An intelligent and enjoyable cross-cultural adventure." - "Kirkus Reviews" "Verdict: THE ROSE AND THE CRANE reads like a medieval Pirates of the Caribbean, featuring non-stop action-adventure" - Dianne Reynolds for IndieReader Audiobook version narrated by 2018 Audie Award winning Matthew Lloyd Davies. Simon Lang would rather he didn't wind up in the digestive tract of the ship's gargantuan first mate, but it wasn't outside the realm of possibility. In reflecting back on the decisions that led him to this point, he conceded that perhaps his grandiose plan to get rich by sailing to China could have used some sober advice, or at the very least, could have been decided upon while sober. Lurking nearby Simon and his grim thoughts however, is an odd-looking ship that may contain an unexpected ally. The clans of Hosokawa and Yamana have just leveled the city of Kyoto in a little starter-civil war known as the "Onin War." Emerging from this feud comes Kojiro Takeda, a samurai of legend. Unfortunately, he emerges as a captive on the ship of his hated enemy, but his enemy is about to encounter an opponent the likes of which they've never seen.