Wind of Justice: The Four Winds Saga, Third Scrol

Although this is part of a series, all the books can stand alone. You need not be intimately familiar with Rokugan, a fantasy world based on Samurai and Asian themes which is the setting of the popular Legend of the Five Rings games, to enjoy this book. Naseru is one of four siblings vying for the throne of Rokugan. We find him in the ruins of the Imperial City, just after it has been attacked by monsterous hoards from the Shadowlands, and Naseru needs to find another base of operations if he plans to remain in the running as an Imperial Heir. Aside from this setback, he's got the deck stacked against him as far as his chances of becoming Emperor. He is the youngest child of the last Emperor (although already scarred, missing an eye, and looking much older than he is), his skills are as a politician which is about as reviled an occupation as it can be in the modern US, he was fostered by a tyrant who was the enemy of the Empire, and he has the reputation of a villain who is after power and position without any scruples whatsoever. Of course, in the Imperial Courts, where Naseru is at home, nothing is quite as it seems. And even far from the Courts, in the City of Lies, where Naseru goes to build a base, plots, intrigue, courtesans, assassins and mysteries abound. As if Naseru didn't have enough to cope with, he hears of the hidden Way of Night, an ancient site that is yielding artifacts that could affect the fate of the Empire, and unbeknownst to him, although not unexpected, someone has sworn to avenge themself by taking his life. Naseru's investigation into the Way of Night brings him into contact with disreputable samurai, monsters, sorcerers, battles and a host of interesting characters and adventures. It also brings him into contact with his own dark past and forces him to decisions about what he truly desires for himself and for the fate of Rokugan.I am admittedly biased. I like tales with a Japanese setting, and I am familiar with Rokugan and the previous novels set there. But I still require a good story, strong writing and interesting characters to enjoy a book, and this book undoubtedly filled that requirement and more. In fact, I think I'll go and read it again!

Although it's not the easiest transition from short fiction on a website to a full-length novel, Rich Wulf pulled it off in a grand fashion: for what it's worth, in my humble opinion a fantasy book should have depth in the development of the characters, and should use the current events to further the universe's plot ... as well as to reveal more about the universe's past. Wind of Justice delivers on all those points and keeps the reader's attention till the end. If you're a hardcore L5R fan, you'll get answers - and more questions, just the way it should be. Thought Naseru wasn't the easiest Wind to like, maybe this book will change your mind.