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The Emily Kane Adventures #1
Girl Fights Back
Emily Kane studies martial arts, but she never thought she'd have to use them... until her home is destroyed in a night time attack. Her family goes into hiding and wants her to assume a new identity on the run with them. But she refuses to become a fugitive and “live a lie,” as she puts it. She is determined to keep her name, to salvage the life she knows and above all to stay in school, even if she has to do it all on her own. But this may mean fighting off the people who attacked her home, and who may still be hunting for her. Along the way she learns she is not who she thinks she is, and her family is not who she thinks they are either. Who exactly is Emily Kane? Why is she so good at fighting? To solve the mystery of her identity she turns to her high school classmates. She makes new friends when she had always been a loner. But then she has to protect them from the danger swirling darkly around her. The only solution may be to draw her enemies out into the open and confront them face to face.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 18, 2013
As a martial artist, I was interested in this series after reading the premise. Jacques Antoine failed to deliver, however. Apart from various formatting/editing errors, I was mostly irritated by the lack of emotional depth due to the consistent 'telling' instead of 'showing' and the random 'head-hopping'.
The protagonist is a 17-year old girl who undergoes a dramatic transformation after a series of traumatic incidents. I read about 30% of the book, but the story failed to engage me. The martial arts scenes were well-written but too long. After each traumatic event, we are told how Emily feels, but despite the insistence of the author that Emily understands the devastating effects of what happens to her, they don't affect her.
My suspension of disbelief was finally shattered when Emily changes her appearance by dressing in her step-mother's dresses, cutting her hair and applying make-up when she goes back to school after the most important person in her life dies and her whole identity turns out to be a deliberate lie.
Wait, what? She's 17, her whole world is turned upside down, people get killed and the killers might be after her and she goes back to school? Not just that, but she changes her appearance from unnoticeable to extremely noticeable? And suddenly everybody wants to be her friend? And she laughs and jokes with them less than a day after getting chased by killers and watching her father die?
While we're repeatedly told about the emotional roller coaster the characters seem to experience, they behave and talk as if they have Asperger's Syndrome. Not a single scene shows any emotional affect.
I understand how the author probably created a kick-ass teenage heroine that other teenage girls could empathize with, but in my opinion that would require a heroine who would also feel doubt and fear and anger and sadness. Emily Kane comes across as an autistic martial arts genius.
If that floats your boat, this book might be something you enjoy, if you can also get past the formatting/editing issues and the 'head-hopping', but Emily Kane failed to engage me.
1/5 stars.
The protagonist is a 17-year old girl who undergoes a dramatic transformation after a series of traumatic incidents. I read about 30% of the book, but the story failed to engage me. The martial arts scenes were well-written but too long. After each traumatic event, we are told how Emily feels, but despite the insistence of the author that Emily understands the devastating effects of what happens to her, they don't affect her.
My suspension of disbelief was finally shattered when Emily changes her appearance by dressing in her step-mother's dresses, cutting her hair and applying make-up when she goes back to school after the most important person in her life dies and her whole identity turns out to be a deliberate lie.
Wait, what? She's 17, her whole world is turned upside down, people get killed and the killers might be after her and she goes back to school? Not just that, but she changes her appearance from unnoticeable to extremely noticeable? And suddenly everybody wants to be her friend? And she laughs and jokes with them less than a day after getting chased by killers and watching her father die?
While we're repeatedly told about the emotional roller coaster the characters seem to experience, they behave and talk as if they have Asperger's Syndrome. Not a single scene shows any emotional affect.
I understand how the author probably created a kick-ass teenage heroine that other teenage girls could empathize with, but in my opinion that would require a heroine who would also feel doubt and fear and anger and sadness. Emily Kane comes across as an autistic martial arts genius.
If that floats your boat, this book might be something you enjoy, if you can also get past the formatting/editing issues and the 'head-hopping', but Emily Kane failed to engage me.
1/5 stars.
December 21, 2017
Complete Mary Sue novel.
Theoretically a martial arts thriller, this book is about a high school senior. After a covert agency kills her father, she decides to stay in school. She influences all of her friends in a positive way, and beats up everybody else. She even cures a goth of wearing black.
At least there's some character development.
Theoretically a martial arts thriller, this book is about a high school senior. After a covert agency kills her father, she decides to stay in school. She influences all of her friends in a positive way, and beats up everybody else. She even cures a goth of wearing black.
At least there's some character development.
March 6, 2012
**Disclaimer** ARR review. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This novel is not what I expected. It had a slow start, but once you got past the first few chapters which set up the rest of the book, it went well. I am impressed with the author's attention to detail when talking about the various martial arts that our heroine, Emily Kane has been trained in.
Emily is not your typical high school senior; she is a tomboy, she is a master of Kung Fu, Shotokan and aikido; she also kicks some serious butt!!
Emily's father, George Kane, is a bodyguard/chauffeur. George taught Emily to be able to survive, not only in the mountains and that surround when they live in the Carolina's, but also in life.
As the story progresses Emily has to deal with the information that her father tells her after their narrow escape from a group of commandos; after escaping and losing her father, she is back to school the next week. How many teenagers would have the courage to do that, let alone adults when faced with incredible odds.
Emily grows through the novel, she learns to trust her instincts more and to lean on her friends all while thwarting the attempts on her life and putting a few egomaniacs in their place along the way.
This is just the first novel of a series. I enjoyed reading about Emily and watching her grow as a young lady who finds and makes her own way.
This novel is not what I expected. It had a slow start, but once you got past the first few chapters which set up the rest of the book, it went well. I am impressed with the author's attention to detail when talking about the various martial arts that our heroine, Emily Kane has been trained in.
Emily is not your typical high school senior; she is a tomboy, she is a master of Kung Fu, Shotokan and aikido; she also kicks some serious butt!!
Emily's father, George Kane, is a bodyguard/chauffeur. George taught Emily to be able to survive, not only in the mountains and that surround when they live in the Carolina's, but also in life.
As the story progresses Emily has to deal with the information that her father tells her after their narrow escape from a group of commandos; after escaping and losing her father, she is back to school the next week. How many teenagers would have the courage to do that, let alone adults when faced with incredible odds.
Emily grows through the novel, she learns to trust her instincts more and to lean on her friends all while thwarting the attempts on her life and putting a few egomaniacs in their place along the way.
This is just the first novel of a series. I enjoyed reading about Emily and watching her grow as a young lady who finds and makes her own way.
August 15, 2014
This book starts off a teensy bit on the slow side and has a slightly more omniscient narration style than I'm used to which took me a couple of chapters to get used to, but once I was used to it found myself really enjoying.
Emily was brilliant. I'm not sure there's any other way to describe her. I adored her completely. She has a tough time of things but she just handles it all brilliantly and is so relaxed.
The story was pretty good too. For a martial arts book it never felt like that was the entire focus which kept it from getting dry, although it does play a major part of the storyline it is just one element in a very well written action plot.
It reminded me a little of the older karate kid films, but more modern and with a female lead. Really glad I picked this book up.
Emily was brilliant. I'm not sure there's any other way to describe her. I adored her completely. She has a tough time of things but she just handles it all brilliantly and is so relaxed.
The story was pretty good too. For a martial arts book it never felt like that was the entire focus which kept it from getting dry, although it does play a major part of the storyline it is just one element in a very well written action plot.
It reminded me a little of the older karate kid films, but more modern and with a female lead. Really glad I picked this book up.
September 23, 2013
This book was awesome! You can bet I'll be reading more in this series soon.
Seriously, this was better than all the Karate Kid movies and all the best movie fight scenes combined. Jean Claud Van Dam, best surrender now, it will hurt less. Steven Segal, might be a close match to her, but he's still a man that she would mop the floor with.
Uma Thurman in Kill Bill would look her in the eyes, plant palm in first and bow deeply, then smile and give Emily a hug.
Seriously, this was better than all the Karate Kid movies and all the best movie fight scenes combined. Jean Claud Van Dam, best surrender now, it will hurt less. Steven Segal, might be a close match to her, but he's still a man that she would mop the floor with.
Uma Thurman in Kill Bill would look her in the eyes, plant palm in first and bow deeply, then smile and give Emily a hug.
September 6, 2018
Martial arts buff Emily never expected having to use her skills in real life until her home is attacked by some kind of shady black ops team, killing her father and sending her mother into hiding. Emily however refuses to run, instead electing to stay, finish high school and put up one hell of a fight when someone comes after her.
Part high school shenanigans, part half-baked thriller. This might have been marginally more interesting if Emily weren't such a complete Mary Sue. Yes, we get it, she's super awesome and oh-so-perfect, so beautiful and smart and mature and resourceful and great at everything and wins every single fucking fight, including against professional soldiers, without ever getting so much as a scratch on her. How unbelievably tedious. Any sense of suspense just fizzled out after a while and by the time I was two thirds through, I was so thoroughly bored with perfect Emily and all her supposed awesomeness, I just wanted to get it over with.
Part high school shenanigans, part half-baked thriller. This might have been marginally more interesting if Emily weren't such a complete Mary Sue. Yes, we get it, she's super awesome and oh-so-perfect, so beautiful and smart and mature and resourceful and great at everything and wins every single fucking fight, including against professional soldiers, without ever getting so much as a scratch on her. How unbelievably tedious. Any sense of suspense just fizzled out after a while and by the time I was two thirds through, I was so thoroughly bored with perfect Emily and all her supposed awesomeness, I just wanted to get it over with.
May 3, 2015
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to read Go No Sen as well as its sequel, Sen No Sen (now titled Girl Fights Back and Girl Punches Out). Go No Sen starts with the idyllic home life of martial arts protégée Emily Kane. She may be the chauffeur's daughter, but she is as much a part of the family as anyone else. She loves her father and sensei and they love her. Training is a game, a comfortable way of live, and something she is very very good at. Unfortunately, just as she is starting to emerge from her familial alcove and venture into society (going on her first date, making friends for the first time) her tranquillity is shattered. I don't want to give anything else away, but suffice it to say she put all of the that training to good use.
Go No Sen will appeal to anyone with an interest in martial arts or eastern meditative practices. There is a lot of fighting action, but it is interspersed with quite a bit of careful technical detail and martial theory - just as the title Go No Sen would suggest. Emily is ultimately a good girl who tried to always do the right thing and I appreciated this about her. She did seem just a little too perfect though. She is pretty, becoming popular, polite, parents like her, boys think she is cool, and she is the BEST fighter anyone has ever seen. If she lost a fight or had a few character flaws she would have been more believable. Though, the plot does hint that there might be a reason for her superiority. It is, in fact, the central premise of the novel.
All-in-all Go No Sen is well worth picking up, especially if you like martial arts or strong female protagonists.
Go No Sen will appeal to anyone with an interest in martial arts or eastern meditative practices. There is a lot of fighting action, but it is interspersed with quite a bit of careful technical detail and martial theory - just as the title Go No Sen would suggest. Emily is ultimately a good girl who tried to always do the right thing and I appreciated this about her. She did seem just a little too perfect though. She is pretty, becoming popular, polite, parents like her, boys think she is cool, and she is the BEST fighter anyone has ever seen. If she lost a fight or had a few character flaws she would have been more believable. Though, the plot does hint that there might be a reason for her superiority. It is, in fact, the central premise of the novel.
All-in-all Go No Sen is well worth picking up, especially if you like martial arts or strong female protagonists.
July 20, 2018
I got 38% through this book and decided to DNF it. This is my first DNF is a while, and I think reading this book has given me a while new appreciation on just not finishing books that do not need to be finished.
I knew that I was getting into a questionable read when I picked up this book. The reviews were very mixed, but I was interested in a book with a female martial artist. To be honest I was surprised that the word creation was as good as it was. I would be willing to pick up a different series by Antoine at some point in the future.
The reason that I stopped reading the book was of the plot. It started out fine. Then a scene that was never introduced before was mentioned. Then there was a flashback to the never mentioned scene. This is a scene that ended up driving most of the plot and it was just now being mentioned and it was introduced like an afterthought.
Then there is the question of a relationship. The characters go back and forth about if this relationship can be true or not. They all decide that it could not be. Then when you find out there is no reason given how it could be that way and all these reasons were given why it couldn't. Then a major event happens and the character has zero emotion. To top it off she goes and makes the stupidest, not in character decision ever. Even the character questions her decision. There is zero reason that this decision should have been made - even for plot development.
Confusing right?
This is when I stopped reading. I decided that if the time could not be taken to go back and flush all this out then why I am I spending my time to read it.
I knew that I was getting into a questionable read when I picked up this book. The reviews were very mixed, but I was interested in a book with a female martial artist. To be honest I was surprised that the word creation was as good as it was. I would be willing to pick up a different series by Antoine at some point in the future.
The reason that I stopped reading the book was of the plot. It started out fine. Then a scene that was never introduced before was mentioned. Then there was a flashback to the never mentioned scene. This is a scene that ended up driving most of the plot and it was just now being mentioned and it was introduced like an afterthought.
Then there is the question of a relationship. The characters go back and forth about if this relationship can be true or not. They all decide that it could not be. Then when you find out there is no reason given how it could be that way and all these reasons were given why it couldn't. Then a major event happens and the character has zero emotion. To top it off she goes and makes the stupidest, not in character decision ever. Even the character questions her decision. There is zero reason that this decision should have been made - even for plot development.
Confusing right?
This is when I stopped reading. I decided that if the time could not be taken to go back and flush all this out then why I am I spending my time to read it.
June 3, 2014
Emily is 1/2 Asian and lives with her Caucasian father. He is a driver/bodyguard for Michael. Her dad has had her taking marshal arts since she was very young. She is currently in high school. On weekends that her father is not working they go out into the forest and he teaches her survival skills. She is very good at fighting and disappearing. While waiting in the forest for her dad to get home and join her on a camp out, she climbs a hill and observes the mansion her dad's employer lives in, she sees troops. She sees her dad fighting and leading them into the mansion. She knows that the mansion has tunnels. She runs to go and help him. He dies protecting her. She kills several herself. Protocols were set up for what she was supposed to do. She is supposed to join Michael at a safe house. But she has her own agenda. She wants the bad guys to leave her alone. She travels and does some investigating, coming and leaving countries with different ID's. But she wants to finish her senior year at her high school. Can she survive in plain sight? Can she some how convince her enemies to leave her alone, that she is not the result of an experiment to make the perfect soldier. She is simply a gifted fighter. Though her father is dead, she connects with her mother she thought dead. And she has a tight circle of friends and her sensei to help her and support her in her quest for freedom.
Lots of twists and turns, and of course fighting! What a great heroine!
Lots of twists and turns, and of course fighting! What a great heroine!
March 30, 2012
This book was amazing! I am almost at a loss for words to describe the effect it had on me. The author did such a fabulous job bringing you into the character of Emily Kane. You really feel everything she is trying to work through. The feelings of confusion, loss, and not belonging are so real, that it is impossible not to sympathize with this character.
The first few pages I got a little stuck on all the martial arts stuff, but Jacques Antoine did a wonderful job explaining the different terms and moves. I have never had an interest in martial arts, but found myself thinking about a lot of the things in the book while I was doing other things.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action or young adult fiction. I will be reading as many of the Emily Kane Stories as become available. Fantastic job!
The first few pages I got a little stuck on all the martial arts stuff, but Jacques Antoine did a wonderful job explaining the different terms and moves. I have never had an interest in martial arts, but found myself thinking about a lot of the things in the book while I was doing other things.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action or young adult fiction. I will be reading as many of the Emily Kane Stories as become available. Fantastic job!
January 2, 2014
Emily is a very good at martial arts. Very good! Maybe superhuman good.
Her dad, a driver teaches her the art of urban warfare disguised as fun family time in the wild!
It takes a death to make Emily grow as a character. And what a character. Strong, young, composed and sexy at the same time Emily sets out to finish high school while fighting off hired gunmen, running from one-- maybe two government organizations and juggling all this while building new bonds with family, friends and -/ indeed a killer!
Usually when authors write a story with a strong female character they tend to write a fainting bitchy spoiled brat. That is not true here. Possibly the first ever YA novel I have ever read with a truly strong female protagonist. Braco
WaAr
Her dad, a driver teaches her the art of urban warfare disguised as fun family time in the wild!
It takes a death to make Emily grow as a character. And what a character. Strong, young, composed and sexy at the same time Emily sets out to finish high school while fighting off hired gunmen, running from one-- maybe two government organizations and juggling all this while building new bonds with family, friends and -/ indeed a killer!
Usually when authors write a story with a strong female character they tend to write a fainting bitchy spoiled brat. That is not true here. Possibly the first ever YA novel I have ever read with a truly strong female protagonist. Braco
WaAr
September 3, 2014
I found that this book had a very different plot from other books that I have read. I thought that it was interesting and was glad that the protagonist was trained for a long time instead of just having the ability to fight really well. I loved that she was super serene and calm and not dramatic like normal teenagers(which made her a lot cooler). I wished that this book was longer, but fortunately it's a whole series. This was a great story that I am sure I will read again in the future.
June 5, 2016
I have no idea how this book ended up on my Kindle, but I'm glad it did.
This is a fun YA thriller, where a young woman (17/18) has led a very sheltered life - for a very good reason. They are all out to get her! She's not exactly John Rain, but her parents have raised her to be smart, self-sufficient, and skilled in the martial arts.
I will read the next one in hopes that the stories grow with this warrior woman.
This is a fun YA thriller, where a young woman (17/18) has led a very sheltered life - for a very good reason. They are all out to get her! She's not exactly John Rain, but her parents have raised her to be smart, self-sufficient, and skilled in the martial arts.
I will read the next one in hopes that the stories grow with this warrior woman.
December 19, 2014
I really loved this book, the martial arts was really interesting and I can't wait to read the next one :)
At first it was sort of difficult to keep reading but once I got into it I was hooked and couldn't put the book down!
At first it was sort of difficult to keep reading but once I got into it I was hooked and couldn't put the book down!
March 18, 2012
This book wasn't for me at all, which i am sorry about...
I couldn't even get into it to make a proper review. :(
I know I'm no help at all.
I couldn't even get into it to make a proper review. :(
I know I'm no help at all.
March 10, 2012
This book started a little slow for me, but grew into a pretty good story. Think it would be a great book for the younger crowd, with some good lessons in it.
May 30, 2022
So. I just reread this book, having read it a few years ago, because I kept thinking about it. I really like this and Antoine's subsequent books in the series, I rarely reread books.
This is one of those "yeah it's bad, but" books. Let me explain.
I have trained in karate for decades, and also have formal training in copy editing. That somewhat laughable combination applies well here.
This is a story about a young woman in her last year of high school, who has a hidden background and has been trained in martial arts and survival for her entire life, to the point where her confidence and abilities are almost mystical. Some scary people are out to get her because of her past, of which she is ignorant but is slowly revealed as the story progresses.
The critiques of the quality of the editing are true. This first book was tough to get through... it is clearly self-published and lacks any serious editing. Someone like me has to carefully suspend that part of their brain to enjoy it. The clearest need is for a good developmental edit - there are times when the plot gets tangled and confusing, mostly because the author jumps POV within a scene, and between scenes. And at times the characters do seem flat, and the story does not flow.
That said, there are pleasurable passages and turns of phrases, and the pace of action is solid. To the author's credit, improvement in his writing can be seen as the series progresses. This is a very fun read, even as the protagonist is supernaturally good at what she does, it is suspenseful.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the plot... which is one of the two elements that turn this into a four star instead of one or two stars. The story for me was really compelling. It is fantasy, and the premise is unrealistic, but Antoine stages it well and it is really fun to read.
The other strong part for me is the martial arts ethos. Not the martial arts techniques... although the writing about the techniques and fighting is strong and easy to imagine if you have training. Most everything depicted is possible and I have seen it myself. (Though not all in one person, and though Emily is supernaturally good at it.)
I think I am responding to the warrior ethos captured by the author in this YA series. The responsibilities of a fighter, the acceptance of death, the commitment to your morals. The focus is on the initiative in a fight. Finding a way to avoid a fight, finding ways to subvert an enemy. She really is a superhero, later in the series you see her slow transformation, but in this first book she starts as a kid who is steeped in a moral grounding, and the rest radiates from that.
I suppose this is what I came back to reread.
This is one of those "yeah it's bad, but" books. Let me explain.
I have trained in karate for decades, and also have formal training in copy editing. That somewhat laughable combination applies well here.
This is a story about a young woman in her last year of high school, who has a hidden background and has been trained in martial arts and survival for her entire life, to the point where her confidence and abilities are almost mystical. Some scary people are out to get her because of her past, of which she is ignorant but is slowly revealed as the story progresses.
The critiques of the quality of the editing are true. This first book was tough to get through... it is clearly self-published and lacks any serious editing. Someone like me has to carefully suspend that part of their brain to enjoy it. The clearest need is for a good developmental edit - there are times when the plot gets tangled and confusing, mostly because the author jumps POV within a scene, and between scenes. And at times the characters do seem flat, and the story does not flow.
That said, there are pleasurable passages and turns of phrases, and the pace of action is solid. To the author's credit, improvement in his writing can be seen as the series progresses. This is a very fun read, even as the protagonist is supernaturally good at what she does, it is suspenseful.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the plot... which is one of the two elements that turn this into a four star instead of one or two stars. The story for me was really compelling. It is fantasy, and the premise is unrealistic, but Antoine stages it well and it is really fun to read.
The other strong part for me is the martial arts ethos. Not the martial arts techniques... although the writing about the techniques and fighting is strong and easy to imagine if you have training. Most everything depicted is possible and I have seen it myself. (Though not all in one person, and though Emily is supernaturally good at it.)
I think I am responding to the warrior ethos captured by the author in this YA series. The responsibilities of a fighter, the acceptance of death, the commitment to your morals. The focus is on the initiative in a fight. Finding a way to avoid a fight, finding ways to subvert an enemy. She really is a superhero, later in the series you see her slow transformation, but in this first book she starts as a kid who is steeped in a moral grounding, and the rest radiates from that.
I suppose this is what I came back to reread.
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May 27, 2020Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/girl-fights...
I’ve come to the conclusion I prefer bad films to bad books. A bad film can be appreciated and offer entertainment in unexpected ways. I’ve rarely found that to be the case with literature, which just… lies there, dully. If a movie sucks, then you can at least allow it to drift into the background, while you check your phone, play with the cat, or do household chores. A bad book, on the other hand, requires every bit as much effort as a good one: the return on that investment is just a great deal less.
Not that Girl Fights Back is truly bad. There are few books that are the publishing equivalent, say, of Plan 9 From Outer Space. But it is strikingly mediocre, with a heroine whose name might as well be “Mary Sue” rather than “Emily Kane”, since she’s so idealized. I mean, five minutes in the company of this teenage girl, and a hardened professional espionage agent melts like butter: “He must have glimpsed in her eyes just then the immense wellspring of compassion and forgiveness that made its home there, and sighed as his shoulders visibly sagged, perhaps under the weight of the knowledge that she could indeed forgive him.” Damn. That’s a sentence and a half. He’s not the only one: Everybody Loves Emily, it appears, whether it’s her school-friends or lethal ex-CIA operatives.
I’ve come to the conclusion I prefer bad films to bad books. A bad film can be appreciated and offer entertainment in unexpected ways. I’ve rarely found that to be the case with literature, which just… lies there, dully. If a movie sucks, then you can at least allow it to drift into the background, while you check your phone, play with the cat, or do household chores. A bad book, on the other hand, requires every bit as much effort as a good one: the return on that investment is just a great deal less.
Not that Girl Fights Back is truly bad. There are few books that are the publishing equivalent, say, of Plan 9 From Outer Space. But it is strikingly mediocre, with a heroine whose name might as well be “Mary Sue” rather than “Emily Kane”, since she’s so idealized. I mean, five minutes in the company of this teenage girl, and a hardened professional espionage agent melts like butter: “He must have glimpsed in her eyes just then the immense wellspring of compassion and forgiveness that made its home there, and sighed as his shoulders visibly sagged, perhaps under the weight of the knowledge that she could indeed forgive him.” Damn. That’s a sentence and a half. He’s not the only one: Everybody Loves Emily, it appears, whether it’s her school-friends or lethal ex-CIA operatives.
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May 2, 2021Wow I have to say that this book caught me off guard. I expected a typical coming of age book. Possibility of some good action scenes, basically a typical young adult read. I guess I wasn’t really expecting much.
I picked up the book from an email free book deal. Had it in my kindle a bit and was looking for a quick non-committal story at lunch one day.
What I got was a GREAT book. You start out thinking this is gonna be some martial art/ secret military experiment gone bad kinda book. What you actually get is a coming of age strong, compassionate heroine that is learning not only her past but who she is becoming and taking control of the future. The fight scenes are phenomenal and do not just focus on the fight but the “Sen” it takes to make a good fight. It has a continuous message of do not fight just to fight.
Em starts out as a loner and soon finds strength in what she realizes are her friends. She deeply believes everyone deserves a chance. Even when bigger badder opponents lose to her they still walk away with a winning feel due to her compassion and willingness to teach them what went wrong.
This is a badass female character that I think every coming of age girl should read. I honestly can't wait to purchase the next in the series and learn everything Emily will become as she continues to grow.
10 stars if I could!
I picked up the book from an email free book deal. Had it in my kindle a bit and was looking for a quick non-committal story at lunch one day.
What I got was a GREAT book. You start out thinking this is gonna be some martial art/ secret military experiment gone bad kinda book. What you actually get is a coming of age strong, compassionate heroine that is learning not only her past but who she is becoming and taking control of the future. The fight scenes are phenomenal and do not just focus on the fight but the “Sen” it takes to make a good fight. It has a continuous message of do not fight just to fight.
Em starts out as a loner and soon finds strength in what she realizes are her friends. She deeply believes everyone deserves a chance. Even when bigger badder opponents lose to her they still walk away with a winning feel due to her compassion and willingness to teach them what went wrong.
This is a badass female character that I think every coming of age girl should read. I honestly can't wait to purchase the next in the series and learn everything Emily will become as she continues to grow.
10 stars if I could!
February 1, 2018
The book started slow and the narrative was unfocused but got better after the first half but fell apart in the end. The book is oddly disjointed. The author narrates too much of each character’s feelings but he does not root those emotional responses to anything logical or substantive.
If he’s trying to make Emily somehow mystical and therefore making those who encounters her gravitate towards her then he’s failing badly. She’s a cypher that does nothing to engender the reactions she’s getting. She’s more of a catalyst for change in others without actually doing anything herself other than beating them to pulp and staring at them. The author seems to draw much of Emily’s mystique from the stereotypical western image of the mystical people of the orient.
The development of her skills outside of martial arts and survival skills is never explained. It seems the author want us to believe they come to her innately or her adversaries are woefully unskilled at rudimentary tradecraft.
The parts I do enjoy is her struggle coming to terms with herself even though her putting an inordinate amount of emphasis on her clothes changing her perception of herself is shallow and poorly conceived.
There is potential here and I hope the other books realizes it.
If he’s trying to make Emily somehow mystical and therefore making those who encounters her gravitate towards her then he’s failing badly. She’s a cypher that does nothing to engender the reactions she’s getting. She’s more of a catalyst for change in others without actually doing anything herself other than beating them to pulp and staring at them. The author seems to draw much of Emily’s mystique from the stereotypical western image of the mystical people of the orient.
The development of her skills outside of martial arts and survival skills is never explained. It seems the author want us to believe they come to her innately or her adversaries are woefully unskilled at rudimentary tradecraft.
The parts I do enjoy is her struggle coming to terms with herself even though her putting an inordinate amount of emphasis on her clothes changing her perception of herself is shallow and poorly conceived.
There is potential here and I hope the other books realizes it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
Emily Kane studies martial arts, but she never thought she'd have to use them... until her home is destroyed in a night time attack. Her family goes into hiding and wants her to assume a new identity on the run with them. But she refuses to become a fugitive and “live a lie,” as she puts it. She is determined to keep her name, to salvage the life she knows and above all to stay in school, even if she has to do it all on her own. But this may mean fighting off the people who attacked her home, and who may still be hunting for her. Along the way she learns she is not who she thinks she is, and her family is not who she thinks they are either. Who exactly is Emily Kane? Why is she so good at fighting? To solve the mystery of her identity she turns to her high school classmates. She makes new friends when she had always been a loner. But then she has to protect them from the danger swirling darkly around her. The only solution may be to draw her enemies out into the open and confront them face to face.
Emily is unsure of her past only what she is becoming, she is strong but a loner, she feels only at home in the dojo.
Emily is unsure of her past only what she is becoming, she is strong but a loner, she feels only at home in the dojo.
January 13, 2026
DNF. I quit after her dad died and her world gets flipped on it's head, but for some reason she goes to school in nice clothes and enjoys the attention of guys. Like what? Wouldn't the people maybe searching for her look for her at her school? Shouldn't she, I don't know, feel something still about the things that happened? Her dad just died...?
Also, it's so obvious a guy wrote this. Emily steals some *underwear* from the lady of the estate to wear, and it's not like she needed them. Also apparently"normal" bras felt way better than sports bras... Personally, after switching to sports bras a few years ago I can't imagine going back to normal bras with the underwire and crap, also she had just taken someone's bras to wear, she wasn't even fitted for them.
This had potential but it became such a slog with so many illogical things happening I gave it up when I couldn't bear to finish the page I was on, at about 38% of the way through.
Also, it's so obvious a guy wrote this. Emily steals some *underwear* from the lady of the estate to wear, and it's not like she needed them. Also apparently"normal" bras felt way better than sports bras... Personally, after switching to sports bras a few years ago I can't imagine going back to normal bras with the underwire and crap, also she had just taken someone's bras to wear, she wasn't even fitted for them.
This had potential but it became such a slog with so many illogical things happening I gave it up when I couldn't bear to finish the page I was on, at about 38% of the way through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2018
Em is a typical teen with an attitude until the day she hears her dad, a chauffeur for a man who works for the government; talking to Yuki, the housekeeper/cook. She runs into the woods to get away and comes back to see the house that she's lived in most of her life in flames. There's also people shooting at her father. They are after Yuki who is really a scientist/geneticist.
After the first round of action is over suddenly Em goes from a teen with 'tude to a mature, non-whiny, teen. While I've been tired of the teen books I've read lately because of the same kind of drama I almost missed the teen behavior. And it wasn't just Em, it was all the teens in the story, they were just a bit too good.
After the first round of action is over suddenly Em goes from a teen with 'tude to a mature, non-whiny, teen. While I've been tired of the teen books I've read lately because of the same kind of drama I almost missed the teen behavior. And it wasn't just Em, it was all the teens in the story, they were just a bit too good.
October 29, 2019
DNF 26%
This could have been good, the synopsis intrested me and if done well could have been great. To be blunt it's badly written; at more than one point I was thinking I'd accidentally skipped a few pages, only for the missing bit of story to turn up a chapter or two later. There is nothing wrong with a book jumping forward and backwards through it's timeline when it's done properly, this book is a perfect example of how not to do it. The story does not flow well at all and it's written like its purposely trying to make it hard to follow what the hell is going on.
I got to 26% and thought I'd read a few reviews to see if it got any better. Apparently not, if anything the story makes less sense from that point onwards; therefore I'm not going to waste my time on it.
This could have been good, the synopsis intrested me and if done well could have been great. To be blunt it's badly written; at more than one point I was thinking I'd accidentally skipped a few pages, only for the missing bit of story to turn up a chapter or two later. There is nothing wrong with a book jumping forward and backwards through it's timeline when it's done properly, this book is a perfect example of how not to do it. The story does not flow well at all and it's written like its purposely trying to make it hard to follow what the hell is going on.
I got to 26% and thought I'd read a few reviews to see if it got any better. Apparently not, if anything the story makes less sense from that point onwards; therefore I'm not going to waste my time on it.
March 26, 2017
Martial Arts Heroine
I intended to simply encourage my eleven year old daughter to read this. Now I've read it myself. It's exciting and thoughtful in the right proportions. There are spies, secret super warrior programs, martial arts attack teams, secret identities, and a college visit complete with assassination squad. The reader identifies with Emily Kane in her losses and is excited by her successes. The novel also includes some insightful observations about the behavior of others without dampening the excitement. It's a good series start. We'll definitely continue following!
I intended to simply encourage my eleven year old daughter to read this. Now I've read it myself. It's exciting and thoughtful in the right proportions. There are spies, secret super warrior programs, martial arts attack teams, secret identities, and a college visit complete with assassination squad. The reader identifies with Emily Kane in her losses and is excited by her successes. The novel also includes some insightful observations about the behavior of others without dampening the excitement. It's a good series start. We'll definitely continue following!
April 26, 2022
goor
about her. He blanched a bit, and she forced a shaky smile. In the driveway, his face looked like an unasked question. Was he still thinking about the sparring? He said goodnight and closed the passenger door. Later, lying in her bed, she could hardly help musing on the irony of the day. Boys like Marty playing teen-age intimidation games in her dojo, while she needed to guard against truly terrifying dangers. Still, she desperately wanted to fit herself into the fabric of high school social life. At moments like this, it could seem like an open question: which was more important to her, survival or friendship. Read the rest of Girl Punches Out today!
about her. He blanched a bit, and she forced a shaky smile. In the driveway, his face looked like an unasked question. Was he still thinking about the sparring? He said goodnight and closed the passenger door. Later, lying in her bed, she could hardly help musing on the irony of the day. Boys like Marty playing teen-age intimidation games in her dojo, while she needed to guard against truly terrifying dangers. Still, she desperately wanted to fit herself into the fabric of high school social life. At moments like this, it could seem like an open question: which was more important to her, survival or friendship. Read the rest of Girl Punches Out today!
August 22, 2024
I have read a few books now about Emily now and in general they are interesting.
But Emily is a 18 Yr old know it all, and all her friends and family is just there to help her.
I can't remember ever read a situation, where she didn't get her will and on one put their foot down and said. F... no, Emily we are not doing that.
They act like robots doing what ever she decide.
Maybe things will change later...
Oh spoiler. In book t she start dating Danny even after she she clearly tell us, she doesn't love him... maybe it comes later, but what a "nice" way to break a boys heart.
I was actually starting to hope she would start date Mel in book two (bit finished with book three yet), because she seem much more human and interested in Emily that Danny. That relationship just popped up, because of prom, I bet...
But the books are interesting enough to keep reading, if you like those kind of books. Even though I'm not really sure the author have ever trained martial art og seen a tournament outside the movies...
But Emily is a 18 Yr old know it all, and all her friends and family is just there to help her.
I can't remember ever read a situation, where she didn't get her will and on one put their foot down and said. F... no, Emily we are not doing that.
They act like robots doing what ever she decide.
Maybe things will change later...
Oh spoiler. In book t she start dating Danny even after she she clearly tell us, she doesn't love him... maybe it comes later, but what a "nice" way to break a boys heart.
I was actually starting to hope she would start date Mel in book two (bit finished with book three yet), because she seem much more human and interested in Emily that Danny. That relationship just popped up, because of prom, I bet...
But the books are interesting enough to keep reading, if you like those kind of books. Even though I'm not really sure the author have ever trained martial art og seen a tournament outside the movies...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2018
It's rare to read a book about martial arts that seems both entertaining and authentic. Jacques Antoine does NOT write cookie-cutter fiction. Emily is an amazing main character. She has a mix of all-too-human qualities as well as a wealth of in-borne talents. However high the odds against her, she never appears like a comic-book superhero. The martial arts scenes are plausible and exciting.
__"Girl Fights Back" is the first book in a series, and I recommend all of them.
__"Girl Fights Back" is the first book in a series, and I recommend all of them.
April 2, 2018
I enjoyed this book, it took me a little while to get involved in it but once I did I read until I finished it!
The author really seems to know his martial arts, and his central character is engaging, her growth through challenging situations was satisfying, and while the storyline was not realistic.. neither is James Bond! It is a book I presume is aimed at a young adult audience, but as an older adult I still found it appealing, and will probably read more in the series.
The author really seems to know his martial arts, and his central character is engaging, her growth through challenging situations was satisfying, and while the storyline was not realistic.. neither is James Bond! It is a book I presume is aimed at a young adult audience, but as an older adult I still found it appealing, and will probably read more in the series.
October 17, 2019
I found Girl Fights Back while it was featured on sale. Loved the writing, loved the character (Emily), and loved the plot. The story development took a lot of leaps away from reality, but the relationships between characters and the intensity of the storyline makes it easy to just go with the flow. This is a series I'd love to follow to the end, unfortunately, the books are priced above my budget so I need to stop here. Highly recommend the book for an action-packed read.
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