Moonshadow: the wrath of the Silver Wolf

Simon Higgins (author)

Random House, Australia: 2009;320pp

ISBN: 9781741664058

Genres: adventure, action

Issues: conflict,friendship, identity, values

The ambitious warlord, Silver Wolf, is determined to overthrow the Shogun and shake Japan out its time of peace - a state that Silver Wolf sees as diminishing the skills, roles and values of the great samurai.

Moonshadow, youngest member of the Grey Light Order of ninja, and Snowhawk, whom he recruited on his last mission (Eye of the Beast) are sent to identify those who've been seduced by Silver Wolf's treachery and listen to their plans.

But Silver Wolf is cunning as well as treacherous and his plans are subtle. He plans to use a rival ninja group to eliminate the GLO - the same group that so brutally trained Snowhawk. When it seems that the legendary mystic, the White Nun, is to be targeted by the Clan Fuma ninja, Moon and Snowhawk are sent to protect her. But it seems that their enemies have gathered some powerful warriors to target the pair, including Chikuma, an assassin whose tool is simply the power of his mind. Can Moonshadow's skill with beast help him fight a war that is all in his mind? And will Snowhawk be able to overcome her rage and resentment against her former clan in order to follow the wiser and more merciful way of the Grey Light Order?

Simon Higgins' skill in martial arts gives his writing a strength and sincerity that is not always reflected in works based on more theoretical research. Although there is plenty of action to entertain the adventure-loving reader and keep the pages turning, the ethics and spiritual nature of martial arts is central to both plot and characterisations. The Shogun is trying to maintain a reign of peace and bring Japan into a new era centred in community, dignity and learning. Silver Wolf's only desire is to return to times of conflict, as he sees their fighting skills being what defines samurai. This underlying philosophical conflict is expressed in the differences of approach to and management of conflict by the opposing sides.

Younger readers who enjoyed the Samurai Kids series will find Moonshadow an entertaining next step before dipping into the much more complex world of Lian Hern's Tales of the Otari.