One of history’s most amazing armies is born And its soldiers wear silk robes Lady Mochizuki Chiyome is mired in grief. Recently widowed by Japan’s endless civil war, she has become tired of mourning, tired of wearing the white robes that are the traditional Japanese garb of grief. On the road, she encounters two young women who open her eyes to a whole new purpose in life—and a new way to end Japan's century of bloodshed. This is the first of six Kunoichi Companion Tales, prequel stories to David Kudler’s historical novel Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale (amzn.com/B01FPWWCNA) White Robes—Mired in her own grief, Lady Mochizuki Chiyome encounters two young women who give her a whole new, much more interesting opportunity Silk & Service—A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems (coming soon!) Ghost—When Lady Chiyome receives a note from the shōgun, she finds that the messenger is much more intriguing than the message Shining Boy—Plucked off of the streets of the capital, an orphan girl tries to figure out what story she's wandered into Blade—Toumi doesn't want anyone messing with her business Little Brother—Returning to the monastery turns out to be as hard as leaving it was

Not all assassins wear black Some come wearing silk A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems. And teaches him what a warrior truly can be. This is the second of six Kunoichi Companion Tales, prequel stories to David Kudler’s historical novel Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale (amzn.com/B09LY5ZYVP) White Robes—Mired in her own grief, Lady Mochizuki Chiyome encounters two young women who give her a whole new, much more interesting opportunity Silk & Service—A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems (coming soon!) Ghost—When Lady Chiyome receives a note from the shōgun, she finds that the messenger is much more intriguing than the message Shining Boy—Plucked off of the streets of the capital, an orphan girl tries to figure out what story she's wandered into Blade—Toumi doesn't want anyone messing with her business Little Brother—Returning to the monastery turns out to be as hard as leaving it was Extract: “Get my purse, boy!” growled Captain Oniyama, “And more sake!” Masugu watches the girl appear as if from out of the floor to pour the rice wine into the captain's cup: smooth gait, smooth hair, smooth— “Boy! My purse!” Masugu shakes himself, blushing, and leaps to his feet. “Yes, Oniyama-sama!” The captain is usually patient and polite, but at these regular mahjong games with the other Imagawa commanders, he drinks. And Masugu doesn't like being around him when he's drunk. Doesn't like watching him lose at games. Also, the girl...

Mochizuki Chiyome wants someone dead And someone wants to serve her At a banquet to celebrate a new alliance, Chiyome contemplates murder, and discovers a new servant. This is the third of six Kunoichi Companion Tales, prequel stories to David Kudler’s historical novel Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale. White Robes—Mired in her own grief, Lady Mochizuki Chiyome encounters two young women who give her a whole new, much more interesting opportunity Silk & Service—A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems (coming soon!) Ghost—At a banquet to celebrate a new alliance, Chiyome contemplates murder, and discovers a new servant Shining Boy—Plucked off of the streets of the capital, an orphan girl tries to figure out what story she's wandered into Blade—Toumi doesn't want anyone messing with her business Little Brother—Returning to the monastery turns out to be as hard as leaving it was

My name is Kano Murasaki, but most people call me Risuko. Squirrel. I am from Serenity Province, though I was not born there. My nation has been at war for a hundred years, Serenity is under attack, my family is in disgrace, but some people think that I can bring victory. That I can be a very special kind of woman. All I want to do is climb. My name is Kano Murasaki, but everyone calls me Squirrel. Risuko. Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Risuko just wants to climb trees. Growing up far from the battlefields and court intrigues, the fatherless girl finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan—or may destroy it. She is torn from her home and what is left of her family, but finds new friends at a school that may not be what it seems. Magical but historical, Risuko follows her along the first dangerous steps to discovering who she truly is. Kano Murasaki, called Risuko (Squirrel) is a young, fatherless girl, more comfortable climbing trees than down on the ground. Yet she finds herself enmeshed in a game where the board is the whole nation of Japan, where the pieces are armies, moved by scheming lords, and a single girl couldn't possibly have the power to change the outcome. Or could she?

Can one girl stop a killer? The future of Japan hangs in the balance, and it's up to a girl who likes to climb to save the day Two armies have descended on the Full Moon, and the war that has torn Japan apart for over a century threatens to destroy Lady Chiyome's school for young shrine maidens (and assassins). In this thrilling sequel to Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale, Risuko must face warlords, samurai, angry cooks, a monster in the hills, the truth about her father, a spy among the kunoichi... And a murderer. Someone kills a Takeda lieutenant, staging it to look like suicide. Can Risuko figure out who would do such thing? And can she keep it from happening again? Praise for Risuko (Seasons of the Sword #1): Risuko is an artfully crafted novel that evokes a heavy sense of place and enchantment...Risuko's development and evolution are fascinating to watch in this powerful and relentless coming-of-age adventure. - Foreword Reviews Tight, exciting, and thoughtful- Kirkus Reviews Vividly portrayed, flush with cultural detail, and smoothly written. - BookLife BAIPA Book Award-winner