"A stark, fierce, and fascinating start to what promises to be a rewarding trilogy set in Japan in the 17th century."
A stark, fierce, and fascinating start to what promises to be a rewarding trilogy. The Swords of Silence is set in Japan during 1626 as the Shogun slams shut the door to outside influences. If Father Joaquim Martinez and the village he tends, fail to renounce their religion, they face a hideous death. It took a little time for me to settle into the names, the time, the land, however I was soon gripped by the story on offer. The dedication at the beginning states that between 1614 and 1643 the Shogun executed almost 5,000 Christians. Shaun Curry writes with a simplicity that to be quite honest, feels necessary in the bloodshed that follows. He doesn’t revel in the gore, instead quite matter-of-factly describes incidents that somehow feel all the more real. I have to say that I have rather fallen for Master Watanabe and do hope that he makes a reappearance in the trilogy! Exploring a time and place from long ago, The Swords of Silence took me with picture sharp clarity into a compelling story.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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The true bravery of a Jesuit priest in a land where Christianity is illegal, and where both Christians and those who aid them are tortured, imprisoned and killed.
By the middle of 1626, Christianity had been illegal for 10 years under the orders of the Shogun, who decreed that all Christians must die painful deaths, and anyone who aided them would also be tortured and killed. Father Joaquim, a Jesuit priest, who lived with the villagers of Arima, had to spend a lot of time in hiding, cared for and hidden when necessary by them, under the watchful eye of Master Yamaguchi, a sympathetic and caring samurai who was teaching Joaquim and some others the skills of samurai fighting.
This heart-in-your-mouth story follows Joaquim into even more danger; the village is attacked by a detachment of samurai and everyone taken prisoner. Forced marches, prisons, rescue, more marches amid constant danger; injury and death among them for a lot of the time.... Read Full Review
Persecution, Torture and Death. Their epic struggle unfolds, Christians Vs The Shogun. Will faith alone prevail?
As with all good books, Swords of Silence grips your attention from the first page.
The story is set from May to July 1626, a time when Christians had already been outlawed in Japan for the last ten years. It tells of their struggle, focusing on the ones that live in the small village of Arima, led by Father Joaquim.
The author describes in vivid detail the horrific ordeals they encounter, with the Shogun and his samurai during this period. It isn't for the faint-hearted!
The book is based on truth which is a strength, as well as the fact that it has short chapters which keep you gripped and make you want to keep reading the next one and the next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope it gets the attention it deserves.... Read Full Review
Japan 1620. Joaquim Martinez yearns for a quiet life. Hunting him, a Shogun led massacre. Graphically told and vividly described. It's brilliant!
It's Japan 1620 and Christian Father Joaquim Martinez yearns for a quiet life. In Hinzen Province, Japan, he wants nothing more than to quietly spread the word of God. Unfortunately, that's impossible. When the country's military dictator - the Shogun - outlaws Christianity, his and his villagers' lives are irrevocably changed. Those who won't recant their beliefs, face a sentence of torturous death. With the threat of a massacre looming and the Shogun's Samurai closing in, Father Martinez has to risk everything for the villagers he's come to think of as family.
Based on actual historical events, this is a non-stop action adventure described in vivid detail. The main characters are relatable despite their time being hundreds of years ago in a very foreign land.... Read Full Review
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