The Black Lotus

June 15, 2016
In an alternate future, the Samurai Empire has taken over most of the world. The only hope for the United States, one of the few remaining independent countries, rests with a trio of kids and a secret organization of ninjas.Ghost, a dark-skinned Brazilian, can turn himself invisible. Cormac, a redheaded white Irish boy, has incredible speed and endurance, and Kate, a blonde, white New Yorker, can communicate with animals. All three are recruited by Makoto to join the ranks of the Black Lotus, a group of multicultural, multiracial ninjas charged with protecting the Moon Sword from the evil President Goda, leader of the Samurai Empire. Goda seeks to reunite the Swords of Sarumara, releasing their power. When Ghost is tricked into stealing the Moon Sword, he, Cormac, and Kate must travel through time to ancient Japan and retrieve the powerful weapon. While the premise is intriguing, the execution is poor. It is unclear why some possess special abilities or why neophyte ninjas are sent to save the world instead of seasoned warriors. A disorganized plot, cringeworthy scenes (Kate leads an army of zoo animals through New York), and poor pacing are more than frustrating. And then there's the questionable premise; despite the prominence of Makoto, the demonization of the Japanese is unfortunate. This is one ninja story that should have remained a secret. (Adventure. 8-12)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-When three street kids from very different countries notice a strange man following them, they know nothing good can come from it. However, what happens next changes their lives in a remarkable manner. Will Kate, Cormac, and Ghost use their special talents to fight for the benefit of their world? Or will fear compel them to live under the stifling empire created by President Goda in his quest for ultimate power? Fanning creates an interesting tale of superpowers, magic swords, and talking animals woven with Japanese vocabulary. Die-hard action adventure fans will enjoy the narrative as seemingly unlikely heroes find themselves fighting to become ninjas and save the world. Though the work is not explicit, some guardians may shy away from such open discussion of the perils of a war-torn civilization. Remarkably unbelievable but entertaining nonetheless, this will captivate adventure-hungry readers. VERDICT Purchase for large collections where fans have exhausted their avenues for action-filled fantasy books like "Beastwars."-DeHanza Kwong, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

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