The 97th Step

I started the Matador Trilogy with "The Man Who Never Missed" as, I suspect, did most people. But the story starts 50 or 60 years before with the development of the boy who becomes the man called Pen. The word "Easy" is not in Pen's dictionary and he goes through three distinct life stages as the illusions of his life are shattered one by one. As a person who has had a few minor difficulties in life (nothing compared to the character of Pen) I was left wondering what is keeping this person alive. It seems to be the vague feeling that there is something out there. Some purpose or meaning. A reason for being. Happily, he finds that reason but it is more humble and, at the same time, more wonderful then anything he had ever imagined. This is a wonderful book and a key part of the Matador series. If you like science fiction, religion, philosophy, ethics and morality then DO NOT MISS "The 97th Step". If you are really old and you ever saw (and liked) the movie "Circle of Iron" then you will certainly like this book.

The 97th Step is the fourth novel written in the Matador series, but is the first in internal chronology. It is the story Mwili Kalamu, a farm boy from Cibule, who ran away from home at the age of fourteen and who is destined to become Pen, the teacher of Emile Antoon Khadaji.Leaving Cibule, he takes the name of Ferret and becomes a lane runner, living at the fringes of society and stealing to make ends meet. During this period, he becomes the partner of Bennet Gworn, a fellow laner, but then has to abandon him when a heist goes bad. Later, he becomes the partner of Stoll, smuggling illegal merchandise, and meets Shar, an exotic dancer who sees him as a soul mate. All falls apart, however, when Gworn gets out of prison and comes looking for him.After Gworn kills Stoll and Shar, and he kills Gworn, Ferret tries to forget with drugs and alcohol, but the memories still fester in his mind. After a long period of continual intoxication, he meets his old martial arts teacher, Dindabe, in a bar and agrees to resume his studies. The workouts flush the poisons from his system and he begins to regain an interest in life as he regains his proficiency in the arts, but he still lives from day to day, with no long term interests.Dindabe introduces him to Moon, a Sister of the Shroud, and encourages him to become her student. Ferret goes with Moon to the training center on Manus, near Wewak, New Guinea. Although doubting his own commitment, he takes the name Pen and gradually becomes engrossed in the program and finally graduates.This novel is a tale of enlightenment. Pen has no real faith in himself, for everyone around him has either turned against him or died. Before Pen could accomplish anything, he must recognize himself as a person and have faith in that person.Recommended for Perry fans and anyone who enjoys tales of martial arts in a SF setting.

I have read all of his books and he has got to be one of the most outstanding authors around. This particular book I would consider his masterpiece.

This book is so good I read it and all the other ones in the series at LEAST once a year! Steve Perry is an amazing author!

The 97th Step details the life of a man from abused child to thief to student to teacher. Pen's journey to find himself is a great adventure, and one that is both moving and profound. Combining scifi adventure, martial arts and a touch of spirituality the story takes you on a journey with a man who started with nothing, became the envy of others because of the things he gained, then loses everything only to find himself, the greatest accomplishment one can attain