(By Gaius Konstantine / Book Review) “Memories live longer than anything if we preserve them. They die the easiest of anything if we choose not to.” This statement is true. But are all memories worthy of being kept alive? Or are some best left to be forgotten? This question and many more are explored in The Shattered Way, a novel by Adam Caisse.
Set in Feudal Japan with elements of magic and fantasy woven in, the novel focuses on Kawahashi, a young orphan taken in by Sumikaru, a kind stranger, and his beautiful daughter Ume. As Kawahashi adjusts to this new life, he learns much from his adopted family, including the art of forging enchanted items and summoning spirits, both benign and malevolent. Wishing to protect his new family should the need arise; Kawahashi departs with a visiting Samurai who teaches him both the art of war and a new way of seeing the world. When the Samurai falls because of a power-hungry warlord who would be Shogun, Kawahashi becomes obsessed with revenge. Knowing he cannot fight the warlord alone, the young assassin embarks on a quest to gather powerful spirits of old who would aid him. But quests are strange things, and sometimes the things we find are not the things we sought.
Elegant, brooding, and at times philosophical, The Shattered Way by Adam Caisse is not typical fantasy fare; it is something more, something better. The plot is familiar enough: an orphan decides to avenge a mentor and goes through perilous lengths to do so. Yet the setting and execution of this tale give it a fresh perspective and set it apart from similar stories. Throughout the narrative, strong thematic depth forms the backbone of the novel as revenge, duty, honor, justice, and self-discovery all play a role. Character development continues to be one of Adam’s strengths, and the memorable cast is highlighted by the young Kawahashi, who grows, fades, and is ultimately remade into someone more than what he was, both for better and worse. While the pace is swift, my only criticism centers on the flow, which at times is slightly disrupted by syntax and structure that could be sharper.
Overall, despite the minor imperfections, The Shattered Way is an excellent read for fans of adult and serious fantasy who crave a sense of wonder, and I can recommend it with ease.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 / 5
The Shattered Way (2026)
Dark Fantasy
Available in Kindle and Paperback at Amazon
Gaius Konstantine is the author of Fading Away: Dark Bay and a literary critic known for honest, no-nonsense takes on literature. He writes. He critiques. He calls it as he sees it.
Connect with him on X at @GaiusKonstantin.
