Young Samurai
The Million-copy bestselling series
Young Samurai
Winner of the Great Britain Sasakawa Award
August 1611. Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan – his beloved father and the crew lie slaughtered by ninja pirates.
Rescued by the legendary sword master Masamoto Takeshi, Jack’s only hope of survival is to become a samurai warrior with the help of young girl called Akiko.
And so his training begins…
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“A fantastic adventure that floors the reader on page one and keeps them there until the end!”
– Eoin Colfer, Author of Artemis Fowl
Young Samurai series
Be A Black Belt Reader!
#1 The Way of the Warrior
‘Fierce fiction . . . captivating for young readers’ – Daily Telegraph
#1 The Way of the Warrior
August, 1611.
Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan – his beloved father and the crew lie slaughtered by ninja pirates.
Rescued by the legendary sword master Masamoto Takeshi, Jack’s only hope is to become a samurai warrior. And so his training begins . . .
But life at the samurai school is a constant fight for survival. Even with his friend Akiko by his side, Jack is singled out by bullies and treated as an outcast.
With courage in his heart and his sword held high, can Jack prove himself and face his deadliest rival yet?
#2 The Way of the Sword
'More and more absorbing . . . vivid and enjoyable’ – The Times
#2 The Way of the Sword
August, 1612.
One year of training in samurai school and Jack Fletcher is in real trouble…
Not only is he struggling to prepare for the Circle of Three, an ancient ritual that tests a samurai’s courage, skill and spirit to the limit, he’s caught in a running battle with fellow student Kazuki and his gang.
But these are the least of Jack’s problems. He knows his deadly rival – the ninja Dragon Eye - could strike at any moment. Jack possesses the very thing he will kill for.
Can Jack master the Way of the Sword in time to survive a fight to the death?
#3 The Way of the Dragon
‘The most exciting fight sequences imaginable on paper!’ – Booklist
#3 The Way of the Dragon
June, 1613.
Jack is facing his greatest battle yet. Japan is threatened with war and samurai are taking sides. As the blood begins to flow, Jack’s warrior training is put to the ultimate test.
His survival - and those of his friends - depends upon him mastering the Two Heavens, the secret sword technique of the legendary samurai Masamoto. But first Jack must recover his father’s prize possession from the deadly ninja Dragon Eye.
Can Jack defeat his ruthless enemy? Or will the ninja complete his mission to kill the young samurai…
#4 The Ring of Earth
Winner of the Northern Ireland Book Awards 2011
#4 The Ring of Earth
Summer, 1614.
JACK FLETCHER IS ON THE RUN!
With no sensei to guide him, he has just his wits and his swords against many new and unknown enemies, as he journeys along the treacherous road to the port of Nagasaki and perhaps home...
But the Shogun’s samurai are hot on his trail. Barely escaping their clutches, Jack runs headlong into a trap. Kidnapped by ninja and led to their village deep in the mountains, Jack has no means of escape.
The only question is who will kill him first – the ninja or samurai?
#5 The Ring of Water
Shortlisted for Independent Booksellers Book Awards 2011
#5 The Ring of Water
Autumn, 1614.
JACK FLETCHER IS LEFT FOR DEAD. Bruised and battered, Jack wakes up in a roadside inn wrapped only in a dirty old kimono. He has lost everything, including his memory.Determined to discover the truth, Jack goes on a quest to retrieve his belongings - his precious swords, his friend Akiko's black pearl and most important of all, his father’s prize possession.
Relying on his samurai and ninja training, Jack realises The Ring of Water is the key to his survival. But with only a washed up ronin – a masterless samurai - for help, what will Jack manage to find? What will he lose? And what will he have to sacrifice?
#6 The Ring of Fire
'Addictive’
– Evening Standard
#6 The Ring of Fire
Winter, 1614.
JACK FACES HIS TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YET.
After a snowstorm forces him to take shelter, Jack comes across a village in need of protection from raiding mountain bandits. Torn between moving on or helping, Jack is persuaded to stay and fight their cause.
But Jack is the first and only samurai to do so. Now he must enlist other warriors to the village’s aid before the bandits return to steal their harvest. No easy task when the reward is so little and he is a foreigner.
If only he had his friends to call on…
#7 The Ring of Wind
Shortlisted for Independent Booksellers Book Awards 2012
#7 The Ring of Wind
Spring, 1615.
JACK FLETCHER IS BATTLING THE HIGH SEAS
Ambushed by the Shogun's samurai, Jack and his friends have only one hope of escape - the Seto Sea.
But with ferocious storms, man-eating sharks and ninja pirates at every turn, their chosen route is fraught with danger.
A treacherous crew only adds to their problems as they flee south from a ruthless samurai sea lord. Unless Jack can harness the Ring of Wind, he and his friends are destined for a watery grave . . .
#8 The Ring of Sky
‘Very exciting, very gripping’ – Caroline Horn, the Bookseller.
#8 The Ring of Sky
Summer, 1615.
JACK FLETCHER IS RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE
The port of Nagasaki is within reach, but the Shogun’s samurai are closing in fast for the kill. So too is Jack’s old school rival, Kazuki. Every road is blocked and every mountain pass guarded as Jack makes his final dash for safety.
But with all of Japan hunting him, he’s going need a miracle to survive. And even if he reaches the end of the road, will there be a ship bound for home? Or will he be burned at the stake first?
Only the Ring of Sky knows his fate...
#9 The Return of the Warrior
Reading School Book Award 2020 (shortlist)
#9 The Return of the Warrior
A STRANGER IN HIS OWN LAND... Jack Fletcher has strived against all the odds to become a samurai warrior. He has overcome his fears to learn the art of the ninja. He has fought his way across Japan to reach Nagasaki. He has battled the high seas to sail around the world. All with one purpose at heart: to return home and be reunited with his sister Jess, his only remaining family.
But when he sets foot on English soil, he feels further from home than ever before…
Following on from The Ring of Sky, this final adventure will chart Jack Fletcher’s return to pre-civil war England and his quest to find his missing sister with the help of samurai girl Akiko and warrior monk Yori.
#2.5 The Way of Fire
World Book Day 2010
Short e-book novella
#2.5 The Way of Fire
Autumn, 1612.
Shipwrecked, his father murdered by ninja, Jack Fletcher is rescued by the legendary swordmaster Masamoto Takeshi and taken to his samurai school in Kyoto. Hunted by the ninja Dragon Eye, Jack’s only hope is to become a samurai warrior. And so his training begins…
In order to perfect his fighting skills, Jack goes on a gasshuku. But nothing could prepare him for the punishment of warrior camp – the climax of which is to enter the Way of Fire, a terrifying ritual that burns away evil.
Can Jack overcome his fear and walk the Way of Fire?
Listen up! Audiobooks Available
The Way of the Warrior
Narrated by Joe Jameson
Audible Release
The Way of the Sword
Narrated by Joe Jameson
Audible Release
The Way of the Dragon
Narrated by Joe Jameson
Audible Release
Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior
deemed one of Puffin’s 70 Best Ever Books
alongside Treasure Island and Robin Hood
Book Awards
“Delights its readers with tales of ninjas, swords and samurai, plus will inspire them to get involved in the world of martial arts.”
– Steve BackShall, TV Presenter & Explorer
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