Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune

I give Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S. Turner 4 out of 5 stars. If readers love adventure, Japanese culture, war, young adult, and historical books then Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S. Turner is the book for you! Readers will need to keep an open mind that this book isn’t filled with violence and war. It’s a story about vengeance, pride, and politics. Turner depicts a nonfiction biography of the Japanese warrior Minamoto Yoshitsune, Turner shows the horrors of how Yoshitsune became one of the greatest samurai in Japanese history. She starts telling the story of him at the young age; as Yoshitsune was a baby, his father was killed at war with another family, his mother was captured, his only sibling, a half-brother was banished, and then baby Yoshitsune was sent to live in a monastery. Turner gives vivid details of Yoshitsune not being the typical warrior as he was unskilled, small, and skinny. Then, Yoshitsune escapes and trains extensively to become a strong skilled samurai to avenge his family. The book was set during the 12th century and author Pamela S. Turner didn’t have much sources, however she managed to successfully write a historically accurate book that will grab the reader’s attention. Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S. Turner is a thrilling and insightful book about a dangerous world. I recommend Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S. Turner for others to read.