Official Review: Ninja Type Person by Brian Warfield

[ALynnPowers]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Ninja Type Person" by Brian Warfield.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Ninja Type Person by Brian Warfield is a relatively short read. Amazon approximates the book to be about 100 pages, but my Kindle brings up 124 pages. Either way, it’s a fast-paced story with a simple, straight-to-the point plot. Steve leads a very mundane life as an office worker in a data entry position. His job, like most everything else in his life, is pointless and unimportant. After seventeen months in the company, his performance is evaluated as sub-par, so Steve begins to search for another line of work in the event that he is fired from his current, useless job. He finally decides to become a ninja, enrolling in online courses to obtain his ninja license. The events that follow are not at all what he expected.

I’m not quite sure how to classify this book. Amazon tells me that it is YA and contemporary literature. I can agree with that; however, based on the number of times that I had to put down the book because I was laughing too hard with tears clouding my vision, the genre of humorous fiction should also be squeezed into the classification as well. I feel like this book was written specifically to cater to my own personal sense of humor.

The author uses a lot of interesting and hilarious metaphors throughout this story. Although these metaphors are often strange or just silly, they are never inaccurate. I’m curious as to whether the author was intentionally trying to make a joke or if he was providing some kind of subtle, satirical social commentary about the utter absurdity of our language and the overuse of certain expressions -- actually, I’m almost certain that there is a lot of subtle social commentary hidden within the pages of this book. But the unique style of writing is what grabbed my attention most of all. Warfield definitely gets my vote for most creative use of language, and his quirky writing style is certain to stick in my mind for a long time.

While most of the story is just humorous and weird (in a good way), there are some surprising twists which bring in a bit of darkness and seriousness as the plot develops. Many unrealistic moments pop up within the story, all ninjas aside, but there are many realistic elements and deep, hidden emotions as well. Steve might be an odd character who makes crazy and absurd decisions, but he is also a sad, lonely man trying to cope with some horrible experiences. It would be easy to go into a much more in-depth analysis about his character (and other characters) and the deeper, psychological meanings behind many of the events of the story.

I can easily give Ninja Type Person a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a different, excellently-written story. Expect thoughts to be provoked and funny bones to be tickled. And ninjas. Always expect ninjas.

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Ninja Type Person
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Like ALynnPowers's review? Post a comment saying so!

[PashaRu]

Your review really makes me want to read this. The writing sounds great.

[tiffanynettles]

I think that this is one of those books where you either love it or hate it. There is no in between.

[ALynnPowers]

I fall into the love it category.

[CloudedRune]

Wonderful review! I might have to check this out at some point

[ALynnPowers]

Wonderful review! I might have to check this out at some point

Let me know if you do and we can compare notes about our favorite funny moments.

[bookowlie]

Great review! I love books that include humorous social commentary, subtle or otherwise.

[ALynnPowers]

Great review! I love books that include humorous social commentary, subtle or otherwise.

Me too! Anything funny is the best thing for me. I have enough serious stuff going on in my real life...

[bookowlie]

The cover is also funny and unique.

[ALynnPowers]

I know! It's so simple yet so effective.

And I love how the title is a kind of play on words. Like "Ninja-type person" as in a sort of ninja-like person.... but then the "type" also refers to his job as the data entry clerk just sitting at a computer typing things into a spreadsheet all day. Very clever. Like most of the book.

[PashaRu]

That's cool! It makes me want to read it even more now1

[werdfert]

Thank you, ALynnPowers for the thoughtful review. I am so glad you liked it and I hope others will like it as well.

[ALynnPowers]

Thank you, ALynnPowers for the thoughtful review. I am so glad you liked it and I hope others will like it as well.

You're welcome! It was my pleasure!