Good medieval Assassin (or Ninja) books?

[Ihateregistering1]

So every once in a while I'll go through a period where I'm obsessed with a particular setting or concept in fantasy or sci-fi, and I need to find a book to read that features it. My Binge now is medieval assassins (or Ninjas will suffice).

So does anyone have any good book recommendations? Here's the one catch: I'm looking for ones where the primary character is just a good Assassin, they don't have some mystical superpowers or anything like that. This is why I couldn't get into Brent Weeks 'Night Angel' trilogy, or 'Tales of the Otori', it just killed it for me when they basically turned the protagonists into Jedi.

So Escapists, what say you? Any good recommendations?

 

[the December King]

Yeah, I was going to mention the Night Angel Trilogy. But I didn't really like it that much in the end, anyways- I was never really invested in the characters. Are you looking for more historical or non-fiction styled work, like with Feudal Japan, Samurai and Ronin and such? You probably already read some Lone Wolf And Cub, but I found those comics entertaining, if brief. Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman- was that a book or comic before becoming a film?

 

[Queen Michael]

Yeah, I was going to mention the Night Angel Trilogy. But I didn't really like it that much in the end, anyways- I was never really invested in the characters. Are you looking for more historical or non-fiction styled work, like with Feudal Japan, Samurai and Ronin and such? You probably already read some Lone Wolf And Cub, but I found those comics entertaining, if brief.

Brief? How do you mean? It's a 28-book series; that's not very brief.

 

[the December King]

Yeah, I was going to mention the Night Angel Trilogy. But I didn't really like it that much in the end, anyways- I was never really invested in the characters. Are you looking for more historical or non-fiction styled work, like with Feudal Japan, Samurai and Ronin and such? You probably already read some Lone Wolf And Cub, but I found those comics entertaining, if brief.

Brief? How do you mean? It's a 28-book series; that's not very brief.

Oh, sorry, I was referring to the nature of reading one-off comics and small mini- adventures, as opposed to tucking into a series of novels where character development might feel more fleshed out.

I meant no slight, though, and am aware that comics can be intricate in their character development as well.

To be fair, I've only read a few of the Lone Wolf and Cub manga- I distinctly remember parts of Flute of the Fallen Tiger, for example- I often use that line on friends I have pretend-katana slashed and finished in play fights.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

Yeah, I was going to mention the Night Angel Trilogy. But I didn't really like it that much in the end, anyways- I was never really invested in the characters. Are you looking for more historical or non-fiction styled work, like with Feudal Japan, Samurai and Ronin and such? You probably already read some Lone Wolf And Cub, but I found those comics entertaining, if brief. Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman- was that a book or comic before becoming a film?

I'm pretty open with settings (ie. It doesn't have to be total fantasy). I've actually only seen the Lone Wolf and Cub movies. Are the books (or are they mangas) similar? In the movies, Ogami Itto isn't really an assassin, he basically just walks into a crowd of 75 guys and kicks the shit out of everyone.

 

[Ogoid]

If manga's on the table, I would suggest Kazuo Koike's and Goseki Kojima's (creators of Lone Wolf and Cub) Path of the Assassin, which tells the story of Hattori Hanzo, a historical master ninja and samurai.

Crying Freeman and Lady Snowblood (also by Koike but in collaboration with other artists) are also about assassins, but in my opinion not quite as good.

Other than that, off the top of my head... I suppose Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy might (kinda) fit that bill.

 

[WolfThomas]

Other than that, off the top of my head... I suppose Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy might (kinda) fit that bill.

I was going to suggest this. Fitz's assassin-y stuff decreases as the series goes on, but never truly stops.

And it's a good book series with now almost 3 trilogies and 2 other connected series.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

Other than that, off the top of my head... I suppose Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy might (kinda) fit that bill.

I was going to suggest this. Fitz's assassin-y stuff decreases as the series goes on, but never truly stops.

And it's a good book series with now almost 3 trilogies and 2 other connected series.

Hmm, I'll have to take a look at it, thanks!

One of the reasons I want to make sure it's decent is that so much of fantasy is all trilogies (at a minimum) so if you do decide to start, you want to REALLY make sure it's good.

 

[the December King]

Yeah, I was going to mention the Night Angel Trilogy. But I didn't really like it that much in the end, anyways- I was never really invested in the characters. Are you looking for more historical or non-fiction styled work, like with Feudal Japan, Samurai and Ronin and such? You probably already read some Lone Wolf And Cub, but I found those comics entertaining, if brief. Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman- was that a book or comic before becoming a film?

I'm pretty open with settings (ie. It doesn't have to be total fantasy). I've actually only seen the Lone Wolf and Cub movies. Are the books (or are they mangas) similar? In the movies, Ogami Itto isn't really an assassin, he basically just walks into a crowd of 75 guys and kicks the shit out of everyone.

At this stage, I have no problem recommending asking Queen Michael about the specifics of the rest of manga, as my experience is somewhat limited, and that guy is like, a manga god, man.

 

[davidmc1158_v1legacy]

May I recommend the Vlad Taltosh series by Steven Brust? While the main character does have some skill at sorcery and witchcraft, I think it still fits your criteria because, in the setting, EVERYONE has some skill with sorcery and Easterners (read: humans) practice witchcraft regularly.

The main character, Vlad, is a human assassin in an empire of 'elves' called Dragaereans. Short-lived humans are weaker and looked down upon by the citizens of the empire. So Vlad became an assassin mostly just to get even with them. Lots of good humor, witty one-liners and the main character getting punched in the teeth for saying them. What's not to like?

 

[Ogoid]

At this stage, I have no problem recommending asking Queen Michael about the specifics of the rest of manga, as my experience is somewhat limited, and that guy is like, a manga god, man.

Well, if I might chime in...

He's an assassin in the sense that he's a killer for hire, ostensibly working for anyone who can pay his fee and only for those who pay, even though his targets tend to be shady and/or unlikable characters (or at least less likable than his employers) and he makes exceptions to those rules every now and then; but as a general rule, yeah, he's like that in the manga, too, an unstoppable force of nature. He can be subtle and sneaky if necessary, but is both willing and able to cut down a small army to get the job done - which he quite often does.

 

[the December King]

Well, if I might chime in...

He's an assassin in the sense that he's a killer for hire, ostensibly working for anyone who can pay his fee and only for those who pay, even though his targets tend to be shady and/or unlikable characters (or at least less likable than his employers) and he makes exceptions to those rules every now and then; but as a general rule, yeah, he's like that in the manga, too, an unstoppable force of nature. He can be subtle and sneaky if necessary, but is both willing and able to cut down a small army to get the job done - which he quite often does.

Oh, an attack from my flank, eh? Eeeeevery one's a ninja master... bah!

*Grimly draws katana and assumes ready cycle, knowing full well that he's already lost*

 

[Queen Michael]

Yeah, I was going to mention the Night Angel Trilogy. But I didn't really like it that much in the end, anyways- I was never really invested in the characters. Are you looking for more historical or non-fiction styled work, like with Feudal Japan, Samurai and Ronin and such? You probably already read some Lone Wolf And Cub, but I found those comics entertaining, if brief.

Brief? How do you mean? It's a 28-book series; that's not very brief.

Oh, sorry, I was referring to the nature of reading one-off comics and small mini- adventures, as opposed to tucking into a series of novels where character development might feel more fleshed out.

I meant no slight, though, and am aware that comics can be intricate in their character development as well.

To be fair, I've only read a few of the Lone Wolf and Cub manga- I distinctly remember parts of Flute of the Fallen Tiger, for example- I often use that line on friends I have pretend-katana slashed and finished in play fights.

No offense taken, mate.

But later on in the series, it becomes less episodic and focuses more on one big epic story-arc.

 

[Peterloom]

I just finished reading an amazing book called The Last Umbra by M.R Chavez. He has a unique take on the Japanese culture by bringing a samurai warrior to early California. The book is full of action that kept me entertained from beginning to end.

A Historical Adventure, Action-thriller. It is focused on the admiration for the Japanese warrior class. This book tells of not a pride filled Samurai, but instead, a ninja assassin on a quest in gold-rush era California.

If anyone want to check it out you can find it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Umbra-M-R-Chavez-ebook/dp/B00W01KUD4

 

[ecoho]

So every once in a while I'll go through a period where I'm obsessed with a particular setting or concept in fantasy or sci-fi, and I need to find a book to read that features it. My Binge now is medieval assassins (or Ninjas will suffice).

So does anyone have any good book recommendations? Here's the one catch: I'm looking for ones where the primary character is just a good Assassin, they don't have some mystical superpowers or anything like that. This is why I couldn't get into Brent Weeks 'Night Angel' trilogy, or 'Tales of the Otori', it just killed it for me when they basically turned the protagonists into Jedi.

So Escapists, what say you? Any good recommendations?

best I can do is recommend the ranger apprentice books, though they are young adult reading they arnt half bad.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

I just finished reading an amazing book called The Last Umbra by M.R Chavez. He has a unique take on the Japanese culture by bringing a samurai warrior to early California. The book is full of action that kept me entertained from beginning to end.

A Historical Adventure, Action-thriller. It is focused on the admiration for the Japanese warrior class. This book tells of not a pride filled Samurai, but instead, a ninja assassin on a quest in gold-rush era California.

If anyone want to check it out you can find it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Umbra-M-R-Chavez-ebook/dp/B00W01KUD4

Cowboys and Ninjas?! Ok, I'm in.

 

[WolfThomas]

One of the reasons I want to make sure it's decent is that so much of fantasy is all trilogies (at a minimum) so if you do decide to start, you want to REALLY make sure it's good.

The trilogies alternate between a first person perspective of this character Fitz in a Kingdom called the Six Duchies and trilogies with multiple 3rd person POVs set in another group of countries that are distant from the first but still involved with each other. Some people like both trilogies, others are a bit disappointed with the latter.

While the stories do intertwine with certain developments you could get away with only reading the Fitz ones if you like them.

 

[Linghu]

Hmmm wanted to reccomend Robin Hobb too. How about Alamut by Vladimir Bartol then?

Its about the Ḥashshāshīn an Islamic sect that formed in the late 11th century.

The only problem might be it availability though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassins

 

[pookie101]

well going back a bit and i dont know where you would track down copies at the moment but there was a range of game books released a long time ago called "way of the tiger" basically ninja/fantasy story, pretty good for game book standards