Warlords of Gaikon

Richard Blade #18

by Jeffrey Lord

Ritual Death

Blade arrives in the Empire of Gaikon--a feudal society--a land much like Japan ruled by the Tokugawa Shoguns. In search of clothing, he appropriates a dark-blue robe not knowing that blue is a color reserved for the ruling class. He is rewarded by a fight to the death. He wins. Having proven himself to be worthy of the dabuno, or warrior class, he becomes an ally of an important and wealthy lord.

The Hongshu, who rules in the name of the Emperor, engages Blade's lord in a human chess game with the "pieces" fighting to the death. Blade is victorious, but he seeks further vengeance after the death of his lord. Blade's final strategy is successful and by law and custom he is given the supreme honor for his valor--permission to commit ceremonial suicide!

Genres: Fantasy, Pulp, Adventure

185 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1976

About the author

A house pseudonym used by multiple authors including:
Manning Lee Stokes
Roland Green
Lyle Kenyon Engel
Ray Faraday Nelson
Richard D. Nolane
Christian Mantey
Arnaud Dalrune
Yves Chéraqui
Gerald Moreau
Paul Couturiau
Amelina Defontaine
Didier Le Gais
Yves Bulteau
Raymond Audemard
Nadine Monfils
Patrick Eris
Nemo Sandman

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blade is thrust into a medieval Japanese society. Arriving naked, and wandering into a nearby temple Blade has to fight numerous guards to escape. Hunted for his sacrilege, Blade's fighting prowess is the only thing that prevents his immediate punishment. Along the way Blade's psyche becomes immersed into this world's ideas of honor; which may spell his doom.

I've always found it hard to accept the tenants of Seppuku. Suicide is abhorrent to me and completely unthinkable. I personally couldn't perform the act. I am thankful I don't have to live with something like that hanging over my head. Whew!

Blade does what he does. Makes friends and enemies, and is always a hit with the ladies.

This one was better than most.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit better than the average for this series, although I like most of the books. This one is clearly set in an alternate Feudal Japan. The setting didn't have a lot of new material to interest me but the story had quite a bit of action and good secondary characters. I liked it quite a lot.

[Paschalis]

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[Markus Heikkilä · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pulp fantasy. Probably would have loved it as a kid, lots of similarities to Conan etc. that I read back then.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Blade travels to new worlds and never fails to find danger and love. Good quick men's adventure read. Recommended