Samurai Series by Takashi Matsuoka, Jennifer Van Dyck, Ary Nilandari

It is the dawn of the New Year, 1861. After two centuries of isolation, Japan has been forced to open its doors to the West, igniting a clash of cultures and generations. And as foreign ships threaten to rain destruction on the Shogun’s castle in Edo, a small group of American missionaries has chosen this time to spread the word of their God. Among them, Emily Gibson, a woman seeking redemption from a tormented past, and Matthew Stark, a cold-eyed killer with one more death on his mind... moreIt is the dawn of the New Year, 1861. After two centuries of isolation, Japan has been forced to open its doors to the West, igniting a clash of cultures and generations. And as foreign ships threaten to rain destruction on the Shogun’s castle in Edo, a small group of American missionaries has chosen this time to spread the word of their God. Among them, Emily Gibson, a woman seeking redemption from a tormented past, and Matthew Stark, a cold-eyed killer with one more death on his mind. Neither realizes that their future in Japan has already been foreseen. For a young nobleman, Lord Genji, has dreamt that his life will be saved by an outsider in the New Year. Widely reviled as a dilettante, Lord Genji has one weapon with which to inspire awe. In his family, one in every generation is said to have the gift of prophecy. And what Lord Genji sees has struck fear in many around him. As the Shogun’s secret police chief plots Genji’s death--and the utter destruction of his entire clan--the young and untried lord must prove that he is more than the handsome womanizer of legend, famed lover of Edo’s most celebrated geisha, Lady Heiko, and that his prophetic powers are no mere fairy tale. Forced to escape from Edo and flee to his ancestral stronghold, the spectacular Cloud of Sparrows Castle, Genji joins his fate with Emily and Stark, unaware of the dark forces that drive them. Together with Genji’s uncle, Lord Shigeru, a legendary swordsman knee-deep in the blood of his own kin, and the enigmatic Lady Heiko, the unlikely band embarks on a harrowing journey through a landscape bristling with danger--to prepare for a final battle. Here, on a snowscape stained with blood, horror will mix with wonder, secrets will unravel, and love will duel with vengeance--as East and West, flesh and spirit, past and future, collide in ways no one--least of all Genji--could have imagined. less

In the year 1311, in the highest tower of Cloud of Sparrows Castle, a beautiful woman sits by the window, watching as enemies gather below... moreIn the year 1311, in the highest tower of Cloud of Sparrows Castle, a beautiful woman sits by the window, watching as enemies gather below. As she calmly awaits her fate, she begins to write, carefully setting down on a scroll an extraordinary tale---a tale that unfolds in "Autumn Bridge," With the same emotional power that distinguished "Cloud of Sparrows," readers will travel from the storm-tossed shores of medieval Japan to the bustling streets of San Francisco---toward and overwhelming revelation linking past, present, and future. less

Mengetahui masa depan dan mengetahui masa lampau adalah dua hal yang bermakna sama. Apa bedanya mengetahui hal yang tak terelakkan dengan mengetahui apa yang telah terjadi? Aki-no-Hashi. (1311). Sesosok wanita hadir, mengiris keheningan menara tertinggi Kastel Awan Burung Gereja. Kecantikannya memukau, kelembutannya menghanyutkan, dan keanggunannya menebarkan pesona. Tetapi, kemunculannya selalu berselubung misteri... moreMengetahui masa depan dan mengetahui masa lampau adalah dua hal yang bermakna sama. Apa bedanya mengetahui hal yang tak terelakkan dengan mengetahui apa yang telah terjadi? Aki-no-Hashi. (1311). Sesosok wanita hadir, mengiris keheningan menara tertinggi Kastel Awan Burung Gereja. Kecantikannya memukau, kelembutannya menghanyutkan, dan keanggunannya menebarkan pesona. Tetapi, kemunculannya selalu berselubung misteri. Benarkah dia Lady Shizuka, sang putri sihir dari masa lampau? Benarkah dia penentu sejarah klan Okumichi? Dan mengapa dia juga muncul di hadapan Emily Gibson, wanita asing yang bukan keturunannya? Samurai: Jembatan Musim Gugur menguak kelanjutan kisah hidup Genji Okumichi, sang Daimyo Akaoka dalam Samurai: Kastel Awan Burung Gereja. Kisah ini pun menyibak kekuatan cinta yang mampu menjungkirbalikkan dunia, perpaduan kekuatan ragawi dan kehalusan pekerti, dan mengedepankan ketulusan sejati dalam menyikapi takdir, meskipun akhir hidup sudah di depan mata. less