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WORD ON THE STREET
JBL4
“The Heart of the Sword tells an incredible tale of an ancient samurai caught between the Old Order and modern-day Japan. The narrative unfolds with interesting characters and dialogue set in ancient Japan. The main character Saitou Hajime, a ferocious assassin, unfailingly draws his sword to defend his honour and clan. He gets embroiled in a strange relationship with Tokio whom he eventually falls for. He marries her though the union is tumultuous as both are strong personalities. This would resonate well with many of the readers because of its true-life essence. The author has an amazing ability to bring each of his characters to life with his close attention to intricate detail and wonderful imagery.One is brought into the intriguing world of ancient Japan, its rich history and culture where the Samurais and their swords held sway. As the plot unfolds, one has to grapple with the numerous names and characters that emerge. The storyline nonetheless is compelling and keeps one rivetted to the book. The title ‘Heart of the Sword’ too piques one’s interest and curiosity. It is indeed painstakingly and passionately written by the author who would have gone through tremendous research into the ancient history and culture of Japan to produce this rare period novel. Reading the novel was indeed an enriching experience for me.”
TAMMY YAP
“The Heart of the Sword tells a riveting tale of an ancient samurai caught between the Old Order and the pursuit of change. The tensions faced by Saitou Hajime in a period of change mirror that faced by Saitou in his relationship with his wife. Each chapter, filled with unending plot twists and turns, ends with a cliffhanger that leaves readers waiting with bated breath on the continuing narrative in the story. Mark has an incredible ability and gift to bring each of his characters to life with vivid accuracy and boldness. One can almost feel oneself immersed in the history and culture of ancient Japanese society and the code of the samurai. At times, if one does not pay close attention, the numerous characters in the story can seem overwhelming and confusing to a reader, who may find himself sidetracked by the sub-plots within the narrative. Ultimately, The Heart of the Sword seeks to address the question within itself -- who is the Heart and who is the Sword? The answer to which is left to the reader's imagination. Overall, a remarkable and bold effort in marrying both ancient Japanese history and culture with contemporary themes of love, life, change and death that makes it accessible to readers.”
RAHMAT ALI
“Reading ‘The Heart of the Sword’ is more like watching a bygone era coming alive with stunning authenticity through visually powerful lens. Its author, Mark Chin, uses evocative imagery and objective prose in cinematic style with such consummate artistry that the reader feels as though he is walking down the corridors of time into a fascinating world peopled by warlords, samurais, geishas and slaves, and watching with rapt attention how they break the chains of a warrior culture that had faded from glory to embrace the changes of an aspiring modern nation through the trials and travails of an uncommonly brave and fearsome Samurai, Saitou Hajime…Replete though with adventure, action, suspense and romance, on completion of the text, what impacts the reader most are not these features of thrills and excitement, but the more profound universal values that bond man with an abiding sense of community and humanity that the book espouses through the thoughts, deeds and relationships of the major characters…These powerful expressions of a giving heart resonate with depth, beauty and substance throughout the narrative, rendering ‘Heart of the Sword’, not only as an epic saga of samurais who live by the sword, but also a stirring adventure that exalts the human spirit.”
B. F. TAN
“Heart of the Sword’ is an exceptionally well-written piece of work. A stunningly irresistible novel that drew me into its world with gradual subtlety. I found myself rushing to complete each day’s work or tasks so that whatever spare time I had could be invested in reading each successive chapter until the entire compelling story with all its romance, violence and passion unfolded in a riveting ending well over sixty pages in length!
Written in an informal narrative style without excessive rhetorical flourish, this sprawling, epic novel deftly paints vivid, memorable, yet quirky characters all against a richly-researched historical background that manages to be both alien but familiar at the same time. Each chapter, whilst stylistically episodic, is only a single thread with which the tale is eventually woven into such a powerful tapestry that one emerges with the feeling that the book could be easily translated into film. Based on a character core of two actual historical personages and radiating out to encompass many side stories and a cast of hundreds, ‘Heart of the Sword’ manages to be the kind of intimate epic rarely seen today, a potent reminder that at the very centre of great events lie the everyday lives of ordinary folks just trying to get by.”
ALEX LIN
“Vividly synthesized tapestry from what seems like an extensively researched, meticulously curated historical background.
Each chapter and its characters are stylishly written, drawing me deeper and deeper into its world with its granular details. I find myself walking through time seeing this fascinating world of old Japan unfolds and cannot help but to wonder how much of that era of warlords, shoguns, samurais, ninjas, geishas survived the rapid industrialization transformation and still existing in today’s society in its modern subtlety.
Duty, honour, love resonates with me emotionally.
For the reader who yearns for adventure, action, suspense, gore, violence, tested and unwavering love, heartfelt friendship, romance and affection. Mark Chin fills me with thrills and excitement yet leaving me with a deep sense of beauty, boldness and substance.”
JOYCE LOCKWOOD
“Firstly, gorgeous and tasteful cover design. For readers like me who are clueless about Japanese history, I find the setting and plot fairly easy to follow and interesting. This book is an epic period drama that has the potential to be adapted into a movie or TV series. Rich tapestry of engaging characters (Tokio and Saitou in particular) but sometimes I found it hard to remember who some of the characters were, but the accompanying character list allowed me to refresh my memory. The metaphor of the sword is clever, appropriate, and dramatic. Vivid imagery throughout the book. Engaging dialogue that is believable and of appropriate length. The narrative point of view and streams of consciousness are varied and this allows the readers to see the plot and characters through different lenses.”
JOEY
“An extremely well written book with a great storyline, unique characters and interesting dialogue between the characters. Descriptions were extremely well detailed, and it allows one to picture the characters very well. The plot is extremely good and it is able to keep one glued to the book in order to find out more about the story.
The book also has several fascinating quotes which makes the plot even more meaningful and readers feel as if they want to find out more about what would happen even more in the story.”
BLUEINK REVIEW
“Mark Chin’s historical novel about feudal Japan combines all the traditional elements of a monumental saga: a stoic hero, mysterious, winsome heroine, gripping battles and unexpected twists…those who appreciate epic yarns will likely enjoy this book, as will fans of feudal Japan or of tales of Samurai warriors and bushido.”
DK
“An astute social commentator, Mark brings an erudite voice to this novel set in the transition of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Old Order, to an era of change. Compellingly realised is the action filled saga of Samurai Hajime and unwavering wife Tokio. Masterfully written, with depth and beauty. An evocative and engaging read.”
LOW TIN
“The author makes each character come alive with his words. Reading "Heart of the Sword" is much akin to watching a true-life story unfold. A very engaging book to read.”
MEG
“So different than anything I've read before. What an absolutely beautiful story. Romance, Action, History. What more could you want? I cannot express how wondering this tale was.”
SUSAN LOPEZ
“Mark is an amazing writer. Wonderful attention to detail.”
AUDREY TAN
“The Emperor of the City" is a dark, dystopian warning to an indifferent world in the tradition of films like "Soylent Green" and the novels of Stephen King and George Orwell. Brilliantly written with almost picturesque language, one can almost visualise every emotion and scene, even those that make one squirm. Yet there is hope amongst all the angst, this fear of an Armageddon that can take many forms. While we want the world to be a lot merrier, the novel compels us to face the bleakness that is possible, but not inevitable, if only we realise what is truly important.”
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