Fighting Upstream (Book 2 of the Bushido Chronicles) by Jason Brick (Not A Pipe Publishing, February 2025)

Connor Morgan is back! It’s the State Wrestling Championship, and Connor is nervous. If he does well, he’ll get the attention of college scouts. If he gets the attention of college scouts, he’ll get a scholarship. If he gets a scholarship, he might just be able to lift his family out of poverty.

But first he has to win. Which means squaring off against some of the biggest, best, most demon-ridden wrestlers in Oregon…all in between a decades-hopping time travel mission to save his mentor from certain death.

It’s all in a day’s work for a member of the Bushido Warriors, but sometimes a day can last more than 24 hours.

 

My review:

This high-stakes thrill-ride through time and space takes the medal for friendship and hope in hard times.

Connor Morgan is back for round 2 of this high-stakes supernatural sports fantasy. This time out, he’s wrestling in the state tournament. He’s motivated to do well: a good performance could lead to a college scholarship, which would ease the burden on Connor’s hardworking mother. On a visit to the locker room between matches, he is unexpectedly drawn into a time-travel plot involving an ally from the future and a powerful enemy who could prevent the Bushido Champions from meeting their Sensei.

I have been waiting eagerly for this follow-up to Wrestling Demons and was not disappointed. Themes of friendship and loyalty abound, with an emphasis on using one’s gifts to help others. The convoluted time travel plot provided lots of comedy and some history lessons, as well as ramping up tension as the moment of past and present catastrophes drew near.

While there are enough martial arts scenes to satisfy action fans, this book holds appeal for any reader looking for an inspiring young-adult story.

Fighting Upstream is available from the Not A Pipe Publishing store HERE, and get 25% off both books in The Bushido Chronicles!

Get Fighting Upstream from Amazon in paperback HERE, hardcover HERE, or Kindle edition HERE.

Get Fighting Upstream in paperback or hardcover editions through Barnes & Noble HERE.