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Reviewed by Robert Collier III for Readers' Favorite
Murasaki: Seasons of the Sword Book 4 by David Kudler is about Kano Murasaki, also called Risuko, a girl growing up during Japan’s civil war. After her father is disgraced and sent away, her mother ends up selling her to a hidden school where girls are trained to be kunoichi. There, they learn about spying, disguises, and combat training. Risuko becomes close friends with Toumi and Emi, who also have difficult pasts. Their main job is to escort Lady Oda Hachihime, a young noblewoman, to her arranged marriage with a warlord. This is supposed to bring peace between clans. However, things don't go as planned, and they run into danger along the way. Risuko is caught between staying loyal to her friends, doing her duty, and honoring her father’s wish that she should not harm others.
What kept me reading was how well the story combines stealth missions with the everyday moments in Risuko and the other girls' lives. The kunoichi are not just fighters; they joke, argue, share food, and try to make sense of what they are being trained to become. Details such as shrine duties, clan politics, and talks about samurai honor make the setting more fascinating. I also love how the story shows that even peace treaties can be risky, especially for girls expected to obey powerful men. The glossary and short chapters made it easier to keep track of unfamiliar terms and new alliances. I'm particularly fond of the thoughtful conversations surrounding topics like revenge, faith, and whether choosing the lesser of two evils still leaves scars. They really draw you into the storyline more. Fans of historical adventure stories with strong young heroines and ninja intrigue will enjoy reading David Kudler's Murasaki.
