Tomoe Gozen

Rating:
Summary: fantastic magical far eastern samuri tale
Review: Pacific Warriors, Inc. has restored this book to print. Includes all of the author's corrections and has been restored to the original working title, "The Disfavored Hero". ISBN: 1-890065-05-6 (limited edition) and 1-890065-06-4 (trade paperback).

- Martha de Forest, Publisher, Pacific Warriors, Inc.

Rating:
Summary: Restored & Definitive Edition in Print
Review: Pacific Warriors, Inc. has restored this book to print. Includes all of the author's corrections and has been restored to the original working title, "The Disfavored Hero". ISBN: 1-890065-05-6 (limited edition) and 1-890065-06-4 (trade paperback).

- Martha de Forest, Publisher, Pacific Warriors, Inc.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic magical far eastern samuri tale
Review: Part of a trilogy. Female samuri Tomoe must face a series of challenges both physical and personal. Magical writing with a clear love of the subject and the fairytale idiom. An all time favourite with me.

Rating:
Summary: Fighting her way back to honor and glory
Review: Salmonson writes of an alternate world, Naipon, using her knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions. As a woman, Tomoe Gozen, the heroine of this tale, is an unusual samurai warrior. The differences between her and other samurai go beyond her sex, however.

When Tomoe Gozen dies in battle, serving the great warlord to whom she is pledged, her good friend Ushii makes a deal with an evil magician: Bring her back to the land of the living and he will serve the magician, the enemy of the warlord. Little does he know that the deal also means that his friend will not only end up losing herself, but she will also have to serve the same evil lord. When she finally comes to herself, Ushii is doomed, and she leaves to wander the country as an unpledged warrior or ronin. During her travels she experiences many adventures through which she regains both her honor and her place at the side of the daughter of the now dead warlord she had once served.

It becomes Tomeoe Gozen's duty to regain her mistress' inheritance. In doing so, she can enhance her own reputation and further redeem her honor.

The battle scenes are quite vivid. Although the overall writing style may be somewhat passive for some of today's readers, the story is well worth any needed effort. Salmonson brings samurai and Naiponese culture to life and gives the reader insight into those cultures as well as a good story.

There are three novels featuring Tomoe Gozen, of which this is the first. Readers who enjoy these would also enjoy Salmonson's "The Swordswoman." Readers who like strong female characters might also enjoy "Deathweave" and "Darkloom" by Cary Osborne or "Winter Queen" by Devin Cary.

Rating:
Summary: Fighting her way back to honor and glory
Review: Salmonson writes of an alternate world, Naipon, using her knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions. As a woman, Tomoe Gozen, the heroine of this tale, is an unusual samurai warrior. The differences between her and other samurai go beyond her sex, however.

When Tomoe Gozen dies in battle, serving the great warlord to whom she is pledged, her good friend Ushii makes a deal with an evil magician: Bring her back to the land of the living and he will serve the magician, the enemy of the warlord. Little does he know that the deal also means that his friend will not only end up losing herself, but she will also have to serve the same evil lord. When she finally comes to herself, Ushii is doomed, and she leaves to wander the country as an unpledged warrior or ronin. During her travels she experiences many adventures through which she regains both her honor and her place at the side of the daughter of the now dead warlord she had once served.

It becomes Tomeoe Gozen's duty to regain her mistress' inheritance. In doing so, she can enhance her own reputation and further redeem her honor.

The battle scenes are quite vivid. Although the overall writing style may be somewhat passive for some of today's readers, the story is well worth any needed effort. Salmonson brings samurai and Naiponese culture to life and gives the reader insight into those cultures as well as a good story.

There are three novels featuring Tomoe Gozen, of which this is the first. Readers who enjoy these would also enjoy Salmonson's "The Swordswoman." Readers who like strong female characters might also enjoy "Deathweave" and "Darkloom" by Cary Osborne or "Winter Queen" by Devin Cary.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Saga
Review: The Tomoe Gozen saga, consisting of "Tomoe Gozen", "The Golden Naginata" and "Thousand Shrine Warrior" is an excellent piece of fiction set in an alternate universe - one where magic exists and works, where monsters, devils, spirits and gods exist and intercede in human affairs.

In Naipon, that universe's version of Japan, Tomoe Gozen, a female samurai, battles to retain her sense of honor and self.

Salmonson writes vivid character descriptions, but the style is at times a bit flat. Mostly, this seems due to the tale occurring from the point of Tomoe, who puts her bushido before her own wants and needs. Very rarely, that flatness interferes (I think) with the storytelling. Still, this is a tremendously underrated work and I always love recommending it to people who are at all interested in epic fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating, if confusing story.
Review: Tomoe Gozen travels through fictional Naipon with all theinevitability of Conan in a really bad mood. Swinging two samuraiswords, there is no opponent she can't out-fight, even to the point of conquering a whole army single-handed! The story is often confusing, with scenes taking on the feel of a dreamscape.

That said, the story has a charm that kept drawing me back to it. The author transports the reader to her world, immersing them in its rich distinctiveness. If you are interested in a high-fantasy story, set in an Oriental setting, then I would recommend this book to you. (I just wouldn't be able to give you a summary of the storyline.)