Reviews

In the Service of Samurai

Eternal Night Review, My Shelf.Com Review, Washington Science Fiction Journal Review

Eternal Night Review

When Toshi is forced from his home by a powerful Samurai, Asaka, he is shocked to find that the man is obake, a demon. He is even more shocked when he finds himself "press-ganged" into helping an entire ships crew of undead to reach the Shakute Islands by reading the maps of the gaijin (foreigners).

He soon becomes friends with some of the crew; in particular a Geisha called Miko. She does everything in her power to make his time on the ship tolerable. As the time passes he learns more of the history of the undead crew and he starts to train in the fighting skills of the Samurai.

As he spends more time in the company of Asaka he begins to feel sympathy for their plight. They are unable to exist in daylight and are destined to continue in this half-life until they retrieve a teakettle from an ancient temple. This teakettle holds the key to their release.

As the ship gets closer to its final destination someone seems to be doing everything possible to prevent them reaching their goal.

Will Toshi and the crew make it to the Shakute Islands safely or will they be prevented from reaching the temple and finding the teakettle?

This novel is truly original. The premise of a ship of undead Japanese warriors sailing the seas in search of salvation is one I have never come across before. I particularly enjoy the way that the intricacies of Japanese society are woven into the storyline. The use of Japanese words (such as gaijin and obake) add to the rich tapestry that unfolds as you read this story.

The way that the relationship between Toshi and Miko develops is very well written. You can feel Toshi's initial reticence as he struggles to come to terms with his conflicting feelings. Although Miko is an undead demon he finds himself becoming very fond of her and is concerned for her welfare.

As the journey progresses Toshi's skills in the way of the Samurai grow. His development from nervous apprentice mapmaker to skilled warrior forms a significant part of the story. This is also quite unusual. On the surface this tale revolves around the search for a teakettle but in many ways this becomes a secondary storyline with Toshi's personal journey taking centre stage. I actually found myself feeling sorry for the undead sailors!

This is quite a difficult book to review, as there are so many aspects that I would like to refer to but in doing so I feel that I would spoil the enjoyment for future readers.

I do not know if this novel is Gloria Oliver's first book. If it is then I am extremely impressed. The writing showed fluidity that you usually find in an author of considerable experience. Oliver shows, in particular, a willingness to carry out detailed research when planning a storyline. There is no way that this level of accuracy could be achieved without many an hour being spent in the library or on the Internet.

I think that this book is a superb fantasy novel and I hope that there are many more to come from Gloria Oliver.

My Shelf.com  

Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com

Buy a Copy

Young Toshi is a mapmaker’s apprentice and has studied maps brought to Japan by the gaijin, as foreigners are termed.  One day he is startled to be taken away to a new life of servitude for another master and his household on board their ship – and who are a real “skeleton crew”.  Lord Asaka’s noble clan has been terribly wronged and their ship sunk eight years ago, and since then has been trying to make landfall and secure a certain item.  With the combination of Toshi and his special maps their quest just might succeed at last.  But Toshi just wants to go home and only a threat to make him one of the undead too will force him to comply, but maybe he might have something to gain if he helps his new employers…

I much enjoyed reading a fantasy with a totally different setting to the usual Tolkeinesque tubby tome.  The author has done her homework and seems to have a good working knowledge of old Japan, which adds an extra dimension to the tale; fantastic characters in a realistic historical setting.  Exciting at the beginning and picking up speed halfway through when landfall is made and Toshi’s adventures begin in earnest there is perhaps a preponderance of descriptions where he has a bath, eats a meal, goes on deck etc in the middle that could have been dealt with much quicker thus getting on to the adventures. But nevertheless this original and entertaining tale is sure to satisfy anybody who is looking for something a bit different.  If you enjoyed Liam Hearn’s Across The Nightingale Floor (also reviewed on this site) then this ought to please as well.

Washington Science Fiction Journal

         Ghost stories are not as popular as in years past, but just as vampire epics have exploded in the last few decades, there are signs that spooky tales are being revived and like their vampire cousins, showing new life. Gloria Oliver’s In the Service of Samurai combines specters with Asian influences for a haunting adventure tale.
         Toshi is an indentured apprentice to a map maker. This unusual career is what gets him in trouble as his skills cause him to be kidnapped by a mask warrior.  It is quickly evident that the Samurai, Lord Asaka,  is actually a skeleton who forces Toshi onto his ship manned completely by an undead crew.  The ghost ship has been sailing for years, trying to reach an island and complete their quest so they can rest in peace.  Toshi’s task is make sure the cursed ship stops traveling in circles and finds the island.  It is an unique trip, as the ship must submerge during the day to protect the Lord and crew from sunlight, which would destroy them.  But Toshi is not friendless: Miko, a beautiful, but dead geisha, helps him adjust to his new life and explains why the crew is striving so hard to achieve their goal. Her influence changes Toshi’s view of Lord Asaka from dread to admiration, although he still finds the Lord distant and stern.
         The trip is not without danger, as there is a traitor in the crew who caused the ship to sink. An undead assassin threatens Toshi’s life, as without the boy, the quest cannot continue.  Just being on the ship endangers Toshi, as it leeches his life away if he sleeps while it is submerged. To combat these dangers, Toshi is given sword training for protection from the ninja and only sleeps on the deck of the ship at night.  Once the ship reaches the island and the long hunted-for item is found, Toshi discovers he is being pressed into service again, as only a living person can retrieve the required piece: a iron tea kettle.  This proves no easy task, as spirits guard the kettle and Toshi must pay a price to gain the prize. 
         In the Service of Samurai is a ghost story, but also an adventure tale, a romance and a coming-of-age story.  The pieces fit to together well because the author shows us characters with many sides.  Lord Asaka is a driven man who does his duty, but he also shows tender love for Miko.  Toshi displays great loyalty to those he cares about and also shows strong belief in duty, but resents not being able to make his own decisions.  Positioned between these two, Miko is a caring woman of grace and intelligence who also never forgets she comes from a humble background, not a noble birth.  The story includes plenty of action and the plain iron tea kettle is the key to the mysterious disappearance of a great Lord.
         Gloria Oliver has created a work of atmosphere, adventure and fun.  I recommend you start your quest for a copy of In the Service of Samurai today.
    Colleen is a librarian at the Library of Congress and among her other duties, is the Recommending Officer for Science Fiction and Fantasy.

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