The Sword of Kuromori

Gr 7 Up—Kenny Blackwood thinks he is going on a typical summer vacation to visit his father in Japan, but even before he leaves the airplane, he is caught up in a swirl of adventure. Kidnapped by men in suits, chased by ninjas on motorcycles, and seeing fantastical creatures that nobody else can, Kenny is learning that Japan, and his family, is not all that it seems. A mysterious letter from his grandfather in England sends him on a chase through contemporary Japan for the fabled magical Sword of Heaven, which is needed to stop a misguided villain from destroying the United States. Thankfully he is accompanied on his quest by Kiyomi, a girl whose knowledge of Japanese folklore is matched only by her impressive fighting skills and who frequently saves Kenny from many tight spots. The second book continues to follow Kenny's progress as he learns more about his particular skills and deals with even more whimsical Japanese deities while increasing the stakes, as this time, both Kiyomi and the planet are in peril. Rohan's debut series clearly borrows from Rick Riordan's winning formula of adventure at breakneck speed through a setting rife with historical detail and mythological gods. Percy Jackson fans will relish the familiar need to learn mythology and folklore as well as the fast-paced, ingenious fighting sequences. The author lived in Japan for several years, and it shows.