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Tengu: The Mountain Goblin
Tengu: The Mountain Goblin
Tengu: The Mountain Goblin
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Tengu: The Mountain Goblin

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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[Japan] An intelligence analyst is murdered on temple grounds.

[Manila] Two embassy guards go missing and a bizarre execution video is discovered by a special-forces team.

[New York] Martial arts expert Connor Burke is hired as a consultant for an elite US Army training program.

[Mindanao Philippines] A young Japanese ethnographer from Harvard University is kidnapped by a terrorist cell of Abu Sayeff.

A renegade martial arts Sensei known as the Tengu has been recruited to train a splinter group of Asian terrorists with links to Al Qaeda. The Tengu mourns the vanished prestige and cultural heritage of Imperial Japan. He, like the men he trains, believes the West is responsible for destroying the spiritual essence of a once-great culture.

In a series of violent clashes spawned by the bizarre intersection of contemporary fundamentalist terrorist ideology and the personal vendettas of the Tengu, Connor Burke and his martial arts teacher Yamashita are pawns in a game that will ensnare them while they search for the most deadly of foes: the Tengu.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 1, 2009
ISBN9781594391538
Tengu: The Mountain Goblin
Author

John Donohue

A nationally know expert on the culture and practice of the martial arts, John Donohue has been banging around dojo for more than 30 years. Fascinated with the themes of human action and potential he uncovered in his research, John began thinking about the fictional possibilities inherent in the world of the martial arts. John has always been fascinated with other cultures and was attracted to the Asian martial disciplines because of their blend of philosophy and action. He began studying Shotokan Karatedo in college. He joined practical training with more formal education, completing a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Fusing the way of the pen and the way of the sword, while writing John has trained in the martial disciplines of aikido, iaido, judo, karatedo, kendo, and taiji. He has dan (black belt) ranks in both karatedo and kendo.

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Reviews for Tengu

Rating: 3.5652173913043477 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

23 ratings9 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Though it was a bit strange to jump into the 3rd book of a series (even if it's just sort of the same world) I found this book very intriguing. It is definitely not the type of book I usually read, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Conor Burke, an advanced martial arts guy and his Sensei become involved in the investigation of the kidnapping of a wealthy man's ddaughter only to find that they are the actual targets of The Tengu or "Mountain Goblin." only to find themselves
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Tengu is the 3rd book in this series. The focus of the stories is on Connor Burke and his attempts to master the martial arts with his Japanese teacher, Yamashita. The series is set in the modern day in New York City, though the stories incorporate a lot of travel. Connor is a PHD in Asian History and teaches as a part time college instructor when he can. His life is centered on his relationship with his Sensei, and the Sensei's Dojo where Connor also teaches and learns. He is also part of a large Irish clan, and he is particularly close to his brother, Mickey, a cop in NYC. The relationship between Connor and his brother and Mickey's partner Art is another aspect of the stories. It grounds Connor in the modern day, and real life. It is also how Connor often gets involved in the mystery/thriller aspect of the stories. He is brought in as an outside expert/consultant on Asian/martial arts crimes. He also has connections and obligations as the primary student of Yamashita and that brings in the Japanese aspects of the stories. Donohue blends the various strands well to tell a modern day story influenced by the past and other cultures.While the series is called a martial arts thriller the focus is not just on macho actions, technique and chicken screaming. What Connor is trying to learn is the whole ball of wax: the discipline, the beliefs, the way to exist in the world minute to minute; the essence that when absorbed will change the person's spirit as surely as the practice of the techniques will change the physical body. The book doesn't wallow in the mystical or metaphysical, but does show Connor's attempts, doubts and struggles to learn and incorporate into his life these more difficult lessons. It makes for a reflective POV and a more rounded and interesting character.There are martial arts fights, and talk about them, but it never bogs down the story or stops the flow. There is also information about Japanese culture, history and the different schools of martial arts. The various techniques with their strengths and flaws are discussed in a way that explores how they are taught, their underlying philosophy, and how to defend against them. It is very informative and very interesting, but worked into the story rather than added as an info dump.I have read the other 2 previous books in the series Sensei and Deshi , but am not a martial arts aficionado (though I do love Erik Van Lustbader’s books as well). What I do enjoy is a well written book with an interesting setting, good characters and an absorbing story. Donohue delivers on all accounts. Tengu is built on the events in the previous books, so they should be read first.I read this book in one sitting. It was a bit slow at the start, but when Connor made an appearance it sucked me right in and never let go. This story is based on the events of a previous book. Another old Japanese martial arts master has a grudge against Yamashita, and has concocted a plot to exact his revenge. It involves kidnapping a Japanese graduate anthropology student from a wealthy and important family, the use of Muslim terrorists and it all takes place in the Philippines. We also get glimpses of the US military working against terrorists at home and those who are working with the Filipinos to fight them in the field. In this book Connor is also trying to build a relationship with a woman he likes, and deal with the loss of his college job. I like the self-depreciating humor in the book and that the stories are about Connor and happen to be mysteries and thrillers. They have depth and warmth, and are not just shallow mystery or adventure books with cardboard people who you don't believe have a life, and who you can't care about.The writing is clear, and the descriptions are orderly so you know what is going on. The story flows and while the ending is a bit too good to be true, I am happy with it. It also shows the painful growth Connor has gone through, and points to a change for the future, so the stories are not recycled. I have only two disappointments with this book.1. I couldn't make it last longer.2. It takes Donohue two years to write/publish.Lets hope the next one is in process, but it will be hard to wait for 2010.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It was interesting reading this after Meditations on Violence, some of the principles in that book were reinforced here (moves that are needed in real life but cannot be used in the dojo). I'd requested this book as an early review since I'm fascinated with Japanese folklore, but the Tengu doesn't appear for very long in this story, though he's working behind the scenes. Disparate groups of people are drawn together to save a young woman kidnapped in the Phillipines, and Burke and his brother are drawn in when Burke's sensei is used for the ransom drop. There's a bit too much of telling rather than showing in the text, as Burke's inner monologue is shared with the reader, and then there's some things that are left out to heighten the tension but just end up feeling like they're sprung on the reader with no build up. The different fighting styles and the confrontation between the military groups and terrorists are interesting to read about, but at times it felt like a non fiction book wrapped up in a thin plot. Recovery from the injuries sustained in a fight are dealt with realistically. Overall,I enjoyed the book, but it could have benefited from another pass by an editor.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Tengu the Mountain Goblin by John Donohue is a thriller reminiscent of a Vince Flynn book. I enjoyed this book as I might enjoy an action film; entertaining but with some problems. The story is about Connor Burke, an advanced martial arts student, who takes it upon himself to rescue a loved one from danger. The book starts off slow, beginning with an unnecessary introduction to the villain which shows how evil the villain is. After some slow build-up the story gets going when Connor decides / is persuaded that he can help rescue a loved one in danger. The action sequences are believable and clear and the story moves at a good pace. My major issue with the story is not related to plot but rather the writing itself. The point of view can shift suddenly seeming to be first person at times and third person a few lines later. It may have been that I was reading in a noisy atmosphere, but I needed to back up multiple time while reading to figure out who was saying or doing what. Overall I would recommend to people who enjoy martial arts and action stories.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    For out right fast furious fun, you can't beat a martial arts thriller. What's not to love? But this book (and series) are truly unique amongst the usual chopkick crap of the "kungfu" subgenre. This is a deft blend of philosophy, adventure, mystery, action, and the all too human suffering and seeking that we all experience. This is truly a novel about characters who are thinking and sweating and trying to better their lives amidst all sorts of "unanticipated harmonics" in the web of life. This novel is a true joy to read. Do yourself a favor and experience how good a martial arts tale can be. Dr. Donohue sets a great new standard, far above the usual.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    What's the opposite of a page-turner?Tengu is a dull book. The plot, such as it is, holds together well enough, thought it becomes utterly transparent far too early. The reader suffers through endless meetings alongside the main character, who is an idiot. The good guys are all white and male. Everyone else is either evil or useless, including the main character's Japanese martial arts master. Said Japanese master spends most of his dialogue explaining, against all logic, the Japanese language to a young Japanese woman. Neither the military nor the martial arts side of the book hold up to scrutiny. Finally, it soils the reputation of crows, who are, all things considered, essentially decent people.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    In all honesty I thought this book was going to be terrible. I was disappointed when it showed up for review, and I have been putting it off for months. I decided to simply get it over with, and I discovered that the book was not terrible. I actually enjoyed it, and found a number of interesting things within.Much like the process Donohue describes, how men of action come to slowly respect one another, I came to slowly enjoy this book more and more as I saw it progress. The prologue was terrible. I almost put the book down. The writing seemed overwrought and far too full of adjectives. However, I persisted, and the style settled down into something more workable. I am uncertain what changed, but Donohue fell into his groove, and the story flowed more naturally. There are few surprises in the plot, but that is the fun of this kind of book. You know that there will be some good fights, and the bad guy gets it in the end. You just have to suspend disbelief and experience the story as the characters do, and feel the tension and fear as if it were your own.I also appreciated Donohue's perspective on the martial arts, and on fighting in general. I feared the book would be a potboiler full of fanciful moves and stale platitudes, but instead there is a very mature and thoughtful look at what it means to be the kind of man who places himself in harm's way, repeatedly and deliberately, knowing full well the consequences. This book does not shirk from displaying those consequences, especially the toll taken by injury compounded by age. This is not a lesson absorbed well by the young and healthy, but Donohue communicates it well. One cannot fight and emerge unscathed, but it might still be something one should do, something one must do.The various martial arts [and they are various, Donohue does an excellent job of demonstrating the immense variety and rivalry of the many schools that exist, East and West] are at heart as much spiritual or moral as physical. Perhaps even more so. As one ages, one gains wisdom but loses strength, flexibility, and energy, but these latter things can be more of a vehicle for allowing the unreflective to slowly absorb the truths that enable one to live well, and to die well. Thus the practitioner of the martial arts can come to learn by blows what a more sensitive soul might learn from philosophy or religion. The action of the book is much the same, an apparently flashy, sweaty, brutal camouflage for a penetrating insight.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    This book was sort of middle of the road. The description of it being a martial arts based fiction drew me in, but the overall story just really did not pay off. The plot became predictable which would have been ok if most of the characters didn't seem one dimensional and dull. I would only recommend this to someone really into martial arts and the mythology behind them. Otherwise give this one a pass.

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Tengu - John Donohue

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