Favorite Quote: She looked at me and smiled again. I could never get tired of that. “Why else do you think I’m with you?”

I shrugged. “I thought my magnificent butt might have had something to do with it.”

Lawson (born a vampire) is in need of rejuvenation. He decides to slip out of Boston, only letting his trusty friend Niles know that he is headed to Tokyo to regroup and train in his beloved martial art style, ninjutsu for a few days. Lawson is a Fixer in the vampire world – it is his job to make sure the secret of vampires is never revealed to humans. And in this day and age, that is a job that keeps him on his toes. And just when he thinks he is going to have a few days to breathe and take it easy, trouble finds him.

First he thwarts an assassination attempt on a fellow passenger on a train. Later that night, he runs into Yuki, the Control vampire for this part of Tokyo. After some investigating, she finds out the assassin on the train is not just some random person. The man’s tattoo was a calling card of a man the vampire Council thought dead – the Kensei. A man known for his extraordinary sword skills. And if he is alive, and in Tokyo, Lawson is not going to have the vacation he thought was coming to him.

To complicate matters, his lover and former KGB girlfriend Tayla pops in as as surprise, tracking down leads in an organ trafficking case and her lead takes her straight to the Kensei as well.

The Kensei is the first book I have ever read by Jon Merz and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The few I skimmed always talked about being immersed in the Japanese culture and martial arts and that made me hesitate. But from the first few pages I knew The Kensei was a book for me. Yes, we do get immersed in Japanese culture and we do learn all about ninjutsu – and it is very interesting. Even better, we get a very witty, smart-ass hero in Lawson, and I fell in love with him. I said, I haven’t read the previous books in this series (although this read just fine as a stand alone) so I am not sure of the journey Lawson has been on. But in this book, he is a little burned out. Questioning his role as a Fixer and how his life has not really gave him a lot of choices. But he contemplates his life, and the perilous danger he always finds himself in with wit and charm and warmth.

There is a lot of action in this book – guns, grenades, swords. The scenes are very well written and easy to follow. Yes, there were times a sword was an inch from Lawson’s head and he was still spewing off sarcastic remarks just as his girlfriend swoops in to save the day at the last second – so maybe a little over the top at some points. But always entertaining and engaging. This book is just Lawson and Tayla in a short span of a few days fighting off the evil Kensei and analyzing their relationship. Being a ninja and a spy, doesn’t always allow them to have a lot of time for passion, and in this book they start to wonder if their constant seeking of thrills and dangerous life is worth missing out on the quality time they could be spending together.

I did quite often forget Lawson is a vampire. Besides the occasional drinking of bagged blood, and the reminder that as a vampire he is not allowed to fall in love, which he obviously is going against, you kind of forget he is a vampire. He still trains really hard at martial arts and is not invincible. This book really presents itself more of an action suspense book with a light romance than a paranormal one.

The Kensei is a very entertaining, action-packed book. Lawson is a great combination of a lethal ninja and a wise-ass hero.

Rating: Buf3 s Jon MerzAuthor 114 books490

This is the next book in my Lawson Vampire series - in this installment, the action takes place in Japan. I hope you all enjoy it! It will be out in January 2011 from St. Martin's Press.3 s Jeffrey896 121

A wonderful cover sold me on this book. It had good cover art -- a man in a black coat with a katana (Japanese Samurai Sword) and a automatic pistol. It had good plugs from various writers stating that the action was fierce and the book was about vampire hero, who fights vampire ninjas. Sounds great.

And I guess the book lived up to its action billing, but not enough for me to read other stories in this series.

Lawson is a vampire chose by the Vampire Counsel to be a Fixer, that is a person who is charged to make sure that bad vampires and others do not upset the balance and reveal that there are vampires amongst us. The author has the vampires drinking blood -- but not from the neck of humans but from recently dead humans, so the horror of blood drinking vombies is muted, which, in my mind is a good thing, as its hard to cheer for an action hero who kills humans for food.

After an exhausting mission, Lawson is in Japan for some R & R and some black belt lessons from a renowned master, when on a train he interrupts and thwarts a murder attempt of a young Japanese man by a member of the Yakuza.

Soon Lawson runs into his girlfriend Talya, a former KGB assassin, who happens to be in Japan because she is tracking down a vampire who may be trafficing in stolen organs. Talya wants Lawson's help and claims that the organ trafficer may be a criminal known as the Kensei, who turns out to be an albino Vampire. Meanwhile Lawson finds that another Fixer agent has been murdered and the cop charged with investigating the crime says that the Kensei may have been involved. It seems that the Kensei is using the stolen organs to create a new hybrid race of ninja vampires/humans mix and killed Lawson's friend because she got in his way.

Moko the cop reveals that he and his brother, the young Japanese person on the train, are also hybrids but have rebelled against the Kensei and is equally interested in taking him down. The Kensei has killed all of Moko's generation of hybrids except his brother and him.

The three join forces to fight the Kensei and stop his plan of domination using the hybrid vampires.

There is a lot of action in the novel, the usual betrayals and fighting and Talya and Lawson have a good relationship, but I never felt that invested in his story or in the story of the Kensei.

It might be because I did not read the prior novels.

So if you want the Vampire spy action hero who fights with a Katana and a pistol, then you could give it a try, but to me, this book lacks some emotional resonance.read-in-2011 supernatural urban-fantasy1 LaurieAuthor 49 books19

After reading this book I needed a couple of days to digest it before writing a review. Truth is, I felt as though I needed to come down from the adrenaline high which would have been easier if I hadn't gone right into reading Enemy Mine and then The Enchanter. Yeah, so I'm still riding that wave of adrenaline. However, I'm far enough removed from this title now that I can look at it as a whole and tell you it's most definitely the best book I've read so far this year. This book is the total package complete with action, adventure, espionage, and just enough passion.

The Syndicate (#4 in the Lawson series) was released in 2003; The Kensei was released just a couple of months ago. In that time, there's been a subtle shift in the way Jon Merz writes... a shift for the better. His prose is tighter, even more detailed, but nothing in it is irrelevant to the story. (I'm taken back right now to Victor Hugo wasting 20 pages to describe the facade of Notre Dame.) I was drawn into Lawson's world so easily with the first book in the series (The Fixer), but the Kensei is truly a 360 degree view of that world. Roaming the streets of Tokyo, I didn't feel as though I was being told a story; I felt as though I was in it, totally submerged. This is a skill many authors kill themselves to develop, but Jon Merz makes it feel (no, not appear... feel) effortless. The characters have also become more vivid. The more I learn about Lawson, the more I him as a character. He's flawed; he's vulnerable, but he has an inner strength that makes him persevere through every challenge he faces. Most important, he has a heart. That is the part of this story that really brought out my "inner chick." The relationship between Lawson and Talya is so well written that it's easy to believe. I loved seeing them work together and watching their relationship grow beyond The Fixer. It's pure fantasy, but it could happen. There's no mushy, girly romance here. These two love the same way they fight and their relationship is highly dangerous which just makes it that much more exciting to read.

I've come to expect a Lawson story to take me on a roller coaster ride, but this coaster is more Space Mountain because I knew the twists and turns were coming, but I couldn't always see their approach. Five stars? Hell no, this book deserves six!1 Alisa1,816 194 Read

DNF @20%.

I used to love this series. I haven't read it in years and apparently it didn't stand the test of time. :(mercenaries-assassins vampires zz-2020 Gerry1 review

If you the series you'll this one.

It was exactly what I wanted it to be...a continuation of Lawson. The sense of humor and the character development both on point. Smash417 255 Read

Stop by Smash Attack Reads for a character interview with Talya! http://smashattackreads.blogspot.com/...

My Thoughts

Lawson was born a vampire and he is a Fixer. He ensures the secrecy of his kind, and his work is tough. He decides to take some time off and visit Japan, but Japan isn’t as welcoming as he hoped. After he nearly loses his life in an assassination attempt, he meets an unsuspecting colleague in Starbucks. Yuki is also a vampire, and she is in charge of that particular slice of Tokyo. Yuki uses her intel to help Lawson figure out his almost-assassin’s identity. Turns out the assassin wannabe worked for a major bad-ass, The Kensei, whom was once thought dead, and seems to be beckoning Lawson to come hither and fight. There is no R & R in the future for dear Lawson.

I enjoyed this one. Lawson’s character is right up my alley. He’s a smart ass and doesn’t put up with BS. I enjoyed his commentary throughout the book. He even called himself an “ass clown” once. :)
“I was told you fancied yourself as some type of comedian.”

“Who? Me? Nah. I’m just a sarcastic cynical prick. If that’s your idea of comedy, well, then I’m your man.”
The setting is also one I enjoy – JAPAN! I’ve never visited the country (boohoo!) but I’m a lover of the culture and really enjoyed reading about it in this novel. I became immediately immersed in the story.

Talya, an ex-KGB and Lawson’s secret non-vampire girlfriend, was the highlight of the story. I loved her personality, her witty banter, her intense feelings for Lawson, and her kick ass fighting skills. Not to mention she stole my heart when I learned about her purpose in Tokyo. You see, while she was more than happy to drop in on her secret lover, she actually came to Tokyo for a different reason. Talya has actually been financially supporting an African village. (Big money in assassination, people!) She has a tender spot for these kids and visits them often. However, some of the children have ended up missing or dead, and Talya figured out what was happening: organ trafficking. She followed their trail to Tokyo, seriously heated and ready to kill.
Hell hath no fury a professional assassin named Talya.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lawson and Talya teaming up. They delivered some great banter and worked well as a team. They both have significant skills and really make a well-oiled fighting machine. I also enjoyed them as a couple, and thought their tender moments were sweet and honest. In their line of work, it’s hard to settle down and start a family, although they talk about it.
Talya slumped back. “Just would be nice.”

“What?”

She smiled. “Having kids with you.”

“Sure, we could have our family fun time. Sniper hour, close-quarter pillow fights, nighttime recon, we’d be the hallmark of a family utopia.”
Lawson isn’t allowed to be with her and could get in serious shit if the Vampire Council found out. I wonder if they will ever get an HEA?

One complaint: Lawson wasn’t very vampire-. He does mention blood as the life force, and he has above average instincts, great sight, regeneration abilities and superior reflexes. Honestly, I just thought of him as a really great fighter. There just wasn’t a lot of focus on his vampire-side. Yes, he drinks blood, or juice, as he calls it. He doesn’t drink in the traditional way – via a vein – but instead mixes it in coffee (gag!) or sips it from a vial. It was just easy to forget his true nature.

Other Favorite Quotes
The girl started screaming. The guy scrambled away. Both of them started shouting at the top of their lungs. Now I had a soundtrack as I worked.
The locals in Noda-shi get a kick out of all the foreigners that come to this sleepy little town. Before they found out the last true ninja was living a few doors down the only source of excitement was the Kikkoman soy sauce company located nearby.

I couldn’t recall the last time soy sauce got me excited.
She smirked. “You’re a slut.”

I grabbed my chest. “I prefer the term ‘manho.’”
“Took you long enough.” She smiled. “I had to wait in line and then I got propositioned three times.”

“What?”

She patted my thigh. “Relax, lover. They weren’t guys.”

I raised my eyebrows. “And you turned them down?”male-protag read-2011 read-own-ebooks ...more Jessica1,164 83

I hang my head as I tell you this my friends, but my childhood love of James Bond has been thwarted. Yes, from the moment that Lawson stepped into my life I was smitten and there was no turning back. New favorite action hero, thy name is Lawson!

When I first opened the pages of The Kensei I really wasn't sure what to expect. I'd heard rave about Lawson's escapades, but would I really fall in love with the martial arts action that was said to lie within the pages? As a girl who grew up surrounded by action/espionage novels, I've had my fair share of disappointments with this genre. Honestly, I don't know why I worried. By page 20 I was completely in love with Lawson and his story! He is one of those characters who oozes charisma (generally by being a total smart-ass) while at the same time having that depth and vulnerability to him that makes him real. The part of this book that really hit home for me is that it isn't bogged down by the concept of vampires. Sure Lawson has to heed his baser instincts, but it isn't the focus of the storyline. Instead the reader is treated to a roller coaster ride of a plot, complete with twists, turns and one very chilling villain.

Japan is the perfect backdrop for this story, and Merz weaves it into the action seamlessly without ever letting it be overpowering. I was taken on a journey through parts of the world that I've never seen, and yet now I feel I've been there. Don't mistake me though. The writing in this book is not at all flowery in its descriptions. No, instead Merz seems to create an omnipresent Japan that flows with you as you read. People and cities seamlessly waver in and out of focus without ever really taking away from the action. I honestly can't seem to figure out how so much detail was present without it seeming to overshadow the rest of the story, but it's there. Also woven into the story is ample history about martial arts and the different branches therein. I found it completely fascinating and a wonderful way to further immerse the reader in the story.

Afraid that this book will simply be too much testosterone fueled action for you? I know that sometimes we waver on reading books this simply because we tire of the mano a mano action scene. Enter Talya. She is Lawson's lady love, but Talya is definitely no shrinking violet. More than capable of handling her own, I loved Talya with every ounce of my female heart. She is strong willed, completely matches Lawson's own wit, and yet once again there is a sweetness and a vulnerability to her that really brings her character home. It's always nice to see a female character who can hold her own next to our male action hero! The amount of times she pulls Lawson's butt out of the fire are numerous, but she takes it all in stride. After all, someone has to save the man she loves. Right?

I could write pages about how much this story impressed me, but I'll wrap it up here. Intense action, martial arts scenes, veins of sweet romance, and chilling villains are just a small part of what you will find in Jon F. Merz's The Kensei. I really can't recommend this book enough, especially to those of you out there who are wanting to break into more action fueled books, but are worried you won't mesh. Never fear, Lawson is here to take you away (and personally I'd let him). Theresa87 29

Evil exists in many forms. I've seen plenty of all the types. The violent psychopaths are out there, sure. But so are the subtle egomaniacs who hide their tactics under a cloak of supposed intelligent bullying. While everyone is busy being impressed, they quietly work their plans into fruition. Sociopaths come in many forms.

Who's to say which type is more dangerous?

~The Kensei: A Lawson Vampire Novel by Jon F. Merz (ARC copy)

Believe it or not, when I was asked if I was interested in reviewing "The Kensei" it wasn't the cool cover that prompted me to say yes. Rather, I was intrigued by the storyline that featured a vampire in Japan. I went to school in Japan about fifteen years ago and I'm always interested to see how other people write about the experiences of a foreigner, or "outside person," in Japan. And I gotta say-- Merz nails it. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

"The Kensei" isn't so much a vampire novel as much as it is a kind of action oriented thriller-- saying it's in the James Bond mold is entirely accurate. Lawson is a vampire in the classic sense in that he needs blood to survive. The vampires in Lawson's world draw their life energy from the blood they drink, which in turn gives them long life and super-regenerative healing powers. Their primary weakness is a vulnerability to wood and all wood products (turpentine filled bullets are particularly troublesome). Lawson isn't all that fond of the fact that he has to drink blood to survive, but he's not a slave to it either. He'll feel weak without it, but doesn't turn into an uncontrollable monster when his stock of "juice" runs low. So while he isn't stalking humans for food, he also isn't getting super angsty over his nutritional needs either-- which is a net plus in my opinion.

I jumped into "The Kensei" without having read the previous books in the series, which does leave some gaps in my knowledge of the mythology of the series. But it's an easy story to catch onto and I didn't have a problem getting into the flow or getting to know the characters at all. Lawson is a slightly stereotypical character in that he shoots more wise-cracks at his opponents than he does bullets. In fact there is an almost Tourette- quality to Lawson's verbal sparring and it can be distracting. Additionally it isn't unusual for Lawson to be the beneficiary of a couple of last-minute rescues that stretch the credibility of the narrative.

But, small critiques asisde, I couldn't help but "The Kensei." Lawson is an interesting, likable main character. He's tough without being invincible; a smart-alec without being a jerk. But what I really loved about Merz's book was his ability to make Japan come alive for me. It is described exactly as I remembered it and it gives the story an instant credibility as far as I'm concerned. The book also has a strong storyline with a good villain and interesting sidekicks. The action is fast-paced without being constant and the martial arts sequences are believable and well choreographed.  "The Kensei" is a good, easy-going read that should suit the reader that gravitates toward books by Jim Butcher or Simon R. Green. Rambles On7

When the press release for Jon F. Merz’ The Kensei came over the wire (and doesn’t that sound just the least bit retro?), I immediately e-mailed the Chief and said “It sounds weird enough to be interesting.” I mean, a vampire ninja detective story?

Lawson is 150 years old, a vampire “fixer” — among other things, he cleans up those vampires who start to get too obvious and keeps the clandestine relationship between vampires and humans clandestine — and he needs a vacation. In fact, he’s on his way for a nice bit of R&R in Japan, including some advanced training in ninjutsu — what we’d call “combined martial arts.” Just getting to Japan has been a trial — there was a side trip to the Philippines that got a little messy — and Lawson’s arrival is not without event. He manages to foil an assassination attempt while on the train to his hotel, but it turns out he wasn’t the target. Unfortunately, the assassin was — well, not exactly yakuza, in spite of the tattoo. His gang is much, much worse. His boss, a vampire known as “the Kensei” who supposedly died twenty years before, doesn’t it when one of his employees winds up dead. Then Lawson’s colleague and sometime lover Talya, ex-KGB, shows up on a mission of her own. And then the Tokyo control, who unusually enough is a woman, winds up dead, and the detective in charge of that investigation turns out to have more than one iron in the fire.

I’m not sure where I come down on The Kensei. On the one hand, it is weird enough to be interesting — there’s something about a vampire ninja that has to be investigated — and the plot contains enough in the way of wrinkles to keep the story moving and the reader engaged. And, while the “exotic” locale — Japan — is handled well enough, this isn’t a travelogue. We get enough to set the scene and that’s about it. The whole ninjutsu mystique, if I can call it that, is pretty much on the same footing: there’s enough but it doesn’t take over.

What does take over is Lawson, and I’m not sure that’s all to the good. He’s the sort of stock wise-guy cynic who has graced the pages of noir detective fiction since the days of The Maltese Falcon, if not before. The problem is, that’s pretty much all he is. Perhaps it’s the result of this being the latest in a series, and I would have more sense of who Lawson is if I had read the preceding volumes (although I have to say that in other terms, The Kensei stands alone quite well). But I don’t get a sense of this man’s identity, no feel for his great age, no take on his way of looking at things.

And in spite of the premise and the milieu, there aren’t any real surprises here. The situations are pretty much as expected, up to and including the final confrontation between Lawson and the Kensei, which, although it takes place in a fairly unusual location, imparts a distinct sense of “I’ve read this before.”

Veering back to the other side of the fence, it was still enough fun that I’d be inclined to catch up on the series, although I don’t think I’d go out of my way to do it. It’s nice entertainment for an evening or so.

-- Rambles Jenn168 4

I happened upon The Kensei when I was checking out the amazing bookcloseouts.ca sale that Tynga told us all about at the end of July. I'd never heard of Jon F. Merz before but I thought that the book had a really eye-catching cover and an intriguing synopsis and so I had to pick it up, especially since it was a steal at $2.99 (also currently 2,10$ on Amazon.com).

There was nothing I didn't love about this book. It's the fifth book in the Lawson Vampire series so I thought that I might have trouble getting into The Kensei but the author has done a great job of making the book accessible to new readers. There are references to what must be previous books but they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story or the characters.

In this series, vampires aren't your typical undead. Instead, they're alive, they live in secret from humans, and they absorb life essence from drinking blood. I really d this mythology. Although there are elements we've seen before, the world felt lively and fresh and I wanted to know more as I was reading the novel. Plus, Lawson is a great protagonist. He's 150 years old and works as a Fixer, eliminating threats to vampire society, which has turned him into one of the those wonderfully tortured characters, all weighed down by past deeds and the cracks he's discovered in what he thought was an orderly hierarchy. And if that isn't enough, he's got a good sense of humour (though not as great as Kevin Hearne's Atticus O'Sullivan) and some serious martial arts skills. Unfortunately, in some ways, he's now one of the people he used to kill since he's fallen in love with a human. You can understand why because Talya is awesome. She's tough, beautiful, and fierce, more than a match for Lawson in every way. Their relationship gives The Kensei its emotional heart and I thought it was really well done.

The Kensei is set in Japan and you can tell that Jon F. Merz has been there from the way he immerses the reader in the setting. All of the little details are so right and they help create a very authentic backdrop for some great action. His bio says that Merz is an actual ninja and I think this is why all of the parts of the story related to combat and the martial arts training that sends Lawson to Japan in the first place feel so real.

I'm definitely going to try to get my hands of the rest of the series. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. But before I sign off, I want to leave you with a couple great lines from The Kensei:

- "I ever tell you how much effortless lethality turns me on?"
- "I've heard your wit is something else. I do enjoy the commentary that comes out of your mouth." "You should see me vomit. I'm a riot."
urban-fantasy Crystal545 40

I really enjoyed reading The Kensei. The action starts from just about the first page and continues through the book. However, The Kensei is not all about the action. I loved the fact that there is a continuing romance and also good character development through the book. Add to that the excellent action scenes that I could easily picture in my head and you have one great book that will appeal to male and females, young and older a.


The Kensei is actually the 5th book in the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone. I did. I also went and purchased the first book in the series for my Kindle at the great price of $2.99 as soon as I finished The Kensei. If I had a little more money I would have purchased the whole series. That is how much I enjoyed The Kensei and I look forward to going back and getting to know Lawson better.


As for genre, I would say urban fantasy. It's set in today's world with the addition of vampires being a part of the world, but not known to the humans in the world. I found it interesting that I could never really pin down an age for the characters. Of course, being a vampire Lawson is much older, but is he in his teens, 20s, 30s or 40s, I never could quite figure out. It really doesn't matter because I think it helps his universal appeal to be ageless. Talya is the same way. I love the fact that she is a strong and competent female, yet she is loving and caring. You always seem to have one or the other in characters and I that Mr. Merz was able to combine those characteristics and make Talya a very realistic and likable character.


The setting of Tokyo was also great - it's not a city I know much about but to see it through Lawson's eyes was great. Getting to know the ins and outs of the society was fascinating as well. From the police to the mob, it made an interesting storyline.


My favorite part - Lawson's wisecracking attitude. An example from the first few pages that made me laugh:

I dropped down the stairs, passing slower moving travelers on the way. Japan's nice about stuff that. If you don't want to hustle your a$$ around, stay to the right on the stairs and let everyone pass you on the left. The same idea use to hold true for U.S. highways, but apparently that was a relic now, too.

I just love Lawson, he's a sexy vampire, he's intelligent, brave, strong and he has a killer sense of humor. What more could you ask for?


So if you Urban Fantasy and haven't tried out the Lawson Vampire series, give The Kensei a try, I think it is guaranteed to please and have you searching for the first four titles as well as clamoring for a new installment. Anastasia214 16

The Kensei by Jon F. Merz
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book .

Meet Lawson. A cynical, wise-cracking vampire charged with protecting the Balance between vampires and humans, he is part cop, part spy, and part commando — James Bond with fangs. Lawson mixes shrewd cunning with unmatched lethality to get his job done. He tries his best to dismantle conspiracies, dispatch bad guys, and live long enough to get home. In The Kensei, a battle-weary Lawson heads to Japan for a little rest and some advanced ninja training. But he no sooner steps off the plane than lands in the midst of a Yakuza turf war orchestrated by a shadowy figure known as the Kensei. With the help of Talya, a former KGB-assassin, Lawson must put a stop to the Kensei’s organ trafficking networks, prevent the creation of an army of vampire-human hybrids, and save his own skin in the process.
(Synopsis provided by goodreads.com)

This is the first book by Merz that I have read. Even though it is the fifth book in his series, I never felt lost. I felt I already knew Lawson. I wanted to read the book when I heard it described as James Bond meets True Blood meets Kill Bill. Who ever came up with that description is a pure genius! After reading the book, I can attest that that is exactly what this book is and then some!


This book is full of colorful characters and witty dialog, the way Merz describes Japan is amazing. It's such a beautifully written story and not at all flowery. Which is great! This is one of those edge-of-your-seat types of tales, one with twists and turns and an outcome that is sure to please even the most picky readers. This is easily the type of book you will want to read in one sitting, it's short enough for some people to be able to do so as well.


The Kensei is by far one of the best vampire novels I have read. I used to love reading vampire novels, the genre got too big and there were too many out there that I disd, but this is not the case. I am in the minority, but I this as much as I did the first 6 or so Anita Blake books, alough they are different in more ways then one.


The character development is good, there are some characters I would have d to see more of. This is a book that is a must read and I need to go back and read the rest of the series now.


Overall rating:
**** 4 out of 5 stars


Cover art:
The cover art is unique and looks better in person.


Obtained:
I won this book from the publisher via library thing's early reviewers program. Thank you! M—652 110

You know how, in order to be fair, you're supposed to read a solid chunk of pages from a book before deciding whether or not it's to your taste? 'Solid chunk' numbering something , 50 pages?

I reached my limit with Kensei in 8.

Sometimes I stop reading a book because it isn't a good match for me, such as in the case when I'm passed novel that's received rave but is a genre I don't have any particular affinity for. (Young adult, mystery books; I'm looking at you.) Sometimes I stop reading a book because it's bad. And this book is so terribly, terribly bad. It reads a teenager wrote it, a little pimply 13-year-old boy had sat and scribbled it out while punctuating his writing process with the verbal asides of, "And then this happened... and then this... and this! RAAAGH!" It is so bad I find it inexplicable that the author has fifteen other books to his credit.

Kensei is a novel about a burnt-out vampire enforcer recharging in Japan and brushing up on his martial arts skills. The viewpoint character spends his time thinking in lines of clipped sentence fragments of generally less that five words:I grabbed the rail.

A shot rang out.

Slanged off the railing near my hand.

I lost my hold.

Fell. [p. 126, no ISBN, advance uncorrected proofs]There's a nominal plot and a romantic interest, but the book seems to have been written largely to serve as a place setting for the author's love of martial arts and the Japanese culture and includes little else of interest. There's a market for that, I suppose, but that market isn't me. I could barely grit my teeth enough at the writing style to be able to flip through the pages 9 through 288.

It would perhaps be valid to call Jon F. Merz the Tom Clancy of the Urban Vampire subgenre. If you're the sort of reader who enjoys Clancy's work, particularly Clancy's loving descriptions and histories of every gun model and military tactic in existence (for Merz's work, replace values with 'martial arts move' and 'espionage tactic'), you might find it worthwhile to give Merz's books a shot. Otherwise, avoid.reviewed Anna217 6

I have a new favorite badass and his name is Lawson! I was a little leery when I started this book because I'm not usually a fan of martial arts action but I thought that a ninja vampire sounded pretty awesome, and it turns out that I was right. Lawson is battle worn and tired, just wants a small vacation before returning to the world of being a vampire Fixer, but trouble just seems to follow him wherever he goes, despite the fact that he is supposed to be off the grid. Being a Fixer for the vampire council is a difficult job, rife with violence, and Lawson uses his vast sense of humor (aka being a total smart-ass) to keep things in perspective and preserve his sanity. However, he also demonstrates a vulnerability and yearning that is rare for such a dominant, larger than life character.

The Kensei himself is a diabolical and chilling villain, an extremely evil mad scientist type that has extraordinary power. He operates in the Japanese underground with ease, fooling even the vampire council that has believed him to be dead for over a decade. He is made even more dangerous by his need for revenge.

The details about both Japan and being a ninja were woven throughout the story without being overpowering, and I enjoyed some of the pop culture references. This book is finely balanced with just the right amount of action adventure, character development, and even a bit of a romance.

"It's only advice if you choose to use it. Right now, they are only words floating around in the night air."- Yuki, page 46 of arc copy

Take my advice, buy this book. And if you are anything I am that will lead to a mad scramble for the previous books, just to satisfy the neurosis that doesn't reading anything out of order. And if you are looking for more awesome ninja info, or just want to browse the booklist, check out Jon's website. I even saw that the Lawson books might get a tv show *fingers crossed* but I couldn't find anything concrete.

*Reviewed by Anna Dougherty for VampChix

Julia451 22

The Kensei is the fifth installment in the Lawson the Fixer series by Jon Merz. Though there are four previous novels, this can be read as a standalone without any confusion. This is the first novel I have read by Merz and I had no idea what I was getting into. I was pleasantly surprised. Our hero, Lawson, is extremely likable... charming, courageous and witty. You will also find yourself learning a little bit about martial arts... which I was hesitant about though I then found it to be enjoyably intriguing.

Lawson is burned out, he has been a Fixer for too long and he needs a break. After thinking this is just what he is going to get, his former girlfriend throws him back into the mix. Someone is trafficking organs and it has to be stopped. I am an action junkie, and this plot delivers. Tons of great weapons and smooth fight scenes. I will admit, I do not know much about the Japanese culture- never visited, but after reading The Kensei I felt as if I'd just gotten back from a week long stay overseas. Merz did a wonderful job vividly describing the story without being too over the top. I love coming away from a novel feeling I've just been somewhere new.

I often found myself forgetting that Lawson is a vampire. The vampire aspects of his life weren't touched on often- just the basic vampire needs that were necessary for Lawson to exist. This is not a complaint, the action and plot made up for it in my opinion. It was nice having a great plot that wasn't overwhelmed with the complexities of having a vampire as a hero. However, for those of you that read an Urban Fantasy purely for the great, heavy paranormal aspects of it- this could be a problem.

The characters are brilliant, the action and plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat and the villain will make you cringe. I'd recommend this story to any fan of a good spy novel or urban fantasy. Jessica122 67

I read The Kensei by Jon F. Merz which I had naturally heard about online. The for it were awesome and so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. When told a vampire tale set in Japan with a James Bond vampire you want to read it. This isn't the first book in the series though so I was surprised about that but the book can be read stand alone. Some things are referenced that I take it occurred in previous novels however.

The character of Lawson is one that is very different from what I was expecting. This book I read was a vampire espionage tale. While this is true I had a certain idea in my head of what the 007ish vampire would be. Not even remotely close which is fine as Lawson isn't the stuffy by the books vampire I thought he would be. Wise-cracking ran rampant a tad too much for my taste and that's odd as I tend to be that myself.

Lawson is more Indiana Jones in personality and way of doing business. The tale is heavy on the international intrigue. Jon F. Merz did a great job in giving us a glimpse into Japanese life and culture. Not to mention the martial arts that he and Lawson clearly love.

The jokes and action were offset by the love story aspect which came into the picture with Talya a strong female character able to handle herself just fine no man, vampire or otherwise needed. This part of the story was also a surprise I didn't think Jon Merz would take it there but he captured it well.

I d this story and I d the characters. I wish that more emphasis would have been placed on the vampire part of the tale however which received such a small part of the story I was surprised.

A good international espionage tale with a vampire you can actually enjoy. No sparkle this one actually has balls. Go Lawson and go Merz for creating such an interesting world. Nicholas AhlhelmAuthor 100 books19

Jon F. Merz's "The Kensei" is apparently the fifth novel in his tales of the vampire enforcer, Lawson. That being said, it was my first experience with the character or his universe. Despite being book five in a series, the story was very reader friendly, which is always a sign of a writer who knows his way around a good serial.

Lawson is a vampire, but that doesn’t really make him all that different. The vampires of his world aren’t created but born, and seem to be only slightly stronger than an average human. It gives him a slight advantage over a common thug, but he’s not going to destroy them to easily. He’s something of an enforcer for the secret vampire society. His normal job is to hunt down vampires that would break the Balance and reveal the vampire community to human society, not un the Masquerade in a certain series of White Wolf role-playing games.

In The Kensei though, he’s on vacation despite being embroiled in another vampire plot. A learned warrior and trained martial artist, Lawson travels to Japan to visit an ancient dojo and practice his craft. In the tradition of any true pulp hero, it’s not to be. Instead he ends up searching for a child slavery ring alongside his human lover Talya while also trying to find the shadowy vampire crime lord known as the Kensei.

Of course, both threats proved tied together and Lawson is pulled into action packed battle after battle. Merz may not have set out to create a great piece of new pulp with The Kensei but that’s clearly what happens over the course of the novel. Lawson personifies the pulp hero in the 21st century and any new pulp fan should give this book a look. Recommended. All Things Urban Fantasy1,921 617

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Lawson is a sardonic, sarcastic, slightly somber spy who thinks he’s going to get some much needed R&R vacationing in Japan until a plea from his former assassin girlfriend lands him in the middle of an organ trafficking operation. Trouble enough for any man, except Lawson isn’t a man. He’s a centuries old vampire.

I’ve never set foot anywhere near Asia, but after reading THE KENSEI I feel I just got back from my own vacation to Japan. Merz does an excellent job of describing the people, language, and culture of Japan in vivid, picturesque detail, all without deterring from the narrative of his story.

Equally well conveyed were the action sequences and the great love and respect that Lawson (and his creator) clearly has for martial arts. Imagine your favorite James Bond scene but give 007 preternatural strength and speed. Very cool.

Overall, THE KENSEI is a supernatural espionage novel, emphasis on the espionage. If you’re a fan of the spy novel, you’ll probably enjoy this. I couldn’t help but be disappointed by the fact that the vampire details are kept at a minimum. There are four previous Lawson books, but this can be read as a standalone. Metz says he has more planned for Lawson if the demand is there. If the Ian Fleming fans get a hold of this series, I imagine that won’t be a problem.

Sexual Content: Kissing. A brief, non graphic sex scene.reviewed-by-abigail Wendy Hines1,322 263

The Kensei is book five in the series, and the first book by Mr. Merz I have read. However, it can read as a stand-alone novel as I really didn't feel lost at all. Lawson is a vampire secret agent who is on his way to Japan for some rest after his last big mission. He wants to spend some time with his dojo and spend some time with Talya.

However, Talya has other things in mind, namely asking Lawson to assist in bringing down an organ trafficking ring. This brings Lawson in proximity with Kensei, an albino vampire crime lord, who of course craves power and wants to rule the world.

Lawson is a very likable character; humorous, sarcastic, and grave. He takes his job seriously. His love of the martial arts shines through and you can definitely tell Mr. Merz has done his homework. The action in this urban fantasy is non-stop with dynamic world building. I'm very interested in reading the first four books to see how how much Lawson's character has grown. If your looking for a new vampire espionage kick butt thrilling urban fantasy, pick up the Kensei! Fast-paced and well-crafted in a supernaturally charged setting - the Kensei is fantastic! Cheryl MalandrinosAuthor 4 books64

There are a lot of elements to this story. Lawson's destiny as a Fixer. His on again-off again relationship with Tayla. His friendships in the States and Japan. The gangs in Japan. The organ trafficking networks. The Kensei's role in organ trafficking and his interest in Lawson. The mysterious Council who Lawson is defying by having a secret relationship with a human, in addition to Lawson beginning to take stock of his life to determine what matters.

The Kensei is a fast-paced, exciting read that draws you in from the first moment. A masterful storyteller, Merz blends rich descriptions, well-developed characters, and a superb plot to create a mesmerizing story. Tons of action, witty banter, and a dash of romance fill the pages of this unique paranormal novel. I couldn't put it down.

You'll find a different type of vampire story in this one and you'll be hooked!

Highly recommended.

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way. Julie Johnson143 27

This is the book I've been waiting for since the first one, when Lawson & Talya meet. And it didn't disappoint! This one had the usual blend of reluctant hero & heroine (who also kick some major ass), & a nasty bad guy hell bent on super natural world domination. But the chemistry between these two is awesome! I enjoyed every minute of this book and I love Lawson's character, his wit & his weary cynicism, and his super martial arts fighting! And Talya is the action heroine I've been waiting for.

These books are great fun. I hope there are more--this seems to be the last novel of the series (though there are short stories I intend to look up).

I'll keep reading this series because Lawson is just so enjoyable.

These need to be made into movies! They would fit into the upper echelons of the action genre. Just the kind of thing you would want to kick back and watch/read one night when you want some fun escapism. Lilla460 76

Lawson is burned out, and a trip to Japan seems the perfect holiday. That’s just wishful thinking of course because not long after he arrives his ex-girlfriend–-an assassin–-pulls him back into the game. Organs are being trafficked and it’s up to Lawson to put an end to it. The Kensei was a great book, and the only thing that really brought it down for me was that Merz hardly ever brings attention to the fact that Lawson is a vampire. It’s touched on a couple times (in regards to eating and such), but that’s really it.

Continue reading: http://www.read-all-over.net/fiction/...2011 arcs-i-own asia ...more Mara16

I received this book as an Early Reviewer, and it is not a series I've heard of before. However, the story is written well enough that anyone can simply drop right in, without having needed to read any of the previous books in the series.[return][return] Some of the vampire mythology has some interesting quirks -- turpentine being deadly because it is a wood product is almost astounding in its simplicity -- and the story of how vampires in Merz's world cope is interesting. It definitely kept me interested throughout the entire book; now I have to find the previous books to catch up on what I've missed. EvaAuthor 5 books23

The novel is written in a fresh style that makes this book a pure pleasure to read. It’s nice to go back to the ‘old’ model of supernatural fiction — where humans aren’t supposed to know about vampires, and vampires aren’t out in the open, and its dangerous for humans to find out about these secret underworlds. Lawson is a Fixer, or someone who has to maintain the human and vampire balance, ensuring that humans don’t find out about vamps. Overall, a good novel if you enjoy vampire PI series the Vicky Nelson books by Tanya Huff, or P.N. Elrod's books, and I would say Inspector Chen, as well. Kristina126 68

This book really has it all! Vampires, paranormal elements, ninjas, humor, and gusto! I REALLY enjoyed it and found it to be a fast paced read with the right amount of action, drama, and of course some kick butt martial arts.
This is one that the man or woman in your life can read and find enjoyable. It has a great balance for all. You'll be pulled into this one and flipping pages to find out what happens next.
This is book 5 in a series but I'll say that it can certainly stand alone. I haven't read the first four but I think I'll be searching for them soon.
I'll say that I think Lawson is awesome! (I rhymed!)
Veronica 759 202

I bought this book on impulse because I d the cover and the blurb on the back cover sounded interesting. I was pleasantly surprised. It had vampires, spy intrigue, action sequences, and a dash of romance. It was sort of if Jason Bourne were a vampire. This is apparently the fifth book in the series but I haven't read any of the previous books and I was still able to jump right in and follow the story. I don't think it's necessary to read the previous books though I have since gone back and read the first one just to see how Lawson and Talya first met. If there are additional books to come in this series I would definitely be interested in reading them.urban-fantasy Jacqueline89

I enjoyed this series from the beginning and it seems a long time since I've read anything by this author. The main hero, Lawson, is likable in the fact that though he's a vampire, he is prone to very human doubts and mistakes. And the books are usually set in Boston. I didn't find this book as suspenseful as the last ones,the bad guy in this installment, the Kensei, is met early in the book and maybe this makes him less intriguing than most villans. This book is set in Japan, and I did the backstory info into the Japanese modern culture. paranormal-urban-fantasy Suzanne JohnsonAuthor 14 books810

Loved this book! Unusual setting (modern Japan), with vampires and half-breed vampires, martial arts, and a sort of Vampire-Human Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I'm glad St. Martin's is letting Jon Merz revive his Lawson Vampire series and hope they re-issue the earlier books. (No prior knowledge of series is required for this book--works as a standalone.) William P.163 2

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