Books that Don’t Suck–Milligan and the Samurai Rebels by Simon Alexander Collier

Review by PJ Jones

For those who don’t know me or my writing, let me begin this review by saying I like funny books. I like characters who make me laugh. I like hilarious situations with unexpected outcomes. Oh, and I like a good sword fight, too.  And have I mentioned how much I LOVE karate? That’s right, Jackie Chan, is on my FB favorites list. So when I saw Milligan and the Samurai Rebels and its striking cover, HOT DAMN, I had to click on that Kindle purchase link.

I initially bought this book for laughs and the entertainment value. What I got in return was so much more. First off, after reading the author’s bio, I discovered that Simon Alexander Collier has spent a great deal of time in Japan. His knowledge of the country and its rich cultural history shows. Not only did I laugh my ass off while reading this book (Wait, no, it’s still there hogging up the chair. Damn.) but I learned a great deal about Samurai and Japanese history.

The book follows the adventures of Robert Seamus Milligan, a young British diplomat serving in Japan, who by luck, chance or just plain stupidity is thrown into (and then rescued) from several bizarre and life-threatening situations. His missions require that he travel the Japanese countryside during a time of civil war and political unrest. To compound the dangers Mr. Milligan faces, many sword-wielding Japanese Samurai despise Westerners.

Add an irate English general and his ‘compromised’ daughter, one sadistic, ball-busting French spy, a mysterious kick-ass Japanese servant, a strange little Samurai bent on finding unique ways to kill Milligan, plus Milligan’s penchant for beautiful, forbidden women, and you have one hell of a funny and entertaining read. I sure hope Mr. Collier plans on releasing another book of this caliber soon. I look forward to reading more like this.

To purchase Milligan and the Samurai Rebels on Kindle, go here.

The paperback is also available here.

PJ Jones is the author of the dark comedy Driving Me Nuts! and paranormal parodies. You can find her at her sparkly den of mayhem and pleasure at http://pjjoneswrites.wordpress.com/.