Sword of Honor

By: David Kirk

Narrated by: Erik Singer

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL NOVEL SWORD OF HONOR, DAVID KIRK CONTINUES THE SAGA OF MUSASHI MIYAMOTO, THE GREATEST SWORDSMAN IN JAPANESE HISTORY, AS HE JOURNEYS TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF KYOTO TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE AND HIS IDEALS.

Having survived the cataclysmic battle of Sekigahara, which established the mighty Tokugawa Shogunate, young Musashi Miyamoto travels through Japan determined to proclaim his revolutionary epiphany that the “way of the samurai,” the ancient code that binds warriors to their masters, needs to be abolished.

But during the battle Musashi insulted an adept of the powerful Yoshioka school, and a price has been put on his head. Musashi is drawn to Kyoto, domain of the Yoshioka, driven by anger and certain that he will deal a crushing blow to the traditional samurai dogma by destroying the school. Musashi will learn, however, that the capital of the nation is rife with intrigue and potential rebellion against the newly established government, a struggle into which he unwittingly enters.

Among other outcasts, Musashi will find the worth of his spectacular skill with the sword weighed against the deep cunning of manipulative Lords, and must make his reckoning with the Yoshioka, the way of the samurai, and ultimately his own nature. Only then will he be able to take one step closer to becoming the wise old sage who wrote The Book of Five Rings.

Sword of Honor seamlessly blends meticulous research, mesmerizing action sequences, and a driving narrative to bring this extraordinary figure to life.

©2015 David Kirk (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"If one purpose of imaginative fiction is to show us that other people have different beliefs and a different understanding of morality, of what is right and wrong, then Mr. Kirk fulfills it in [Child of Vengeance and Sword of Honor]. In doing so he enlarges our sense of what it is to be human—even if one response to samurai culture may still be horror, or revulsion.... It is possible to enjoy these books as fine examples of the blood-and-thunder school, the sort of thing Rafael Sabatini did marvelously well a few generations ago. But every now and then they bring you up with a start. 'The world is as it is.'Yes, indeed, but might it, as Miyamato comes to ask, be something better than it is?"--The Wall Street Journal

"There are lots of elements that make this novel an extraordinary read: the throat-gripping set pieces, beautiful imagery, crafty politics, and themes of ego, power, and individualism. Most of all, it is how this tale of a masterless samurai is rendered in language that feels like it’s from a different time and place—not because of archaisms or cheap tricks but because it is slow without being tedious, and it emerges from a wholly foreign worldview without being incomprehensible to the modern mind. Musashi is an unforgettable character, and this novel should make Kirk a leading name in historical fiction."--Booklist (Starred Review)

"[P]oetic.... Kirk's vigorous and robust prose complements the action to make rousing historical and philosophical statements." --Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

the original tyler durden.

i loved these characters, the depth and the thought they provoke. all samurai fans will love this book.

Entertaining story

While it’s not Go Rin No Sho by Musashi himself this book series is quite interesting and worth reading. I enjoyed the series and look forward to its continuing.

Great book.

Loved it. Great historical novel about the most famous swordsman and the beginning of the Edo period.

nice

I hope this will not be the last book. I listened to both books in two days

Characters are annoying

I liked the story and the plot, but the characters are annoying. Musashi most of all. He comes across as a petulant whiny jerk that I want to slap constantly: hard to get behind him. Blind lady is a self righteous B word and also annoying. Outside of that it was enjoyable.

Engaging

It lived up to the first books energy and passion. Very easy to listen to and it's hard to pause it for life.

Excellent.

A worthy sequel to the original. Poetic swordsmanship in it's best. Engaging. A surprising ending.

Simply excellent

In category of historical fiction that is seldom visited, David Kirk paints a vivid and compelling story around one of the most well known figures of Japanese history. His prose poetic and thematic in the style of a Chanbara epic, and the action is visceral and engrossing. In my opinion, This book (and the series it belongs to) has earned a place next to James Clavell’s Shogun easily. The reader was fantastic too. Now if only we could get the third book on Audible!!

A proper swashbuckling sequel

Sword of Vengeance is one of my favorite books and this sequel lives up. I adore the prose, the poetic and cinematic level of detail. All the things you love from the first are here and cranked up a notch. More action and more thought provoking philosophy will leave you contemplating for some time after. I imagine I’ll listen to this one again. Here’s to hoping we see a third!

enjoyed it very much

Sword of Honor is my first audio book in Samuari Fiction and I enjoyed it. I look forward to more .