Review: A Triumph for Sakura by Jason Ridler
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 28, 2013
(as reviewed on thedarkeva.com):Fans of Ridler’s longer works have come to expect supernatural thrillers usually set in a wrestling background. This time around in A Triumph for Sakura, he switches things up and makes it about cage-fighting, and he has introduced a female protagonist to drive the story.Ned is a semi-cripple who has to train a very talented girl, Sakura, into a cagefighter because she can beat up vampires, but she’s rough around the edges and learned to fight from movies, so she’s far from being a pro fighter. She has to disguise herself as a man to be able to compete, and her first fight is with a tough guy, Fife. Ned has to make sure Sakura doesn’t get too cocky or brash, and to make her a better fighter.Their plan is to eventually reveal her true gender in a fight that she wins, but she has other things to worry about. Through the course of the book, she gets better at thinking quickly on her feet. But she also has endearing qualities, such as her relationship with her grandmother, who, despite her age, is just as feisty as some of the fighters Sakura encounters in the ring.Personal stakes abound for all the characters, with Ned and Sakura’s fates being more tied together than either of them realizes. There’s also plenty of good tension throughout. It’s an entertaining, quick read that packs a punch–with fangs.It’s gritty, funny, and features great dialogue as with Ridler’s other books. UFC fans, fans of the film and book versions of "Fight Club", as well as wrestling fans will find this book an entertaining read. If you’re longing for a follow-up to the film "Haywire" featuring former MMA fighter Gina Carano, and waiting until Ronda Rousey has her next fight, read "A Triumph For Sakura."