From the awesome title to the very last page, this book kept me hooked. I haven't read a book with a male protagonist in a while and thought Natalie totally nailed Tosh's voice. I loved the slow build of the paranormal element and how Tosh's parents were integral to the story. I loved how the real-world issues - liking your best friend's crush, navigating high school cliques - were addressed realistically and yet also woven into the more fantastical plot points. Amy was a great character too - in fact, the book was full of interesting, strong female characters. Really, I have nothing but good things to say about RELAX, I'M A NINJA. This is the first book I've read by Natalie Whipple and it absolutely won't be the last. Love the writing style, love the ninjas, love the characters. Just....love!!This book has inspired me to buy the rest of Natalie's books! Relax, I am Ninja is one of the best books I've read all summer! It's so bittersweet to see it end and I want a sequel just to hear more about my favorite characters; Tosh and Amy (swoon from the sweetness! I command you!) It was just so sweet and cute, innocent almost. There was something so heart warming and vibrant to watch them grow and come together in the middle of all out ninja war! (oohhooohhh). Tosh, was so nerdy in not-nerdy way because he was so himself. He was aware of how his secret ninja life was real and altered his thinking in every way, keeping his identity a secret and avoiding exposure of his clan and his (totally butt kicking skills!) in karate look "normal" but it hurt to see how he couldn't tell anyone. He accepted it and all but still sucked to see himself on the outside of what should have been his normal life; D&D, video games and pinning over girls who would never look twice at him. But Amy (his-best-friend's-crush) is asked to join his secret ninja clan! What? Why? While their under the secret ninja war? But secrets are everywhere. And as she learns the truth behind the karate school, something stirs between them. How sweet was it to know Amy was flirting with him? Super sweet! Because Tosh fought his heart and mind over how to accept his feelings for Amy, knowing it was dangerous because of their ninja status and his best friend, more importantly admitting it was more than attraction (we learn why later, heehee). It was instant and cute, in such a sort-normal-way. I loved Amy for her feistiness, beauty, ability to fight and (finally) admitting she liked Tosh, even though his mysterious attitude and secret ninja life had kept them in the friend zone, it blew up like fireworks (eeekkk!). What I never saw coming... Tosh's dad being one of the good guys while being a bad guy?! His mother also being a ninja?!! Eddie asking Tosh to break up with Amy?!!! The cheerleader being a ninja?!!!! And...That same cheerleader kissing Tosh and (almost basically) ruining his relationship with Amy??!!!!!! WHAT?! All in all, amazing for action and romance at a perfect level. It wasn't all about ninjas or too much about their relationship but enough on everything that I didn't caught in one paragraph, I loved it all!
What do You think about Relax, I'm A Ninja (2014)?
A fun and entertaning read. I'm looking forward to reading the second book.
—vanshika
I'll read it because I mean, common! The title!
—Kassiasakora
