The Assassin Gambit
Author: William R Forstchen
Publisher: Del Rey / Ballantine Books
Published In: New York City, NY
Date: 1988
Pgs: 306

REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
War and war games. Gambling. Then the fates and the greed of the “intelligent” species of the galaxy combined the two with time travel. Now gamblers have reached through time and grabbed the 47 Ronin and the greatest assassins of ancient Persia and set them upon each other on an alien world in the far distant future. Fortunes will be won and lost. Lives will be taken and wasted. Destiny required it’s blood debt from the Ronin and the Assassins, a debt they’ve paid once and been dragged back into life by the gamblers. A debt that will have to be paid again for their honor...all for the entertainment of the dishonorable.

Genre:
Fiction
Military
Science fiction
Space opera
War

Why this book:
This is a re-read for me. I love this book.
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Favorite Character:
Oishi, leader of the 47 Ronin. Honor personified.

Aldin Larice, after reading The Alexandrian Ring, has to have something up his sleeve.

Zergh, Aldin’s friend and fellow vasba, an old Gaf who was part of the Alexandrian affair and came along into The Hole to make sure his friend made it out alive.

The Feel:
The paranoia of the Al Shiga being after Larice and his Ronin was well done.

Favorite Scene:
When Oishi faces down with Kira, at the climax of the epic of the 47 Ronin. And Kira reveals himself to be without honor, to an even greater extent than previously shown by his cowardice.

When Aldin and the 47 are trying to make it to their safe house, only to have all manner of effluvia come raining down on them as the people of the houses along the street show their appreciation of outworlders among them.

Pacing:
I love the flow of these stories. The pace is great.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Considering the context of the game, it would have made more sense if Larice and the 47 had done away with Sigma and his guards when the chance presented itself.

Hmm Moments:
We all knew that Hassan’s betrayal was going to come at the perfect moment. He was slimy from the word go.

Why isn’t there a screenplay?
Wonder if this could make a series on HBO or Syfy. It’s possible. Time travel, aliens, space, life, and death.
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Last Page Sound:
I love this book. I love the 47 Ronin. This book was very well done.

Author Assessment:
Would definitely read other stuff by this author.

Editorial Assessment:
Very well done.

Knee Jerk Reaction:
real classic

Disposition of Book:
Keeper

Would recommend to:
friends, family, kids, colleagues, everyone
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