Year of the Demon

The Fated Blades, Book 2

By: Steve Bein

Narrated by: Allison Hiroto

Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro has been promoted to Japan's elite Narcotics unit - and with this promotion comes a new partner, a new case, and new danger. The underboss of a powerful yakuza crime syndicate has put a price on her head, and he'll lift the bounty only if she retrieves an ancient iron demon mask that was stolen from him in a daring raid. However, Mariko has no idea of the tumultuous past carried within the mask - or of its deadly link with the famed Inazuma blade she wields. The secret of this mask originated hundreds of years before Mariko was born, and over time the mask's power has evolved to bend its owner toward destruction, stopping at nothing to obtain Inazuma steel. Mariko's fallen sensei knew much of the mask's hypnotic power and of its mysterious link to a murderous cult. Now Mariko must use his notes to find the mask before the cult can bring Tokyo to its knees - and before the underboss decides her time is up…

©2013 Steve Bein (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Vibrant and unforgettable characters combine with Japanese history and fast-paced action to create an urban fantasy for fans of Asian culture." (Library Journal)

Another solid read.

What did you like best about Year of the Demon? What did you like least?

The flashbacks for Glorious Victory Unsought and the Okuma boy were great and held me more in thrall than the modern storyline. I found Mariko a strong character, but I feel that if she had toughed it out in such a horrible working environment to get to be a detective, she would have been a lot less hot headed and in control that she was written. That issue always threw me off while listening to the modern sequences.

Would you recommend Year of the Demon to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes. It is a solid read, that keeps your interest 20 hrs. Can't argue with that.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

At first the reader's performance threw me off as she tends to have an odd cadence/rhythm while reading. However, as I continued to listen this odd pattern grew on me.

Do you think Year of the Demon needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. This book ends on a cliffhanger and finishes in the next book Disciple of the Wind.

Good cop/samurai story

Loved it, Hiroto was a calm sweet and clear voice. The story was well paced going back to the past to Samurai times then to the present. Was not expecting to like this book

Powerful & Cool: Story / Historical Fiction

Thank you Steve Bein & Allison Hiroto for another fantastic and magical journey into the world of "Glorious Victory Unsought"