Items related to Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale: 1 (Seasons of the Sword)
Synopsis
Can One Girl Win A War?
Tenth Anniversary Edition — with new author essays on the history behind the series
In the chaos of Japan's century-long civil war, young Risuko is sold to the legendary Lady Chiyome and taken to a remote mountain school. There she's trained alongside other girls in skills no one will explain — cooking, dancing, spying — for a purpose she's not meant to understand. But Risuko is a climber. She goes where she's not supposed to go. And what she discovers will thrust her into the heart of a conflict that could reshape a nation.
Book 1 of Seasons of the Sword — a complete four-book series
- Risuko (Winter)
- Bright Eyes (Spring)
- Kano (Summer)
- Murasaki (Autumn)
BAIPA Great Reads Award winner ·
Samurai, assassins, warlords — and a girl who likes to climb
It's 1570. Kano Murasaki — called Risuko ("Squirrel") — is a fatherless girl living in a ruined village, more comfortable in the treetops than on the ground. When the enigmatic Lady Chiyome purchases her from her desperate mother, Risuko is carried across a war-ravaged landscape to a mountain compound called the Full Moon.
There, she and two other recruits are trained by kunoichi — spies, bodyguards, assassins — in an education disguised as domestic service. Kitchen work becomes blade training. Dance becomes combat. And the women around her are far more dangerous than they appear.
But someone at the Full Moon is hiding a secret. When betrayal strikes at the heart of the compound, Risuko must decide what she's willing to become — and what she's willing to do — to protect the people she's come to love.
Risuko is the first book in Seasons of the Sword, a complete, award-winning, four-book series set during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. Rich in historical detail, sharp with political intrigue, and driven by a heroine who keeps climbing higher than anyone expects.
What the Critics Say
- "Tight, exciting, and thoughtful… The characters are nicely varied and all the pieces fit into place deftly." — Kirkus Reviews
- "A powerful and relentless coming-of-age adventure… Risuko's development and evolution are fascinating to watch." — Foreword Reviews (spotlight review)
- "Vividly portrayed, flush with cultural detail, and smoothly written." — BookLife
As featured in Kirkus, Foreword, and on the cover of Publishers Weekly!
On the Tenth Anniversary Edition
On June 15, 2026, Risuko turns ten. This anniversary edition features tighter prose, sharper pacing, and a new author's note exploring the real history behind the series — including the surprising truth about the legendary Lady Chiyome and the kunoichi.
— David Kudler
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
David Kudler is not afraid of heights. He just has a healthy respect for depths. "I'm as surprised as anyone," he says, "that I've written a series of books featuring a young woman who loves to be as high up in the air as possible." His multi-award-winning, recently completed Seasons of the Sword series of historical adventure novels (Risuko, Bright Eyes, Kano, and Murasaki) have been featured in Foreword Magazine, Kirkus, and others. Risuko graced the cover of Publisher's Weekly.Also an editor and publisher, he's overseen the publication of more than two hundred titles including Joseph Campbell's best-selling Hero with a Thousand Faces, an exploration of hero stories from across the ages and around the world.He lives just north of the Golden Gate Bridge with his wife actor/teacher/author Maura Vaughn, their wordsmith daughters, and their (apparently) non-literary cat.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale (Paperback or Softback)
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Can One Girl Win A War? Tenth Anniversary Edition - with new author essays on the history behind the series In the chaos of Japan's century-long civil war, young Risuko is sold to the legendary Lady Chiyome and taken to a remote mountain school. There she's trained alongside other girls in skills no one will explain - cooking, dancing, spying - for a purpose she's not meant to understand. But Risuko is a climber. She goes where she's not supposed to go. And what she discovers will thrust her into the heart of a conflict that could reshape a nation. Book 1 of Seasons of the Sword - a complete four-book series: Risuko (Winter)Bright Eyes (Spring)Kano (Summer)Murasaki (Autumn) Samurai, assassins, warlords - and a girl who likes to climbIt's 1570. Kano Murasaki - called Risuko ("Squirrel") - is a fatherless girl living in a ruined village, more comfortable in the treetops than on the ground. When the enigmatic Lady Chiyome purchases her from her desperate mother, Risuko is carried across a war-ravaged landscape to a mountain compound called the Full Moon. There, she and two other recruits are trained by kunoichi - spies, bodyguards, assassins - in an education disguised as domestic service. Kitchen work becomes blade training. Dance becomes combat. And the women around her are far more dangerous than they appear. But someone at the Full Moon is hiding a secret. When betrayal strikes at the heart of the compound, Risuko must decide what she's willing to become - and what she's willing to do - to protect the people she's come to love. Risuko is the first book in Seasons of the Sword, a complete, award-winning, four-book series set during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. Rich in historical detail, sharp with political intrigue, and driven by a heroine who keeps climbing higher than anyone expects. What the Critics Say: "Tight, exciting, and thoughtful. The characters are nicely varied and all the pieces fit into place deftly." - Kirkus Reviews"A powerful and relentless coming-of-age adventure. Risuko's development and evolution are fascinating to watch." - Foreword Reviews (spotlight review)"Vividly portrayed, flush with cultural detail, and smoothly written." - BookLife BAIPA Book Award WinnerThis tenth anniversary edition features tighter prose, sharper pacing, and a new author's note exploring the real history behind the series - including the surprising truth about the legendary Lady Chiyome and the kunoichi. Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Risuko just wants to climb trees. Growing up fatherless, far from the battles and court intrigues, she finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan, or may destroy it. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781938808777
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Risuko : A Kunoichi Tale
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Taschenbuch. Condition: Neu. nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - Can One Girl Win A War Tenth Anniversary Edition - with new author essays on the history behind the series In the chaos of Japan's century-long civil war, young Risuko is sold to the legendary Lady Chiyome and taken to a remote mountain school. There she's trained alongside other girls in skills no one will explain - cooking, dancing, spying - for a purpose she's not meant to understand. But Risuko is a climber. She goes where she's not supposed to go. And what she discovers will thrust her into the heart of a conflict that could reshape a nation. Book 1 of Seasons of the Sword - a complete four-book series:Risuko (Winter)Bright Eyes (Spring)Kano (Summer)Murasaki (Autumn) Samurai, assassins, warlords - and a girl who likes to climbIt's 1570. Kano Murasaki - called Risuko ('Squirrel') - is a fatherless girl living in a ruined village, more comfortable in the treetops than on the ground. When the enigmatic Lady Chiyome purchases her from her desperate mother, Risuko is carried across a war-ravaged landscape to a mountain compound called the Full Moon. There, she and two other recruits are trained by kunoichi - spies, bodyguards, assassins - in an education disguised as domestic service. Kitchen work becomes blade training. Dance becomes combat. And the women around her are far more dangerous than they appear. But someone at the Full Moon is hiding a secret. When betrayal strikes at the heart of the compound, Risuko must decide what she's willing to become - and what she's willing to do - to protect the people she's come to love. Risuko is the first book in Seasons of the Sword, a complete, award-winning, four-book series set during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. Rich in historical detail, sharp with political intrigue, and driven by a heroine who keeps climbing higher than anyone expects. What the Critics Say:'Tight, exciting, and thoughtful. The characters are nicely varied and all the pieces fit into place deftly.' - Kirkus Reviews'A powerful and relentless coming-of-age adventure. Risuko's development and evolution are fascinating to watch.' - Foreword Reviews (spotlight review)'Vividly portrayed, flush with cultural detail, and smoothly written.' - BookLife BAIPA Book Award WinnerThis tenth anniversary edition features tighter prose, sharper pacing, and a new author's note exploring the real history behind the series - including the surprising truth about the legendary Lady Chiyome and the kunoichi. Seller Inventory # 9781938808777
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Risuko (Paperback)
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Can One Girl Win A War? Tenth Anniversary Edition - with new author essays on the history behind the series In the chaos of Japan's century-long civil war, young Risuko is sold to the legendary Lady Chiyome and taken to a remote mountain school. There she's trained alongside other girls in skills no one will explain - cooking, dancing, spying - for a purpose she's not meant to understand. But Risuko is a climber. She goes where she's not supposed to go. And what she discovers will thrust her into the heart of a conflict that could reshape a nation. Book 1 of Seasons of the Sword - a complete four-book series: Risuko (Winter)Bright Eyes (Spring)Kano (Summer)Murasaki (Autumn) Samurai, assassins, warlords - and a girl who likes to climbIt's 1570. Kano Murasaki - called Risuko ("Squirrel") - is a fatherless girl living in a ruined village, more comfortable in the treetops than on the ground. When the enigmatic Lady Chiyome purchases her from her desperate mother, Risuko is carried across a war-ravaged landscape to a mountain compound called the Full Moon. There, she and two other recruits are trained by kunoichi - spies, bodyguards, assassins - in an education disguised as domestic service. Kitchen work becomes blade training. Dance becomes combat. And the women around her are far more dangerous than they appear. But someone at the Full Moon is hiding a secret. When betrayal strikes at the heart of the compound, Risuko must decide what she's willing to become - and what she's willing to do - to protect the people she's come to love. Risuko is the first book in Seasons of the Sword, a complete, award-winning, four-book series set during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. Rich in historical detail, sharp with political intrigue, and driven by a heroine who keeps climbing higher than anyone expects. What the Critics Say: "Tight, exciting, and thoughtful. The characters are nicely varied and all the pieces fit into place deftly." - Kirkus Reviews"A powerful and relentless coming-of-age adventure. Risuko's development and evolution are fascinating to watch." - Foreword Reviews (spotlight review)"Vividly portrayed, flush with cultural detail, and smoothly written." - BookLife BAIPA Book Award WinnerThis tenth anniversary edition features tighter prose, sharper pacing, and a new author's note exploring the real history behind the series - including the surprising truth about the legendary Lady Chiyome and the kunoichi. Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Risuko just wants to climb trees. Growing up fatherless, far from the battles and court intrigues, she finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan, or may destroy it. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781938808777
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Risuko (Paperback)
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Can One Girl Win A War? Tenth Anniversary Edition - with new author essays on the history behind the series In the chaos of Japan's century-long civil war, young Risuko is sold to the legendary Lady Chiyome and taken to a remote mountain school. There she's trained alongside other girls in skills no one will explain - cooking, dancing, spying - for a purpose she's not meant to understand. But Risuko is a climber. She goes where she's not supposed to go. And what she discovers will thrust her into the heart of a conflict that could reshape a nation. Book 1 of Seasons of the Sword - a complete four-book series: Risuko (Winter)Bright Eyes (Spring)Kano (Summer)Murasaki (Autumn) Samurai, assassins, warlords - and a girl who likes to climbIt's 1570. Kano Murasaki - called Risuko ("Squirrel") - is a fatherless girl living in a ruined village, more comfortable in the treetops than on the ground. When the enigmatic Lady Chiyome purchases her from her desperate mother, Risuko is carried across a war-ravaged landscape to a mountain compound called the Full Moon. There, she and two other recruits are trained by kunoichi - spies, bodyguards, assassins - in an education disguised as domestic service. Kitchen work becomes blade training. Dance becomes combat. And the women around her are far more dangerous than they appear. But someone at the Full Moon is hiding a secret. When betrayal strikes at the heart of the compound, Risuko must decide what she's willing to become - and what she's willing to do - to protect the people she's come to love. Risuko is the first book in Seasons of the Sword, a complete, award-winning, four-book series set during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. Rich in historical detail, sharp with political intrigue, and driven by a heroine who keeps climbing higher than anyone expects. What the Critics Say: "Tight, exciting, and thoughtful. The characters are nicely varied and all the pieces fit into place deftly." - Kirkus Reviews"A powerful and relentless coming-of-age adventure. Risuko's development and evolution are fascinating to watch." - Foreword Reviews (spotlight review)"Vividly portrayed, flush with cultural detail, and smoothly written." - BookLife BAIPA Book Award WinnerThis tenth anniversary edition features tighter prose, sharper pacing, and a new author's note exploring the real history behind the series - including the surprising truth about the legendary Lady Chiyome and the kunoichi. Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Risuko just wants to climb trees. Growing up fatherless, far from the battles and court intrigues, she finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan, or may destroy it. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781938808777
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Risuko | A Kunoichi Tale
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Taschenbuch. Condition: Neu. Risuko | A Kunoichi Tale | David Kudler | Taschenbuch | Seasons of the Sword | Englisch | 2026 | Stillpoint/Atalanta | EAN 9781938808777 | Verantwortliche Person für die EU: Libri GmbH, Europaallee 1, 36244 Bad Hersfeld, gpsr[at]libri[dot]de | Anbieter: preigu Print on Demand. Seller Inventory # 135875064