Published: November 2023
Pages: 142
Summary
This is no revenge story. I ain’t got time for that. I’ve got errands to run and things to do and barely enough time to make it home before sundown. I don’t care why folks are going around stealing ink. I don’t care why the monks are acting kinda strange. I don’t care that everybody is expecting me to save them. I might be a Sistah Samurai but those days playing hero were back when my knees didn’t ache, and I wasn’t the only one left. So leave me alone.
All I want to do is get home, drink some green tea lemonade, and enjoy my peace. I’m not asking for much, so why are all these demons daring to get in my way.
I am not the one. Not today.
My thoughts
This is a blend of urban fantasy and martial arts that left an etching on my heart. Sistah Samurai is a young woman navigating the complexities of her life in a world overrun by demons, whilst also grappling with the legacy of her fellow Sistah’s. This is a very short book but it packed a punch! This is a story of self discovery. That not all demons are external beings, that we all carry our own demons on the inside. Whether that is guilt, anxiety, or stress. We all have our battles that many don’t see, yet the world doesn’t stop moving and people still need us. They need to see Sistah Samurai as a pillar of strength and reliance.
Sistah Samurai is engaging and relatable. Her determination and resilience make her a character you root for. I really wanted to see her succeed. But her funniness aside, the writing in this book is fantastic. It really made me look inwards and reflect. Plus the badass fighting scenes were top notch. She is a master with a sword, very much reminded me of Sword of Kaigen with an anime twist!
It was funny the arc of a life: knowing fear as a child, to conquering them as a young adult, to going back around to fear in your older years and knowing that your initial assessment had always been right. Life was an endless churn of helplessness and fear that we had no control over. The only difference was that now, I have learned to swim my way through it.
The action sequences are a definite highlight. Obey’s descriptions of the martial arts are dynamic and exciting, bringing the fights to life with a visceral energy. The integration of magical elements using unique ink and paper added another layer of intrigue. Ink can only be made using the soul and it is very hard to come by. It adds tension to the story in a world overrun by demons. The supporting characters, while not always fully fleshed out, contribute to the rich tapestry of Sistah Samurai’s world and provide her with allies and adversaries that challenge her in different ways.
I had decided a long time ago, out of necessity, that the living was more important than the dead. I couldn’t spend my entire life as an avenger. I couldn’t spend all my time atoning for my mistakes. I couldn’t fall on my sword when others were depending on me to live.
I understand this is a novella but I would have loved to have explored the world building more deeply. Additionally, while her personal struggles are relatable, some of the secondary plot threads could have benefited from a bit more development to fully resonate. But that’s me being picky, this is still a fantastic story.
You don’t know where I come from. You don’t know what I’ve been through. You’ve seen one moment in time, and not my growth. You’ve read a few chapters and think you know the end. You think I am a character in a play for your amusement. You think you know my history. You think you know my fate. You think that I am blind and that I don’t see your hate. You don’t know me. Nor are you entitled to. In the end, my honor was defined by me. And not by you.
Would I recommend?
This is an enjoyable and action-packed read. Obey has created a compelling narrative that will appeal to fans of anime and martial arts stories. While there’s room for further exploration of the world, this is a novella and it is a great story. I loved reading Sistah Samurai’s journey and it was incredibly moving.