Novel of the Fated Blades
3 primary works
Book 1
An explosive novel of ancient cunning and modern power; the first Novel of the Fated Blades.
Mariko Oshiro is not your average tokyo cop. As the only female detective in the city's most elite police unit, she has to fight for every ounce of respect. While she wants to track down a rumoured cocaine shipment, her boss gives her the least promising case possible. But the case - the attempted theft of an old samurai sword - proves more dangerous than anyone could have imagined ... the owner of the sword, Professor Yasuo Yamada, says it was crafted by the legendary Master Inazuma, a sword smith whose blades are rumoured to have magical qualities. the man trying to steal it already owns another Inazuma, one whose deadly power eventually comes to control all who wield it - or so says Yamada. And though he has studied swords and swordsmanship all his life, Mariko isn't convinced. But Mariko's scepticism hardly matters. Her investigation has put her on a collision course with a curse centuries old and as bloodthirsty as ever. She is only the latest in a long line of warriors to confront this power, and even the sword she learns to wield herself could turn against her.
Mariko Oshiro is not your average tokyo cop. As the only female detective in the city's most elite police unit, she has to fight for every ounce of respect. While she wants to track down a rumoured cocaine shipment, her boss gives her the least promising case possible. But the case - the attempted theft of an old samurai sword - proves more dangerous than anyone could have imagined ... the owner of the sword, Professor Yasuo Yamada, says it was crafted by the legendary Master Inazuma, a sword smith whose blades are rumoured to have magical qualities. the man trying to steal it already owns another Inazuma, one whose deadly power eventually comes to control all who wield it - or so says Yamada. And though he has studied swords and swordsmanship all his life, Mariko isn't convinced. But Mariko's scepticism hardly matters. Her investigation has put her on a collision course with a curse centuries old and as bloodthirsty as ever. She is only the latest in a long line of warriors to confront this power, and even the sword she learns to wield herself could turn against her.
Book 2
A compelling blend of contemporary crime noir with ancient Samurai legend, YEAR OF THE DEMON is the second explosive Novel of the Fated Blades, from the author of DAUGHTER OF THE SWORD.
Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro has been promoted to Japan's elite Narcotics unit-and with this promotion comes a new partner, a new case, and new danger. the underboss of a powerful yakuza crime syndicate has put a price on her head, and he'll lift the bounty only if she retrieves an ancient iron demon mask that was stolen from him in a daring raid. However, Mariko has no idea of the tumultuous past carried within the mask-or of its deadly link with the famed Inazuma blade she wields. the secret of this mask originated hundreds of years before Mariko was born, and over time the mask's power has evolved to bend its owner toward destruction, stopping at nothing to obtain Inazuma steel. Mariko's fallen sensei knew much of the mask's hypnotic power and of its mysterious link to a murderous cult. Now Mariko must use his notes to find the mask before the cult can bring tokyo to its knees-and before the underboss decides her time is up ... Praise for DAUGHtER OF tHE SWORD: "An authentic and riveting thrill ride through both ancient and modern Japan. Definitely a winner."-Kylie Chan, author of Hell to Heaven "Bein's gripping debut is a meticulously researched, highly detailed blend of urban and historical fantasy set in modern tokyo."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A noir modern tokyo overwhelmed by the shadows of Japanese history...a compelling multifaceted vision of a remarkable culture, and a great page-turner."-Stephen Baxter, author of Iron Winter
Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro has been promoted to Japan's elite Narcotics unit-and with this promotion comes a new partner, a new case, and new danger. the underboss of a powerful yakuza crime syndicate has put a price on her head, and he'll lift the bounty only if she retrieves an ancient iron demon mask that was stolen from him in a daring raid. However, Mariko has no idea of the tumultuous past carried within the mask-or of its deadly link with the famed Inazuma blade she wields. the secret of this mask originated hundreds of years before Mariko was born, and over time the mask's power has evolved to bend its owner toward destruction, stopping at nothing to obtain Inazuma steel. Mariko's fallen sensei knew much of the mask's hypnotic power and of its mysterious link to a murderous cult. Now Mariko must use his notes to find the mask before the cult can bring tokyo to its knees-and before the underboss decides her time is up ... Praise for DAUGHtER OF tHE SWORD: "An authentic and riveting thrill ride through both ancient and modern Japan. Definitely a winner."-Kylie Chan, author of Hell to Heaven "Bein's gripping debut is a meticulously researched, highly detailed blend of urban and historical fantasy set in modern tokyo."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A noir modern tokyo overwhelmed by the shadows of Japanese history...a compelling multifaceted vision of a remarkable culture, and a great page-turner."-Stephen Baxter, author of Iron Winter
Book 3
Tokyo’s only female detective fights to keep her city safe in the third novel in the fantasy series that “combines the best parts of police procedurals, buddy-cop films, historical fantasy, and intrigue-laden adventure.”*
After a deadly terrorist attack in Tokyo, Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro urges her commanding officers to arrest an insane zealot who was just released from police custody. When her pleas fall on deaf ears, she loses her temper and then her badge.
Armed with only her cunning and her famed Inazuma blade, Mariko must work outside the system to stop the terrorist. But going rogue draws the attention of the Wind—an underground syndicate that has controlled Japanese politics for centuries, using mystical relics to achieve their nefarious ends.
Now, Mariko is left with a perilous choice: join an illicit insurgency to thwart a deadly villain, or remain true to the law. Either way, she cannot escape her sword’s curse. As sure as the blade will bring her to victory, it also promises to destroy her…
After a deadly terrorist attack in Tokyo, Detective Sergeant Mariko Oshiro urges her commanding officers to arrest an insane zealot who was just released from police custody. When her pleas fall on deaf ears, she loses her temper and then her badge.
Armed with only her cunning and her famed Inazuma blade, Mariko must work outside the system to stop the terrorist. But going rogue draws the attention of the Wind—an underground syndicate that has controlled Japanese politics for centuries, using mystical relics to achieve their nefarious ends.
Now, Mariko is left with a perilous choice: join an illicit insurgency to thwart a deadly villain, or remain true to the law. Either way, she cannot escape her sword’s curse. As sure as the blade will bring her to victory, it also promises to destroy her…