Deadly Wish: A Ninja's Journey

by Sarah L. Thomson

Overview

This sequel to Deadly Flowers is a fast-paced and compelling read with a multitude of astonishing plot twists. Kata is one of the best employees of a master thief until he sells her to Madame Chiyome, the woman who trained Kata as a ninja. It turns out that Madame Chiyome has been hired by Kata’s enemy, Saiko, to capture Kata and the magical pearl she possesses. But while escaping her enemies, Kata puts her trusted group of friends in danger. Should Kata stay loyal to her mission, as a true ninja would, or to her friends? Can Kata trust the fellow thief who says he is in love with her and wants to help her? The themes of trust versus independence underlie each of Kata’s decisions as she tries to get the pearl out of Japan to weaken the demon within it. As Kata faces one obstacle after another, including a wide range of supernatural creatures, she is tempted to make a wish to save herself, even though could it be the last wish, the one that frees the demon and lets him take her soul. Will her sense of duty and honor prevail against all odds?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629797779
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	09/26/2017
Series:	A Ninja's Journey
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	870L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Sarah L. Thomson has written everything from picture books to young adult novels. The Dragon’s Son, a young adult novel, was a JLG selection, earned two starred reviews, and was on VOYA’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror list; Dragon’s Egg was a JLG selection and a Maine Lupine Award winner. She lives in Portland, Maine. sarahlthomson.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Kudos to Thomson for a well-researched story with plausible characters in a fantastical world reminiscent of 16th-century Japan. Jam-packed with thrilling action and hurtling plot twists — readers may forget to breathe.' — Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of the first book in the series, Deadly Flowers, will not be disappointed when they rejoin Kata on another perilous journey. In this sequel, Kata has matured as an independent fighter who learns about friendship, trust, responsibility, and the freedom to make decisions...A great option for tweens and younger teens interested in Japanese folklore and ninja action.'– School Library Journal

From the Publisher

07/01/2017
Gr 6–8—Fans of the first book in the series, Deadly Flowers, will not be disappointed when they rejoin Kata on another perilous journey. Kata is a ninja living among thieves. She is torn between trusting her ninja training and depending on a group of loyal friends. The story is a fast-paced combination of thrills, adventure, and horror. Kata is often on the brink of danger and has to rely on her training and on others to survive. In her latest mission, lives are at stake as she is cursed with the responsibility of protecting a precious jewel haunted by a deadly demon. Kata fights the urge to call upon the jewel to grant wishes, knowing that her wish can set a monstrous and powerful demon free. The novel introduces readers to many fantastic beasts from Japanese folklore, such as the kitsune (the trickster Japanese red fox) and the neko-mata (the sinister double-tailed cat). In this sequel, Kata has matured as an independent fighter who learns about friendship, trust, responsibility, and the freedom to make decisions. She realizes that relying on others can be helpful, even when they seem like a burden. VERDICT A great option for tweens and younger teens interested in Japanese folklore and ninja action.—Christina Pesiri, Michael F. Stokes Elementary School, Island Trees-Levittown, NY

School Library Journal

2017-06-27
In the face of mounting challenges, a ninja is torn between her mission as guardian of a magical pearl and loyalty to her friends. In this sequel to Deadly Flowers (2016), Kata finds herself in Madame Chiyome's clutches again, the very person who molded her into the stealth warrior she is today. Kata soon learns that she is up against far more than Madame Chiyome's wrath. Saiko, her sworn enemy, is the real mastermind and is after the pearl in Kata's possession. Even though a true ninja must always act alone, Kata must trust her friends: Jinnai, a thief who professes his love for her; Otani, an ex-samurai-turned-bandit; and her ninja sisters. With their help, Kata escapes and continues on her journey. At every turn, Kata has difficult decisions to make. Should she stay focused on her mission? Or trust her friends and remain loyal to them? Somehow, things fall into place. Together, they fend off enemy ninjas and samurai as well as bakemono (shape-shifting creatures) to create safe passage for Kata. As her mission nears its climax, Kata faces an epic battle alone and must decide between the lesser of two evils. Kudos to Thomson for a well-researched story with plausible characters in a fantastical world reminiscent of 16th-century Japan. Jam-packed with thrilling action and hurtling plot twists—readers may forget to breathe. (author's note, glossary) (Historical fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews