The Samurai's Daughter: A Novel

Soledad Maria, called Masako by her father, is a child of two worlds. Born in Seville in the seventeenth century, she is the daughter of a beloved Spanish lady and a fearsome warrior sent to Spain as a member of one of the most intriguing cultural exchanges in history. After her mother's death, Soledad Maria and her father set out to return to Japan, though a journey across the world can never be without peril. Once they return, even their position in her father's home is not secure. As they try to stay one step ahead of those who would harm them, Soledad Maria finds herself grappling with not only the physical challenges of her many voyages, but with who she is, which legacy to claim - that of a proper Spanish lady or of a samurai - show more and which world she can really call home.

This is a captivating story, one that continues the author's The Samurai of Seville novel, published in 2017. It was hard to put down so I read straight through the night in order to finish reading it. I particularly enjoyed reading about their travels to and from Japan by two different routes which brought the scenery and cultures of the entire world into view. While traveling to Japan they traveled through Greece to Turkey and on to China. On their return trip to Spain, they crossed the North American continent and encountered peoples that they had never heard about before. Soledad Maria had to pretend to be a boy in order to prevent being abused and as a result learned the skills of warfare the most women of the era never gained.

I loved this one! 5 out of 5 stars. show less

The follow up to The Samurai of Seville - its is a story of acceptance and finding your place in the world as Soledad Maria - the Samurai's daughter - finds herself torn between two cultures - that of her Japanese father and that of her Spanish mother; and never quite accepted in either.

We follow the alternating storyline - Shiro & Catriona / Japan and Spain, as Soledad Maria and her father return to his native Japan where she will be raised. On the way, many adventures take place - shipwrecks, mutiny, imprisonment, gladitorial style combat, narrow escapes, separation and reunion. New characters appear - the Irish captive, Catriona; the Dutch sea captain, Kurt; new family members in both japan and Spain.

In Japan they are received by show more the Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, who hears their amazing tale of survival; Soledad maria (now Masako); is trained in the arts of the samurai, all the while being courted by the vengeful Data Tadamune.

On the run and attempting to return to Spain, many more adventures take place until finally they arrive and all stories merge into one.

It is a quick moving tale - slightly smaller in volume that the first. It is ultimately a young woman's reflections of both her own and her family's lives.

"... each of us is hos own person to be respected and understood ..." a poignant message.

Merged review:

The follow up to The Samurai of Seville - its is a story of acceptance and finding your place in the world as Soledad Maria - the Samurai's daughter - finds herself torn between two cultures - that of her Japanese father and that of her Spanish mother; and never quite accepted in either.

We follow the alternating storyline - Shiro & Catriona / Japan and Spain, as Soledad Maria and her father return to his native Japan where she will be raised. On the way, many adventures take place - shipwrecks, mutiny, imprisonment, gladitorial style combat, narrow escapes, separation and reunion. New characters appear - the Irish captive, Catriona; the Dutch sea captain, Kurt; new family members in both japan and Spain.

In Japan they are received by the Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, who hears their amazing tale of survival; Soledad maria (now Masako); is trained in the arts of the samurai, all the while being courted by the vengeful Data Tadamune.

On the run and attempting to return to Spain, many more adventures take place until finally they arrive and all stories merge into one.

It is a quick moving tale - slightly smaller in volume that the first. It is ultimately a young woman's reflections of both her own and her family's lives.

"... each of us is hos own person to be respected and understood ..." a poignant message. show less