We held our weapons ready. I felt power humming through my limbs. Kimi and her sister, Hana, disguised themselves as boys to learn the ways of the samurai—and to prepare themselves to take revenge on the uncle who murdered their father and older brothers. After receiving word that their mother and younger brother are alive and in hiding, the sisters set off on a treacherous journey to find them. But giving up is not an option—if they fail, they will lose the last of their family forever. Don't miss any of Kimi and Hana's adventures! The second book of the Sisters of the Sword series, set in ancient Japan, begins where the first one left off: with Kimi and Hana hiding from their murderous uncle Hidehira in a school for budding samurai. But then their beloved teacher dies, and Hidehira's appearance at the school for the funeral forces them to flee once more. Although the elements of the overall plotline can be predictable, the particulars of this series rarely are. For instance, early on, the girls are fearful their uncle will open and read a message for their mother. In many books, he'd be foiled or interrupted, but not here. He realizes the girls' identity, and instead of a rather dreary wait for the reveal, the action begins immediately as the girls flee. In fact, the whole book is full of action—lots of running, climbing, crashing, and fighting—sometimes at the expense of actual plot. Still, the girls are worthy heroines, and if the book's ending is abrupt, it will only make readers want more. Grades 5-8. --Ilene Cooper Praise for Sisters of the Sword: “Vivid characters, intruiging conflicts…a suspenseful, satisfying read.” - Kirkus Reviews “This rousing new series starts off with a bang, or more accurately, the silent thrust of a sword…the dangerous finale smoothly leads into the next book.” - ALA Booklist “The whole book is full of action...the girls are worthy heroines.” - Booklist We held our weapons ready. I felt power humming through my limbs. Kimi and her sister, Hana, disguised themselves as boys to learn the ways of the samurai—and to prepare themselves to take revenge on the uncle who murdered their father and older brothers. After receiving word that their mother and younger brother are alive and in hiding, the sisters set off on a treacherous journey to find them. But giving up is not an option—if they fail, they will lose the last of their family forever. Don't miss any of Kimi and Hana's adventures! Maya Snow once had an aikido teacher who told her that the best place for a tree to hide is in the forest. Maya decided that the best place for a writer to hide is among her own words.