March 2010

Author/s: Maya Snow
Publisher: Oxford University Press UK
Reviewed by: Este Burger, Age: 15yrs
ISBN 13: 9780192728302

Blade’s Edge is the second book in the series Sisters of the Sword. Hana and Kimi continue their terrible and dangerous journey across rice farms, villages and mountains, when their Uncle discovers them at Master Goku’s dojo. Together with Tatsuya, their best friend, they come across many dangers and heartbreaking disappointment. They’re in search of their mother, but every time they think they’ve found her, she leaves yet another clue. Their once best friend and servant of their dead father, betrays then shamelessly and their mother and brother is captured. They set off across the border to follow their mother and find Moriyasu. Then Tatsuya is captured by a deadly ninja and the sisters are torn. For the first time they argue. Kimi wants to go after the ninja, but Hana stays sensible and says they’re no match to ninja. They pretend to be rebels and the border guards let them pass. So they get caught in the war, side by side with the other province’s sumarai. They fight their uncle’s soldiers and escape with their mother and Moriyasu. They still don’t know where Tatsuya is and for how long they will be safe untill their uncle comes after them again.

I liked the second book better, because it has more action and suspense. But the story gets a bit dragged out, because the book began where Hana and Kimi’s only goal is to defeat their uncle and they don’t even get near him. I like the story though, because it isn’t predictable. When you think you have predicted things, the opposite happens – or you change your mind about your prediction and in the end you find out that were right in the first place! I would recommend the second book over the first book, because they give the neccesary information you need to read the second book without reading the first. I enjoyed being on the road with Kimi and Hana again!

Link to online catalogue
Sisters of the Sword: Blade’s Edge