Blood Ninja
For Ages: 12 and up
Is Taro, a fisherman's son, destined for greatness?
In the course of a day, Taro's entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who -- and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he's less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate.
In the course of a day, Taro's entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who -- and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he's less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate.
Choose a format:
Buy from us:
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers |
- 384 pages |
- ISBN 9781416986270 |
- December 2009 |
- Grades 7 and up |
- Lexile 870
Buy from another retailer:
Praise
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“The night has a new hero.”– Darren Shan, author of the Cirque Du Freak series
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“A fast-paced, gripping book about ninjas. It’s all I ask for, really.”– Conn Iggulden, coauthor of The Dangerous Book for Boys
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“An elegantly thrilling and action-packed tale of honor, duty, and destiny.”– Derek Land, author of Skulduggery Pleasant on Blood Ninja
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“Deftly blends sixteenth-century Japanese samurai history with vampire mythology to concoct a gory and fast-paced adventure that will grab readers...the cliff-hanger ending will leave readers clamoring for a sequel.”– Booklist
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“Lake uses the story's familiar elements skillfully, combining them into an imaginative and original whole. And, really, with vampire ninjas, how can you lose?”– Publishers Weekly
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“Those who enjoy Far Eastern-tinged quest stories--with a dash of vampires and ninjas for flavor--will find much to enjoy here.”– VOYA
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
KANTO PROVINCE, LORD ODA’S PREFECTURE
SIX MONTHS EARLIER
Taro straightened up, took a deep breath, and pulled back the string of his bow. There was a familiar twinge from his left shoulder, where a thin silver scar traced a semicircle from chest to back, at intervals punctuated by darker circles suggestive of large tooth marks.
This was not surprising—they were tooth marks.
Taro ignored the old pain and lined up his arrow with the fleeing rabbit. He held his breath, concentrating on making the bow an extension of his own body. From an early age he had taught himself to... see more
KANTO PROVINCE, LORD ODA’S PREFECTURE
SIX MONTHS EARLIER
Taro straightened up, took a deep breath, and pulled back the string of his bow. There was a familiar twinge from his left shoulder, where a thin silver scar traced a semicircle from chest to back, at intervals punctuated by darker circles suggestive of large tooth marks.
This was not surprising—they were tooth marks.
Taro ignored the old pain and lined up his arrow with the fleeing rabbit. He held his breath, concentrating on making the bow an extension of his own body. From an early age he had taught himself to... see more
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