My name is Kano Murasaki, but everyone calls me Risuko....
Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Risuko just wants to climb trees. Growing up far from the battlefields and court intrigues, the fatherless girl finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan -- or may destroy it. She is torn from her home and what is left of her family, but finds new friends at a school that may not be what it seems.
Magical but historical, The Seasons of the Sword follow her along the first dangerous steps to discovering who she truly is.
Historical adventure fiction
Samurai, assassins, warlords... and a girl who likes to climb
 |
 |
 |
 |
RisukoSeasons of the Sword #1Winter Can One Girl Win a War? Growing up far from the battlefields and court intrigues, a fatherless girl finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan — or may destroy it. |
Bright EyesSeasons of the Sword #2Spring Can One Girl Stop a Killer? Two armies have invaded Lady Chiyome's school for shrine maidens (and assassins). Someone kills a Takeda lieutenant, staging it to look like suicide. Can Risuko figure out who would do such thing? |
KanoSeasons of the Sword #3Summer Can One Girl Save a Nation? Through raging battles and deadly court intrigue, Risuko must follow a path narrower and less stable than any pine branch. And the consequences should she fail are sharp and hard as rocks below. COMING April 30, 2024 |
MurasakiSeasons of the Sword #4Autumn Can One Girl Survive? What should be a simple assignment—get a bratty bride to her wedding—is anything but. Because someone wants the lady dead. The thrilling conclusion to SEASONS OF THE SWORD! |
READ NOW! |
READ NOW! |
READ NOW! |
COMING SOON! |
Seasons of the Sword Newsletter
Keep watching here and on the Stillpoint website for exciting news, events, and offers. Sign up to be the first to hear!
—
Kunoichi Companion Tales
David Kudler, author of Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale, is releasing the Kunoichi Companion Tales, a series of prequels to his teen historical novel novel series, Seasons of the sword. These stories introduce characters and themes from the Seasons of the Sword novels, and are currently available exclusively to Risuko subscribers. To read the stories for free, subscribe now.
Kunoichi Companion Tales introduce characters and themes from the Seasons of the Sword novels, and are currently available exclusively to Risuko subscribers, along with news, blog posts, and other exclusive gifts!
To read the stories, subscribe now:
[mc4wp_form id="600"]
Kunoichi Companion Tales
This series of short stories, set before and between the novels of the Seasons of the Sword series, is available exclusively to our subscribers and to our Kickstarter supporters.
There are at least nine planned stories, each exploring the origins of Lady Chiyome's army of "dangerous flowers":
Kunoichi Companion Tales
- White Robes — Mired in her own grief, Lady Mochizuki Chiyome encounters two young women who give her a whole new, much more interesting opportunity (now available!)
- Silk & Service — A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems (now available!)
Waiting for Kuniko — Mieko is waiting at a rendezvous behind enemy lines. In the rain. Without a hat. The person who comes up the road is the last person she expected to encounter.- Wild Mushrooms — A Hōjō commander is delighted when two pretty young shrine maidens enter his camp on the evening before a battle. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been. (now available!)
- Ghost — At a banquet to celebrate a new alliance, Chiyome contemplates murder, and discovers a new servant (now available!)
- Schools for Talented Youngsters: Monthly Headmistresses’ Dinner — Three unique ladies get together once a month to share the joys and challenges involved teaching young ladies with very particular… talents. (Historical fantasy/crossover — now available!)
- Shining Boy — Plucked off of the streets of the capital, an orphan girl tries to figure out what story she's wandered into (Coming soon!)
- Blade — Toumi doesn't want anyone messing with her business (Coming soon!)
- Little Brother — Returning to the monastery turns out to be as hard as leaving it was (Coming soon!)
Not yet a subscriber? Sign up now!
Buy Risuko Now!
News from the Full Moon
Seasons of the Sword Book 4 Title Reveal
Since Kano, the third Seasons of the Sword book, comes out in less than two weeks, it’s time for the title reveal for the fourth book!
Kano includes the first chapter of the concluding novel in Risuko’s adventures. It follows her as she, Emi, and Toumi accompany a spoiled young noblewoman to her wedding. What should be a simple assignment—get the bride to the wedding, make sure she’s properly dressed—is anything but.
Because someone wants the lady dead.
After Risuko, Bright Eyes, and Kano, we are excited to reveal that the title of book 4 is…
Continue reading Seasons of the Sword Book 4 Title Reveal
Not an April Fool: Dummy Copies of Kano Shipped
Wish it were an April Fool
Look what I got in the mail last week! 
Boy, wasn’t I surprised, since I’m still working with the editors on the final draft! I mean, it would have been great if it had actually been the final text, but the inside looked like this: Continue reading Not an April Fool: Dummy Copies of Kano Shipped
Kano — Ask the Author!
Questions about Seasons of the Sword #3?
Ask the Author Anything!
Kano: A Kunoichi Tale, the third book in the Seasons of the Sword series, is almost here!
We hope you’re as excited as we are. In fact, author David Kudler would love to answer any questions about the book or the series you may have. Make predictions about what you think will happen — and what won’t! David may even be willing to give you some hints about what’s to come… but no spoilers. 😉
Comment with your questions or predictions, and David will respond.
Spring is here!
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the vernal equinox today, the first day of spring.
Happy Spring!
In celebration of the new season (since we are all about the seasons here at Seasons of the Sword), we’ve updated our site header: Continue reading Spring is here!