Some novels explore time travel. Others explore the human heart. Kakose: Past Life by Chris Goodyear manages to do both, weaving together science fiction, martial arts, and a deeply personal story of grief and renewal. It’s a book that invites readers into Hiroshi’s world, then quietly asks them to reflect on their own sense of purpose.
From the first pages, there’s a feeling that something greater is unfolding. Hiroshi has lost his wife and son, and the weight of that loss shapes every thought and action. He moves through his days holding onto memories, unsure of where life is leading him next. What he does not yet realize is that his destiny has already been set in motion.
A Man Searching for Purpose
Hiroshi’s family history stretches back to ancient Japan, to a lineage of samurai who fought in legendary battles for honor and freedom. That heritage becomes a call he feels deep within himself. As a martial artist, he has spent years training under his sensei, learning discipline, patience, and mental clarity. Those lessons now feel more valuable than ever.
Grief can leave a person drifting. For Hiroshi, it sparks a daring idea. Drawing on his skills as a design engineer, he secretly builds a time machine. It’s an ambitious, almost unbelievable undertaking, yet Chris presents it with conviction. The engineering elements feel grounded, shaped by real knowledge and passion. Hiroshi is not acting on impulse alone. He is driven by the need to prove himself, to find meaning, and to reconnect with something larger than his present pain.
When he travels back to ancient Japan, he steps into a world defined by honor, loyalty, and constant danger. The battlefield is unforgiving. Survival depends on skill, strategy, and inner strength. Hiroshi quickly learns that romantic notions of being a samurai fade in the face of real conflict. Steel clashes. Decisions carry life altering consequences. Every fight tests not only his body but also his spirit.
Through these trials, his sensei’s training echoes in his mind. Martial arts, as Chris portrays them, are never just about physical technique. They teach resilience, focus, and the ability to remain steady under pressure. On the mat, those qualities are practiced. In battle, they become essential. Hiroshi begins to understand that the discipline he once took for granted is the very thing keeping him alive.
Love Across Time
While action drives much of the plot, the emotional core remains centered on love. Hiroshi’s journey is about confronting his grief and rediscovering the possibility of connection. Chris handles this with care, allowing readers to see how love continues to shape Hiroshi’s choices even when those he loves are no longer physically present.
The story moves with energy, and unexpected twists add depth to the narrative. Just as readers settle into one direction, new revelations emerge. Paths intersect in surprising ways. The idea that one decision can quietly lead to an entirely different future becomes clear. Hiroshi’s quest to find his past ultimately reshapes his understanding of what his future could hold.
There is also a subtle thread of wonder running through the book. Time travel opens the door to grand possibilities, yet Chris keeps the focus on personal transformation. The past is not simply a backdrop, it becomes a mirror. Through his experiences in ancient Japan, Hiroshi learns truths about himself that he could never have discovered in the present day.
Chris’s own background as a design engineer and martial artist shines through naturally. The technical aspects feel authentic, and the martial arts philosophy carries genuine weight. Writing this novel was not an easy task. Balancing family life, professional responsibilities, and the commitment required to complete a book demanded perseverance. Chris once believed he would never write a novel, yet feedback from readers has made the journey worthwhile. That sense of gratitude comes through in the care invested in every chapter.
The cover art reflects the vastness of time explored within the story, hinting at the emotional and physical intensity inside. As the narrative builds toward its final moments, readers often feel swept along with Hiroshi, sharing in his doubts, fears, and moments of clarity. By the time the last page turns, there is a sense of having traveled across centuries alongside him.
Kakose: Past Life is available in Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and Audible formats, and can also be found through Waterstones and Barnes and Noble. A follow up novel titled Kikyo is currently in progress, promising to expand this universe even further.
Why This Story Resonates
At its core, this is a story about self discovery and the enduring strength of family bonds. It reminds readers that even in the darkest seasons, there is room for growth. Love changes form, guiding us in ways we may not immediately recognize.
Chris Goodyear has crafted a tale that blends samurai tradition, science fiction imagination, and heartfelt emotion into a compelling journey. For anyone drawn to themes of time travel, martial arts, and the search for meaning, Hiroshi’s story offers an engaging and thoughtful escape.
