I don't see the hype. This is the first and only novel by EVL I plan on reading. I find his writing tedious and decriptive to a fault. I have no problem with description, but it ended up being a history lesson rather than a adventure story. I wanted the story to move along, but it kept getting bogged down with politics of various subjects. Now I'm sure there are a few out there who think that EVL is too deep for most, but I disagree, in the course of the book there were numerous [personal]scenes which are so graphic.
I guess EVL was told by his editor to add them in order to sell a few more copies. Don't waist your time folks. In Lustbader's defense, I must admit the story is very well thought out and complex, but I think EVL should of told it to a person who could have put it down on paper better. Clancy and Ludlum don't need [intercourse] scenes to sell books. It would be ok to describe one in detail then mention; they went to bed and then woke up, but not go into such detail for every encounter beacuse we get the point. EVL had about 5 of them,to add his creativity to. I have no problem with [personal] scenes. But I can read [other publishings]for that, here I just want a good story...

I don't see the hype. This is the first and only novel by EVL I plan on reading. I find his writing tedious and decriptive to a fault. I have no problem with description, but it ended up being a history lesson rather than a adventurous yarn. I wanted the story to move along, but it kept getting bogged down with politics of a boring nature. Now I'm sure there are a few out there who think that EVL is too deep for most, but I disagree, in the course of the book there are numerous sex scene which are so graphic; even going to the point of spilling bodily fluids. I guess EVL was told by his editor to add them in order to sell a few more copies. Don't waist your time folks. I must admit the story is very well thought out and complex, but I think EVL should of told it to a person who could have put it down on paper better. Clancy and Ludlum don't need sex scenes to sell books. It would beok to describe one then mention a few more, but not go into such detail beacuse we get the point. EVL had about 5 of them, it was like he was a child masterbating while writing them. And on a trivial note, I noticed that this guy has written over 15 book in the course of 20 years, and not one has been made into a movie. I guess Hollywood feels the same way I do about his work. Thanks, but no thanks. Just to mention, I think he should write for the Penthouse forum not novels of Asia.

I'll start this off by saying this is the first EVL book I've read, that halfway through it I picked up two more, and that I plan on reading as many as I can get my grubby little hands on. While some of the plot twists were painfully transparent, they were written in such a way as to keep the reader hooked long enough to find out for sure. The insight into Chinese culture Jian provided was valuable enough to make the book worth the read in much the same way as Chrighton's Rising Sun was for Japanese culture; the masterful plot was just an added bonus. The graphic sex got a little repetetive, but the scenes were short enough that the book didn't get bogged down in them.

Maybe it's my adult tastes. I'd picked this book up after several years to finish it off, I'd started with The Ninja back when I was a teenager, and I feel like I've grown up with the hero of the book, Nicholas Linnear. I was told there's now 5 books in the series. I just hope the rest aren't like White Ninja. Though a wonderful writing style, I found the book lacked imagination. Some of the scenes became so unrealistic, put there to inject a sense of drama and climax, but looking out of place. The climax to the book by the way was awful. What a complete disappointment. It slowly builds, then nothing. Nicholas does his usual three fingered gut thrust and monkey blow, but no twists, nothing that makes you think wow, that was a good read.

1) Tim Matheson isn't necessarily boring to listen too, but nowhere near the acting and voice over abilities of Roddy McDowall as a reader on the L. Ron Hubbard works. Different voices and more "acting" on the voice inflections of the characters (fearful, excited, nearvous, etc) would have made this a more enjoyable story.

2) A "popular" story that includes Ninjas? Yeah, right! Well, this is the case here...this is a very popular work but it is more of a crime-drama with a heavy emphasis on romance/pornography. Thought I'd mention this in case you have different expectations of what the story is about.

3) The ninja portion heightened the action and suspense as these "unstoppable" forces of good and evil work towards a face off. Anyone experienced (really experienced) in martial arts will get an appreciation of the power of the ninja characters and their art.

4) Can anyone say, "SEX!!" Wow! There was a lot here even in the abridged audio book version. Obviously not for everyone regardless if it is "more realistic" or not or however else it can be justified.

5) Some interesting characters...more is spent on the psyche of the "bad guys" and thus you can't wait to see what they do next.

I LOVED 'The Ninja' and 'The Miko'... 'White Ninja' is the last GREAT Nicholas Linnear novel. Nicholas faces marital troubles when his past Japanese flame returns... Very detailed descriptions of the mountains in Japan... makes you wish you were living there...

Absolutely one of the WORST Books I've ever had the displeasure of reading. Kept plugging away at it in hopes that something would change.... ANYTHING!!! What A Crock...... A little Sci-Fi never hurt anyone, a little supernatural can be tolerated but this thing is a mass of Kung Fu, ESP, and Ghostbusters all wrapped up in one....

This is the sixth and final installment of Lustbader's saga of Nick Linnear. On the plus side it does clear up all the loose ends that were left hanging in the previous five volumes. However the main problem is the final battle scene. After five books, each over 500 pages long, the final battle between Nick and his ultimate antagonist only last a page and a half! I felt that Lustbader was working his way up to a real no holds barred fight but just sort of sizzled in the end. An overall great series and overall a good ending if you discount the brevity of the final fight.

This is one of the best books I've ever read

Better than most of Lustbaders thrillers, this one takes the hollywood experience and makes it interesting. The characters all have extensively fleshed out histories, and their motivations are all different. Instead of cardboard cutouts, the people and the story are gripping. The erotica interludes are also attention grabbing. When I picked this up, I was surprised that the story was so well written. With lustbader, I tend to like his japanese themed stories better, but this one isn't bad at all

This is one of Lustbaders better works. Although always great at action scenes, and very good with the more esoteric aspects of human culture, his works have a similarity about them that is sometimes reassuring, sometimes frustrating. This one is different from his other works, and memorable for that, but also different from any other hollywood novel you're likely to come across. The heroine is a true hero in the classic sense of the word, not just a damsel in distress.

I've seen Lustbader's books around, never read one until I got handed a copy - I had known Japan and Asia were the mainstays of his books. "Zero" hasn't aged well, written as it was at the tail-end of the fall of communism, 1988. It reads like one of those run-of-the-mill action movies a la Steven Seagal, super-gaijin-turned-samurai with an unnatural understanding of mysterious eastern ways kicking Yakuza butt. Some of the dialogue is pretty bad, especially the conversations between Japanese people. Whenever a Japanese character is surprised they burst out saying "Buddha"! I'm living in Japan now, and though I'm no authority, I've yet to hear anyone say "Buddha" when surprised - usually they say "kuso!" or "chikusho!" your run-of-the-mill expletives! I thought this was funny. Other than that, I thought the sex scenes were really cool - learned some new words for the female anatomy so this book can't be all bad. If you want a fair, cliched exotic Japan read, this might do the trick on a long trip - otherwise, avoid. Read Alex Kerr for the real deal!

Micheal Doss tries to get away from all of the violence but after the death of his father he has to find the killer.

the kaisho was alright. There was a little too much of business talk and the main character seemed to have less lines than anybody else...if you like detailed ninja...supernatural stuff then you'll like it.

the book has one big saving grace. it has a interesting way of making us think about honor. how we define it. the action gets way to mystical for my liking but some of the japanese characters are very interesting. if you have read the others then read this one.

Like a Steven Spielberg movie, an Eric Lustbader book covers a lot of ground, a lot of time & a lot of people. You have to put aside your workaday impatience & sit & receive his words as you would a cup of fresh tea. With his rich imagery, his deft craft that brings to life the serenity of a Japanese tea ceremony or the primitive, shape-shifting of ancient Asian hill people; or the old & wondrous waterroads & buildings of mystical Venice or the starkly bland American Mafia enclaves, you learn that Mr. Lustbader will not disappoint. A lusty read. For my full review please go to: ( )

We actually ACCOMPLISHED to read this book almost 6 years ago and now we tried to put our memories together - and couldn't remember anything. We couldn't remember anything coherent or logical, we just had a series of terrible flashbacks. Among the scenes which stuck in our minds are those useless and rather boring introductions of new and generally disgusting characters who frequently sleep with each other, the kind of action you just don't want to know about or even to happen. The whole story takes place in a kind of Barbie-doll-goes-secret-agent phantasy of the real world where needlessly brutal shootouts in Tokio subways (performed by a barmaid?-turned-terminator and some unrememberable whore or so) seamlessly intermingle with the world of the rich, famous and ultra-stupid (Tori Nunn's parents, by the way). There are so many unpleasant scenes and locations which now come to haunt us like a nightmare while typing this review - extremely unlikely Kremlin conspiracies, South American drug raids, fashionable Japanese parties (how we longed to be there!) and US-shopping trips. Yes, this is just one book. You would wish that it was at least 4 or 5 books, the so-called "storyline" equally distributed between them and then each of them seperately NEVER PUBLISHED.

I don't want to spoil your reading. Just one clue: The mysterious cosmonaut turns out to be - you guess it - Tori Nunn's lost brother and a dolphin. Yes, both of them.

Incredible stuff.

After being introduced to the intrigingly complex and fascinating worlds capable of being created by Eric Lustbader by reading "The White Ninja", I just *had* to read another one of his books. It just so happened my father also had Angel Eyes on his book shelf.
The first thing that came to mind when I read the little description on the inside flaps was "Bond Film". Angel Eyes is filled with all the espionage, sleuthing, exotic/dangerous locations, and, yes, sex that the latest bond flick had. And, just like a Bond movie, I read this book with the acceptance that all the characters are intelligent, rich, beautiful, and extremely pivotal to world events. This is a given. If you can't swallow that idea, this isn't the book for you. But, unlike any Bond movie, the characters' pshychology, morals, and inner conflicts are all laid out with extreme detail by Lustbader. There really are no bad or good guys in this book, only well-developed shades of gray. Also, since the story is enormously interwoven, I find myself stopping and thinking of the different paths all the characters separately take and for what reasons. In the end the pieces fit together like a puzzle and it blows me away.
I have to admit another appealing factor of Lustbader's works are the heavy Japanese influences on the story and characters. I've found his utilization of Japanese settings and customs to be very interesting since I am intrigued by Japanese society.
The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is the weak bit about supercocaine, which I just couldn't believe, and some other stuff which would spoil the story if I told.

Other than that little nit-picking, this is Great read and I recommend it to everyone! I can't wait to read another Lustbader book :)

When go-go dancer Ann Maringer disappears it's up to Detroit-based private eye Amos Walker to find her. But this is no ordinary missing persons case, not when Amos must deal with a union boos, a corrupt judge, a vengeful son, and a concerned mistress! Loren Estleman's Angel Eyes is a superbly written, 360 minute, 4 cassette, hard-boiled mystery which is masterfully narrated by Alan Zimmerman.

This is book one of a five-book doorstopper series that will probably be 3500 pages total.... Therefore, know what you're getting into.

This book has some background easily recognizable to Dune fans: the concubine witch with the heart of gold who births the possible messiah, the reformist (or less evil) conquering governor, the family rivalries, the corrupted magical women's cult that seeks to control events from behind-the-scenes, the indigenous people of the out-of-the-way planet who hold the future of the cosmos in their hands. Lustbader's addition of high fantasy elements, faster pacing and dearth of (overt) moralizing separate this from Dune in clear ways. But his source material is easy to discern.

That said, this is a good merger of fantasy with science fiction: the characters and their motivations are believable, the action is quick, the dramatis personae is not too extensive, the writing is good, the plotline is coherent, and the pacing is very good for a first book of a multivolume series. There are numerous twists, some obvious, others not. Lustbader is a pro and has been writing for decades, he has honed novel-crafting skills, therefore he lets the story evolve so as to maintain interest without swamping you with information and strange arcana.

A decent read, not exactly my usual type, but the mixture of fantasy with Eastern culture was entertaining.

One of the signs of a great writer is the ability to write something totally different from what you are familar with.Lustbader the man who wrote so thrilling Nicholas Linnear ninja books returns to fantasy in this lavish epic fantasy series called the Pearl. He takes us to the world of Kundalan where it's inhabitants have been enslaved for over a century by the brutal offworld empire of the V'ornn.The Kundalan people who use traditional sorcery and religion see their society undermined from within by evil forces who seek to stop their use of magic.The only hope they have is prophecy of a messiah, The Dar Sala-at who is the only person who can wield the magic powerful enough to save their world! I was totally immersed in this epic saga! Lustbader's world-building skills are tremendous as he takes you step by step into his wondrous world in a story that is equal parts Dune and Wheel of Time.You will watch as scenes of machivellian intrigues among the ruling V'ornn and religious Kundalann people as betrayal and treachery are the norms of this war-torn planet.And you will be shocked by the sinister powers of Gyrgon, the mysterious rulers of the V'ornn.
The characters come alive on through the pages of the epic saga:the twin sisters, Giyan and Batta who's destinies with the Dar Sala-at will put them at odds with each other.Eleusis Ashera, the kind-hearted V'ornn regent who's forward thinking policies for the planet seals his doom.The evil Wennn Stogggul, Ashera's most hated rival on the planet.and last but not least, Annon Ashera, Eleusis son, who's transformation will will decide the fate of this world!So pick up this book and be prepare to enter a realm of adventure, romance and intrigue that you will never forget!

Although this book is classified as the 4th in the Sunset Warrior Cycle it does not involve the Dai San, other than loosely and briefly. The book is more an adventure of his sidekick, Moichi, on a dangerous detective mission with plenty of intrigue and mystery. It could almost be a link between Sunset Warrior and the Ninja series. The book was entertaining and kept me wanting for more. A good read, but don't expect it to be in any way a continuation of the third book, Dai San.

I expected an interesting read. This poorly written piece of trash is filled with gratuitous sex, violence, torture and death. It appeals to the lowest instincts of men. It says nothing about the cultural clash of West and East, it's full of clichés. I stopped reading after about 100 pages and took a long shower to try and wash this book from my skin and my mind.
If you find this book, buy it and do humanity a favor, the same one I did: destroy it.

This book captures the essence of Lustbader. Tracy Richter encounters the deadliest antagonist ever portrayed in any of Lustbader's novels in his quest to unearth the facts surrounding the death of a presidential candidate. For any martial arts practitioner, I strongly recommend this book for the physical and spiritual aspects of the martial arts and the impact of these on the story line. "Black Heart" is much better than any of the Nicholas Linnear novels which are good in their own right. The character of Tracy Richter bears striking similarities to Nicholas Linnear but is a bit more human and fallible.