I’ve wanted to read The Worst Ronin since before it came out as I was seeing online reader copies. I did not actually get a copy until it was over a year old. With that said, it was worth the wait. I don’t think I would have appreciated the humor or elements before now. I recommend for ages at least 12 and up as there are several places where there is violence, injury, blood and other sensitive subjects.
Overall, it is the opposite of what I expected: Girl Power, all sweet and sugar and spice; and turned into bad@ssery and booze. This is a female “Buddy Book” for the ages. Overtones of LGBTQ without going into it makes for fun tension but doesn’t distract from the overall story. Great combination of history, legends, modern elements (it is feudal Japan and there is crappy wifi like always) and fantasy with a good message about sexism, loyalty and what it means to be a real hero.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall has a knack for story making and telling stories. They have told the story of the first woman to get into the Samurai academy. But of course, just because there was a first, that does not mean there is a second going to happen. But one girl thinks she has what it takes to become a hero and the best samurai ever. However, events lead the two girls towards each other. One a “has been” who has been overly-dramatical made into The Myth, The Legend, The Woman who is actually a foul mouthed drunk who lets gas pass to leave an impression. And the other a young, beloved and pampered girl who can win against her father when sparing but what does that mean in the real big, bad, demon filled world?
This story has been told before (the hero, anti hero, villains; a damsel in distress; fighting demons and your past; one soldier has a dark, secretive past and the other an innocent let loose in the wilderness of life) yet, due to the way it is presented there is a freshness to it as well. I got hints of every fantasy novel/graphic novel I’ve read about female empowerment and heroes, as well as Avatar the Last Airbender vibes (setting, spunky and young characters, a bit of magic, injustices and revenge themes). The Faith Schafter illustrious add to everything making it fun, informative and entertaining. Humor comes out in them (facial expressions, actions) as the text which is wacky in itself. There is borderline dark humor, but also light enough to not be over-the-top. Yet, I don’t think these gals know where the top is!