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jmoses's review
4.0
As a preface, I received a review copy of this book.
This is the 2nd book by Ridler that I've read, and I think I enjoyed this one more than Blood & Sawdust. That's not to say it's perfect, far from it, but it's a interesting read, with some enjoyable characters and situations.
Again, we're tossed into a gritty world, and the plot centers around no holds barred fighting. Where the hook in Blood was, here the hook is vampires. The world itself is interesting, and the parts where we get a glimpse of how the world works, and how it came to be are some of the most intriguing, at least to me.
The meat and potatoes of this story is a fairly stereotypical trainer/trainee relationship and build up to The Fight, of course with some novel situations and changes. Remember, vampires.
Overall it was good. The vampires felt like they were an integral part of the story from the beginning, rather than something added on later to pull in an audience, which was pleasant. They're also not over-used as a plot device. Sure, you get a lot of "hey, vampires" scenes and stuff, because, well, there's vampires. However, it's not like, "HEY LOOK AT THIS VAMPIRE, AND THIS ONE, WHEEEEE VAMPIRES" all the time, which would have been a huge turn-off.
I'm not sad I've read this, and I'll certainly read more from Ridler.
This is the 2nd book by Ridler that I've read, and I think I enjoyed this one more than Blood & Sawdust. That's not to say it's perfect, far from it, but it's a interesting read, with some enjoyable characters and situations.
Again, we're tossed into a gritty world, and the plot centers around no holds barred fighting. Where the hook in Blood was
Spoiler
a fighter who couldn't be killedThe meat and potatoes of this story is a fairly stereotypical trainer/trainee relationship and build up to The Fight, of course with some novel situations and changes. Remember, vampires.
Overall it was good. The vampires felt like they were an integral part of the story from the beginning, rather than something added on later to pull in an audience, which was pleasant. They're also not over-used as a plot device. Sure, you get a lot of "hey, vampires" scenes and stuff, because, well, there's vampires. However, it's not like, "HEY LOOK AT THIS VAMPIRE, AND THIS ONE, WHEEEEE VAMPIRES" all the time, which would have been a huge turn-off.
I'm not sad I've read this, and I'll certainly read more from Ridler.
azeryk's review
4.0
This is my second book from Jason Ridler and both have a similar theme of vampires and fighting, and after enjoying the first book was happy to be reading another from him.
The story follows a young lady called Sakura, how is unlike any other human fighter, she's faster, stronger and tougher than anyone else. However in a world run my vampires she's going to need the help from coach (and vampire) Ned Bangs to succeed.
The characters within the book are varied and colourful and the post-war world ruled by vampires is an interesting place. The pace of the book is fast enough to keep you turning the page and the detail in the fight scenes helped bring them to life and shows off Jason's passion for it.
If your a fan of vampire books are grittier and original, or a fan of fighting books (or both) then you'll find this a very enjoyable read and well worth getting.
The novel was received in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows a young lady called Sakura, how is unlike any other human fighter, she's faster, stronger and tougher than anyone else. However in a world run my vampires she's going to need the help from coach (and vampire) Ned Bangs to succeed.
The characters within the book are varied and colourful and the post-war world ruled by vampires is an interesting place. The pace of the book is fast enough to keep you turning the page and the detail in the fight scenes helped bring them to life and shows off Jason's passion for it.
If your a fan of vampire books are grittier and original, or a fan of fighting books (or both) then you'll find this a very enjoyable read and well worth getting.
The novel was received in exchange for an honest review.
amyl88's review
4.0
This is not Forks and these vampires don't sparkle.
This novel is set in what seems to be the not-too-distant future, where a civil war has changed the US and vampires rule. Well, natural vampires rule. Those who have been turned are barely a step above humans. Ned is a turned vampire/fighting coach with a bad break behind him and a desire for revenge and redemption.
His previous protege's loss is not Ned's only demon. He also has to come to terms with some other losses in his life. This is where Sakura, his new fighting find, comes in.
I thoroughly enjoyed the style & tone. Cascadia & the Scrum seemed real. The characters were gritty, flawed. Fight scenes realistic (well, given the abilities of the fighters within the framework of the universe) and somewhat gory without being too graphic. The author has a great ear for dialogue and has mastered the art of writing in a descriptive way without overuse of tired cliches. Triumph would make a great graphic novel. I would almost call it noir. Not the subject matter but the prose style.
It ended right when I wanted to see what was next. I will be looking forward to another story.
Thanks, Jason, for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
This novel is set in what seems to be the not-too-distant future, where a civil war has changed the US and vampires rule. Well, natural vampires rule. Those who have been turned are barely a step above humans. Ned is a turned vampire/fighting coach with a bad break behind him and a desire for revenge and redemption.
His previous protege's loss is not Ned's only demon. He also has to come to terms with some other losses in his life. This is where Sakura, his new fighting find, comes in.
I thoroughly enjoyed the style & tone. Cascadia & the Scrum seemed real. The characters were gritty, flawed. Fight scenes realistic (well, given the abilities of the fighters within the framework of the universe) and somewhat gory without being too graphic. The author has a great ear for dialogue and has mastered the art of writing in a descriptive way without overuse of tired cliches. Triumph would make a great graphic novel. I would almost call it noir. Not the subject matter but the prose style.
It ended right when I wanted to see what was next. I will be looking forward to another story.
Thanks, Jason, for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
evavroslin's review
4.0
Fans of Ridler’s longer works have come to expect supernatural thrillers usually set in a wrestling background. This time around in A Triumph for Sakura, he switches things up and makes it about cage-fighting, and he has introduced a female protagonist to drive the story.
Ned is a semi-cripple who has to train a very talented girl, Sakura, into a cagefighter because she can beat up vampires, but she’s rough around the edges and learned to fight from movies, so she’s far from being a pro fighter. She has to disguise herself as a man to be able to compete, and her first fight is with a tough guy, Fife. Ned has to make sure Sakura doesn’t get too cocky or brash, and to make her a better fighter.
Their plan is to eventually reveal her true gender in a fight that she wins, but she has other things to worry about. Through the course of the book, she gets better at thinking quickly on her feet. But she also has endearing qualities, such as her relationship with her grandmother, who, despite her age, is just as feisty as some of the fighters Sakura encounters in the ring.
Personal stakes abound for all the characters, with Ned and Sakura’s fates being more tied together than either of them realizes. There’s also plenty of good tension throughout. It’s an entertaining, quick read that packs a punch–with fangs.
It’s gritty, funny, and features great dialogue as with Ridler’s other books. UFC fans, fans of the film and book versions of "Fight Club", as well as wrestling fans will find this book an entertaining read. If you’re longing for a follow-up to the film "Haywire" featuring former MMA fighter Gina Carano, and waiting until Ronda Rousey has her next fight, read "A Triumph For Sakura."
(This review can be found on my website here).
Ned is a semi-cripple who has to train a very talented girl, Sakura, into a cagefighter because she can beat up vampires, but she’s rough around the edges and learned to fight from movies, so she’s far from being a pro fighter. She has to disguise herself as a man to be able to compete, and her first fight is with a tough guy, Fife. Ned has to make sure Sakura doesn’t get too cocky or brash, and to make her a better fighter.
Their plan is to eventually reveal her true gender in a fight that she wins, but she has other things to worry about. Through the course of the book, she gets better at thinking quickly on her feet. But she also has endearing qualities, such as her relationship with her grandmother, who, despite her age, is just as feisty as some of the fighters Sakura encounters in the ring.
Personal stakes abound for all the characters, with Ned and Sakura’s fates being more tied together than either of them realizes. There’s also plenty of good tension throughout. It’s an entertaining, quick read that packs a punch–with fangs.
It’s gritty, funny, and features great dialogue as with Ridler’s other books. UFC fans, fans of the film and book versions of "Fight Club", as well as wrestling fans will find this book an entertaining read. If you’re longing for a follow-up to the film "Haywire" featuring former MMA fighter Gina Carano, and waiting until Ronda Rousey has her next fight, read "A Triumph For Sakura."
(This review can be found on my website here).
tinavenusreads's review
4.0
This is second book I've read by this author, and as with the first one, I was given a free copy for review. That said, I knew what to expect when I saw it was about vampires and fighting. The fighting is a sort of boxing-MMA hybrid. Very violent. I will say that it took me a little bit to get into the story. I think there were too many questions in my head about Ned, the turned vampire, and hid background and motivation. But once a little detail was revealed, it quickened the pace and I was eager to read more. The book ends immediately after the story's climax, and I was very curious about the aftermath of the last fight. The fighting scenes were also very interesting to read. Sometimes in fight scenes there's too much going on and I can't keep things straight, but not in this case. It was well paced. I would read a follow up to this book.
danyspike's review
3.0
The author was kind enough to give me a copy of his book, so first of all: Thank you!
This book mixes a dystopian society, vampires, half-vampires and bloody, horrible fights that make you glad that it is just a book, because oh, boy, it felt REAL!. While it took me a while to warm up to the main character (the manifestations of his PTSD were a little distracting at times), once I truly situated myself in the universe the author was proposing, it was a really entertaining read.
However, I have to strongly advice an editor or something, because I found too many "you're" instead of "your", and even though English is my second language, it was quite off-putting. Same thing with a few misplaced names.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this book, the characters were really interesting and engaging, and the end had me literally grabbing my head because I was too nervous, which I consider a VERY good thing. Three stars!! :D
This book mixes a dystopian society, vampires, half-vampires and bloody, horrible fights that make you glad that it is just a book, because oh, boy, it felt REAL!. While it took me a while to warm up to the main character (the manifestations of his PTSD were a little distracting at times), once I truly situated myself in the universe the author was proposing, it was a really entertaining read.
However, I have to strongly advice an editor or something, because I found too many "you're" instead of "your", and even though English is my second language, it was quite off-putting. Same thing with a few misplaced names.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this book, the characters were really interesting and engaging, and the end had me literally grabbing my head because I was too nervous, which I consider a VERY good thing. Three stars!! :D
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