White Crane by Sandy Fussell

Sandy Fussell's White Crane is the first in a series about a group of 'samurai kids' in fantasy Japan. It follows the adventures of the Cockcroach Ryu, a rag-tag bunch of kids whom no-one expects to amount to much - except their ancient sensei Ki-Yaga, who may or may not be a Tengu crow.

The protagonist of this novel is Niya, a boy with one leg - the other misfits include a blind boy, one with one arm, one who refuses to fight at all, and one who is not only a girl, but is also albino and has six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. She's a good, cheeky character, but I thought that was going a bit overboard.

The story follows their training and growing confidence - in their abilities and in each other. It's somewhat episodic, a series of events leading to their initiation as samurai and the annual tournament that pits the various schools against one another. Last year proved a dismal failure, and Niya expects much the same from this year - there's just no way they could ever beat Dragon Ryu.

But the Dragons are prideful, particularly their master, and the Cockroaches are easy to underestimate.

It's enjoyable enough reading: the characters are likable, the friendships are strong, and it doesn't lack for excitement. It's a school story, though maybe not the kind of school story we're used too, and stories about people learning always appeal. It's also an attractive package, sprinkled with full page greyscale illustrations by Rhian Nest James.

But though I was entertained, I also felt it lacked depth. The Dragon Sensei was a disappointment, for example - his characterisation was one-dimensional, his defining trait being his arrogance. The story may have wanted a villain, but the Cockroaches own lack of confidence could have served that purpose well enough. The Dragon Sensei was stupid as well as arrogant, as evidenced in our first encounter with him, when he made an enemy of a master swordsmith. Having such a black and white villain seemed to detract from the very real problems the Cockroaches already faced.

Their teacher's agelessness gives evidence that this is clearly meant to be a fantasy Japan, not tied to any particularly place and time. The children are training to be samurai, yet there is no reference to their serving any particular lord, which makes me wonder how strong the world building is. It doesn't impede the story, but again it feels shallow.

Perhaps I'm expecting too much from what is a decent kid's story, with plenty of action, and vanquishment of enemies both literal and psychological. But I wanted a stronger setting than 'oo, Japan!', and I preferred the subtler foes. But this is only the first in a series; maybe the sequels will prove to be more fulfilling.