Even when the shit hits the fan and the Senator moves in to interfere, once more, with Ken and his ex-yakuza, the action and the tension is diluted by too much freaking blather.Īnother issue has to do with the three alternating POVs we mostly see things through Brendan, Kinosuke and Kotaro’s eyes. All the good stuff mentioned is delivered with so much telling, so much interminable sketching out and explaining of actions and feelings that the story gets seriously bogged down with it. I have to add that I like Kotaro- when we get his POV, full of sulky insecurity, we get a feel not only for his being the youngest, most inexperienced one in the group, and how that chafes, but also for some issues with fitting into a new culture. Things come to a head when the cute Kotaro gets into some teenaged shenanigans and makes some trouble for the group. So the romantic aspect shifts from Ken and Shigure to this new couple thus setting up for even more confusion and mixed signals. His attention wavers in that direction, and Kinosuke returns the same attraction. To complicate things, Brendan quickly becomes smitten with the beautiful Kinosuke. In fact, when Brendan calls on his SEAL friends for help (another boatload of characters to keep track of), it’s interesting to see how the two groups interact.

He was the CO of his own close group of SEAL operatives so he understands the tough training and loyalty of Shigure’s men. Things get murky when Brendan begins to empathize with his marks. Ken’s evil father, Senator Harris, continues his interference in Ken’s life and sends an ex-Navy SEAL, Brendan O’Farrihy, to gather intel on Ken and Shigure.

That certainly causes some tension between him and Shigure.Įnter the bigger conflict. And Ken getting used to his role as bankroller for this new life. So we get some martial arts training and the challenges of fitting in this strange new paradise. One of them, Tachibana, has even married an island girl. Now they live together in a converted warehouse where they also operate a dojo, teaching kendo and aikido. The Shinagawa gang left Japan and yakuza life behind for a new start in the US. Book one ended with Shigure Matsunaga (leader of the powerful yakuza family, the Shinagawa-gumi), walking off into the sunset with his gaijin lover, Ken Harris, and followed by his loyal clan members: Kinosuke, Shinya, Tachibana, and teenager, Kotaro. The author, once again, shapes the story with an interesting look at island culture, this time Hawaii. And it takes a long-ass review to work out why. I guess time does make a difference because I’m not feeling the love so much with this sequel. It got five stars from me two years ago when I read it. I remember really enjoying the first book, Yakuza Pride. (Note: If you have not read Book 1, this review will contain spoilers)

Yakuza pride