Setting: Japan (Present Time?)

This is the first book in Sedonia Guillone's White Tigers Series. It is also more of an introductory of sorts than actually a complete story. Here, all the men from the White Tiger, a Ryokan (Japanese Inn), and those involved with them, are introduced with a telling of sorts about their background and current situations. As such, the points of views are not limited to any 1 or 2 individuals, but skips around from character-to-character (not all but a good majority).

However, we can say that a majority of the focus and point of views are given from Yuzo and Kiku (Fuju).

Yuzo is a young man, in his early twenties, who has had a pretty harsh life. It goes back to when he was pretty small and shared an innocent, semi-intimate moment with his equally young male best friend..and got caught. Since then, he has been caught up in harsh situations. His latest has him as a sex-slave for a sadistic yakuza boss, Taro. Yuzo has been pushed to the point where he is determined to escape, even though doing so could get him killed. He seeks to take refuge with Kiku, an ex mafia member, who owns a Ryokan that houses men like Yuzo. The problem is, Taro is the arch-nemesis of Kiku.

Kiku, at forty, is older than Yuzo. He is an ex-yakuza member who now practices Taoism at the Ryokan he owns.
Kiku is also psychic, and this makes contact with others a bit difficult as he sees images of their lives whenever he touches them. He has been at war with Taro for a long time, ever since Kiku left the Yakuza group they both belong to...and even before that.The fact that Kiku is loved by and houses another young boy (Ryu) who is the lust of Taro's eye, has not helped their situation any. In-fact, Ryu this is the main reason for the animosity between the two men.
When Yuzo escapes to Kiku, the older man knows that the only thing he can do for Yuzo is to heal him via Taoism and then send him on his way, as it will be too dangerous for Yuzo to remain at the White Tiger. However, Kiku soon realizes that Yuzo is thoroughly compatible with him. He does not see images with Yuzo, something that has never happened before with anyone.
But as Yuzo's presence poses a threat to everyone at the White Tiger, having him around hardly seems like an option.

**
I found the characters in "Sudden Surrender" to be very interesting. All of them.

Although Yuzo has had a pretty harsh life, he is still quite innocent and child-like. He is a very determined and strong individual, who makes no excuses for the path he has taken and blames no one but himself for his predicaments...even when he should not. He is also very love starved, but hardly thinks of himself as worthy enough for genuine affection.

Kiku is the prime example of a loving protector. He is a physically powerful and capable man who was once quite terrifying, but is also emotional, protective and loving. He is very human, and not some super-being capable of doing amazing things on a whim.

Ryu, who is more affected by Yuzo's interruption into Kiku's life than anyone, does not turn into the usual "act out of hate and jealousy" type that is so often seen. He is fascinating and it is good whenever the story shifts to him. He is also very much like Yuzo.

Taro is a thoroughly sadistic bastard. He is evil, perverted, and not above ANYTHING. The most interesting thing about him is that no matter what evil deed he has done to others, he always sees the act as genuinely justified. He also does not think of his evil behavior towards Yuzo and Ryu as evil at all. I do hate him, but his character is fascinating and makes for a great read.

The other guys who call the White Tiger home, are also fascinating.

**
"Sudden Surrender" is heavily influenced with Japanese culture, and Taoism. There are many Japanese phrases that would be quite welcomed by anime and manga fans (and those interested in the culture) but somewhat lost on others who are not as familiar with the language.
Usually, its pretty easy to spot an anime/manga/Asian fan through their writing. From my experiences as a reader, not many of these authors are able to incorporate this hobby well into their writing. Sometimes it comes off as either way too cheesy, out-of-place, or flat. However, I do think that Sedonia Guillone was able to do it quite well.

**
The sex scenes in the story are rather long and somewhat redundant. It is heavily filled with the religious aspect (Taosim) more than anything. At some points (on a very small scale) this did make the acts sensual, but as it went on for so long and pretty much kept repeating the same things, it just became too much and overwhelming to read.

**
My biggest peeve with this story is the ending...which was pretty lacking. As in....nothing was really resolved at all.
I know this is a part of a series and all, but I do think somethings should be wrapped up, especially when there are 293 pages worth of material. NOTHING was resolved at all. I can't explain my shock on turning to the next page and seeing "The End".
It is not at all like those other series where a majority of things heavily discussed in that specific title are somewhat resolved before moving on to the next book.
I do not like being "forced" to continue a series. I think I should be intrigued to pick it up, but not coerced by the author.

With all of that said, I see "Sudden Surrender" as 293 pages of Prologue. Not even a before-story...just a veeeeeeeery long introduction. An introduction that had no need to be so long in the first place. ( )