet won't fight to protect her world, who will? Stalked by bounty hunters and desperately in love with the man who's been sent to kill her, Jet must be strong enough to protect the treasure, preserve an ancient culture, and save a sacred mountain from destruction. In Jet Black and the Ninja Wind, multiple award-winning author, poet, and translator team Leza Lowitz and Shogo Oketani make their first foray into young adult fiction with a compulsively readable tale whose teenage heroine must discover if she can put the blade above the heart--or die trying.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Japan, Adventure, Action, Thriller, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

I'm a California girl living in Tokyo, where I write and run a yoga studio. For over two decades, I've been charting my quest in twenty books in many genres. I hope I'm just getting started.

I’m interested in ideas of identity and history. How is culture shaped, and how are we shaped by it? All of my books deal with notions of finding home.

"Up from the Sea," my debut Young Adult novel in verse about the March 11, 2011 Japan tsunami, is just out from Crown Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House. It's about making a home within yourself when the only home you've ever known is destroyed. Named a #1 YA pick by BUZZFEED:http://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/ya...

My memoir, "In Search of the Sun" charts my quest for motherhood across two decades, two continents, and two thousand yoga poses. Its about creating connection and family--finding a home in each other, and in the world.

"Jet Black and the Ninja Wind," a YA adventure I co-wrote with my Japanese husband, is about a biracial girl seeking home across cultures. Her mission is to save her ancestral home and its ancient treasure.

Then there's the poetry. "Yoga Poems: Lines to Unfold By" deals with finding a home in one’s body. "Yoga Heart: Lines on the Six Perfections" charts the path to finding a home in the spirit.

I often write with my husband, the Middle Grade novelist Shogo Oketani (author of J-Boys, Kazuo's World, Tokyo, 1965 (translated by Avery Udagawa) about five fifth graders growing up during the first Tokyo Olympics). Building a bridge from East to West, we’ve collaborated on a book about kanji, a collection of poetry by a pacifist Japanese soldier, and the Jet Black trilogy in progress. Other couples finish each other’s sentences. We try to finish each other’s books.

Other Stuff people ask about: My writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Huffington Post, Yoga Journal, Shambhala Sun, The Best Buddhist Writing, The Japan Times, Art in America, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among others.

I've been fortunate to have received some literary awards, including the APALA Asia Pacific Award in Young Adult Literature, a SCBWI Work-in-Progress Fiction Honor grant, a PEN Syndicated Fiction Award, The PEN Josephine Miles Award for Poetry, individual grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the California Arts Council. Shogo and I received The U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission Award from Columbia University for the Translation of Japanese Literature. I've also received the Benjamin Franklin Award for Editorial Excellence, and three Pushcart Prize nominations.

I have a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley and an M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. I've taught writing and literature there and at the University of Tokyo. I teach yoga and meditation internationally.

I love reading, dogs, and chocolate--preferably all at the same time. Thanks for stopping by.

Reviews

[Peter Tieryas · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sozu is the old word of scarecrow. When a warrior wants to conceal his presence, he subdues his ki, or life force. He becomes one with nature.”

In Jet Black and the Ninja Wind by Leza Lowitz and Shogo Oketani, the authors vanish and become one with their narrative. It’s an intense, action-packed journey that will have you riveted. Lowitz is like a warrior poet who makes every movement lyrical, shurikens piercing literary panache into every word. I couldn’t put the book down once I’d started, and neither will you.

[Leza Lowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note from the Author--

JET BLACK AND THE NINJA WIND Book Trailer is now live on Youtube. Directed by Chris Mauch (storyboard artist for BLACK SWAN, DIVERGENT), CJ Gardella (Director of Shunka), and their crackerjack ninja team. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X2aa0...

About JET:
We  love Japan, where we've lived for many years. But we got tired of reading about girls in kimonos trailing behind boys. Where were the female warriors? They were hidden. They were ninja.

You might imagine those B-Grade, black-clad assassins of Hollywood, but some ninja were tribal people who developed secret arts to protect themselves against invading forces. Women were skilled fighters, too.

I was interested in that history; Shogo loved Native American culture. We connected Japanese tribal lore with the story of some special modern American warriors--the Navajo Code Talkers.

So JET BLACK AND THE NINJA WIND is a novel for Young Adults (and everyone else) about a female ninja, but it's really about Japan's indigenous Emishi tribes and their fight to save their land. The Navajo Code Talkers play an important role, and the two tribes come together to save an ancient treasure and keep the past alive. There's lots of spin-kicking ninja adventure along the way.

Dog-lovers Bonus: a ninja Akita helps save the day.

Through Jet’s multicultural adventure, we hope you’ll learn more about these American heroes while discovering the real face of the ninja.

JET is up on Simon & Schuster's Carousel:

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Jet...

About Our Process:

Shogo and I wrote this novel over a period of many years. If you've ever tried to write a book, you know what a crazy big undertaking it is! This book required extensive research, and of course, life, family, and work intervened. While writing JET, we moved to a foreign country, started a business, began a family, and wrote a few more books in between. We are grateful to Tuttle Publishers for launching Jet, which is Book One in a Trilogy.

For some, it might not be what you are expecting--and it might be a demanding book to read. For sure, it's not fluff. We hope to educate as well as entertain. If you love it, let us know. If you don't, we'll try harder next time.

Thanks for stopping by!

With the throw of a shuriken star--

Leza
http://www.lezalowitz.com/

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a good-reads giveaway.

I give this book a 4.5. I would have given it a 5 but one thing just irked me a little too much for me to let it slide(more on that later).

Yeah, I would have had this book done earlier but I was getting too distracted by this:



Being at home where I can play FF 10 is not good for my productivity. XD

Anyway, onto the review itself!

So, there is so much Japanese in this that my anime fangirl is very happy.


Plus ninjas.


The story is awesome. It takes a Japanese twist on finding/protecting a lost treasure.


The twist in the end about the treasure is great too and I accept it despite how anti-climatic it is.(Just want to warn in advance about this because this can be disappointing to some).

Characters are great. Jet is a great lead. She is smart and has a level head and is badass in every possible way(except for the one thing I disliked about this book).

The other characters are cool too. Hiro is an awesome kid, and Aska is an awesome dog.

Plus she shares her name with her!:


Now, we'll get into the one character that made this book slightly dis-likeable for me. Takumi. The "love-interest" for Jet. They meet ONCE and then they are in love. How do I know this? On the second meeting Takumi(who is working for the villains), he "betrays" her by fighting her and she is upset by this.


Nope. Nope. Nope.

This kind of "love" pisses me off so much.


Thank you for showing off my emotional state while reading this Aska.

That is not love.

^This image is going to be one I use over and over it seems like.

There was also a lot of eye rolling when they fought each other and how he wanted to touch her and she wanted to be with him and yeah, I could go on but yeah, nope.

Other than the issue with Takumi, I loved this book. ^_^

[Xanthe Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is a vividly crafted cross-cultural heroine adventure linking the native peoples of Japan and the American Southwest. Fueled by intense introspection, 16-year-old Jet summons her inner strength to overcome an unrelenting foe-ridden obstacle course from beginning to end. Where magic and the supernatural feature in other popular young-adult fiction, Jet Black and the Ninja Wind creators Leza Lowitz and Shogo Oketani equip Jet with special powers-- both physical and metaphysical-- through lifelong training in the esoteric realms of Ninja and Zen. Entertaining mainstream acceptance of the existence of KI energy, Jet Black’s journey illustrates the physical and psychological benefits of self-mastery through martial arts training and meditation—an empowering message for readers young and old. I loved this book. Ready to read it again.

[Angela Blount · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...

2.5 Stars

Rika Kuroi (Jet) has led an unusual and isolated life. Half Japanese and half Caucasian-American, she’s grown up on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico under the care of her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, J-Bird. Her mother has been relentlessly training her all her life, in secret wilderness sessions, to be a Kunoichi—a female ninja. But she has never hinted as to why. When her mother dies, it is feared that those who chased her from her homeland will turn their attention to Jet. And so Jet journeys to Japan, to Kanabe and her mother’s people, in search of the answers she was never given.

The book is written in third person past-tense, largely from Jet’s point of view, but sometimes alternating to include her cousin Hiro, her grandfather, and later on the mercurial Takumi. It picks up more of an urban fantasy feel as it goes.

What I Liked:

I won’t lie—the cover of this book was what first snared my attention. (As tough chicks with swords tend to do.) The premise then pulled me in, with its promise of mystery, cross-cultural intrigue, and of course… ninjas. I read the free sample provided by Amazon, and the vivid writing and rapid pacing gave that final push that made me want to request the book.

The font layout was uniquely attractive. Each chapter has not only a number but a name—written in both English and Japanese kanji. (The same is true for the six distinct parts the book is divided into.) The glossary of terms at the back is a smart addition, offering a quick and thorough reference for relevant Japanese words, terms, and historical figures.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

Unfortunately, a significant pacing slowdown seems to occur once the setting switches to Japan. (Something I couldn’t discern from the sample I’d read, as it ended prior to the end of Part 1, 32 pages in.)

Connectivity to Jet became increasingly difficult as the story progressed, in large part because readers never truly get to know her. What had she wanted to be or do when she reached adulthood? Was she completely friendless in high school? Does she have any hobbies or interests outside of the ninja training her mother pounded into her? Why is she bothered by small enclosed spaces? What mysterious illness killed her mother--And is she at all concerned of the same fate might befall her?
So many things about Jet are simply not addressed or fleshed out. Nor is there an explanation for why Jet is initially so weepy, whiny, and passive when she first faces danger Japan (her attitude being a hugely off-putting issue for some time.)

It was continually difficult to suspend disbelief over the villain’s motivations—particularly considering no one actually knows what the treasure is until the very end. The possibilities provided are wildly varied, straying off in convoluted directions that include conspiracy alternate histories for Judaism and Christianity (p. 117-119)—as if vaguely inspired by The Davinci Code. But these possibilities don’t satisfactorily justify why an already incredibly rich man would pump massive amounts of money, time, lives, and criminality into locating a treasure of unknown origin and value.

Other Detractors:

-Insta-love (Involving a bad-boy mercenary with murky motivations and little-to-no moral compass. Despite his participation in attacks and murder involving Jet’s family, she becomes irritatingly preoccupied with trying to save him from his own ambitions/greed.) The chemistry between them ended up feeling forced—“ninja magic” aside.

-Editing issues (More errors than I usually see in a non-ARC outside of self-published works—2 on page 86 alone. An instance of sudden POV shift mid-scene with no warning or transition (page 37), and some yo-yoing in and out of POV. (Example: Masakichi rubbed his nose as if trying to get rid of the smell. (We are meant to be in Masakichi’s perspective—he should know if he is trying to get rid of the smell or not.)
There was also repeated buildup regarding the villain’s infamous pet panther, only to have it seemingly forgotten in the middle of a big fight scene.

Final Thought:

A promising premise with lots of action, but the entirety didn’t quite cohere for me.

[Donny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all the warrior classes I've encountered in my reading while young, ninja is cooler than samurais, samnites, amazonians, barbarians, knights, monks, kungfu hermits, Bruce Lee, muay thai fighters, and sumo wrestlers. Maybe it's the cool outfit, or the exotic weapons. I've always liked ninjas. As I grew older, somehow this carried over to literature, and while it isn't a genre I actively seek, books with ninjas always catch my eye.

I saw this book in Soekarno-Hatta and picked it up, enticed by the back cover blurb. It's written by a Japanese-American couple, and it's filled with ninja lore and history. I loved how the main character, Jet, comes into her own as she learns of her innate ninja skills, and the reader learns along with her. The history and the mythology were fascinating and very interesting indeed. I was surprised to also learn about the Navajo as well, and the authors were clever to draw the parallels between the plight of the ninjas and The Long Walk.

The action sequences were described in the context of the skills of the ninja, and for a ninja nerd, this was amazing. Just don't ask me the names of the skills after the fact, though.

Ok, now for the not so good bits. First, and it must be obvious to anyone who sees this book in the stores, the title of the book was incredibly bad. It's like a cross between an episode title of an 80's cartoon or a poorly executed fart joke. I didn't care for the titular character's name too. Rika Kuroi is much better (and happens to be her real name too), and even Jet Kuroi was great. Jet Black sounds like a bad pun (which it is, especially since Kuroi actually means 'black'). If it weren't for my previously undiscovered need for ninja fiction I'd have walked right past.

Then there was the overall tone of the story. The circumstances surrounding Jet's awakening was extremely bleak, and the events that followed more or less maintained that somber mood throughout. A new reader would have almost been lulled into a sense of adventure and fun from that wacky title of the book, and the contrast was stark.

And there was the 10-year old Hiro, trained since young but able to kick fully grown thugs despite an apparently quiet upbringing in the mountains. Every time he appeared in action I was reminded of the seminal, highly influential and iconic martial arts flick, The 3 Ninjas. But the tone! It was all wrong, this doesn't read like a family movie at all!

Finally, the story. Now I think there ought to be a rule where if an amateur book reviewer complains about how the story isn't 'believable' in a work of fiction, this person should clubbed by strangers in public with foam katanas. Having said that, the story, was, uhm, incredible. The leader of a team of thugs is a ninja teenager, who jeopardizes the entire mission of retrieving a treasure nobody knows exists because his heart goes aflutter after meeting a pretty girl. His employer, already wealthy, spends money to find unverified treasure, which surely is the last thing a greedy tycoon would do since it's the surest way to lose money. He also owns an unleashed panther as a pet, which makes you wonder how the heck he became and stayed rich when we get to him in the book (you know, because he's as dumb as a rock). My suspension-of-disbelief compass needle was spinning as fast as a shuriken in mid-flight.

Overall, I have to say I sorta enjoyed the book (hard to believe, I know). There was enough ninja mythology, legend and history here to scratch an itch, which frankly I hadn't known was there. This book feels more 'authentic' than Lustbader's Ninja, but I'm not sure it's a runaway victor here.

If only there was a thriller steeped with ninja mythology and great martial arts action, marinated with a believable fictitious story that isn't YA. Hmm...

[Liane Wakabayashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors work their wonders by pulling me into this fast-paced action novel almost from the go. Their mission is fascinating--to demonstrate the highly refined ninja art of survival in self-defense. For indigenous tribes, like the one in northern Japan that Jet Black comes from, it's a matter of righting historical wrongs and protecting themselves from stalkers--a sophisticated, crime ring armed with the latest in high-tech weaponry and even their own ninja warrior. I was wowed by the beautiful descriptive writing, the intricate plot, the research involved in putting together the complex strands of indigenous Japanese, native American Indian, and even ancient Jewish history. Jet Black takes the the ninja way of life far beyond the stereotypes-- she is a stylish young action heroine that teens will love--and I dare say adults will as well.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As brisk as it is flavorful and rich in historical and cultural (even multi-cultural!) detail, Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is much more than just a highly addictive and visually dazzling action fantasy. It's also a meaningful tale about honoring your heritage and fighting for what's right, challenging your fears and falling in love. Most of all, it's a journey to self-discovery - powerful, memorable and inspiring. This page-turner of a book is hands down the best YA adventure I've read in the past couple years. A novel not to be missed! I am so excited to have discovered this gem of a book, I'll be raving about it for a very long time.

Lowitz and Oketani write with amazing clarity, beauty and conviction, making Jet Black an unputdownable treat. The story is fast-paced and epic, but it's also emotional and reflective, offering the reader both something fun and something to ponder and reflect upon. It's also incredibly uplifting, exciting and loaded with positive energy, and I loved how good it made me feel. The descriptions of Japan and American southwest are all gorgeously evocative and mesmerizing, the action parts (martial arts!) - sweeping, almost cinematic. And the dialogues are equally awesome - captivating, dramatic and full of sparkling chemistry.

Filled with meaningful themes and life lessons, this book is perfect for young readers and adults alike. I honestly can't imagine anyone disliking this story. Fans of historical settings and vibrant cultural backdrops (Japanese and Native culture in particular), will be thrilled to discover this one. All the cross-cultural references and historical accuracy make this book even more interesting to read. And there's even a glossary of Japanese terms and concepts at the end of the book, and a great area map of Japan at the beginning.

All the characters are great, but it's the lead heroine who really shines. Jet is such a fantastic character! I loved following her adventures and seeing her morph into this strong, kickass ninja-girl (or kunoichi, to be more accurate). As the story progresses, she learns more about herself, her family and her heritage, and she becomes stronger and wiser with every page. There's still a lot for her to discover, not all her questions are answered in the first book, and it only makes me that much more excited for the sequel. I can't wait to find out where the story will take her next!

Action, mystery, magic, history, culture, romance and intrigue - Jet Black and the Ninja Wind has it all! If you're looking for a book to completely sweep you off your feet and transport you to a land of mysticism and heroism, this is the book for you. I highly recommend reading this one!

[Tyler Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Ninja raised in a Navajo res in New Mexico? Cowritten by a Japanese novelist with a black belt in Karate, and an American yoga teacher and poet!? I was totally sold before page one.

Which was a good thing, because page one was not the best page in the book. The book opens with Jet, our young ninja protagonist (who doesn't yet know she has been trained all her life by her mother to be a ninja) attends 10 minutes of a friend's party. The interaction between Jet and her friends, and the tokenistic treatment of teenage fashion trends and body image issues, reads like an afterthought. we don't learn much about Jet and we certainly learn nothing about her friends. They never return to the book anyway, which is also slightly unsatisfying. Certainly Joseph Campbell would be rolling over in his grave.

But, fortunately, the party scene is extremely brief, and literally on page two the book takes off into the YA ninja stratosphere and never comes back down.

The authors are at their best in the action scenes, which occupy most of the novel. Their fight descriptions are masterful. At times their technique is reminiscent of the greatest living kung fu novelist, Louis Cha (金庸). Martial arts fight scenes are incredibly difficult to write, and even more difficult to use as character development. The authors manage the fight scenes so well that each one leaves you feeling like you have learned something fascinating about each of the characters involved in the clash. Even the dead ones. The deaths are not that gory, which may leave some overstimulated teenage readers wanting.

This is a ninja story, and I'm not sure how well it would please genre aficionados, not having read any ninja stories before. I can only assume the authors have done their homework, and that the details are authentic to their genre. their technique is certainly convincing for us ninja novices.

I guess my only real complaint is that the bad guys are one dimensional and their dastardly motives turn out to be a real stretch of the reader's willingness to suspend disbelief, but these weaknesses are easily forgiven. Jet's real nemesis, a young ninja mercenary hired by the bad guys, is much less predictable and more interesting than his bosses. His confrontations with Jet are poetry, and make Jet Black and the Ninja Wind well worth a read.

[Jonathan Peto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, despite the fact that most of what I wrote here are laments. Many readers, especially readers who are actually YA age, may not be sensitive to the kinds of things I list, so don’t let me discourage you if it sounds like hot air. If you know only a little about Japan, this book may deepen your interest. It also includes a little ninja philosophy and touches on Navajo culture too. It is fantasy, I guess, since it portrays ninjas unrealistically.

I had problems sometimes with how the story unfolded and how it was told, execution at the sentence level as well as structurally. Most of the story is told from Jet’s point-of-view, but not all of it. When the point-of-view changed, it often added little or actually undermined the suspense. For example, the most noticeable instance was the climatic scene, which began in the villain’s point-of-view. Jet’s confidence as a ninja had grown by then but it was odd not to experience her feelings at that point, more than odd. When the narrative goes into her cousin Hiro’s point-of-view, I didn’t necessarily object, but in the end, it did not add to the overall effect. For example, Jet meets Hiro in his point-of-view. It was interesting to hop out of her head for that, but I was a bit flabbergasted. That kind of thing may be the reason I ended the book feeling I did not know Jet as well as I shoulda coulda.

Reader, beware. There is insta-love. If you don’t just block it out as cartoonish, the insta-love makes it hard to respect Jet at times. The love interest, who she had one great conversation with, is Takumi. You may grow to despise him, like I did, which will make you really wonder about Jet’s need to meet more guys her age since Takumi is violent toward her, no joke.

Another reviewer mentioned that the ending was anti-climatic. Unfortunately, I have to agree. After the climatic scene, it took another 25-30 pages to wrap up.

At times, info-dumps filled the conversation. If you’re interested in various topics, such as Japan, Japanese, ninja, Navajos, it probably won’t bother you. It didn’t usually bother me, though it continued after the climax, which wasn't ideal. At that point, I was not as fascinated with the talking-ons as the characters were...

[Becky B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get through this one. It's only 300 pages, so I should have finished it in 2 days. It's been more than a month since I started it. And that really is too bad because how many other YA books do you know of with half-Japanese, half-American teen protagonists? I had so much hope that Jet would be someone the Asian students at my school could identify with. But to be perfectly honest, I'm shocked by how incredibly bored I've been by a book about ninjas. I'm 2/3 of the way through the book, there's been about 3 fight scenes, some insta-love (and we're talking insta), and a lot of Jet going "but I don't know anything about my family or the treasure" and the men in her family saying, "yes, and we're not ready to tell you anything though it all rests on your shoulders...but let me tell you how to blend in with the rain..." (because that is obviously so much more interesting). So I'm following around a confused teen who has zero fun things in her life and no friends and a dead mom and serious fighting skills and...really I know nothing else about her. Yep, she is so not a barrel of fun. Unfortunately, neither are any of the other cardboard-flat characters either. I tried. I even scanned forward from here to things get any better, but it looked like more of the same. I decided to give up and find something else to read.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I tried hard with it, but couldn't even get through it, so possibly it got better and possibly I'm not the right age range for it. But I read plenty of YA and usually enjoy it.
Even a fantasy has to be plausible, and from the first page there were too many points that seemed dubious. The story was not quite cohesive enough for me. Perhaps it would have been better as a manga, since we expect gaps in that genre. The characters didn't ring clear to me, though I appreciated the setting. A nice try, but it was almost as if parts of the book were written and then pasted together. I do like the idea of the book, but it just wasn't very readable for me.

[Luisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.
This book was recommended to me somewhere, and so I set off with some expectations. Instead, it is completely filled with clichés and it's incredibly weird in the sense that there are SO MANY INCONSISTENCIES. Call me obsessive but if you call a locket GOLD and then 4 pages later it is SILVER, you're not paying attention to your own book. Don't even get me started on 'Jet as two years old. They'd been gypsies for years'. That's just strange. There are a lot of little things like that which bugged the hell out of me, but if the story had been awesome, I'd have looked past them, as I usually do. This wasn't the case.
Quite disappointing! :(

[Angelina Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel had a lot of potential but didn't quite deliver. The character is overly "young" in voice and mentality, given the rigor of her upbringing. There are plot gaps that are never fully explained, or explained with 2 or 3 vague sentences.

The cultural, historical and geographical tidbits make the story richer, and this helped me finish the novel. Jet's nemesis/love interest felt underdeveloped. Given the switching story perspectives, it would have been better to write the story about both characters from beginning to end.

This novel would make a fantastic graphic novel series.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rika Kuroi is seventeen, half-Japanese, and has been living on a Native American reservation in New Mexico playing “games” with her mother rather than making friends and being a normal kid. Unknown to Rika, who goes by the nickname Jet, she’s in ninja training. When her mother dies of cancer, the truth starts to come out. The women in Jet’s family have been protecting a treasure and it’s in danger of being stolen. So Jet has to go to Japan, evade a ninja mercenary sent to kidnap her, and protect the treasure. Going by Jet Black (her nickname and translated last name), Jet leaves the safety of her American home and seeks to discover the truth that’s been hidden from her.

First, the awesome stuff. Female ninja warriors are always awesome. There are also a lot of neat connections and folklore, such as the genetic tie between Jews and Japanese. There are several interesting details about ninja lore and Japanese culture. Using Jet as an outside member of this community made the explanations less intrusive, as she learns alongside the reader. There is a lot of action and high stakes, making this an intense read.

However, this book takes full advantage of happy coincidences and the power of the pen. One, Jet has been playing “games” her entire life with her mother, sacrificing a social life and even academics for the sake of the game, but she doesn’t recognize that she’s in ninja training. Like what she’s been doing is normal? Two, there is an element of magical realism that is cool, but not fully developed. However, it comes into play any time a miracle is in order. For example, Jet can hypnotize people into doing what she wants, but she doesn’t figure this out until it’s life-or-death. She’s also able to sense danger before it strikes and duck just in time. Then there’s the talking to animals thing, which comes in handy when the bad guy has a pet panther. Three, Jet and the love interest put even Romeo and Juliet to shame in their level of insta-love. They share some noodles and stories and the next thing we know, the highly trained, ultra-elite mercenary guy is breaking orders because he loves her so much. I guess she’s just that special.

Another thing that got tiresome was the unnecessary over explaining that interrupted the narrative at times. For example, during the climactic action, the characters take a break to explain the history of the Navajo Code Talkers when a brief explanation of two or three sentences would have satisfied the required background knowledge.

I think this book has many good qualities and will make plenty of readers happy, but if it becomes a series, I won’t be rushing out to buy the next book.

• Mild language, infrequent
• No sexual situations, but there is an uncomfortable conversation in which Jet learns the kanji symbol for female, and there are references to a red light district and adult entertainment
• Violence includes battle violence and deaths
• No drug/alcohol abuse

[Winnie Shiraishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting, fast paced read filled with mythology, history, and international intrigue. Lowitz and Oketani tackle hard questions about materialism, consumption, greed and the environment.

It's a deep read, but I appreciate a YA novel that forces the reader to think. Jet Black's character works not just because its about a young girl discovering her ninja skills; but because she has to confront hard questions about violence and ethics.

The novel weaves in the experiences of indigenous people and marginalized groups without objectifying them. I think the loving portrayal of the Japanese countryside is a nice addition in a genre of books (in English) which tend to focus exclusively on Tokyo.

My only quibble: there is a kind of romance subplot which wasn't quite convincing. It seems like it's the set up for a series, so maybe that will be more fully developed.

Still, I base my ratings on the ability to keep me engaged in the story and entertained-JET BLACK succeeded.

Fans who like fantasy or urban fantasy will find a lot to appreciate in Jet's ninja skills.

(I received this book from the author for an honest review)

[Paper Droids · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I kind of stopped reading all types of YA fiction for a while, mostly because I went to college and everything went downhill from there. So when I was asked to review a book about A GIRL WHO IS A NINJA, I jumped at the opportunity.

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind (forthcoming, from Tuttle Publishing) is a fun, cool book to read — it is based on a great idea and it delivers breathtaking situations and fight scenes that are expected when reading a ninja novel. The book’s concept itself is quite interesting: 17-year-old Jet Black doesn’t know she’s been trained to be a ninja, her mother dies and she is forced to travel to Japan and has to fight, etc. Parts of the narrative seemed to move a little too fast for me—for example, when Jet’s mother passes away, she seems to get over the situation with relative ease, travel to Japan, and begin the action; everything within the first few chapters just happens incredibly quickly, a little too fast for me to fully wrap my head around the entire situation.

Complete review: http://www.paperdroids.com/2013/09/24...

[Bookish Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book because of my interest in Japanese culture. Ninja story? Bring it on! Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is a story about a Jet's survival story as she travelled to her mother's birth country to protect a family treasure. This is also about her story to discover about herself, more specifically, trusting in her ability.

The book is filled with danger as Jet and her cousin travelled from one place to another and I was really engrossed in them. There is definitely character growth for Jet but somehow I didn't feel close to her as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong--I like reading about Jet's and her struggles through dangerous situation to protect what she need to protect. She did get on my nerves in the beginning but she slowly grew on me and I get to understand more from her point of view. Love interest? Not much. Not enough. I need more!

There is a valuable lesson to learn from the book alongside Jet which is why you need to read the book if you are interested. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about Ninja and Japanese culture but I'd hesitate if you are looking for some romance story. It's still a good read.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rika Kuroi is a 16 year old girl living an unconventional life on a Native American reservation - hiding in the forest and learning to fight invisible opponents under the tutelage of her demanding mother. But why? When Rika’s mother dies, Rika is thrown headlong into the mystery of her training, traveling to Japan to meet relatives she has never known in order to protect her family, its history and a secret treasure to which she unknowingly holds the key.

As the story progresses, Rika (known for most of the book as Jet) becomes aware that her mother was preparing her for a battle, arming her with the skills she would need to find and protect her family’s treasure. Jet struggles with the demands this battle presents - at times embracing her skills and at others trying to turn from them. With the help of her new found relatives, Jet comes to terms with her place in the world and her power as a woman (and a ninja). Filled with fast-paced adventure, historical tidbits and smatterings of Japanese language, this story is is perfect for fans of Japan and mysteries, alike.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK.. so imagine this.. you're born into the Western world with an Asian (in this case, Japanese) heritage.. you think you're living a regular life with school and friends accept for the fact that your Mum is forcing some crazy martial arts training on you everyday after school to protect you from enemies.. all the while you think your Mum has lost the plot until one night, a life changing incident occurs to which you discover that growing up, all was not as it seems and you learn all the training was to prep you to become a ninja - a life you never thought to be yours.. you are then forced to learn, accept and understand your family's secretive history and then you are thrown into a quest with limited guidence to save your family's secret and sacred land.. If I could give this book 6 stars, I would!! a unique and fast paced read that integrates contemporary young adult with ninja action and historical reference.. I recommend it to all!!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jet is a wonderful heroine. She manages to be both strong and vulnerable. As the novel progresses, the reader becomes more caught up in her story. The authors weave great storytelling, history, and some very fine writing to create a compelling story.

The multicultural and historic aspects of the book create a sense of global interconnectedness that isn't found many places. The two settings, Japan and New Mexico, are vividly described and make you feel like you are there.The reader learns about Zen Buddhism, the Emishi and Navajo Code Talkers in a way that left me wanting to know more.

At the end of the book, I found myself wanting to know what happens next. This is not only an excellent YA book, but also for adult readers as well.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Not fear, but gratitude. It felt good to re-name fear, to take away its power." Best line!

As one who lived in Japan, I knew much of the history in the book, but I don't think most Westerners would since the authors touch on obscure Japanese history. The author also brings the setting to life with details. I liked best the information on ninjas. There is also a primer of Japanese terms. JET BLACK AND THE NINJA WIND is an ambitious work, much as MOBY DICK is both a novel and an anthology on whaling.

In terms of the ninja action scenes, Lowitz and Oketani's best writing was describing how Jet's body and mind melded as one with nature to perform ninja actions.

I can see why JET BLACK won the APALA award for 2014.

I bought a copy of this book from B&N.

[Reading In Uraniborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won this on a goodreads giveaway*

4 stars

An amazing book, full of action, intrugue and a hint of romance, that keeps you to the edge of your seat.
Jet has been trained all her life to be a ninja but she didn't know it. Her journey of adventure and self discovery starts when she travels to Japan to take her mother's ashes.
She is a very likeable and strong character, I loved her from the beginning but reading through her every adventure made me realised that I loved her more with each page I've read.

The writing was exquisite. Reading all these descriptions was like I was there with Jet and I was able to see it all!

Can't wait to read more of Jet Black and these talented authors!

[Sea Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy that I won this charming book in a Goodreads draw since I probably would not have discovered it on my own. I couldn't put this book down and practically finished it in one sitting. Jet, a teenage ninja finally discovers why her mother has made her train daily for years under rough conditions. However, Jet's quest is still full of mystery and action until the very end. It starts out in New Mexico, USA and ends in a Japanese village. The way that native American and native Japanese cultures were woven into the quest was extremely interesting. Definitely a story that people of ALL ages can be drawn into and thoroughly enjoy. Who knew that a company in Vermont published such fascinating books on Asia...

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is a fascinating and amazing story of heritage, burdens, and brilliant ninja moves! The main character, Jet, is faced with the challenge of protecting the family treasure, like so many women before her. The characters are very developed, and while there is some violence and death, the most gruesome parts are spared for the more queasy teens (like me). The suspense is at times unbearable, in the best way. The romantic relationship between Jet and Takumi is like almost all other relationships; confusing. This book is an amazing read and is a great book for girls because of the strong female protagonist. The combat keeps you on your toes, and the romance makes you want to chant KISS! KISS! KISS! All and all a brilliant book. Great job!!!

[Peter Serafin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific adventure story full of surprises. While there are many anime and manga tales around now
due to the spread of Japanese pop culture worldwide, this kind of adventure story is actually quite unique if you read carefully.

Based on copious research in Japanese history and language, Emishi (the indigenous tribe of Tohoku) regional history, Buddhist history, folk legends
and literature --research done in the original Japanese language--it combines history, religion, folklore and more. It is the author's debut work in young adult
literature, so while it might not be perfect, there is enough rich world-building and characterization and plot twists to rate it very highly.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequels. And some day, the movie version!

[Sindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind was one of my favorite books last year. Jet Black is a female ninja living in New Mexico and trained as a ninja by her mother. After her mother's death Jet Black traveled to Japan to bring her mother's ashes to her homeland. Once there she tries to solve the mystery of an ancient treasure and find a way to secure her tribes lands. Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is beautifully layered story. I would stop frequently to think about what I had read.This was an engaging book.
I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Avery Fischer Udagawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind is great for cross-cultural teens. The plot inter-weaves Japanese, Native American, Christian, Buddhist, and other histories and shows a half-Japanese, half-American teenager coming fully into her own. I will save it for my cross-cultural daughters to read when they are young adults. I prize a passage about how if one inhabits oneself fully enough, one can be at home anywhere.

Would love to see this book become a film.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining, this book was a wonderful mix of modern America and ancient Japan. It dealt with the question of what it would be like to be a modern ninja. Jet was a vulnerable girl who could kick your ass if it came to it. The dualities in this book were fun to see played out: male/female, war/peace, modern/ancient, East/West, Christian/Buddhist. Pick this up if you're looking for a cross-country ninja adventure. Or just something different.

[vvb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an exciting read filled with the right amount of mystery, ninja action, Japanese history and heroine coming-of-age.

Wind as a entity, a kind of character in the story, brought a magical aura to the story that reminded me of the fantasy martial arts fight scenes in the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which is a genre I enjoy.

This story also got me thinking of family, family heritage and family loyalty.