Staff of Justice


Fiction - Short Story/Novela
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 04/25/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

If stories involving Japanese mythology and folklore are among your favorites, grab a copy of Staff of Justice by Noelle Nichols. Ever since his father's death, Hayashi Kilo has trained as a Shadow under the tutelage of the three Phantoms of Vaiyene and vowed to protect those in need. But when a mission to save the village of Kameiten from a rogue Ronin attack doesn't go as planned, Kilo unwittingly finds himself forsaking his Shadow Creed to defend the innocent. Plagued by guilt and remorse, he goes back to Kameiten to offer his respects, which backfires spectacularly when it leads to more bloodshed. Kilo must now be prepared to face the consequences of his actions and find a way to uphold his Shadow Creed.

A tale of honor and duty, Staff of Justice is a treat for fans of noblebright fantasy. Noelle Nichols draws inspiration from medieval Japanese folktales to tell an absorbing story of a young warrior struggling to come to terms with living up to the warrior's mantle. Featuring honorable warriors, vengeance-seeking Ronins, and wise martial masters, the narrative is action-packed and filled to the brim with compelling character-driven drama. Kilo is a riveting protagonist who is haunted by the things he has to do to defend his people. Yet he cannot run away from his responsibilities because others depend on him. This leads to a conflict within him that is delicious to consume as a reader. A fantastic novella for all readers.