The Return of the Warrior

Young Samurai #9

by Chris Bradford

A new instalment and standalone adventure charting series protagonist Jack Fletcher's return to pre-civil war England.

His quest: to find his missing sister, with the help of some familiar faces...

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Childrens, Japan

368 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2019

About the author

Chris Bradford is the bestselling author of the Young Samurai, Bodyguard and Soul Series.

Chris is renowned for his inspiring author events and ‘method writing’ style. For his award-winning Young Samurai series, he trained in samurai swordmanship, karate, ninjutsu and earned his black belt in Zen Kyu Shin Taijutsu.

For his BODYGUARD series, Chris embarked on an intensive close protection course to become a qualified professional bodyguard.

And for the Soul Prophecy trilogy, Chris travelled extensively to experience first-hand the cultures featured in the story – from living with the Shona people in Zimbabwe, to trekking the Inca trail, to meditating in a Buddhist temple amid the mountains of Japan.

His books have been published in more than 25 languages and been nominated for 30+ book awards, winning among others the Northern Ireland Book Award 2011, the Hampshire Book Award 2014 and the Brilliant Book Award 2014. Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior was deemed one of Puffin’s 70 Best Ever Books, alongside Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

To discover more about Chris or book an author visit: www.chrisbradford.co.uk

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book and an awesome ending to the Young Samurai series. My son actually introduced me to this series, and we both love. We have been waiting for this book for over two years. In the acknowledgements page, Chris Bradford said he went through a bit of a dark time whilst writing this book. I am glad he came through it, like the warrior he is, more for himself and his family, but the selfish part of me is also glad he finished this book.

I did find the book a bit slow, then a rollercoaster of misfortune, and then the book really turned around for me. For some reason, when I finished the last book, I did think things would be smooth sailing for young Jack Fletcher. That was not the case, and it should not have been.

If I had one complaint about this book it is the after seven years of intense martial arts training, not to mention the literal wars he had been through, I did think he should have been able to give a better accounting of himself. However, the more I progressed in the book and thought about it, this was the way it should have been as Jake is dealing with unfamiliar styles and has become a foreigner in his own land.

The second half of the book, the mixing of East and West, and adaptation was to key to success for Jack and the book as a whole. There is literally no time to catch my breath in this book it is continuously from frying pan to fire and back then repeated.

This book would be great as a standalone, but it is an incredible ending that is definitely worth of this incredible series. Not only is the action and martial arts great, but the writing getting both Japanese and 1600 English culture spot on is one of the things that has made this book so special for me. I can say enough things in praise of this book. Well worth the wait.

[Mark Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I breezed through this quick. As for the whole series, I got them as a present for my nephew and I read them to make sure they were appropriate for him. Overall, engaging, well written and defiantly a great series for the age range it is aimed at. Well paced and full of action, lovable characters and some interesting points about Japanese culture. This was a brilliant end to the series and brings the story full circle.

[Merinereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein perfekter Abschluss für die Reihe, in der am Ende alles so gekommen ist wie ich es mir erhofft hatte!
Denn natürlich haben Jack,Akiko und Yori auch in England kein Glück und schlittern von einem Abenteuer ins nächste... und natürlich schaffen sie es entgegen aller Widerstände und dank neuer Freunde ans Ziel.
Es schmerzt mich, nach 9 Bänden nun endgültig Abschied von den Charakteren nehmen zu müssen, bin aber auch froh dass endlich alle ihr Zuhause gefunden haben.
Die Reihe war einfach so gut, witzig, spannend, actionreich und voller wichtiger Werte wie Freundschaft und Vergebung.
Was ich auch richtig gut fand war die Beziehung zwischen Jack und Akiko. Es gab keine lästigen Dreiecksbeziehungen, nicht mal Überlegungen in Richtung anderer Love Interests (die es durchaus gab), es war immer "nein mein Herz ist schon vergeben" und das fand ich als Abwechslung zu anderen Reihen richtig gut!
Auch gut fand ich, dass die beiden gemeinsam noch eine neue Kampfkunst lernen (Bonuspunkte weil sie auch darin die geschicktere Kriegerin ist), wodurch sie ein noch stärkeres und gefährlicheres Duo werden. Und generell, wie viel Unterstützung die beiden sich, aber auch die Freunde untereinander geben.
Die Charaktere und ihre Abenteuer werden mir definitiv fehlen.

[Bethany Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

My childhood dreams are fulfilled. This is just as action packed and fun as the rest of the series. Loved it.

[Brock Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

A bittersweet end to a huge chapter of my life. Each time I read it, no other series, aside from Harry Potter, feels like coming home as much as this one.

My childhood favorite, this series holds so many amazing memories for me. I have waited many, many years for this last installment and got exactly the closure I wanted. I don’t have much else to say. I loved it and will continue to love it as I reread it over and over again throughout my lifetime.

[Aditya Sadhyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this, I can only say that it was not something I enjoyed reading. The plot went round and round with a sort of rinse and repeat storyline with the same happenings occuring in a loop.
I had thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in the series but it has been quite a few years since I read them and have since read a lot more, so maybe my taste and level of expectations have changed and this book was of similar quality to the others but in my mind it doesn't hold up.

[AilsaOD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow I really should have just quit reading this series when I was ahead. I was a bit wary going in as having a whole book covering what in my opinion should have just been an epilogue of Jack and his sister reuniting at the end of book 8 was a bit of a red flag but I was tempted in by the prospect of closure.

After my less than stellar experience of reading 'Hostage' from Bradford's bodyguard series last year I probably should have realised my patience had run out for his 'method writing' style. The young samurai series has never been a favourite of mine but when I was a teenager I really enjoyed it and I wonder if this book had come out back in 2012 if I would have liked it then. The first and most glaring issue with this book is that the Young Samurai series was distinctive for its setting and switching out Edo period Japan for Jacobite England is a huge change which I feel is not handled particularly well. After all being attacked by ninjas, dressed as plague doctors or not, is only plausible in one of these settings and Bradford's explanation as to why this happens was really really stupid. The main characters also continually compare England and Japan with the consistent conclusion that Japan is much better and oh-so-civilised and insert another paragraph of blathering about Japan's complete superiority in everything. I personally found the comparison extremely vexing as it is ultimately a comparison of upper class Japan and working class England and of course it isn't going to match up if you look at the best of one country and the worst of another! Admittedly Jack starts off on the opposite tune and loudly declares how great England is for the first few chapters at every opportunity while completely oblivious to his friends' discomfort.

I wanted to smack Jack for most of the book as he was absolutely insufferable and often selfish while still somehow being blander than a rice cracker. This desire was apparently shared by almost every side character as a good 90% of the people he meets decide on the spot to try and kill him, frame him for crimes that will probably get him killed or just generally torment him and will apparently go to any lengths to do so. I don't know about anyone else but if I personally come across someone I don't even know being a bit annoying I don't make it my new life's goal to end them? It makes absolutely no sense and brings me to my next complaint: historical accuracy.

I will say here that I do not expect much in the way of historical accuracy - if the book was written in period accurate English I would not be able to read it! - but I expect characters to refer to each other in a way that doesn't break all immersion. Encountering a knight, insulting said knight and then wondering why the authorities take the knight's side being a prime example. This book is set in a time where ancestry and connections were everything and Jack thinks he can just saunter up to whoever he likes and talk down to them?? It reads like Jack has never even been to England before, or was isekai'ed into Edo period Japan from present day England and doesn't want to tell anyone he's from the future. This is particularly egregious due to the author's boasts about method writing - which only seem to have extended to the martial arts and little else.

And speaking of the martial arts, it wasn't even that good? Jack has spent the entire series training and getting stronger and then spends the entirety of this book getting his arse handed to him. What happened? This effect seems to be purely localised to Jack and his friends keep on having to save him.

I will say there was a section in the middle of the book that I almost enjoyed but apart from that this book actively undermines the previous ending in book 8, which while unsatisfying works much better.

[Yoong Xuen · Rating 1 out of 5]

As eager as I was to read the conclusion book of the Young Samurai series, I didn't forget to look at the reviews people gave, and what I saw was a lot of praises. By a lot I mean 99 out of 100. Thus I bought it online without hesitation and had it shipped to my country, Malaysia. After waiting in anticipation for a month (Bookdepository shipping), I finally got hold of the book. However, just passed chapter 6 and I threw the book on my table. It was a total disappointment, just like what people always say, "the higher the hopes, the harder they fall". From chapter 1 to 6, in just 46 pages, there were 3 fighting scenes which is absolutely unnecessary and redundant. I'll break it down one by one.

1st fighting scene (on the quay where they docked at)
This was fine, where Jack and his friends were approached by a few uncivilized lads and they taught them a lesson. This shapes the London in the 1600s where everyone was living in constant turmoil.

2nd fighting scene (in the alleyway)
Jack and his friends got led/cheated by a girl to an alleyway and was nearly robbed. They fought and took back their belongings, but didn't beat the robbers unconscious (which is stupid and foolish), resulting in them being chased and nearly got caught by constables. This part is still alright, but keep in mind that from the start of the story till now, Jack and his friends were constantly on the run.

3rd fighting scene (The duel with a knight)
After barely escaping from the constables, I thought it was end of the "on the run" arc. However, what happened next proved me wrong. They went to an Inn and had lunch. A few knights that were drunk, I assume, insulted Jack and his friends for their weird outfit, which were then retorted by Jack and for the sake of dignity and honour, both of them went out to a grassy plain for a duel. Halfway through the duel, constables stopped them and obviously, the knight framed Jack for robbing his items and with his higher status and connection to the King, he was let off the hook whereas Jack and his friends were thrown into a cell with their belongings/swords seized by the constables.

As you can see, the main quest of the book is to find Jack's sister, Jess but currently the story is steering away from it. Whole 6 chapters were fighting scenes which could be easily avoided and as important as it is to shape a background of London in the 1600s, the author could have avoided using fight scenes to do the job, especially the 3rd fighting scene where Jack could have just ignored the drunk knight and proceed to find his sister, which wouldn't end up being locked in a cell block. It literally changes my impression of Jack from a wise, mature and steady young man to a foolish, petty and impulsive person just from these 6 chapters. That's the reason why I say it's unnecessary and stupid to incorporate the fighting scenes into the intro of the story. It's very forced and what's worse is that it is very obvious.

It really irritates me that they were thrown into a cell with their items seized when they just arrived at London. I will continue reading this story as I wouldn't want to waste my money after purchasing this book. Perhaps it will get better later on, but as of now, it sucks so much and pisses me off so much that I had to stop reading to prevent myself from tearing the book. Hence here I am venting my anger through writing this review. Though I will delete this review if it turns out to be great.

[Torinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not what my younger, early teenage self - who held such love for the original series - had hoped for, but it is indeed an ending to the story and one that the readers can feel satisfied with.
I did find myself disappointed by the amount of the storyline that appeared to be somewhat repetitive 'filler', so to speak, although I fully understand Bradford's predicament leading to this being the case. Picking up a storyline after the better part of a decade while dealing with far more than just writing is a difficult conquest, especially when what remains of the story we know to be told is limited in volume and set in a brand new and vastly different environment. It's a complete change in world, and the adjustment to that shows, but is admirable. Once again, Bradford's research into combat styles shows in his new venture into European fencing, and is an area in which his storytelling frequently excels. On the downside however, it did feel as though a connection had been lost between this novel and the previous in the series through a lack of callback to a lot of their prior training, with their abilities as warriors seemingly far more limited than previous excursions.
In summary, a very enjoyable, if somewhat brief, read that provides an eventual conclusion to all loose ends unanswered in 'The Ring of Sky'.

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this series at 8 and I’m now 16 reading the last one that I’ve waited so long for. It will always be my favourite book series so thank you for that.
Often, endings are disappointing and somehow not right but I think the most important credit owed to this book is that the ending was perfect and that is something after so many ups and downs throughout the series, that the readers really needed.

[Kailib · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a satisfying and beautiful end to the 9 book long series. It's been a great set that captured my heart as a young boy, and now I've finished the set as a married man.

[emma ♖ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very satisfying conclusion

[Mahoerma · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning it was very complicated, many impressions and actions in short time, but as the book goes on it became better.

[Linn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was super excited for this one ever since I found out last year that it existed and now I finally got around to purchasing and reading it. Unfortunately it was quite the letdown for me.

I absolutely love and adore the entire series, when I first read it it left me obsessed with Japan and especially ninjas, and that obsession stuck to this date. So I was delighted to dive back into the world of Jack Fletcher, the samurai, and the ninja. This time on English soil where it is Jack’s mission to find his sister - something that isn’t easy since he last saw her seven years ago and England is plagued with the pest.

I was super excited for the series to continue in England where Jack, Akiko, and Yori could mesmerise the people with their superior fighting skills. Except they don’t. Jack is starting pointless brawls that turn into duels that he loses. Which is fine, it is not supposed to be boring after all and not many want to read about the main character being unbeatable and not even struggling, etc. But what really bugged me, especially since I fell in love with the ninja, that apparently Jack lost his entire knowledge he’d been taught by the ninja which I thought was insulting. Especially since it is clear that the skill of the ninja are far superior to- well pretty much anything. But there was no mention whatsoever of Jacks ninja skills. They simply disappeared.

Another point that was rather disappointing to me was that Jack was followed by four ninja who had come all the way from Japan to execute petty revenge. Especially since *spoiler* one of them was Kazuki. Something Jack only realises late in the book. And there is no mention of his hand being crippled. Which happened curtesy to Jack. And just like Jack’s ninja skills, the crippled hand just vanished. *spoiler end*

These two inconsistencies are probably what disappointed me most and made me quite angry with the book. Which in a way is a compliment, I guess. Since I care so much about the series and it clearly induces a lot of strong feelings.
This doesn’t make me love the series less and i wont stop recommending it but it sadly leaves a bit of a bitter tase behind.

[Eragon Bookslayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final Score : 7.5/10

A fitting end to a good series.

This book was a pleasure to read because it tied up all the loose ends we had been left with at the end of the last novel. Things like Jack's fate with Kazuki, Jess, and whether or not Jack really feels England is his home. All these things and more are answered in this final installment.

While the book did feel rushed at times, when the characters just kept getting hurled into a new situation just after their latest escape, the fast pace did keep me reading until the end. It was great to learn more about Jack's life before he and his father first set sail to Japan. I also enjoyed the clear distinction made between 16th century Japan and 16th century England as it is described in the book. It made the world seem so much more alive and diverse.

We get to meet characters from Jack's past life in England, meet new ones, and tie the whole thing up. After the author's long break, I'm not surprised to see that Bradford's writing style has changed. However, he does stay true to Young Samurai's core tenets, with fast paced action, and plenty of historical references.

The characters we have come to know and love develop even more, and we see a shift in all of their relationships, most notably between Jack and Akiko. I won't reveal the ending, but I will say it had me feeling very satisfied and feeling like it provided great closure to this chapter in Jack's life.

If you are willing to put up with the slightly changed writing style, a whole new world in England, the incredible pace, and want to see Jack's story to a close, then this book is for you.

Final Score : 7.5/10

[Panda Mother Supreme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am please with the final novel in the series. This was such an exciting adventure where Jack, Akiko and Yori make their way through England. Their experience is not what Jack hoped.

There was a lot of mystery and action, Jack fought a bear, akiko almost drowned and Yori was being the positive rainbow he always is.

This ending was perfect for Jack. Kazuki finally found his end in a ironic death where he picked up the plague and allowed himself to drown. It was sad that he could never find peace.

Rose and Horatio were great additions to the little group and I enjoyed their witty remarks and bravado.

Finally Jack is back home in Japan with his sister, Jess and his love, Akiko at his side. I feel sad that it has to end there, but enjoyed the journey when I look back at it.

Special mentions has to go to Akiko’s sass and Yori for wearing a ghost costume amongst those who wore royalty. I laughed so much, my favourite detail is that through flames, waves and hatred, the rutter
remains safe.

Memorable Quotes:

“Grief can push a man to the brink, argued rose”
Pg 150

“If you prefer a rose to a Sakura blossom, that’s your choice”
Pg 151

[Lana Za · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Chris for this beautiful, enchanting and logical ending to Young Samurai series. To be honest, it’s the first time in my life that I actually read 2 last chapters first before actually starting the book😁 (spoilers!) I was terrified you’d sacrifice one of my favorite characters 🙈 and decided to read the book only if there was to be a happy ending, I didn’t want to deal with another loss🤷🏻‍♀️ Well, you never disappoint! I know the book is meant for youngsters, but I’m 33 and I read it in one night😁 Being trained in martial arts, this series is still as dear to me as it was 10 years ago.

It’s fast-paced, detailed and in short, just as good as all the previous books. “The return of the warrior” is a very well thought out ending to the story, an excellent finishing stroke.

[Farseer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the series, with jack back in England, searching for his sister Jess, is quite event-filled and fast-paced. A bit too event-filled, perhaps. For a time it seems every person they meet in England is trying to rob them or kill them. Add some assassin ninjas, who have also come from Japan, and Jess' mysterious disappearance, and you have all the ingredients.

Some reviewers complain that Jack's martial arts training as a samurai and as a ninja seem to be for nothing. To a certain extent, they have a point. He seems to be defeated and captured an awful lot. However, the story held my attention and kept me entertained. The mystery of Jess' whereabouts was always interesting.

All in all, a good finish to this epic story.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever bound to one another.

In 2008 I witnessed thr presentation of the first book in Bath, now, over 10 years later, the story comes to an end. A ninth book which wasn't planned, but has been dearly welcomed.

A perfect ending has been achieved. The journey has been long, there have been both highs and lows. But it is done. Thank you, Chris, for these books and helping us dream about exotic lands and everlasting friendships.


Ps: "The soul prophecy". What is this? Another book set in this ambiance?

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samurais and ninjas in England

I enjoyed this last book in the series even though I prefer Japan for the setting of the story rather than jolly old England. Nevertheless, swordplay abounds in England’s green land as Jack and his companions hunt for his missing sister Jess and are in turn hunted by a team of vengeful assassins. I always saw Akiko as the hero/heroine of the series, not Jack, and she shines in this final book. Love her. Four solid gold stars. Five if half the book had taken place back in Japan. Thanks for the series, Chris. All the best.

[Nicholas Chowske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crafting an ending to a series as exciting, sweeping, and powerful as "The Young Samurai" is no easy task, and "The Return of the Warrior" does not disappoint.

From the first sentence of book one, to the last of book nine, every page of Jack Fletcher's epic tale has been a delight. For those who crave excitement and adventure in their stories, I cannot recommend this series enough to readers young and old.

To quote "Grandpa" from "The Princess Bride", it's got "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." - what's not to love?

[Cody Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series

Although the series is unrealistic at times it is still one of the greatest book series I have ever read. I finished the first series when I was in high school but graduated before the next series came out. I went several years out before picking the series back up as an adult. It still enthralled me! I can’t say that for all book series I have read as a kid. I recently tried to read another series from my childhood and let’s just say it wasn’t appealing.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to get back into Jack’s life, this time all the way on the other side of the world. At first I felt like too much happened too quickly and it seemed to be a lot of really outrageous, unrelated, random things that kept happening too him (how can anyone have such bad luck that so much stuff kept happening to them?) but most of it does tie together in the end, so I can forgive the randomness of the separate encounters.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I've finished my reread of the series, I think my favourite books are the way of the dragon, the ring of earth and the return of the warrior. I also think this gives a satisfying end to the series

I would've loved to maybe see a sequel or a spin off that shows everyone's lives some time in the future, whether that's 5 years or 50 but this book did end things nicely and the series feels complete.

[Austin Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic ending to my favorite book series. Young Samurai is what started my love for reading, and I’ve read a lot since the last book came out, but The Way of The Warrior reminded me why I love Young Samurai so much, and it will always be my favorite! Action packed, well written, and a gripping plot. An epic conclusion well worth the wait!

[Word Seeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mate! This Book had me, wide-eyed glued to one spot for 3 hours. Unexpected Plots and an Action filled storyline. Those Plague doctors had me guessing their identities for All but the whole book. Shocked! o: . As Much as I loved the ending, I am sure Left a piece of me in the Country Jack and His friends ended up in ;)

[Aaron Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing end to an amazing series. Chris Bradford does an amazing job diving into the different cultures and creates a captivating story throughout the series. This book covers all loose ends and is just a very enjoyable read. Definitely a series I will reread over and over again!

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, book 9 is here after a very long wait, and it did not disappoint at all! The action, the twists and turns, all the things that made the first 8 books great are still here. I'm glad that we can finally see Jack back in England and have a proper conclusion to Jack's journey.

[Dhruv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the young samurai in Japan but based in England. The return of the warrior is a must read for the people who loved the young samurai 1 to 8. Jack started with a clean plate but was just filled again with Sir Toby Nashe and his gang.

[Caleb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have rated it 2.5. This book was really a disappointment, lots of it didn't make sense and it felt like a different book then the original 8, part of that might be me growing up, but it just really wasn't as good as the originals.