If you're looking for fast-paced action I suggest you look elsewhere. The good points about this novel is that the nature of Japan and her people are deeply explored, and that the actual writing is fluid, sensuous and clever. In my opinion the book is too long: focusing on a murder, and exposition rather than getting on with it. To me the book was stodgy, long, and at times very dull. The sex scenes blister, however. For me I would have preferred a medieval Japanese Ninja book and less urban stuff. If you're looking for an urban 'man coming to terms with himself before facing his evil rival' then look here.Lustbader Trivia: The author has never been to Japan.