Has anyone ever read the novel The Ninja by Eric Van Lustbader? I was at the bookstore today and saw it. I almost bought it as I love ninjas (who doesn't?) I never heard of it before though, so I was wanting to get some opinions/reviews first.

It was a huge book back in the day... late-70s, if I recall. (Too lazy to look it up.) I haven't read it in years, but it seems like I enjoyed it a lot. It's generally regarded as a classic of its type, so if you're into ninjas, you should try it.

Lustbader is still around and still writing. (To be honest, I thought he might be dead, but I had a drink with him earlier this year and he's still going strong!)

I read it in the early 80's. It also had two sequels "The Miko" and "The White Ninja". I never read "The White Ninja" even though I've had the hardcover version for years but the "The Miko" is just as good as "The Ninja".

Nicholas Linnear Novels
The Ninja - 1980
The Miko - 1984
White Ninja - 1990
The Kaisho - 1993
Floating City - 1994
Second Skin - 1995

The Nicholas Linnear novels started out awesome with "The Ninja" and, in my opinion, rapidly deteriorated. I loved both The Ninja and The Miko, I thought the White Ninja was oky, never read The Kaisho and barely made it through Floating City.

Be aware there is shocking violence and downright porno-level sex stuff in his books. He doesn't shy away from either.

It's basically a series of romance novels for guys. The first two books are definitely recommended though.

Supposedly, the movie is in pre production again. I hope they don't remove any of this stuff just to get a PG-13 rating. The books are pretty hardcore.

Lustbader also wrote the 4th book in Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series, in case anyone's interested in those books.

I agree with Draven. The Ninja is fantastic, and then they go rapidly downhill from there. Second Skin was IMO damn near unreadable.

I read Ninja, Miko and White Ninja.. never bothered going past that. Was fond of the character, not so much the way the books read.