Moonshadow 2 : The Wrath Of Silver Wolf

Moonshadow is fast, silent and deadly. He is also gifted with a rare shinobi technique known as 'The Eye of the Beast', the ability to merge his mind with animals, to see through their eyes and control them. Fresh from success on his first mission, Moonshadow and his new companion Snowhawk are on a routine spying mission when they are summoned on an urgent mission to serve as guards for the White Nun, one of the Grey Light Order's most revered elders.

But his recent victory has earned him a dangerous and determined enemy—the power hungry and determined Silver Wolf. The young pair soon find themselves hunted by a team of assassins with powers and abilities even more deadly than their own. Higgins delivers thrilling, stylish fight sequences that will satisfy any young anime fan.

Moonshadow is a terrific hero; honourable and disciplined, he nevertheless struggles with the conflicting lessons of his teachers and with his own insecurities, including his confusing feelings for the beautiful but temperamental Snowhawk. Snowhawk has issues of her own to deal with too. Brought up in the brutal clan Fuma, her skill and toughness were hard one. Even as she begins to trust Moonshadow and the other members of the Grey Light Order, she struggles to control the rage that threatens to overcome her in the heat of battle.

Just like the first book in the Moonshadow series, Eye of the Beast, this book's major strength is its foundation in authentic Japanese mythology, history and culture. Higgins’ own personal passion for Japanese martial arts shines brightly, bringing greater depth to the characters and their historically based medieval world. A perfect formula for 12+ boys and girls, mixing the best elements of anime, fantasy, spy thrillers and medieval action.

Reviewed by Richard Bilkey, Booktopia Buzz Editor