Only A Shadow — Steve Bein

The author of "Daughter of the Sword "takes readers to feudal Japan, where men and empires rise and fall by the sword...

The Tiger on the Mountain is a legendary blade, crafted by the master sword smith Inazuma, and reputed to possess magical powers. In 1442 Japan, the sword dwells inside the impregnable fortress of Hirata Nobushige, the enemy of the Iga clan.

Venerable shinobi Jujiro has recruited the brave young ninja Tada to steal the sword and restore power to the Iga clan. If Tada is successful, he'll go from being the clan's orphaned ward to a legend for the ages--and he'll be able to ask for Old Jujiro's granddaughter's hand in marriage. If he fails, the clan will be annihilated.

Getting inside the castle is next to impossible--getting out is inconceivable. But as Tada prepares himself for one of the boldest thefts in history, the greatest obstacle he faces may just prove to be himself...