Spirit of the Samurai: Of Swords and Rings

Kat and David Anderson have a pretty typical brother and sister relationship. Meaning they like to fight with each other. The difference between them and other siblings is that they've been trained to fight by their grandfather since they were little kids. Kat's focus has always been on skill and agility. David is more about strength and force. They both like to win. The only family Kat and David know is their Grandfather. He has taken care of them and raised them ever since they can remember. Kat isn't sure how he supports them all without a job. He spends most of his time in his Dojo, or in the building next door to it. Kat and David aren't allowed in the Dojo, but their Grandfather often takes them to the other building to train. Although he calls it teaching. It's a good thing that Kat's had a lot of "teaching," because she's going to need all of it and more. When their family turns out to be legendary, and the legend comes to life, no one is quite prepared. SPIRIT OF THE SAMURAI: OF SWORDS AND RINGS is a fun, action-packed adventure, and very vividly written. A story that gives a whole new meaning to family history and family reunions. And one that ends way too quickly! I'm ready to read the next one, now. Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

In the Seattle suburbs Grandfather raised his two grandchildren, fourteen years old David and thirteen years old Kat Anderson with four simple kind rules on treating and respecting others and one other, the adult mantra to obey him that that he expects both to follow. However, recently David has been constantly angry at his younger sister and has even instigated fights though her martial arts training usually overcomes his brute strength advantage. However this time he attacks her from behind and it takes Grandfather's intervention to stop him. When David enters their Grandfather's dojo without permission, Kat follows. He shows her a book that provides the history of Japanese Samurai, especially about two rival clans, the Toho and the Black Rings, that fought one another. Grandfather arrives, but David insists on learning the truth as he says they are descendents of Toho and the kid wears three of the four Black Rings that he also found. Finally David touches the Swords of Toho and Hiro of the Black Rings. Whereas David becomes possessed with evil, his sister touches the Toho sword and becomes the last guardian battling against her sibling who wants her dead; on her side is Grandfather and Kyosha the Samurai who has just arrived claiming to be her Father. Targeting elementary school children, this is an action-packed Samurai fantasy starring a young female teen whose opponent in a life and death struggle is her older brother. The story line is filled with action while illustrations enhance the first-rate plot. David's nastiness comes out before he is possessed so young readers will root for Kat to defeat him during their sibling battle. Harriet Klausner