Books Like The Way of Kings

Ronin: The Wolf's Path

Robert Nakamura

As the Izumo Empire falls into ruin, Takeshi the Wolf leads the Hachiman Dogs: ronin who burn villages for coin, leaving only corpses in their wake. But when they slaughter a priest of the Circle of Black Jade, a cult of forgotten horrors, they awaken forces darker than any blade can cut. Fleeing the cult's vengeance, the ronin find refuge with the Natsaka clan, who offer them samurai status in exchange for their service. Yet in escaping one nightmare, they fall into another: trapped between rival clans in a deadly game where honor is a death sentence and even allies hide daggers behind their smiles. In this web of lies stands one impossible man: Prince Zasuro, whose unwavering honor and hopeless fight for justice continue in defiance of fate itself. A light so bright it pierces even Takeshi's blackened soul, forcing the Wolf to confront every cruel truth he's taken for granted. As conflict with the Circle escalates and Zasuro's enemies close in, Takeshi must choose: follow the familiar path of vengeance, or protect the only man who makes him believe in something greater. "In a land of demons and warlords, trust is the deadliest gamble."