I really like Mr. Donohue's style. I've enjoyed all the books in this series.

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 larg [...]

Surprisingly good martial arts thriller. I was expecting a boatload of New Agey fluff or at least a lot of mystical Zen, but instead the martial arts philosophy was presented in a straight-forward, no-nonsense manner. Sure, the premise remains the classic white-dude-saves-asian from an Evil Asian Mastermind motif, but against type, the main protagonist is not presented as a superman, but a normal guy who happens to have a very deep speciality in martial arts. All the other stuff integral to the [...]

The Connor Burke and Yamashita Sensei series continues. Tengu struck a chord with me. As the third in the series, by now I have developed an amiable familiarity with Connor and Yamashita, but I most enjoy the cop/buddy relationship between Connor’s brother Micky and his affable partner Art.Micky and Art are true police manual archetypes. After the bond forged out of the brutality of Sensei, I found myself subconsciously holding my breath each time they are on the precipice of danger. You root [...]

So to me this book was a stand-alone, however I think I came into the middle of a thriller series? The main character obviously had some history with other supporting characters, but it didn't hinder in me reading the book. It was a (I'm sorry this is so cliche') thrilling read, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Now, I have to warn you, it is pretty over the top. Just imagine James Bond (the one in Skyfall thats pretty "old" and barely avoiding retirement), but he is a martial arts master and [...]

This was the third book in the series and I really enjoyed it. The first book, Sensei, was ok, but it was enough to catch my attention. The second book was not good at allpoorly developed plot, etc but I saw a few good reviews of the third book and decided to read it. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to anyone since a "martial arts thriller" is a very specific genre, but I enjoyed it. There was no big mystery involved and the end was never in doubt, but it was a simple action novel tha [...]

I enjoyed this book. I like reading around a martial arts theme and what is involved in learning and perfecting the skills. And the histories are fascinating. This one is based one of those accomplished older ones who is quite bitter about the change in values since the imperial Japan ended with world war II. Any chance to get back is just fine! And this he does in some well planned moves corollated with middle east terrorists meeting in the Phillipines. It grabbed my attention and kept it, and [...]

Donohue gets a little bit outside the territory he established in Sensei and Deshi. Burke travels to the Philippines to rescue Yamishita, his sensei, who has been kidnapped. Tengu is more special forces and less dojo. I'm not a big thriller fan, but I enjoy Donohue's work because it reflects the sensibilities of a mature martial artist. In Tengu the insights into the interior aspects of the martial arts are thinner than his other two books--hence the two stars. If, however, you do like thrillers [...]

Definitely the best of the series so far. It flowed a little bit different than the other two books and at times read live a movie but I really enjoyed it. I found myself immersed in Connor's world and wanting to stay there. One thing is I would have liked a more descriptive final fight scene with Tengu but I can see based on the character's state of health that a long and drawn out fight would not have made sense.Job well done!I cannot wait for the next book to see how everyone is doing, what h [...]

Connor Burke is a university lecturer and part time martial arts instructor who has learned his skills from the renowned Sensei Yamashita. When Yamashita is kidnapped by an old enemy from Japan, Burke joins a small law-enforcement team (that includes his brother, a New York cop) and sets off to the jungles of Asia to rescue his teacher.John Donohue writes with skill and flair, weaving in his considerable martial arts knowledge seamlessly into this tense martial arts thriller. Tengu is the third [...]

I did not enjoy this book. I almost brought it back to the library before it was over, but I couldn't sleep one night so I finished it. Maybe all martial arts thrillers are totally sexist and self-indulgent and make broad sweeping statements about an entire culture. Maybe the genre is not for me. But mostly I think this is just a badly written book.

The action is fast, the characters are complex, and the personal experience the author has in the fighting techniques are obvious. I would rate Donohue's novels as a slight step below Barry Eisler's but still excellent.

Not a martial arts fan but enjoyed this third installment of Donohue's series. My book club found the action realistic although it helps to have read the first 2 books to really understand the relationships Connor has with his sensei and brother, etc.

This is the third is Donohue's series featuring Connor Burke, martial artist. Conner is taken to the Philippines to investigate a branch of Al-Queda that has kidnapped his sensei. Action-packed and quite a roller coaster ride. This book is entertaining reading, but I preferred the first two.

Full circle! What a great way to round out the Trilogy.

Great plot, great characters. One of the few books to treat the martial arts in a authentic fashion.

Excellent intelligent thriller.