Sisters of the Sword

Noble sisters escape after the slaughter of their father and two older brothers by their uncle- this is definitely a story set in Japan. Maya Snow reveals her love for the country and culture in her first work in this series (there are more books, I checked). One unfamiliar with the culture of samurai gets a good grounding in the basics and ideals.

Kimi and Hana are just on the cusp of young adulthood, but that would not save them from their murderous uncle, who not only killed their father and two older brothers, but would also kill their mother and younger brother, a boy of just six years old. However, they manage to escape, though their mother and younger brother go into hiding separately. The sisters disguise themselves as boys and then travel to the samurai dojo where they plan to train, but end up becoming servants.

This is good. As I read the last page, I went all 'What the heck?' and looked the author up on my library's website, thus discovering and reserving the next two books. Murder, betrayal, honor, revenge, grace, nobility- it took a lot to be a samurai, a member of nobility, or to have peace in your heart. The relationship of the sisters was also portrayed well. It reminded me a little of someone I know...

Blue