Release Date: 01/03/12
BOOK BLURB:
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...This is Book 7 in the blockbuster "Young Samurai" series by Chris Bradford.
REVIEW:
Young Samurai is a guilty pleasure for me for a number of reasons. Firstly the author brings the full flavour of Japan to the modern young reader in much the same way that James Clavell did for adults. He promotes positive attributes and of course he gives the reader a solid story to engage them mentally and emotionally.
Here in this title, he brings the gang of friends to the sea with a tale involving Dragon’s and Pirates alongside the usual threats from the Shogun’s unrelenting pursuit. Its wonderfully woven and when you add a magical writing style that gives the reader characters that they can associate with, makes this a series that’s hard to beat. All in a cracking story and one that really builds for the next one where the Ring saga is building towards it finale.
Release Date: 04/08/11
BOOK BLURB:
Jack Fletcher 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 the villagers' cause. But Jack is the first and only samurai to do so. Now he must enlist other warriors to the villagers' 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...Using the Ring of Fire, can Jack overpower the bandits and win?
REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of the Young Samurai series for quite a while, so when I had the opportunity to read the latest outing, I really couldn’t refuse. What Chris does in this title is bring his love of Akira Kurosawa to the young reader as his own interpretation of the Seven Samurai fight to save a village from raiders. It exhibits positive attributes such as honour, friendship and courage and gives the reader an ideal to live up to.
Add to this cracking pace, great prose and an adventure to devour as part of the lead characters tribulation to find his way home, and it was a very satisfying read. All in a great bit of fun and when some old friends appear it has some heart stopping moments which make this latest release an absolute corker. Definitely a series I’d recommend for Christmas and prepare to silence whilst it’s being enjoyed.
Release Date: 03/03/11
BOOK BLURB:
Jack Fletcher has been left for dead. Bruised and battered, Jack Fletcher wakes up in a roadside inn wrapped only in a dirty kimono. He has lost everything, including his memory of what happened. 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?
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of Chris’ Young Samurai, I really couldn’t wait for this, the latest title in the series to land. What unfurls within is a beautifully written title that has great prose, wonderful description and tied off with characters that the reader just can’t get enough of. Add to this the return of some old enemies, a mystical touch of the east and when backed with the sheer passion of the author makes this a title that’s hard to put down. If you want to encourage your young reader with tales of Samurai, of Ninja and of positive virtues before you move them onto Clavell then this is definitely the series for you.
Release Date: 05/08/10
BOOK BLURB:
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?
REVIEW:
The fourth part of Jack Fletcher’s travels in Japan which picks up shortly after the previous one left off. Whilst you can read this title without having read the rest (thanks to the brief letter from Jack to his sister in the front) you’ll have lost a lot of the details that have been so carefully built upon by Chris which will give the reader the full flavour of Old Japan.
This title all in is very tight, has some great new characters for Jack to meet and above all else will turn the previous upon their head as he learns that some of his prejudices are due to a few colouring the many’s opinions. Add to this the positive portrayal of many attributes that seem to be dying off in this time and you get a story that will enthuse as well generate a serious need for more titles.
Finally, this title was one that I have had an immense amount of fun with and would recommend it as the Shogun for the young reader. Seriously great material and one that will instil a curiosity for the reader to look further into another culture. Great stuff.
It's always a great thing when you discover an author and know that you have a series to be getting on with whilst you await the latest offering. So as late comers to the Young Samurai series we were absolutely blown away, so much so we knew that we just had to chat to Chris.
Here, we talk about life, cats and the best way to defeat a samurai, chocolate chip cookies...Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?Chris Bradford: I’ve always been driven by a need to ‘create’ - whether that be writing a book, composing a song or producing a film script. I don’t think I have a choice in the matter. Lucky I love what I do and therefore I don’t see it as an affliction, I consider it a gift.FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?CB: When I was offered a publishing deal! In fact, I spent most of my working life as a musician and songwriter. I never dreamed I’d be an author. But through the music I was given the opportunity to write a book on songwriting(Heart & Soul: Revealing The Craft of Songwriting) and it was then that I realized I could and wanted to write.FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?CB: I’ve now written three short stories – Young Samurai: The Way of Fire for World Book Day 2010, Virtual Kombat for Puffin’s 70th birthday celebrations and NINJA in aid of Stella, a 2-year-old girl with cancer (please help her by donating at www.forstella.org). Through my experience of these, I would say it’s far harder to write a good short story – there’s so much to cram into a limited number of words. But I’m not sure writing a short story necessarily means you can write anything. All I know is that I loved writing them! FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?CB: I’d stand right next to them with my samurai sword and gently persuade them their life depended upon it! In terms of defining Young Samurai, I’d say the series is a non-stop action-packed adventure with something for everyone. Think Black Belt Young Bond, Artemis Fowl with Swords and Percy Jackson with Ninja. That’s how my publisher Puffin describes it.FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?CB: Whether you’re into action, adventure, romance, history, Japanese culture, philosophy or heart-stopping martial arts, you’ll be hooked by Young Samurai.FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?CB: Two must haves are Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (one of the funniest books ever written) and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (one of the most simple, yet powerful books ever written).I’m always eager for Stephen King’s next release. For me, he’s one of the greatest storytellers. His book, IT, is terrifying, but Stephen King isn’t only a horror writer; he also wrote brilliant stories such as The Green Mile, Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption. FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?CB: When I first came up with the idea for Young Samurai, I knew the end of the 3rd book and the 8th book! I always plot out the entire story before starting the writing process. I use this plot as a ‘rough guide’ to the book, as often the story will diverge in different directions as the characters take hold and live a life of their own. But somehow the book always ends up where I’d planned it too.Character profiles are a must. I have a short biography for each, with character descriptions, personal traits and photos. This is how I give ‘birth’ to all my characters. After that, they grow on their own during the story.FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?CB: For relaxation, I go hiking with my wife, run every day through the National Park outside our house, and go to martial arts training three times a week – ninjutsu and iaido (the art of the samurai sword).My last book was Under The Dome by Stephen King (surprise! surprise!). It was pretty good and really engaged you in their world. I couldn’t even begin to imagine writing such a vast and character-filled epic.FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?CB: Eating chocolate chip cookies while writing. One day I’m sure I’ll suddenly balloon in size from having eaten so many, but that’s why I go running every day!
FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)CB: I have two cats – Tigger and Rhubarb. Tigger (the boy) is a big softie, while Rhubarb (the girl) is an attention-seeker. See the photo for proof…Rhubarb is the smaller one looking at the camera! FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?CB: The next book (4th!) in the Young Samurai series is The Ring of Earth (out in August 2010). In this story, Jack gets to meet the Grandmaster. He was a lot of fun to write! Despite his ancient appearance, this character is the head of ninjutsu and is completely opposite to all Jack’s teachers at samurai school. I also quite enjoyed creating Moriko, a female ninja who becomes a potential rival to Akiko in Jack’s affections…FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?CB: I based the idea of Jack Fletcher on a true historical figure – William Adams, a real English samurai in the 1600s. However, for the purposes of my story, I made him a boy instead. If I’m honest, parts of me do form Jack’s character, his blond hair and his determination never to give up, for instance; but equally he could represent any reader who learns about life through martial arts.FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?CB: My main hobby is martial arts, so clearly my knowledge of samurai and ninja skills forms an important part of my writing. In particular, it allows me to describe battle scenes in true detail, so that the reader really believes they’re participating in the fight and taking the punches! This knowledge also allows me to interweave the philosophy of martial arts into the storyline, so the reader learns about the importance of bushido, ‘the way of the warrior’ – the moral code of the samurai which includes respect, honour and courage.FT: Where do you get your idea's from?CB: Inspiration comes from my own life and my travels to different countries around the world. Many of the scenes in Young Samurai have an element of truth in them, whether it be a lesson learnt, a place visited or a problem overcome. The initial idea for Young Samurai developed from the fact that I began learning martial arts at an early age and have always dreamed of what it would be like to be a true samurai.FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?CB: Once. I have regular little blocks that I overcome with a run or a walk or a cookie! But once I suffered a month long block due to creative exhaustion. The solution: 2 weeks in South Africa with no computer or mobile phone, and just a bunch of giraffes, lions and cheetahs for company! FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?CB: I try to write in ‘blocks’ i.e. 2 to 3 months in a row. I get up at 7am – wash, have breakfast, then go for a short 10 minute walk to wake myself up. Then I will write from 8am until 6pm or until I have completed a chapter. That’s approximately 1500-2000 words a day.My wife is very tolerant as I often only start to ‘flow’ at the end of a day of thinking and pondering, and I often overrun into the evening. But after several months of 7 day weeks last year, we now have a rule of ‘no work’ on Sundays!FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?CB: Oddly, I enjoy listening to country music when I write. Alison Krauss and Tim McGraw in particular. Otherwise, it’s trance or chill-out dance like Chicane or Madonna’s Ray of Light. FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?CB: Having worked as an international sales & marketing manager for a book publisher, I had no misconceptions. I just knew I would have to work very hard and not only be a great writer, but a good marketer, performer in schools, PR guru, webmaster, etc. An author nowadays has to be so much more than just a writer.FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?CB: “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” as Joseph Addison (English Writer and Statesman, 1672-1719) once said. I think reading and writing stretches the mind, taking it beyond its usual boundaries, testing its creativity and embarking it on fantastic journeys of the imagination.FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?CB: In Young Samurai: The Ring of Earth, Jack Fletcher is in mortal danger.With no sensei to protect him, Jack is on the run with just his wits and his swords against new and unknown enemies on the treacherous road to Nagasaki and 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.Discovering his fate is now bound by the Five Rings - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Sky - Jack must learn all he can from his sworn enemy.The only question is who will kill him first – the ninja or samurai?FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?CB: 1. My Young Samurai Facebook fanpage - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Samurai/194540491655?ref=ts2. Oxford School of Martial Arts (a great club, which has the amazing Team Taurus display team) – www.schoolofmartialarts.com3. National Rail enquiries – to book train tickets for my Young Samurai school tours around the UK4. The Shortlist competition page – I’m trying to win a flatscreen TV for our house!5. Isle of Wight ferry booking page – I’m going with my wife and two friends on a short break there in the summer and staying in a teepee!FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.CB: No, but I did read Stephen King’s book On Writing (surprise! surprise!). This is a brilliant guide to the art of writing and I recommend to any aspiring author.FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?CB: I call it ‘rejection karma’. During my music career, I was ‘rejected’ so many times that when I became a writer, everyone started to say ‘yes’. I’ve not had a single project rejected since I’ve been an author…touch wood!I think rejection is good – it’s a learning process. Don’t let rejection beat you, learn from it. As I say in Book 1 The Way of the Warrior, ‘seven times down, eight times up’ – persevere!FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?CB: The hardest part is always starting – the fear of the blank white page and the knowledge that I have to write 70,000 words or more by a deadline. But once I get going, the writing flows.The most enjoyable part of the process is discovering where the characters will take the story. I may be the author, but they are writing it and they often surprise me!
BOOK BLURB:
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?
REVIEW:
I’m always on the look out for something a little different to any number of titles out there so when I discovered Chris Bradford’s Young Samurai series I was hoping for something pretty impressive but expecting something that would fall short of my expectations.
What unfurled in this first offering was an adventure unlike any other. Its essential Clavell’s Shogun but for the Young Adult Audience and really does it well. The writing is crisp, the characters fully rounded with emotional conflict as well as physical challenges. Great adventure with an author who shows that he plays not only for keeps (there’s a body count within) but one that tips the hat to the better psychological traits that every young person will wish they exhibited. Honour, Courage and Loyalty are the core essentials and ones that pass a message on that many will hopefully hear. Great stuff.
BOOK BLURB:
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?
REVIEW:
Having loved the first novel, I always know that the second is a challenge that the author will either fail miserably at just sail through relying on the original to keep the reader hooked or surpass the first offering with bags of talent to spare. The last of which is exceedingly rare.
What the reader gets within is a greater understanding of an alternative culture from an author who has a deep understanding of the way in which it not only functions but passes the knowledge on in such a way that its interesting and not an info dump. As with the original, the writing is beautiful, the prose ideal and above all the dialogue between the developing characters not only wonderful but ideal to help ingrain them to a new generation. Chris is definitely a writer to watch.
BOOK BLURB:
June 1613. Japan is threatened with war and Jack is facing his greatest battle yet. Samurai are taking sides and, as the blood begins to flow, Jack’s warrior training is put to the ultimate test. His survival – and that of his friends – depends upon him mastering the Two Heavens, the secret sword technique of the legendary samurai Masamoto Takeshi. 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 . . .
REVIEW:
Sadly for now, the last offering in the series to date (although don’t worry there is a fourth part arriving later in the year) and one that really doesn’t pull any punches (or weapons for that matter) as the brutal side of the Japanese Feudal system rears its ugly head. Whilst the darkest of the series to date its one that the reader really will have problems setting to one side as this heart in mouth offering will keep you glued to each event as you try to figure out what is going to happen next.
Add to this a breakneck pace, harsh combat alongside honour, friendship and sacrifice which will make this a tale that will tick all the boxes for a vast majority of 11 year old readers. It’s going to be a long wait for the next part but one that will be devoured as soon as it lands in a series that demonstrates that young adult fiction can be as complex as adult and just as rewarding.
