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The Dandelion Dynasty #1
The Grace of Kings
Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a bandit, and stern, fearless Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, the two quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures fighting against vast conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods. Once the emperor has been overthrown, however, they each find themselves the leader of separate factions—two sides with very different ideas about how the world should be run and the meaning of justice.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2015
About the author
Ken Liu
438 books20.7k followersKen Liu (http://kenliu.name) is an American author of speculative fiction. He has won the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy awards, as well as top genre honors in Japan, Spain, and France, among other places.
Ken's debut novel, The Grace of Kings, is the first volume in a silkpunk epic fantasy series, The Dandelion Dynasty, in which engineers play the role of wizards. His debut collection, The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, has been published in more than a dozen languages. He also wrote the Star Wars novel, The Legends of Luke Skywalker.
He has been involved in multiple media adaptations of his work. The most recent projects include “The Message,” under development by 21 Laps and FilmNation Entertainment; “Good Hunting,” adapted as an episode of Netflix's breakout adult animated series Love, Death + Robots; and AMC's Pantheon, which Craig Silverstein will executive produce, adapted from an interconnected series of short stories by Ken.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Ken worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation consultant. Ken frequently speaks at conferences and universities on a variety of topics, including futurism, cryptocurrency, history of technology, bookmaking, the mathematics of origami, and other subjects of his expertise.
Ken is also the translator for Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem, Hao Jingfang's Vagabonds, Chen Qiufan's Waste Tide, as well as the editor of Invisible Planets and Broken Stars, anthologies of contemporary Chinese science fiction.
He lives with his family near Boston, Massachusetts.
Ken's debut novel, The Grace of Kings, is the first volume in a silkpunk epic fantasy series, The Dandelion Dynasty, in which engineers play the role of wizards. His debut collection, The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, has been published in more than a dozen languages. He also wrote the Star Wars novel, The Legends of Luke Skywalker.
He has been involved in multiple media adaptations of his work. The most recent projects include “The Message,” under development by 21 Laps and FilmNation Entertainment; “Good Hunting,” adapted as an episode of Netflix's breakout adult animated series Love, Death + Robots; and AMC's Pantheon, which Craig Silverstein will executive produce, adapted from an interconnected series of short stories by Ken.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Ken worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation consultant. Ken frequently speaks at conferences and universities on a variety of topics, including futurism, cryptocurrency, history of technology, bookmaking, the mathematics of origami, and other subjects of his expertise.
Ken is also the translator for Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem, Hao Jingfang's Vagabonds, Chen Qiufan's Waste Tide, as well as the editor of Invisible Planets and Broken Stars, anthologies of contemporary Chinese science fiction.
He lives with his family near Boston, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,335 reviews
August 26, 2022
This debut is super underrated. Ken Liu’s reimagining of the birth of China’s Han Dynasty is nothing short of epic, complex, thrilling, and heartbreaking.
Let’s start with a bit of background. When I look back, I am surprised by how fast time moved. This series has received the same treatment as The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington, which I've read and loved now. I wanted to read this series to its completion by reading them closer to each other. This way, I can retain all the necessary details, and I have a bigger chance of better reading experience. It is why I postponed reading this series for so long. Even though I knew I would enjoy it based on how much I enjoyed Ken Liu’s collection of short stories: The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories and The Hidden Girl and Other Stories. Since 2017, I kept on thinking that the final book of the series will be released the year after, and nope. The fourth and final book of the series kept getting delayed by another year until 2022. Yes, The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu has been in my TBR pile since 2017. I have wanted to start reading this series for five years, and I own the hardcovers of both the US and UK editions of the series so far. And now, I am pleased to say The Grace of Kings, Ken Liu's ambitious debut novel, is worth the wait.
The Grace of Kings is the first book in The Dandelion Dynasty quartet by Ken Liu. I haven’t read the rest of the series, and things could change starting from The Wall of Storms, but it is not far-fetched to call The Grace of Kings a historical fiction/fantasy novel. My historical knowledge about the founding of the Han Dynasty or the Chu Han Contention is rusty now, but there’s no disputing that this novel is deeply inspired by it. Honestly, it didn’t dawn on me that Liu replicated the exact events of the Chu Han contention until I was near the end of the book. I went into this book as blind as possible, and after I finished it, I did some research, and Ken Liu admitted several times that The Grace of Kings is an epic fantasy reimagining of the founding of the Han Dynasty and the Chu Han Contention. And I loved it so much. Spanning decades of story, The Grace of Kings is complex and epic in scope. It depicted brutal results inflicted by the clash of ideals. It displayed the cost and effect of love, friendship, loyalty, betrayals, war, and ambition as raw as possible. And in the attainment of power, the more power you have, the more power corrupts and wields you.
The main narrative in The Grace of Kings centers around two main characters: The Dandelion, Kuni Garu (based on Liu Bang), and Mata Zyndu (based on Xiang Yu), the Crysanthemum. Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu are two best friends of polar opposites in personality and ideals. While Kuni Garu tends to govern with compassion and intellect, Mata Zyndu governs with honor and overwhelming might. I saw several reviews that accused Ken Liu of plagiarism, and I disagree with this. If this is plagiarism, then every Trojan retelling or reimagining like The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is, too. Ken Liu has repeatedly said in plenty of interviews that the Chu Han Contention, not sure for the rest of the series, is the source material for The Grace of Kings. And although several events were replicated, the characterizations, details, and the minimal fantasy elements implemented made The Grace of Kings its own epic/historical fantasy novel.
Even though it is true that both Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu are based on real-life historical figures, one thing differs so much from my experience of reading the actual history textbook and The Grace of Kings. I enjoyed The Grace of Kings immensely. I felt incredibly invested with the characters. I was thrilled. I was scared. I was shocked. This is not a character-driven fantasy novel, but Ken Liu has successfully imbued emotions into these pages and sparked my attachments to the characters. I personally did not feel a thing reading about Liu Bang and Xiang Yu’s story in a history textbook. It was an entirely different reading experience to read the feats of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu. These two are flawed characters trying their best to do what’s right according to their ideals. Kuni Garu seeks to innovate with compassion and forgiveness, and Mata Zyndu insists on sticking to honor and tradition. And it was sorrowful to see how circumstances constantly force them to act according to necessity than to do what's right according to them. Witnessing Kuni Garu’s character development from his carefree and rebellious beginning up to his position of leadership felt so rewarding. His friendship with Mata Zyndu felt genuine, and the ebb and flow in their relationship caused by different philosophies of life never felt forced. On the other hand, the double pupil Mata Zyndu with his weapons, Na-aroenna and Goremaw, inspires loyalty and awe with his insane strength. And it was not only the soldiers who felt awed by his prowess, I was, too.
Although I can understand the criticism regarding the lack of female characters, I also cannot help but think this criticism seems overblown. Sure, if you are judging this from the first half of the novel, I can see the accuracy of this statement. But the second half featured many pivotal female characters in a role that decides the outcome of a war. Some of the conflicts in the second half of the novel seriously rely entirely on women taking charge, whether they are generals or not. With Jia, Gin Mazoti, Risana, Soto, Mira, and Kikomi, Ken Liu has crafted strong female characters that don't rely on strengths and physical prowess. If we're going to make comparisons, from the top of my mind, Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy feature only about four major female characters throughout the entire trilogy; one of them is Vin, the main character. And I rarely—or never—see anyone criticizing the series for the lack of female characters. Why do people criticized Ken Liu's Grace of Kings more heavily and loudly than Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy when The Grace of Kings alone already has more memorable female characters than the entirety of Mistborn trilogy? This is just one example. But whether that’s fair or not, I’ll leave that for you to decide for yourself.
I have mentioned the minimal fantastical elements of The Grace of Kings earlier. The story takes place in the fictional Islands of Dara. The three dominating fantastical elements were the existence of airships, the meddling gods, and the creature Cruben. Cruben is a great one-horned scale whale of Dara and sovereign of the seas. It’s 200 feet (61 meters) long, and its size is as large next to an elephant as an elephant would be next to a mouse. These aspects being added to the decades-long story and the shifting alliances caused by the continuous rise and fall of empires made the narrative relentlessly compelling for me. The ruthless tactics employed and the flames of ambition (by both humans and gods) ignited to win the conflicts will be judged by history, and I look forward to judging The Grace of Kings and the rest of the series as one package.
I do have some words of advice for those of you who are interested in reading The Grace of Kings for the first time. First, ignore the naysayers. Second, this is not a friendly novel for those who have just begun reading epic fantasy. It is complex; there are many threads, characters, and names to remember. And lastly, be patient. Unlike many epic fantasy novels, Liu uses a third-person omniscient narration rather than a third-person limited. I did struggle in some sections in the first half of the story. As I said, Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu are the core of the plot in The Grace of Kings, but Ken Liu was bold enough to take the risk of introducing and focusing on many supporting characters in the first half of the novel. Sometimes it felt like reading a collection of connecting short stories as we relatively seldom get to see events unfolding from Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu's perspectives in the first half compared to the second half. However, the convergence and the payoff were utterly satisfying. The second half of The Grace of Kings was simply breathtaking, and I found it difficult to put the book down.
The Grace of Kings is one of the most criminally underrated novels I've read. It is underrated in every sense of the word. The novel has been published for seven years, and it currently has 3.7 average ratings out of 14,300 ratings on Goodreads. It is unbelievably underrated and underhyped. I have a principle of second-guessing reviews from reviewers I do not know. And proven time and time again, this time by The Grace of Kings, I am glad to stand by this principle. I would have missed reading one of the best debuts I've read if I had listened to the negative reviews. This is why I always say, if a book interests you already, ignore the negative reviews (seriously, mine included) and just jump into it whenever you feel like you are in the right mood. The Grace of Kings did end in a satisfying standalone manner. But, it also felt like Ken Liu is using The Grace of Kings as a solid foundation for the rest of The Dandelion Dynasty to shine. If my praises for The Grace of Kings are considered an unpopular opinion, let's just say I am happy to sit and camp in the unpopular bonfire. The Grace of Kings is superbly crafted, and I've heard from the fans of the series that The Wall of Storms is even better. I will keep my fingers crossed that I am indeed in the presence of a new addition to my "favorite series of all time" list. I’ll close this review with a passage from Ken Liu himself:
You can order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Andrew W, Amanda, Annabeth, Ben, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, Oliver, Reno, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
“Read a lot of books and try a lot of recipes…When you learn enough about the world, even a blade of grass can be a weapon.”
Let’s start with a bit of background. When I look back, I am surprised by how fast time moved. This series has received the same treatment as The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington, which I've read and loved now. I wanted to read this series to its completion by reading them closer to each other. This way, I can retain all the necessary details, and I have a bigger chance of better reading experience. It is why I postponed reading this series for so long. Even though I knew I would enjoy it based on how much I enjoyed Ken Liu’s collection of short stories: The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories and The Hidden Girl and Other Stories. Since 2017, I kept on thinking that the final book of the series will be released the year after, and nope. The fourth and final book of the series kept getting delayed by another year until 2022. Yes, The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu has been in my TBR pile since 2017. I have wanted to start reading this series for five years, and I own the hardcovers of both the US and UK editions of the series so far. And now, I am pleased to say The Grace of Kings, Ken Liu's ambitious debut novel, is worth the wait.
“A knife is not malicious merely because it is sharp, and a plot is not evil merely because it is effective. All depends on the wielder. The grace of kings is not the same as the morals governing individuals.”
The Grace of Kings is the first book in The Dandelion Dynasty quartet by Ken Liu. I haven’t read the rest of the series, and things could change starting from The Wall of Storms, but it is not far-fetched to call The Grace of Kings a historical fiction/fantasy novel. My historical knowledge about the founding of the Han Dynasty or the Chu Han Contention is rusty now, but there’s no disputing that this novel is deeply inspired by it. Honestly, it didn’t dawn on me that Liu replicated the exact events of the Chu Han contention until I was near the end of the book. I went into this book as blind as possible, and after I finished it, I did some research, and Ken Liu admitted several times that The Grace of Kings is an epic fantasy reimagining of the founding of the Han Dynasty and the Chu Han Contention. And I loved it so much. Spanning decades of story, The Grace of Kings is complex and epic in scope. It depicted brutal results inflicted by the clash of ideals. It displayed the cost and effect of love, friendship, loyalty, betrayals, war, and ambition as raw as possible. And in the attainment of power, the more power you have, the more power corrupts and wields you.
“There’s never going to be an end to suffering if ‘he deserves it’ is all the justification people need for inflicting pain.”
The main narrative in The Grace of Kings centers around two main characters: The Dandelion, Kuni Garu (based on Liu Bang), and Mata Zyndu (based on Xiang Yu), the Crysanthemum. Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu are two best friends of polar opposites in personality and ideals. While Kuni Garu tends to govern with compassion and intellect, Mata Zyndu governs with honor and overwhelming might. I saw several reviews that accused Ken Liu of plagiarism, and I disagree with this. If this is plagiarism, then every Trojan retelling or reimagining like The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is, too. Ken Liu has repeatedly said in plenty of interviews that the Chu Han Contention, not sure for the rest of the series, is the source material for The Grace of Kings. And although several events were replicated, the characterizations, details, and the minimal fantasy elements implemented made The Grace of Kings its own epic/historical fantasy novel.
“A lord who knows how to wield men is ten times more fearsome than one who knows only how to wield a sword.”
Even though it is true that both Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu are based on real-life historical figures, one thing differs so much from my experience of reading the actual history textbook and The Grace of Kings. I enjoyed The Grace of Kings immensely. I felt incredibly invested with the characters. I was thrilled. I was scared. I was shocked. This is not a character-driven fantasy novel, but Ken Liu has successfully imbued emotions into these pages and sparked my attachments to the characters. I personally did not feel a thing reading about Liu Bang and Xiang Yu’s story in a history textbook. It was an entirely different reading experience to read the feats of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu. These two are flawed characters trying their best to do what’s right according to their ideals. Kuni Garu seeks to innovate with compassion and forgiveness, and Mata Zyndu insists on sticking to honor and tradition. And it was sorrowful to see how circumstances constantly force them to act according to necessity than to do what's right according to them. Witnessing Kuni Garu’s character development from his carefree and rebellious beginning up to his position of leadership felt so rewarding. His friendship with Mata Zyndu felt genuine, and the ebb and flow in their relationship caused by different philosophies of life never felt forced. On the other hand, the double pupil Mata Zyndu with his weapons, Na-aroenna and Goremaw, inspires loyalty and awe with his insane strength. And it was not only the soldiers who felt awed by his prowess, I was, too.
“A man who can kill several people with a sword is merely a living weapon. A great warrior can kill thousands of men with just his mind.”
Although I can understand the criticism regarding the lack of female characters, I also cannot help but think this criticism seems overblown. Sure, if you are judging this from the first half of the novel, I can see the accuracy of this statement. But the second half featured many pivotal female characters in a role that decides the outcome of a war. Some of the conflicts in the second half of the novel seriously rely entirely on women taking charge, whether they are generals or not. With Jia, Gin Mazoti, Risana, Soto, Mira, and Kikomi, Ken Liu has crafted strong female characters that don't rely on strengths and physical prowess. If we're going to make comparisons, from the top of my mind, Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy feature only about four major female characters throughout the entire trilogy; one of them is Vin, the main character. And I rarely—or never—see anyone criticizing the series for the lack of female characters. Why do people criticized Ken Liu's Grace of Kings more heavily and loudly than Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy when The Grace of Kings alone already has more memorable female characters than the entirety of Mistborn trilogy? This is just one example. But whether that’s fair or not, I’ll leave that for you to decide for yourself.
“By custom, we wield the sword and wear the armor, but who among you does not know a mother, sister, daughter, friend, who exceeds you in courage and fortitude?
So let us no more think of being compared to women as an insult.”
I have mentioned the minimal fantastical elements of The Grace of Kings earlier. The story takes place in the fictional Islands of Dara. The three dominating fantastical elements were the existence of airships, the meddling gods, and the creature Cruben. Cruben is a great one-horned scale whale of Dara and sovereign of the seas. It’s 200 feet (61 meters) long, and its size is as large next to an elephant as an elephant would be next to a mouse. These aspects being added to the decades-long story and the shifting alliances caused by the continuous rise and fall of empires made the narrative relentlessly compelling for me. The ruthless tactics employed and the flames of ambition (by both humans and gods) ignited to win the conflicts will be judged by history, and I look forward to judging The Grace of Kings and the rest of the series as one package.
“Our lives are too brief to worry about the judgment of others, let alone that of history.”
I do have some words of advice for those of you who are interested in reading The Grace of Kings for the first time. First, ignore the naysayers. Second, this is not a friendly novel for those who have just begun reading epic fantasy. It is complex; there are many threads, characters, and names to remember. And lastly, be patient. Unlike many epic fantasy novels, Liu uses a third-person omniscient narration rather than a third-person limited. I did struggle in some sections in the first half of the story. As I said, Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu are the core of the plot in The Grace of Kings, but Ken Liu was bold enough to take the risk of introducing and focusing on many supporting characters in the first half of the novel. Sometimes it felt like reading a collection of connecting short stories as we relatively seldom get to see events unfolding from Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu's perspectives in the first half compared to the second half. However, the convergence and the payoff were utterly satisfying. The second half of The Grace of Kings was simply breathtaking, and I found it difficult to put the book down.
“To know the future is to have no choice… to be words fixed on a page by someone else. We can only do what we think is best, trusting that it will all somehow work out.”
The Grace of Kings is one of the most criminally underrated novels I've read. It is underrated in every sense of the word. The novel has been published for seven years, and it currently has 3.7 average ratings out of 14,300 ratings on Goodreads. It is unbelievably underrated and underhyped. I have a principle of second-guessing reviews from reviewers I do not know. And proven time and time again, this time by The Grace of Kings, I am glad to stand by this principle. I would have missed reading one of the best debuts I've read if I had listened to the negative reviews. This is why I always say, if a book interests you already, ignore the negative reviews (seriously, mine included) and just jump into it whenever you feel like you are in the right mood. The Grace of Kings did end in a satisfying standalone manner. But, it also felt like Ken Liu is using The Grace of Kings as a solid foundation for the rest of The Dandelion Dynasty to shine. If my praises for The Grace of Kings are considered an unpopular opinion, let's just say I am happy to sit and camp in the unpopular bonfire. The Grace of Kings is superbly crafted, and I've heard from the fans of the series that The Wall of Storms is even better. I will keep my fingers crossed that I am indeed in the presence of a new addition to my "favorite series of all time" list. I’ll close this review with a passage from Ken Liu himself:
“This is a story very much concerned about all the ways in which every system, however idealistic it may be, tends to have winners and losers and oppressors and the oppressed. The cycle of trying to reach more justice is one that can never end. There is no golden age because we’re always trying to perfect ourselves and yearning towards a future that’s better.”—Ken Liu on The Grace of Kings
You can order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Andrew W, Amanda, Annabeth, Ben, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, Oliver, Reno, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
February 23, 2016
Why two stars?:
*Women* - Where were they? For 400 pages we had one "main" female character, who ended up being treated way too much like a secondary character. The rest of the women were minor characters. And the main female character spent most of her story arc picking herbs, getting pregnant, having babies, encouraging her husband to take a second wife, and then becoming stereotypically jealous of the new woman in her man's life.
We were given one token female warrior character in the latter half of the book who fought in battles alongside the men, but she was hardly an interesting and complex character and she arrived too little too late for me. In all honesty, the ratio of male to female characters in this book is kind of laughable.
*Plot* - ambitious, but ultimately lost in a mass of world building and histories and mythology. World building should enhance and complement plot and characters, but this seemed to bury them under its massive weight. If as much care and planning and dimension were put into the characters as was put into this world, then we might have had something really interesting.
*Characters* - Wooden, predictable, stereotypical, cliched. There really wasn't a single character I felt a connection to.
*Dialogue* - Problematic. At times the dialogue felt appropriate, other times it felt way too modern. I don't mind one style over the other, just have continuity.
*Will I Read On?* - No. I love the influence of ancient Chinese dynasties in this novel, and I might could overlook most of the points that I made, but the representation of women and how little they featured in this book doesn't inspire me to continue the series. And though the end of book one has set up a storyline where a few of the female characters may feature more prominently, it looks like the storyline will focus on jealousy and envy between the two wives of the main character - and I feel I can easily find more complex and better representations of women elsewhere.
*Women* - Where were they? For 400 pages we had one "main" female character, who ended up being treated way too much like a secondary character. The rest of the women were minor characters. And the main female character spent most of her story arc picking herbs, getting pregnant, having babies, encouraging her husband to take a second wife, and then becoming stereotypically jealous of the new woman in her man's life.
We were given one token female warrior character in the latter half of the book who fought in battles alongside the men, but she was hardly an interesting and complex character and she arrived too little too late for me. In all honesty, the ratio of male to female characters in this book is kind of laughable.
*Plot* - ambitious, but ultimately lost in a mass of world building and histories and mythology. World building should enhance and complement plot and characters, but this seemed to bury them under its massive weight. If as much care and planning and dimension were put into the characters as was put into this world, then we might have had something really interesting.
*Characters* - Wooden, predictable, stereotypical, cliched. There really wasn't a single character I felt a connection to.
*Dialogue* - Problematic. At times the dialogue felt appropriate, other times it felt way too modern. I don't mind one style over the other, just have continuity.
*Will I Read On?* - No. I love the influence of ancient Chinese dynasties in this novel, and I might could overlook most of the points that I made, but the representation of women and how little they featured in this book doesn't inspire me to continue the series. And though the end of book one has set up a storyline where a few of the female characters may feature more prominently, it looks like the storyline will focus on jealousy and envy between the two wives of the main character - and I feel I can easily find more complex and better representations of women elsewhere.
February 27, 2023
This remarkably perfect fantasy book is going down as my second favorite book of all time. Simply incredible.
Words cannot describe how wonderful this book is, but I will try my best.
I went into this book was a healthy dose of skepticism. For whatever reason, whenever a book gets enormous praise from the book reviewing community, and has a litany of huge awards heaped upon it, I end up disappointed. But this is the first time that I actually think the praise upon it has been downplayed.
This book is what happens if you take all the political machinations from the five book from "A Song of Ice and Fire", multiple that by about 5, and then package it into one single book. This is not an exaggeration for dramatic effect, this book has twists, turns, and backstabbings, seemingly every other page. It's breathtaking in how quickly the pace turns on it's heels in this book and leaves the reader immensely hungry to read the next page, because the action doesn't let up.
This book does come off a little on the "dry" side due to this, it's not filled with huge long conversations between characters to really get to find out the heart of what makes each person who they are, but instead focuses heavy on plot. That's not to say the characters are weak, but the plot here is really where this book shines.
Everything about this book is simply perfect, and I absolutely cannot wait to keep reading this wonderful, wonderful series to find out what happens next.
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions upon finishing reading fantasy books.
Words cannot describe how wonderful this book is, but I will try my best.
I went into this book was a healthy dose of skepticism. For whatever reason, whenever a book gets enormous praise from the book reviewing community, and has a litany of huge awards heaped upon it, I end up disappointed. But this is the first time that I actually think the praise upon it has been downplayed.
This book is what happens if you take all the political machinations from the five book from "A Song of Ice and Fire", multiple that by about 5, and then package it into one single book. This is not an exaggeration for dramatic effect, this book has twists, turns, and backstabbings, seemingly every other page. It's breathtaking in how quickly the pace turns on it's heels in this book and leaves the reader immensely hungry to read the next page, because the action doesn't let up.
This book does come off a little on the "dry" side due to this, it's not filled with huge long conversations between characters to really get to find out the heart of what makes each person who they are, but instead focuses heavy on plot. That's not to say the characters are weak, but the plot here is really where this book shines.
Everything about this book is simply perfect, and I absolutely cannot wait to keep reading this wonderful, wonderful series to find out what happens next.
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions upon finishing reading fantasy books.
April 20, 2017
Actual Rating: 1.5 Stars
Yeesh...
It's such a relief to have made it to the end of this book.
So let me start with the positive. I love the Asian influence in the story. We don't see a lot of High Fantasy series with such a rich historical element that are based outside of Europe. This is something I definitely appreciated.
But unfortunately I just could not connect to any other part of this story.
The first 40%-50% of this novel is an absolute jumble. It hops around from character to character telling each story without providing enough cohesion for me care about anyone.
I feel the book would've benefited hugely from better organization.
I honestly gave up trying to keep most of the characters straight. Eventually the story narrows down to two central leaders, but everyone & everything else around them flew by me in a rapid, blurry whirlwind of confusion.
Every so often I would latch onto a thread of what was happening in one section of the story, but it never held my interest long enough for me to invest. Soon enough I was lost again.
I want to emphasize that I have no problems at all with a heavily political story. I have no trouble keeping up with complicated relationships, switching allegiances, and intricate webs of characters.
The Grace of Kings is almost entirely politics & fighting & death. Usually I can dig that.
But I was just overwhelmingly bored while reading this. The politics weren't compelling, people whose names I've already forgotten were dying left & right. I could not get behind anyone's cause.
Also, I think it's relevant to mention that this book barely qualifies as High Fantasy. We are provided with one perspective from a group of gods, but otherwise there are no relevant fantastical elements to this story.
One character is abnormally large, and has two pupils in his eyes because... well I'm sure there was a reason. But it didn't really end up mattering a bunch?
What I'm trying to say is that if I didn't know any better I'd say this was some creative Historical Fiction.
Lastly, I want to address the criticism of this book not handling women well.
On one hand, I understand the setting didn't allow for much wiggle room for including female characters. I see there was an attempt to include strong women in this story within the constraints of the time period. On the other hand, I still have a bad taste in my mouth upon finishing the book.
There was some decent pro-equality dialogue here & there, but it wasn't followed through by creating meaningful roles for the women that did pop up.
Ultimately not something I could recommend with a clear conscience. I think there is an audience for a book like this, but sadly I'm not a member of it.
Yeesh...
It's such a relief to have made it to the end of this book.
So let me start with the positive. I love the Asian influence in the story. We don't see a lot of High Fantasy series with such a rich historical element that are based outside of Europe. This is something I definitely appreciated.
But unfortunately I just could not connect to any other part of this story.
The first 40%-50% of this novel is an absolute jumble. It hops around from character to character telling each story without providing enough cohesion for me care about anyone.
I feel the book would've benefited hugely from better organization.
I honestly gave up trying to keep most of the characters straight. Eventually the story narrows down to two central leaders, but everyone & everything else around them flew by me in a rapid, blurry whirlwind of confusion.
Every so often I would latch onto a thread of what was happening in one section of the story, but it never held my interest long enough for me to invest. Soon enough I was lost again.
I want to emphasize that I have no problems at all with a heavily political story. I have no trouble keeping up with complicated relationships, switching allegiances, and intricate webs of characters.
The Grace of Kings is almost entirely politics & fighting & death. Usually I can dig that.
But I was just overwhelmingly bored while reading this. The politics weren't compelling, people whose names I've already forgotten were dying left & right. I could not get behind anyone's cause.
Also, I think it's relevant to mention that this book barely qualifies as High Fantasy. We are provided with one perspective from a group of gods, but otherwise there are no relevant fantastical elements to this story.
One character is abnormally large, and has two pupils in his eyes because... well I'm sure there was a reason. But it didn't really end up mattering a bunch?
What I'm trying to say is that if I didn't know any better I'd say this was some creative Historical Fiction.
Lastly, I want to address the criticism of this book not handling women well.
On one hand, I understand the setting didn't allow for much wiggle room for including female characters. I see there was an attempt to include strong women in this story within the constraints of the time period. On the other hand, I still have a bad taste in my mouth upon finishing the book.
There was some decent pro-equality dialogue here & there, but it wasn't followed through by creating meaningful roles for the women that did pop up.
Ultimately not something I could recommend with a clear conscience. I think there is an audience for a book like this, but sadly I'm not a member of it.
November 23, 2023
A masterpiece. An absolute flipping masterpiece. Take a bow Ken Liu, and enjoy only my second five star rating of the year!!
Final Rating: 5.0/5🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Let me level with you—'The Grace of Kings' might not land in everyone's fantasy favorites. Obviously. It's sitting around a 3.7 out of 5 on Goodreads, and it bucks a lot of the typical genre trends, which (if you go into it with normal fantasy book expectations) can be a bit jarring. But stick with me here, I'm going to do my best (although this was a tricky review to write) and lay out why this book deserves a spot on your shelf. If you're anything like me it will absolutely blow your mind!
World Building: 5/5
Right. For starters this might almost be a blur of historical fiction and fantasy. Liu offers a nuanced tapestry of historical fantasy, deftly weaving elements of the Chu-Han Contention and the fall of the Qin Dynasty into the fictional realm of the Islands of Dara. This is not merely an alternative version of China; it is an entirely new world. The best part of this is the inclusion of a pantheon of gods whose indirect influence underlies the unfolding human drama. These deities, though barred from direct intervention, cleverly find ways to bend the tides of human affairs to their will.
This isn’t your typical high fantasy with elfen wizards throwing spells left and right. Liu reimagines the fabric of this world with a subtle touch of the fantastical. Airships roam the skies, gods meddle from their ethereal realms, and unique creatures like the Cruben add a layer of mystique. Despite the fantastical elements being understated, I think they are integral, woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story, enhancing the plot without overwhelming it.
A "silk-punk" world full of political intrigue
The real highlight of the world of Dara (and why I rate the world building as a 5) though are the high level political machinations and strategic battles between various factions. So if politics or grand stratagems aren’t your thing, steer clear. This setting, combined with the historical ebbs and flows of alliances and empires, crafts a world-building experience that is as relentless in its engagement as it is unique in its conception.
Which leads me to the best bit about this book...The plot!
Story Telling: 5/5
“Ambitious” doesn’t quite cover it. Indeed, “ambitious” actually feels more like an understatement than anything else. This novel packs in more action, more intrigue, more backstabbings than you'd typically expect even from heavyweight series like George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire." And all of this is crammed into a single, 600-page volume.
This, of course, won’t suit everyone. Because the book has so many different plot points in so few pages, the narrative style necessitates a rather distant tone. Sort of like watching the action from a mountaintop rather than being in the thick of it. It means that characters' conversations might come off more as brisk summaries rather than fully-fleshed dialogues, and there are moments that in other books would be entire chapters, but here are just a paragraph, so that if you lose focus you might miss something.
“Old friends are like old clothes: they fit the best.”
However, for me (as a primarily plot driven reader), any potential drawbacks are overshadowed by how much I just loved the ride. Sure, the rapid-fire delivery might make some scenes feel more like historical reportage than intimate storytelling, but I was all in. This is an absolute whirlwind of a story. The plot doesn't just twist; it does full acrobatic flips. Turn the page, big event, next page, another big event - over and over again, meaning there is just never a dull moment. You're barely over one shock when the next one rolls in—it's a page-turner, no doubt, with an intensity that I would say approaches addictive levels. I devoured every page, hungry for what was coming next. Ken Liu has written a story that's like a grand feast for fans of fast-paced, epic storytelling—and I happily gorged on every bit of it.
Characters: 5/5
The jam packed plot also means that characters in "The Grace of Kings" might not be front and center. But they definitely stand out. Kuni Garu and Jia grabbed my interest early on, proving that even in a wide scope plot-driven narrative, people matter.
Mata - the ultilitarian warrior driven by honour
Kuni and Mata, the two leads spearheading the rebellion, couldn’t be more different. Their friendship is tested by their conflicting ideals, and it's fascinating to see how their differing strategies and personalities play off each other. As the story progresses and the empire's power shifts, their relationship becomes the battleground for a war waged on many levels.
“A lord who knows how to wield men is ten times more fearsome than one who knows only how to wield a sword.”
As a side note - and countering a common critique I’ve seen in other reviews, the presence of strong female characters in "The Grace of Kings" really stands out, especially considering its inspiration from historical Chinese dynasties where you might expect women to take a back seat. Characters like Soto, Jia, and Kikomi shine in their own right, but Gin Mazoti is the real standout—she's simply freaking awesome and easily clinched the spot as my favorite character. She storms into the story later on, but from the moment she appears, she's unforgettable. Her journey from the streets to becoming a master strategist is as gripping as any hero's quest. She brings a layer of toughness and complexity to the book, making a mark in a world where the guys typically get all the limelight.
Writing Style: 5/5
Ken Liu's writing style is like the secret sauce in "The Grace of Kings" – it’s gonna click for some and not for others. The thing is he doesn't mess around with fluffy descriptions; he gets straight to the point. That's pretty refreshing in a genre where authors can get a bit carried away describing every leaf on a tree. Liu's got a background in short stories, and it shows. He's all about packing a punch with fewer words and keeping things moving.
The way he tells the story is kind of like he’s giving us the bird's eye view – big picture, with bold strokes. Don’t expect to zoom in on the thread count of the royal curtains. Instead, it’s more about the heavyweight bouts between empires and less about what everyone’s eating for breakfast.
“There’s never going to be an end to suffering if ‘he deserves it’ is all the justification people need for inflicting pain.”
For the hardcore fantasy readers who live for the nitty-gritty, Liu’s style might come off more history textbook than fantasy epic. Indeed, I imagine in a normally scoped fantasy novel was written with this style I'd likely give it a 1/5. But I reckon the whole no-frills thing he’s got going on is pretty much necessitated (and spot on) for the epic tale he’s telling. It keeps things epic without dragging you through pages of fluff. Sure, he could’ve chopped it into a bunch of books, but it’s the jam-packed, one-book wonder that makes it stand out.
Enjoyment: 5/5
I base my enjoyment of a book typically by how fast I read it. I read this book in three days. With full time work. With two children under the age of 5 - and another one due in a couple of weeks. That's pretty much speed reading for me. In other words I loved this book.
Final Rating: 5.0/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
My favourite books of 2023 in preferential order
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕:
1. The Shadow of the Gods - (My Review)
2. The Grace of Kings - (My Review)
3. The Lies of Locke Lamora
4. The Forgetting Moon - (My Review)
5. The Justice of Kings - (My Review)
6. Kings of the Wyld - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗:
7. Morning Star - (My Review)
8. The Blade Itself - (My Review)
9. Tress of the Emerald Sea - (My Review)
10. Red Seas Under Red Skies - (My Review)
11. The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World
12. Empire of the Vampire - (My Review)
13. Assassin's Apprentice - (My Review)
14. Malice - (My Review)
15. Golden Son
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑:
16. Leviathan Wakes - (My Review)
17. The Winter King - (My Review)
18. Of Blood and Fire - (My Review)
19. Gardens of the Moon - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑:
20. Deadhouse Gates - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑:
21. The Song of Achilles - (My Review)
22. Red Sister - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑:
23. Babel: An Arcane History - (My Review)
Final Rating: 5.0/5🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Let me level with you—'The Grace of Kings' might not land in everyone's fantasy favorites. Obviously. It's sitting around a 3.7 out of 5 on Goodreads, and it bucks a lot of the typical genre trends, which (if you go into it with normal fantasy book expectations) can be a bit jarring. But stick with me here, I'm going to do my best (although this was a tricky review to write) and lay out why this book deserves a spot on your shelf. If you're anything like me it will absolutely blow your mind!
World Building: 5/5
Right. For starters this might almost be a blur of historical fiction and fantasy. Liu offers a nuanced tapestry of historical fantasy, deftly weaving elements of the Chu-Han Contention and the fall of the Qin Dynasty into the fictional realm of the Islands of Dara. This is not merely an alternative version of China; it is an entirely new world. The best part of this is the inclusion of a pantheon of gods whose indirect influence underlies the unfolding human drama. These deities, though barred from direct intervention, cleverly find ways to bend the tides of human affairs to their will.
This isn’t your typical high fantasy with elfen wizards throwing spells left and right. Liu reimagines the fabric of this world with a subtle touch of the fantastical. Airships roam the skies, gods meddle from their ethereal realms, and unique creatures like the Cruben add a layer of mystique. Despite the fantastical elements being understated, I think they are integral, woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story, enhancing the plot without overwhelming it.
A "silk-punk" world full of political intrigue
The real highlight of the world of Dara (and why I rate the world building as a 5) though are the high level political machinations and strategic battles between various factions. So if politics or grand stratagems aren’t your thing, steer clear. This setting, combined with the historical ebbs and flows of alliances and empires, crafts a world-building experience that is as relentless in its engagement as it is unique in its conception.
Which leads me to the best bit about this book...The plot!
Story Telling: 5/5
“Ambitious” doesn’t quite cover it. Indeed, “ambitious” actually feels more like an understatement than anything else. This novel packs in more action, more intrigue, more backstabbings than you'd typically expect even from heavyweight series like George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire." And all of this is crammed into a single, 600-page volume.
This, of course, won’t suit everyone. Because the book has so many different plot points in so few pages, the narrative style necessitates a rather distant tone. Sort of like watching the action from a mountaintop rather than being in the thick of it. It means that characters' conversations might come off more as brisk summaries rather than fully-fleshed dialogues, and there are moments that in other books would be entire chapters, but here are just a paragraph, so that if you lose focus you might miss something.
“Old friends are like old clothes: they fit the best.”
However, for me (as a primarily plot driven reader), any potential drawbacks are overshadowed by how much I just loved the ride. Sure, the rapid-fire delivery might make some scenes feel more like historical reportage than intimate storytelling, but I was all in. This is an absolute whirlwind of a story. The plot doesn't just twist; it does full acrobatic flips. Turn the page, big event, next page, another big event - over and over again, meaning there is just never a dull moment. You're barely over one shock when the next one rolls in—it's a page-turner, no doubt, with an intensity that I would say approaches addictive levels. I devoured every page, hungry for what was coming next. Ken Liu has written a story that's like a grand feast for fans of fast-paced, epic storytelling—and I happily gorged on every bit of it.
Characters: 5/5
The jam packed plot also means that characters in "The Grace of Kings" might not be front and center. But they definitely stand out. Kuni Garu and Jia grabbed my interest early on, proving that even in a wide scope plot-driven narrative, people matter.
Mata - the ultilitarian warrior driven by honour
Kuni and Mata, the two leads spearheading the rebellion, couldn’t be more different. Their friendship is tested by their conflicting ideals, and it's fascinating to see how their differing strategies and personalities play off each other. As the story progresses and the empire's power shifts, their relationship becomes the battleground for a war waged on many levels.
“A lord who knows how to wield men is ten times more fearsome than one who knows only how to wield a sword.”
As a side note - and countering a common critique I’ve seen in other reviews, the presence of strong female characters in "The Grace of Kings" really stands out, especially considering its inspiration from historical Chinese dynasties where you might expect women to take a back seat. Characters like Soto, Jia, and Kikomi shine in their own right, but Gin Mazoti is the real standout—she's simply freaking awesome and easily clinched the spot as my favorite character. She storms into the story later on, but from the moment she appears, she's unforgettable. Her journey from the streets to becoming a master strategist is as gripping as any hero's quest. She brings a layer of toughness and complexity to the book, making a mark in a world where the guys typically get all the limelight.
Writing Style: 5/5
Ken Liu's writing style is like the secret sauce in "The Grace of Kings" – it’s gonna click for some and not for others. The thing is he doesn't mess around with fluffy descriptions; he gets straight to the point. That's pretty refreshing in a genre where authors can get a bit carried away describing every leaf on a tree. Liu's got a background in short stories, and it shows. He's all about packing a punch with fewer words and keeping things moving.
The way he tells the story is kind of like he’s giving us the bird's eye view – big picture, with bold strokes. Don’t expect to zoom in on the thread count of the royal curtains. Instead, it’s more about the heavyweight bouts between empires and less about what everyone’s eating for breakfast.
“There’s never going to be an end to suffering if ‘he deserves it’ is all the justification people need for inflicting pain.”
For the hardcore fantasy readers who live for the nitty-gritty, Liu’s style might come off more history textbook than fantasy epic. Indeed, I imagine in a normally scoped fantasy novel was written with this style I'd likely give it a 1/5. But I reckon the whole no-frills thing he’s got going on is pretty much necessitated (and spot on) for the epic tale he’s telling. It keeps things epic without dragging you through pages of fluff. Sure, he could’ve chopped it into a bunch of books, but it’s the jam-packed, one-book wonder that makes it stand out.
Enjoyment: 5/5
I base my enjoyment of a book typically by how fast I read it. I read this book in three days. With full time work. With two children under the age of 5 - and another one due in a couple of weeks. That's pretty much speed reading for me. In other words I loved this book.
Final Rating: 5.0/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
My favourite books of 2023 in preferential order
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕:
1. The Shadow of the Gods - (My Review)
2. The Grace of Kings - (My Review)
3. The Lies of Locke Lamora
4. The Forgetting Moon - (My Review)
5. The Justice of Kings - (My Review)
6. Kings of the Wyld - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗:
7. Morning Star - (My Review)
8. The Blade Itself - (My Review)
9. Tress of the Emerald Sea - (My Review)
10. Red Seas Under Red Skies - (My Review)
11. The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World
12. Empire of the Vampire - (My Review)
13. Assassin's Apprentice - (My Review)
14. Malice - (My Review)
15. Golden Son
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑:
16. Leviathan Wakes - (My Review)
17. The Winter King - (My Review)
18. Of Blood and Fire - (My Review)
19. Gardens of the Moon - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑:
20. Deadhouse Gates - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑:
21. The Song of Achilles - (My Review)
22. Red Sister - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑:
23. Babel: An Arcane History - (My Review)
March 22, 2023
Reread or relisten 2023
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
January 24, 2024
DNF-ed at page 340.
Rating: 1 stars on principle of 'I don't think too highly on people passing theirfanfics rip-offs as published novels/their own original creations'
Random Thoughts when reading the book: The opening scene does remind me of Records of the Grand Historian, and the Biographies of the Assassins.
Actual review starts here:
What I think should be the real title of this book: Chu-Han Contention, theFanfic Rip-Off.
Edited@09/03/2021 But wait, to think about it more carefully, calling this book 'fanfic' would be an insult to all the fanfics out there because with fanfics, at least the writers wouldn't go so far as borrowing all the canon characters and plots which aren't their own, renaming those characters, publishing their fanfics and at the same time pretending these are their original novels, just like Ken Liu had done.
Just in case you are not familiar with Chinese history and you have no idea what the hell is the Chu-Han Contention, here is some basic information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu%E2%...
It is so, so sad that so far I can only find a few reviewers like this, this one and that one who have ever mentioned the total lack of originality on Ken Liu's part.
At this point, I can pretty much hear Ken Liu laughing all the way to the bank and he does have every reason to laugh: because what can be more convenient thanwriting a fanfic ripping someone else's material off then still have people paying to read your fanfic rip-off whilst giving you praises for your so-called originality and what not?
Let me repeat again what is the main problem: the novel is basically a copy-and-pastefanfic rip-off based on historical events and figures from ancient China, and I personally just can't take people passing fanfics rip-offs off as published novels seriously.
So, exactly how bad is the problem? As so as I read through the first 100 pages of the book, I found I have a bone to pick with Ken Liu:
Perhaps I'm too quick to judge. Still, to be honest around 20 pages into the novel, I started to suspect the storyline of this supposedly 'Asian influenced' fantasy epic is a copy-and-paste of the Fall of the Qin Empire and the two rebellious Main Characters are repeating the rivalry between Lau Bang and Xiang Yu, two legendary historical figures from that era.
Plus, isn't this Xana Empire and its Emperor in the novel are basically the Qin Empire and the First Emperor, a.k.a King Zheng of Qin, a.k.a Qin Shi Huang, going by with other names?
Therefore, a huge amount of credits should have gone to...
(1) Sima Qian: the famed historian from around 130 B.C. who penned Records of the Grand Historian, who recorded and immortalized the deeds of the First Emperor, Lau Bang, Xiang Yu and many others.
Good for Ken Liu that Sima Qian is a long dead historian so he cannot sue. At this point, I would just recommend people to read the 'Records of the Grand Historian' instead, especially the 'Biographies of the Assassins' part if court intrigue and assassination plots are your things.
(2) The countless other historians, script writers, story-tellers, novelists, play writers who rewrote and retold the epic tales about the Fall of the Qin Empire and the Rise of the Han Dynasty and kept these legendary events alive through millenniums.
So, why is there a problem? Let's do a checklist:
(1) It isn't just the First Emperor, Lau Bang and Xiang Yu being lifted from historical texts, even the supporting characters, the secondary characters and the third-ranking characters in The Grace of Kings can all find their actually-existed historical counterparts in the history books.
(2) To add insult to injury, Mr. Liu didn't even bother to change much of anything out of the source materials (perhaps expects of the airships, we can't find these in ancient China, right?): so there were Seven Warring States in the history of China? Good, Mr. Liu has Seven States in his fictional world too. So according to Sima Qian, there was a failed attempt at the First Emperor's life when the guy was having a grand tour across his Empire? Good, this dramatic scene is covered in the very first chapter of this novel. So both Lau Bang and Xiang Yu got a glimpse of the First Emperor when the latter traveled across cities? Good, Kuni and Mata from the novel would do just the same. So there was a tragic romance between Xiang Yu the Hegemon and his Concubine Yu? Good, this famous tragic love story gets a repeat in the story of Mata Zyndu the Hegemon and Lady Mira in the novel as well.
Examples like these are endless.
(3) Last but not least, many poems by famous Chinese poets, many songs, many slang and quite a number of teaching from ancient Chinese sages, also mysteriously found their ways into the fictional world of Xana Empire, into the mouths of many fictional characters too...
(4) My point is, it seems to me that before Ken Liu even sat himself down and started penning this novel, most of the hard labor a novelist must have gone through when creating his/her novel: researching, dramatization of the events, characterization and even the characters' setting had already been done by Sima Qian and the other historians and novelists, etc. How convenient.
(5) My point is, it's okay to base your stories on real history and historical figures, after all these historical figures and events are no copyrighted items, right? But would you please don't be so obvious, please?
And here is something I have for readers who are still wondering: 'what is the problem here?' Let me ask you one thing: can you take a 'epic high fantasy novel' seriously after you discover said 'high fantasy epic' is actually the author lifting the entire period of World War II from history textbook then placing it on a supposed fantasy landscape, then renaming famous historical figures such as Hitler and Churchill into some other names else, renaming the locations, adding a few magical elements into the story, and then call it a day.
Can you really tolerate this kind of 'novel-writing'?
I can understand authors getting inspired by Chinese history or basing their stories and characters on said history, but a copy-and-paste rip-off from the actual Chinese history ---so far, all Mr. Liu had seemingly done for this story is to draw up a map for some fantasy landscapes, changed a bit of the details, created eight gods/goddesses, renaming historical figures---is not really okay in my book.
I know, Ken Liu has make no secret where his inspiration came from, but copying the historical events in Chinese history, translating them into English, then puts them in a high fantasy backdrop and sells it to English speaking audience, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It feels like Mr. Liu believes his audience is too ignorant, too uninformed, too innocent to discover what he is up to.
It might sound like I hate this book, but actually I don't. It's enjoyable to read, Mr. Liu does has his elegant way of writing, a fine touch with constructing details for his fictional world, and many good and beautiful use of metaphors (although not many of them are truly original but I can live with it) and the plot is so easy to follow because most of them are already familiar to me and my reading progress is the same like people keep finding Easter Eggs in MCU movies ('Look! I'd read about this or that scene, or this or that characters from history book before! ') .Let's wait and see how the rest of the book will turn out.
PS: if you are interested in reading martial art historical and/or fantasy novels with a lick more of originality, do try the novels by Liang Yusheng, Jin Yong or Gu Long. These are the Big Three in the field of the martial art novels anyway.
PSS: I've just found out this book was translated to Chinese and published by a publisher from mainland China. On a popular internet platform, many readers from mainland China are just as disappointed by Ken Liu's copying and pasting Chinese history and pretending he wrote his own story as I am: https://book.douban.com/subject/27120...
If you want to read those comments above translated into English, check this link.
Rating: 1 stars on principle of 'I don't think too highly on people passing their
Random Thoughts when reading the book: The opening scene does remind me of Records of the Grand Historian, and the Biographies of the Assassins.
Actual review starts here:
What I think should be the real title of this book: Chu-Han Contention, the
Edited@09/03/2021 But wait, to think about it more carefully, calling this book 'fanfic' would be an insult to all the fanfics out there because with fanfics, at least the writers wouldn't go so far as borrowing all the canon characters and plots which aren't their own, renaming those characters, publishing their fanfics and at the same time pretending these are their original novels, just like Ken Liu had done.
Just in case you are not familiar with Chinese history and you have no idea what the hell is the Chu-Han Contention, here is some basic information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu%E2%...
It is so, so sad that so far I can only find a few reviewers like this, this one and that one who have ever mentioned the total lack of originality on Ken Liu's part.
At this point, I can pretty much hear Ken Liu laughing all the way to the bank and he does have every reason to laugh: because what can be more convenient than
Let me repeat again what is the main problem: the novel is basically a copy-and-paste
So, exactly how bad is the problem? As so as I read through the first 100 pages of the book, I found I have a bone to pick with Ken Liu:
'Hi Mr. Liu, I'm reading your book The Grace of Kings but I don't think you deserve full credit for the creation of this story---I mean, let's face it, at least 80% (if not 90%) of this story and its characters areripofflifted from the events in Chinese history and actually existed historical figures from ancient China.'
Plus, isn't this Xana Empire and its Emperor in the novel are basically the Qin Empire and the First Emperor, a.k.a King Zheng of Qin, a.k.a Qin Shi Huang, going by with other names?
Therefore, a huge amount of credits should have gone to...
(1) Sima Qian: the famed historian from around 130 B.C. who penned Records of the Grand Historian, who recorded and immortalized the deeds of the First Emperor, Lau Bang, Xiang Yu and many others.
Good for Ken Liu that Sima Qian is a long dead historian so he cannot sue. At this point, I would just recommend people to read the 'Records of the Grand Historian' instead, especially the 'Biographies of the Assassins' part if court intrigue and assassination plots are your things.
(2) The countless other historians, script writers, story-tellers, novelists, play writers who rewrote and retold the epic tales about the Fall of the Qin Empire and the Rise of the Han Dynasty and kept these legendary events alive through millenniums.
So, why is there a problem? Let's do a checklist:
(1) It isn't just the First Emperor, Lau Bang and Xiang Yu being lifted from historical texts, even the supporting characters, the secondary characters and the third-ranking characters in The Grace of Kings can all find their actually-existed historical counterparts in the history books.
(2) To add insult to injury, Mr. Liu didn't even bother to change much of anything out of the source materials (perhaps expects of the airships, we can't find these in ancient China, right?): so there were Seven Warring States in the history of China? Good, Mr. Liu has Seven States in his fictional world too. So according to Sima Qian, there was a failed attempt at the First Emperor's life when the guy was having a grand tour across his Empire? Good, this dramatic scene is covered in the very first chapter of this novel. So both Lau Bang and Xiang Yu got a glimpse of the First Emperor when the latter traveled across cities? Good, Kuni and Mata from the novel would do just the same. So there was a tragic romance between Xiang Yu the Hegemon and his Concubine Yu? Good, this famous tragic love story gets a repeat in the story of Mata Zyndu the Hegemon and Lady Mira in the novel as well.
Examples like these are endless.
(3) Last but not least, many poems by famous Chinese poets, many songs, many slang and quite a number of teaching from ancient Chinese sages, also mysteriously found their ways into the fictional world of Xana Empire, into the mouths of many fictional characters too...
(4) My point is, it seems to me that before Ken Liu even sat himself down and started penning this novel, most of the hard labor a novelist must have gone through when creating his/her novel: researching, dramatization of the events, characterization and even the characters' setting had already been done by Sima Qian and the other historians and novelists, etc. How convenient.
(5) My point is, it's okay to base your stories on real history and historical figures, after all these historical figures and events are no copyrighted items, right? But would you please don't be so obvious, please?
And here is something I have for readers who are still wondering: 'what is the problem here?' Let me ask you one thing: can you take a 'epic high fantasy novel' seriously after you discover said 'high fantasy epic' is actually the author lifting the entire period of World War II from history textbook then placing it on a supposed fantasy landscape, then renaming famous historical figures such as Hitler and Churchill into some other names else, renaming the locations, adding a few magical elements into the story, and then call it a day.
Can you really tolerate this kind of 'novel-writing'?
I can understand authors getting inspired by Chinese history or basing their stories and characters on said history, but a copy-and-paste rip-off from the actual Chinese history ---so far, all Mr. Liu had seemingly done for this story is to draw up a map for some fantasy landscapes, changed a bit of the details, created eight gods/goddesses, renaming historical figures---is not really okay in my book.
I know, Ken Liu has make no secret where his inspiration came from, but copying the historical events in Chinese history, translating them into English, then puts them in a high fantasy backdrop and sells it to English speaking audience, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It feels like Mr. Liu believes his audience is too ignorant, too uninformed, too innocent to discover what he is up to.
It might sound like I hate this book, but actually I don't. It's enjoyable to read, Mr. Liu does has his elegant way of writing, a fine touch with constructing details for his fictional world, and many good and beautiful use of metaphors (although not many of them are truly original but I can live with it) and the plot is so easy to follow because most of them are already familiar to me and my reading progress is the same like people keep finding Easter Eggs in MCU movies ('Look! I'd read about this or that scene, or this or that characters from history book before! ') .
PS: if you are interested in reading martial art historical and/or fantasy novels with a lick more of originality, do try the novels by Liang Yusheng, Jin Yong or Gu Long. These are the Big Three in the field of the martial art novels anyway.
PSS: I've just found out this book was translated to Chinese and published by a publisher from mainland China. On a popular internet platform, many readers from mainland China are just as disappointed by Ken Liu's copying and pasting Chinese history and pretending he wrote his own story as I am: https://book.douban.com/subject/27120...
If you want to read those comments above translated into English, check this link.
April 26, 2016
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/04/20/b...
I was never a really good student of history. But my family background being Chinese, I’ve always been taught to embrace my heritage. I grew up listening and adoring the history and legendary tales of Ancient China told to me by my parents and grandparents, who have learned these things themselves when they were children. My great uncle was also fond of watching old Wuxia operas and historical dramas, and he used to record these and leave the tapes at our house for the curious and unsuspecting adolescent me to find. They were…interesting.
It might seem like I’m zipping off on a tangent here, but really, I’m trying my best to explain why I loved this book so much. I read The Grace of Kings with a strange mixture of emotions I’ve never experienced before while reading anything else in my life. It was part giddiness at the familiarity of the topic; the fall of the Qin Dynasty and the subsequent rise of the Han Dynasty being such an important and tumultuous period in China’s classical age, it was instantly recognizable that this interregnum was what Ken Liu was basing his story on. I was like, “Oh, I think I know the story or legend that inspired this scene/character/event, etc.” pretty much every few chapters.
I was also very moved, and I struggle to find the words to explain this. In essence, seeing what the author has done here – taking these snippets of legends and tales from history that I’ve grown up with and incorporating into this novel, forming this wondrous piece of literature – at times it was too much to take. Many of the side stories in The Grace of Kings had the feel and atmosphere of the old anecdotes my elders shared with me when I was younger. At times I got so sentimental that I was nearly moved to tears. It’s also a beautiful book. Anyway, personal aside over. I don’t usually get sappy in my reviews, but I just don’t know how else to describe how much reading this novel affected me. I saw Ken Liu take a historical narrative that I know and love, and transform it into this gorgeous work of art.
While The Grace of Kings is a combination of East Asian sources with Western elements, that’s only just the beginning. It’s also a blend of storytelling traditions from various other cultures and historical eras along with elements from epic fantasy, mythology, and even a bit of steampunk action with airships and war kites and airborne duels thrown in. The novel’s themes speak to the human condition, exploring the corrupting force of absolute power and the chaos that inevitably follows great change, but the original and poignant execution by Liu gives it all a fresh and new perspective.
Indeed, the novel is different from a lot of today’s mainstream fantasy. Expressive modes of storytelling aside, a lot of the nuances can also be attributed to the writing style. It took a long time for me to read The Grace of Kings, for as fervently as I would have liked to devour this book, it just can’t be rushed. In this sense, Liu’s writing reminds me a lot of Guy Gavriel Kay, another author of historical fantasy whose work I greatly admire and respect. Like Kay again, Liu’s evocative prose feels almost like poetry, meant to be savored. In between the major perspectives like those of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, Liu also inserts mini-narratives from those around the main characters. A pantheon of gods stand witness to a group of people whose lives have been touched by the two leaders, and by the events surrounding the uprising against the emperor. War is never insignificant or simple; its effects are felt far and wide by everyone, from all walks of life. Each person has a tale to tell.
This collection of narratives therefore makes the widespread conflict feel more realistic, though one downside is that it puts a distance between the reader and the events of the story, making some of scenes featuring significant developments like major victories and defeats feel muted and less impactful. On the other hand, being able to follow a vast network of characters also greatly opens up the world.
That said, the up-close-and-personal relationships are important to the story too. Mata Zyndu appears to be based on the warlord Xiang Yu while Kuni Garu is loosely modeled after Liu Bang, both prominent historical figures during the insurgency in the late Qin Dynasty. Both characters have similar goals during the revolution to overthrow a brutal reign (a friend of mine has playfully compared this to Game of Thrones, calling it “Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon: The Early Years”), but then later on they come to blows. The story immediately picked up for me after the two of them meet, and it just took off from there.
Ken Liu deftly chronicles the relationship between Kuni and Mata, contrasting them and emphasizing their ideological differences from the beginning, despite their easy friendship. Things don’t slow down even after the overthrow of Erishi, Emperor Mapidéré’s weak heir. Honorable, ruthless Mata is often at odds with the fun-loving and merciful Kuni, and the conflict finally boils over in the mayhem that follows. After all, there are many ways to wage a war, with honor and guile being two sides of the same coin. Just when you think things are winding down, the true excitement begins. My favorite character doesn’t even make her first appearance until around the three-quarters mark: Gin Mazoti, who was an orphan born to a prostitute and survived a rough childhood on the streets to become the greatest military strategist the world has ever seen. Gin stormed onto the page amidst the chaos, and I fell in love with her character immediately. I could probably write a whole page about how awesome she is, but there are certain things best left to surprise.
The greatest stories are those that stir both the heart and mind, and The Grace of Kings is one of those rare novels that accomplishes this feat magnificently. Ken Liu gives readers a lot more than just a story about epic battles, friendship and betrayal, compassion and cruelty; he also inspires. After reading this book I wanted to dig deeper into the historical period that the story was based on, to give myself more context to the tales and legends I’ve always heard about. Highly recommended for epic fantasy fans looking to venture beyond traditional boundaries, and for all readers who love being immersed in incredible breathtaking worlds.
I was never a really good student of history. But my family background being Chinese, I’ve always been taught to embrace my heritage. I grew up listening and adoring the history and legendary tales of Ancient China told to me by my parents and grandparents, who have learned these things themselves when they were children. My great uncle was also fond of watching old Wuxia operas and historical dramas, and he used to record these and leave the tapes at our house for the curious and unsuspecting adolescent me to find. They were…interesting.
It might seem like I’m zipping off on a tangent here, but really, I’m trying my best to explain why I loved this book so much. I read The Grace of Kings with a strange mixture of emotions I’ve never experienced before while reading anything else in my life. It was part giddiness at the familiarity of the topic; the fall of the Qin Dynasty and the subsequent rise of the Han Dynasty being such an important and tumultuous period in China’s classical age, it was instantly recognizable that this interregnum was what Ken Liu was basing his story on. I was like, “Oh, I think I know the story or legend that inspired this scene/character/event, etc.” pretty much every few chapters.
I was also very moved, and I struggle to find the words to explain this. In essence, seeing what the author has done here – taking these snippets of legends and tales from history that I’ve grown up with and incorporating into this novel, forming this wondrous piece of literature – at times it was too much to take. Many of the side stories in The Grace of Kings had the feel and atmosphere of the old anecdotes my elders shared with me when I was younger. At times I got so sentimental that I was nearly moved to tears. It’s also a beautiful book. Anyway, personal aside over. I don’t usually get sappy in my reviews, but I just don’t know how else to describe how much reading this novel affected me. I saw Ken Liu take a historical narrative that I know and love, and transform it into this gorgeous work of art.
While The Grace of Kings is a combination of East Asian sources with Western elements, that’s only just the beginning. It’s also a blend of storytelling traditions from various other cultures and historical eras along with elements from epic fantasy, mythology, and even a bit of steampunk action with airships and war kites and airborne duels thrown in. The novel’s themes speak to the human condition, exploring the corrupting force of absolute power and the chaos that inevitably follows great change, but the original and poignant execution by Liu gives it all a fresh and new perspective.
Indeed, the novel is different from a lot of today’s mainstream fantasy. Expressive modes of storytelling aside, a lot of the nuances can also be attributed to the writing style. It took a long time for me to read The Grace of Kings, for as fervently as I would have liked to devour this book, it just can’t be rushed. In this sense, Liu’s writing reminds me a lot of Guy Gavriel Kay, another author of historical fantasy whose work I greatly admire and respect. Like Kay again, Liu’s evocative prose feels almost like poetry, meant to be savored. In between the major perspectives like those of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, Liu also inserts mini-narratives from those around the main characters. A pantheon of gods stand witness to a group of people whose lives have been touched by the two leaders, and by the events surrounding the uprising against the emperor. War is never insignificant or simple; its effects are felt far and wide by everyone, from all walks of life. Each person has a tale to tell.
This collection of narratives therefore makes the widespread conflict feel more realistic, though one downside is that it puts a distance between the reader and the events of the story, making some of scenes featuring significant developments like major victories and defeats feel muted and less impactful. On the other hand, being able to follow a vast network of characters also greatly opens up the world.
That said, the up-close-and-personal relationships are important to the story too. Mata Zyndu appears to be based on the warlord Xiang Yu while Kuni Garu is loosely modeled after Liu Bang, both prominent historical figures during the insurgency in the late Qin Dynasty. Both characters have similar goals during the revolution to overthrow a brutal reign (a friend of mine has playfully compared this to Game of Thrones, calling it “Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon: The Early Years”), but then later on they come to blows. The story immediately picked up for me after the two of them meet, and it just took off from there.
Ken Liu deftly chronicles the relationship between Kuni and Mata, contrasting them and emphasizing their ideological differences from the beginning, despite their easy friendship. Things don’t slow down even after the overthrow of Erishi, Emperor Mapidéré’s weak heir. Honorable, ruthless Mata is often at odds with the fun-loving and merciful Kuni, and the conflict finally boils over in the mayhem that follows. After all, there are many ways to wage a war, with honor and guile being two sides of the same coin. Just when you think things are winding down, the true excitement begins. My favorite character doesn’t even make her first appearance until around the three-quarters mark: Gin Mazoti, who was an orphan born to a prostitute and survived a rough childhood on the streets to become the greatest military strategist the world has ever seen. Gin stormed onto the page amidst the chaos, and I fell in love with her character immediately. I could probably write a whole page about how awesome she is, but there are certain things best left to surprise.
The greatest stories are those that stir both the heart and mind, and The Grace of Kings is one of those rare novels that accomplishes this feat magnificently. Ken Liu gives readers a lot more than just a story about epic battles, friendship and betrayal, compassion and cruelty; he also inspires. After reading this book I wanted to dig deeper into the historical period that the story was based on, to give myself more context to the tales and legends I’ve always heard about. Highly recommended for epic fantasy fans looking to venture beyond traditional boundaries, and for all readers who love being immersed in incredible breathtaking worlds.
February 10, 2017
This is a very interesting tale, reminding me as I read it just how little I still know of Chinese history. I want to romance kingdoms and wallow in all the warring states, and yet, from everything I do know, this novel is and remains unique.
It borrows from the old histories to make a thoroughly modern fantasy epic.
And when I say epic, I mean epic rises to power and grand falls, with a few memorable characters (mostly women) and an absolutely huge supporting cast. Armies march from the start and armies march at the end, and nowhere in the middle are we lacking any battle.
It's the story of two brothers-in-arms, one nobel, one not, their rise together and their falling out, tearing the land into chaos.
I was immensely impressed with the care and effort taken into bringing a Chinese-immersive narrative into a modern english epic while including a decisively steampunk flavor. Let's fly a kite, shall we? Tactics and war, tactics and war.
Beyond that, it was the Marshal that I loved the most. All the women were fairly complex and multi-roled, but it was the Marshal of the armies that made me whoop. :)
I really liked the novel and I'm very impressed by it, but alas, I can't really see it as the winner of the Nebula this year. I did get slightly bogged down in some of the battles, but not all. Some were quite interesting. The two main male characters that the whole thing revolved around could have been more... flavourful.
It's just my preference. I've read a lot of great fantasy. This isn't the top and it certainly isn't the worst of the lot. It was absolutely interesting, though.
It borrows from the old histories to make a thoroughly modern fantasy epic.
And when I say epic, I mean epic rises to power and grand falls, with a few memorable characters (mostly women) and an absolutely huge supporting cast. Armies march from the start and armies march at the end, and nowhere in the middle are we lacking any battle.
It's the story of two brothers-in-arms, one nobel, one not, their rise together and their falling out, tearing the land into chaos.
I was immensely impressed with the care and effort taken into bringing a Chinese-immersive narrative into a modern english epic while including a decisively steampunk flavor. Let's fly a kite, shall we? Tactics and war, tactics and war.
Beyond that, it was the Marshal that I loved the most. All the women were fairly complex and multi-roled, but it was the Marshal of the armies that made me whoop. :)
I really liked the novel and I'm very impressed by it, but alas, I can't really see it as the winner of the Nebula this year. I did get slightly bogged down in some of the battles, but not all. Some were quite interesting. The two main male characters that the whole thing revolved around could have been more... flavourful.
It's just my preference. I've read a lot of great fantasy. This isn't the top and it certainly isn't the worst of the lot. It was absolutely interesting, though.
May 19, 2016
An ambitious, epic fantasy... that at times felt more like reading a history than a novel.
I've become a fan of Liu's short stories, so was eager to read his debut long-form novel. (At over 600 pages, it is pretty long).
We're introduced to the archipelago of Dara, a collection of islands which seem to be constantly at war. The book follows a number of characters who plot coups, rise to power, form alliances, betray each other, and sometimes die miserably and violently.
It's a fantasy-with-not-much-magic. There are gods who spend time commenting on human behavior, and occasionally making suggestions directly to individuals. There are a few fantastic beasts and mysterious occurrences, but largely the laws of physics apply. In that, it reminded me of much of Guy Gavriel Kay's work, especially the recent 'River of Stars.'
The main characters are Kuni Garu, a seemingly 'ordinary man' who may have a great destiny, and Mata Zyndu, who never seemed ordinary - it was always assumed that he was born to be a hero. Their changing relationship is the thread that runs throughout the book - however, there's a sometimes-dizzying cast of other characters.
Dara is described as very ethnically diverse, but culturally, it seems pretty Chinese. I have a sneaking suspicion that if I were more familiar with factual Chinese history, I might find some interesting parallels here. At times, the plot events seem like they must be based on real events, because while their complexity seems like more than a fictional plot would call for, it's very much in line with power struggles that might really have happened, with many different factors coming into play.
Individual chapters here are brilliant. The writing is excellent, and some of the scenes are beautiful, heartbreaking, or thought-provoking. I very much agree with many of the observations and conclusions that are brought to the forefront through the narrative. They include philosophical notes on war and the nature of conflict, human relationships, gender roles, how expectations can twist people, etc. At times they were just slightly too obvious, though. Taken as a whole, the book took a bit of work to get through, and I found myself a little bit distanced from it. Maybe it's the third-person objective point-of-view which contributes to the 'history-book' feeling I mentioned.
I've become a fan of Liu's short stories, so was eager to read his debut long-form novel. (At over 600 pages, it is pretty long).
We're introduced to the archipelago of Dara, a collection of islands which seem to be constantly at war. The book follows a number of characters who plot coups, rise to power, form alliances, betray each other, and sometimes die miserably and violently.
It's a fantasy-with-not-much-magic. There are gods who spend time commenting on human behavior, and occasionally making suggestions directly to individuals. There are a few fantastic beasts and mysterious occurrences, but largely the laws of physics apply. In that, it reminded me of much of Guy Gavriel Kay's work, especially the recent 'River of Stars.'
The main characters are Kuni Garu, a seemingly 'ordinary man' who may have a great destiny, and Mata Zyndu, who never seemed ordinary - it was always assumed that he was born to be a hero. Their changing relationship is the thread that runs throughout the book - however, there's a sometimes-dizzying cast of other characters.
Dara is described as very ethnically diverse, but culturally, it seems pretty Chinese. I have a sneaking suspicion that if I were more familiar with factual Chinese history, I might find some interesting parallels here. At times, the plot events seem like they must be based on real events, because while their complexity seems like more than a fictional plot would call for, it's very much in line with power struggles that might really have happened, with many different factors coming into play.
Individual chapters here are brilliant. The writing is excellent, and some of the scenes are beautiful, heartbreaking, or thought-provoking. I very much agree with many of the observations and conclusions that are brought to the forefront through the narrative. They include philosophical notes on war and the nature of conflict, human relationships, gender roles, how expectations can twist people, etc. At times they were just slightly too obvious, though. Taken as a whole, the book took a bit of work to get through, and I found myself a little bit distanced from it. Maybe it's the third-person objective point-of-view which contributes to the 'history-book' feeling I mentioned.
February 15, 2020
As, I suppose, many other readers of The Grace of Kings, I discovered Ken Liu due to his extraordinary translation of Cixin Liu's excellent The Three Body Problem and Death's End as well as his collection of marvelous short stories, The Paper Menagerie. Unlike all of those works, in this first volume of The Dandelion Dynasty series, we are treated to a fantasy universe with middle age technology, interfering gods, and a wonderful mashup stories and legends inspired by classical Chinese and Polynesian mythology. Essentially, it is the story of Mata and Kuni and how their evolving relationship (no spoilers!) affects the island world of Dara. While it takes the Western reader a while to appreciate the multitude of characters, the story really picks up pace and entertains throughout. It does a great job of breaking boundaries from traditional mythology by featuring strong female characters and introducing surprise upon surprise in the plot. There is also a lot of both science and nature, critical for the dumbed-down times we are living in. As Jia, Kuni's wife, says, "When you learn enough about the world, even a blade of grass can be a weapon." (P. 114). I found myself diving deeper and deeper into this fantasy world and really appreciating the depth and variety of characters presented as well as the author's incredible imagination in creating the imperial airships, the armored whales, and a million other brilliant ideas and inventions. I can't wait to read the next volume The Wall of Storms to see what happens next!
Fino's Cixin Liu and other Chinese SciFi and Fantasy Reviews
The Three Body Problem
The Dark Forest
Death's End
The Wandering Earth
Supernova Era"
Ball Lightning
The Redemption of Time (Fan Fiction approved by Cixin Liu)
Invisible Planets (Short Story Anthology)
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories
The Grace of Kings
The Wall of Storms
Fino's Cixin Liu and other Chinese SciFi and Fantasy Reviews
The Three Body Problem
The Dark Forest
Death's End
The Wandering Earth
Supernova Era"
Ball Lightning
The Redemption of Time (Fan Fiction approved by Cixin Liu)
Invisible Planets (Short Story Anthology)
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories
The Grace of Kings
The Wall of Storms
March 19, 2023
Wow 😳
So different from anything I've read but loved it.
5/5 🌟
So different from anything I've read but loved it.
5/5 🌟
November 30, 2016
2ish stars.
An okay book that I recognize has many merits but that I must concede isn't for me.
This book is very well written. Ken Liu uses a very efficient, utilitarian style that somehow also manages to be quite poetic at times and it works well with this mythology-inspired content. I think my biggest issues are personal ones: this isn't what I expected and it's just not my thing.
I was expecting/hoping for fantasy and this really isn't that. As mentioned, there's some East Asia-inspired mythology which is cool in concept but I didn't get enough of it to be satisfied. To me, it reads more like a historical fiction/military novel. It took me about 40% of the book to become interested and I was only mildly so after that.
I listened on Audible so this might read better in print format. There's a lot of information and there are a lot of characters and it was hard for me to keep track of them without being able to reference previous parts of the book.
If the synopsis sounds cool to you and the writing style sounds like something you're into, I totally recommend this book. If you're looking for Chinese-infused steampunk/magic, look elsewhere.
An okay book that I recognize has many merits but that I must concede isn't for me.
This book is very well written. Ken Liu uses a very efficient, utilitarian style that somehow also manages to be quite poetic at times and it works well with this mythology-inspired content. I think my biggest issues are personal ones: this isn't what I expected and it's just not my thing.
I was expecting/hoping for fantasy and this really isn't that. As mentioned, there's some East Asia-inspired mythology which is cool in concept but I didn't get enough of it to be satisfied. To me, it reads more like a historical fiction/military novel. It took me about 40% of the book to become interested and I was only mildly so after that.
I listened on Audible so this might read better in print format. There's a lot of information and there are a lot of characters and it was hard for me to keep track of them without being able to reference previous parts of the book.
If the synopsis sounds cool to you and the writing style sounds like something you're into, I totally recommend this book. If you're looking for Chinese-infused steampunk/magic, look elsewhere.
August 1, 2023
DNF @ 50%
The Grace of Kings is a retelling of the fall of the Qin dynasty and subsequent rise of the Han dynasty in ancient China, overlaid with elements from fantasy and steampunk (specifically, airships). Gods also make random appearances in the book because...I honestly don't know why. It just happens.
This book is an example of "good idea, poor execution." This could have been an excellent book, but unfortunately it suffers from poor storytelling. Reading this book feels more like an academic exercise than a compelling story. Ken Liu keeps his characters at arm's length throughout the book, making it difficult to form any emotional attachment to them. Side characters randomly appear and disappear.
The prose itself is disengaging. Ken Liu relies on telling us what happened rather than showing us what happened. This also creates major problems with the pacing of the story.
I rarely DNF books, but this one is such a chore to read. Life is too short, and there are too many other books to read that I will probably enjoy more.
The Grace of Kings is a retelling of the fall of the Qin dynasty and subsequent rise of the Han dynasty in ancient China, overlaid with elements from fantasy and steampunk (specifically, airships). Gods also make random appearances in the book because...I honestly don't know why. It just happens.
This book is an example of "good idea, poor execution." This could have been an excellent book, but unfortunately it suffers from poor storytelling. Reading this book feels more like an academic exercise than a compelling story. Ken Liu keeps his characters at arm's length throughout the book, making it difficult to form any emotional attachment to them. Side characters randomly appear and disappear.
The prose itself is disengaging. Ken Liu relies on telling us what happened rather than showing us what happened. This also creates major problems with the pacing of the story.
I rarely DNF books, but this one is such a chore to read. Life is too short, and there are too many other books to read that I will probably enjoy more.
March 29, 2015
I loved Ken's book so much I blurbed it as the wuxia Game of Thrones. Yes, I went there.
November 20, 2015
King Réon of Xana conquered the seven kingdoms of Dara and forged them into The Xana Empire. With his new empire Réon gave himself a new name Emperor Mapidéré. The Emperor had grand plans for The Xana Empire and to accomplish them he plans to enslave many of the conquered men of Dara. As the years pass the people of Dara yearn to be free and two special men rebel against the empire. Kuni Garu an intelligent youth with little motivation and Mata Zyndu the giant last son of the Zyndu Clan fight back against the cruel empire with the utmost of their varied skills.
The Grace of Kings was an interesting story that in many ways felt like Greek Mythology. The main reason for that is the Gods of Dara are among the people watching, vying for power, and playing favorites. They even disguise themselves as humans to interact with their favorites and those they find useful.
Before I say anything else I want to say The Grace of Kings is long and also feels long. The story has a slow pacing to it and reads almost as if it's a history book. The story also feels as though it's two books in one. I can't help but feel most authors would've made two books out of it because there are two very different objectives in the first and second half.
My biggest complaint about the book outside of the slow pacing is the characters. Outside of Kuni and Mata none of the characters have much personality. They have characteristics that the author talks about, but little distinction that makes them unique. Even Kuni and Mata aren't as fleshed out as I'd like. They make some choices that just don't fit the personality the author previously described particularly with Mata.
My other main complaint is that the author constantly dumps tons of information on the readers. The author tells us how characters think and feel, but the characters don't provide this information.
The Grace of Kings was a solid novel with a lot of room for growth in its sequels.
The Grace of Kings was an interesting story that in many ways felt like Greek Mythology. The main reason for that is the Gods of Dara are among the people watching, vying for power, and playing favorites. They even disguise themselves as humans to interact with their favorites and those they find useful.
Before I say anything else I want to say The Grace of Kings is long and also feels long. The story has a slow pacing to it and reads almost as if it's a history book. The story also feels as though it's two books in one. I can't help but feel most authors would've made two books out of it because there are two very different objectives in the first and second half.
My biggest complaint about the book outside of the slow pacing is the characters. Outside of Kuni and Mata none of the characters have much personality. They have characteristics that the author talks about, but little distinction that makes them unique. Even Kuni and Mata aren't as fleshed out as I'd like. They make some choices that just don't fit the personality the author previously described particularly with Mata.
My other main complaint is that the author constantly dumps tons of information on the readers. The author tells us how characters think and feel, but the characters don't provide this information.
The Grace of Kings was a solid novel with a lot of room for growth in its sequels.
April 16, 2017
I finally got around to picking this book up and I am so glad I did becuase I flipping loved it. It's kind of what I would describe as an Eastern version of Mage's Blood or Game of Thrones, and it's bloody brilliant!
I thought before going into this I would probably like it. It's by Ken Liu and I've read some of his short fiction in The Paper Menagerie and I loved that entire collection. This book is his debut novel, and it's such a strong book.
We follow lots of different characters so this is certainly an epic fantasy story, but the two major protagonists are Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu. These two characters are the focus for a giant rebellion sweeping the land against Emperor Mapiéré (the tyrant who has united the lands by force in the start of the novel and has proclaimed himself Emperor).
Initially we see Mata and Kuni as young boys in a harsh landscape that is in turmoil. The Emperor is fairly new to his rule and the land is bitter against him but rebellions are quickly quashed. Kuni is a young man who his family believe could become great, but he insists on drinking and joking and playing the fool rather than learning.
Mata's upbringing is less fortunate as he's the orphan and last of his line. His family were once rulers of a large domain, but since the new Emperor came and killed them to unite his lands he's taken in by his last remaining relative, his uncle, and raised by him.
These two young boys grow into young men before our eyes and we see them face challenges to prove their strength of will and character and gather a following. Each is very different, but when they meet a friendship is struck that could spark the end of the Empire...as long as they can trust one another that is...
The world-building of this story is excellent and there were multiple scenes of fighting and warfare (something I am not a huge fan of usually) where I found myself completely drawn in becuase of the use of Eastern techniques and devices like silk airships and kites. The scenery, set-up and unfolding of the story often felt like origami to me, just when you think you've figured something out, there's a new layer to unfold.
I also really enjoyed the metaphors surrounding Chrysanthemums and Dandelions. Both the main characters compare themselves to these flowers for differing reasons and I felt like both were very apt and beautiful descriptions. I have never before liked Dandelions, but after reading this book and learning the different ways it can be represented I think they may be a new favourite flower for me, just as this is a new favourite series :D
There's also a lot of 'silkpunk' elements to the story where new creations are engineered and introduced to help the characters overcome problems of fighting and warfare. I haven't ever really seen a book that I think so aptly describes the need to adapt and improve and invent in times of war, and I think their book did just that.
The magical elements are fairly few and far between but when they do show up they're pretty exciting so we have things like scenes with the Gods and magical ancient texts. The Gods of this world are quite heavily involved in trying to manipulate and inspire the humans of the world to do their will and fight their battles. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't, but being able to learn about their relationships and motivations was very cool.
The magical book I mentioned is a book gifted to one of the characters. It's super interesting to me becuase it doesn't actually tell you anything you don't already know, but rather it sharpens your thoughts and presents them back to you so you can fit together what you know into a plan for action.
Later in the story there's also smoke magic which again acts upon clearing or clouding the mind with thoughts and I love that this is a continued theme within the world.
The ladies of the book started out with potential but it wasn't until the second half of the book where I fully fell in love with the respect and credit that Ken Liu gave to the women of this world. In the first half we're presented with a few ladies who play minor, but important roles, like Kuni's mother and wife. These characters are big influences on Kuni but the world they live in still rates them as second-class and so it takes a long time for any of them to be able to prove themselves and start to shine.
However, in the second half of the book the women becuase such equal characters to the men I couldn't help but to admire and empathise with them just as much as the male characters who were developed for so much longer. Some of the women in the book, Jia, Gin and more, are just EXCELLENT BOSS-LADIES and it was so very refreshing to see that.
We also have moments where one of the main character tells off his men for saying women are inferior, and small moments like that are something that make this book so very rounded and good in my opinion.
Overall, it was just an excellent read and the only reason it's not quite 5*s is becuase I wanted more and I feel like there's a tiny bit more room to improve still (luckily there's a second book which I have pre-ordered in paperback and hope to get to in June!) 4.5*s from me, and so highly recommended. :D
Side note: I will say I think this is far better to be read on kindle/in physical than as an audiobook as I imagine it would be fairly confusing on audio
I thought before going into this I would probably like it. It's by Ken Liu and I've read some of his short fiction in The Paper Menagerie and I loved that entire collection. This book is his debut novel, and it's such a strong book.
We follow lots of different characters so this is certainly an epic fantasy story, but the two major protagonists are Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu. These two characters are the focus for a giant rebellion sweeping the land against Emperor Mapiéré (the tyrant who has united the lands by force in the start of the novel and has proclaimed himself Emperor).
Initially we see Mata and Kuni as young boys in a harsh landscape that is in turmoil. The Emperor is fairly new to his rule and the land is bitter against him but rebellions are quickly quashed. Kuni is a young man who his family believe could become great, but he insists on drinking and joking and playing the fool rather than learning.
Mata's upbringing is less fortunate as he's the orphan and last of his line. His family were once rulers of a large domain, but since the new Emperor came and killed them to unite his lands he's taken in by his last remaining relative, his uncle, and raised by him.
These two young boys grow into young men before our eyes and we see them face challenges to prove their strength of will and character and gather a following. Each is very different, but when they meet a friendship is struck that could spark the end of the Empire...as long as they can trust one another that is...
The world-building of this story is excellent and there were multiple scenes of fighting and warfare (something I am not a huge fan of usually) where I found myself completely drawn in becuase of the use of Eastern techniques and devices like silk airships and kites. The scenery, set-up and unfolding of the story often felt like origami to me, just when you think you've figured something out, there's a new layer to unfold.
I also really enjoyed the metaphors surrounding Chrysanthemums and Dandelions. Both the main characters compare themselves to these flowers for differing reasons and I felt like both were very apt and beautiful descriptions. I have never before liked Dandelions, but after reading this book and learning the different ways it can be represented I think they may be a new favourite flower for me, just as this is a new favourite series :D
There's also a lot of 'silkpunk' elements to the story where new creations are engineered and introduced to help the characters overcome problems of fighting and warfare. I haven't ever really seen a book that I think so aptly describes the need to adapt and improve and invent in times of war, and I think their book did just that.
The magical elements are fairly few and far between but when they do show up they're pretty exciting so we have things like scenes with the Gods and magical ancient texts. The Gods of this world are quite heavily involved in trying to manipulate and inspire the humans of the world to do their will and fight their battles. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't, but being able to learn about their relationships and motivations was very cool.
The magical book I mentioned is a book gifted to one of the characters. It's super interesting to me becuase it doesn't actually tell you anything you don't already know, but rather it sharpens your thoughts and presents them back to you so you can fit together what you know into a plan for action.
Later in the story there's also smoke magic which again acts upon clearing or clouding the mind with thoughts and I love that this is a continued theme within the world.
The ladies of the book started out with potential but it wasn't until the second half of the book where I fully fell in love with the respect and credit that Ken Liu gave to the women of this world. In the first half we're presented with a few ladies who play minor, but important roles, like Kuni's mother and wife. These characters are big influences on Kuni but the world they live in still rates them as second-class and so it takes a long time for any of them to be able to prove themselves and start to shine.
However, in the second half of the book the women becuase such equal characters to the men I couldn't help but to admire and empathise with them just as much as the male characters who were developed for so much longer. Some of the women in the book, Jia, Gin and more, are just EXCELLENT BOSS-LADIES and it was so very refreshing to see that.
We also have moments where one of the main character tells off his men for saying women are inferior, and small moments like that are something that make this book so very rounded and good in my opinion.
Overall, it was just an excellent read and the only reason it's not quite 5*s is becuase I wanted more and I feel like there's a tiny bit more room to improve still (luckily there's a second book which I have pre-ordered in paperback and hope to get to in June!) 4.5*s from me, and so highly recommended. :D
Side note: I will say I think this is far better to be read on kindle/in physical than as an audiobook as I imagine it would be fairly confusing on audio
September 4, 2022
4.5 stars.
Ever since I've read Ken Liu's The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, I knew that I will definitely want to read The Dandelion Dynasty as well. His writing and ability to convey themes of humankind through philosophy and history is incredible. It's always graceful, and makes one ponder and reflect without feeling bludgeoned by moralistic preaching. I was frankly quite shocked at the average rating of this book even before I read it, and now I truly feel that this book (and series so far) had been shockingly and undeservedly underrated. It pleased me greatly to see increasingly more book-bloggers and booktubers singing its praises of late (my co-blogger, Petrik, included), because I think this book marked the beginnings of a true masterpiece.
The narrative in The Grace of Kings was inspired by ancient epic Chinese history, specifically the fall of the Qin Dynasty which led to the Chu-Han contention and then the founding of the Han Dynasty. It is a reimagining of historical events in a silkpunk fantasy setting, and I loved it. As with all stories that have a historical basis and one that reflected upon an important transition in the supreme seat of power, the cast is significantly large. Nonetheless, while not a character-driven story, I found myself invested in some of key characters (namely Kuni Garu and Jia) fairly early on in the book. Contrary to some of the reviews I've seen, women were not sidelined at all. In fact, Ken Liu has given the women more agency in the story than the history books ever did. Yes, it took a good portion of the book to get there (which is not unexpected given its inspiration), but when it does it was done fantastically and did not feel forced at all. In fact, the women's contribution to the climactic turn of events made a lot of sense even in the historical context of our gender's role.
Petrik told me that the historical inspiration ends by the conclusion of this book, and the story heads into a different direction which was completely original and utterly masterful. Well, I'm sure most of you would have seen his reviews which praised these books highly. I will gladly and wholeheartedly join in with those praises, albeit with a lot less words. I don't have it in me anymore nowadays and seriously, Ken Liu just makes me feel inadequate in this respect as his books always come across as being immensely intelligent.
Ever since I've read Ken Liu's The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, I knew that I will definitely want to read The Dandelion Dynasty as well. His writing and ability to convey themes of humankind through philosophy and history is incredible. It's always graceful, and makes one ponder and reflect without feeling bludgeoned by moralistic preaching. I was frankly quite shocked at the average rating of this book even before I read it, and now I truly feel that this book (and series so far) had been shockingly and undeservedly underrated. It pleased me greatly to see increasingly more book-bloggers and booktubers singing its praises of late (my co-blogger, Petrik, included), because I think this book marked the beginnings of a true masterpiece.
The narrative in The Grace of Kings was inspired by ancient epic Chinese history, specifically the fall of the Qin Dynasty which led to the Chu-Han contention and then the founding of the Han Dynasty. It is a reimagining of historical events in a silkpunk fantasy setting, and I loved it. As with all stories that have a historical basis and one that reflected upon an important transition in the supreme seat of power, the cast is significantly large. Nonetheless, while not a character-driven story, I found myself invested in some of key characters (namely Kuni Garu and Jia) fairly early on in the book. Contrary to some of the reviews I've seen, women were not sidelined at all. In fact, Ken Liu has given the women more agency in the story than the history books ever did. Yes, it took a good portion of the book to get there (which is not unexpected given its inspiration), but when it does it was done fantastically and did not feel forced at all. In fact, the women's contribution to the climactic turn of events made a lot of sense even in the historical context of our gender's role.
Petrik told me that the historical inspiration ends by the conclusion of this book, and the story heads into a different direction which was completely original and utterly masterful. Well, I'm sure most of you would have seen his reviews which praised these books highly. I will gladly and wholeheartedly join in with those praises, albeit with a lot less words. I don't have it in me anymore nowadays and seriously, Ken Liu just makes me feel inadequate in this respect as his books always come across as being immensely intelligent.
April 9, 2022
Absolutely tremendous.
March 17, 2015
A few disjointed thoughts on the book, which I finished yesterday.
I like this book. I like this book a lot. It's a very important one--it's epic fantasy using Ancient China as its foundation. A cross between the Iliad, Three Kingdoms and Lord of the Rings. But it's also very adult and very modern in its handling of power--who gets it, who is worthy to handle it and how you cling to it. And very very cynical and dark in some ways (the violence is always drily factual, but I'd argue that makes it even more horrific)
It does some amazing things with narration--and one of these is showing how everyone has a story--this might be the tale of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, but everyone in the cast ends up feeling very, very human and yet larger than life. It's a neat trick. Again, I love the cultural foundations of this--scholars and filial duty! Confucius (well, Kong Fiji)! Kites and fireworks as weapons.
I do have one reservation, though, and it's the same issue I have with Three Kingdoms. Because this is a universe where men do the fighting (and women, with notable exceptions, don't), and because this is a story of war, women end up being relegated somewhat to the back burner. The story is very aware of it, and aware of how women try to gain power (and there's subversion going on, more or less subtle), but I still ended up... a bit frustrated? There's awesome women fighters, and some court intrigues in the last third. (and it looks like book 2 is going to be more about the building of peace and rivalries at court, therefore will remedy this)
Anyway, that's what I thought--even with reservation included, I think this is a landmark book in many ways, and a book we should be talking about.
I like this book. I like this book a lot. It's a very important one--it's epic fantasy using Ancient China as its foundation. A cross between the Iliad, Three Kingdoms and Lord of the Rings. But it's also very adult and very modern in its handling of power--who gets it, who is worthy to handle it and how you cling to it. And very very cynical and dark in some ways (the violence is always drily factual, but I'd argue that makes it even more horrific)
It does some amazing things with narration--and one of these is showing how everyone has a story--this might be the tale of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, but everyone in the cast ends up feeling very, very human and yet larger than life. It's a neat trick. Again, I love the cultural foundations of this--scholars and filial duty! Confucius (well, Kong Fiji)! Kites and fireworks as weapons.
I do have one reservation, though, and it's the same issue I have with Three Kingdoms. Because this is a universe where men do the fighting (and women, with notable exceptions, don't), and because this is a story of war, women end up being relegated somewhat to the back burner. The story is very aware of it, and aware of how women try to gain power (and there's subversion going on, more or less subtle), but I still ended up... a bit frustrated? There's awesome women fighters, and some court intrigues in the last third. (and it looks like book 2 is going to be more about the building of peace and rivalries at court, therefore will remedy this)
Anyway, that's what I thought--even with reservation included, I think this is a landmark book in many ways, and a book we should be talking about.
August 2, 2018
I think most literary scholars would agree that it’s a good thing Achilles didn’t survive the Trojan War. Paris, sneaky little turd that he was, was at least a good enough shot to spare Ancient Greece the unenviable task of having to figure out what to do with a guy like Achilles in peacetime: a guy who lives only for blood and glory, who considers the ability to paralyze others with fear by his mere presence a cardinal virtue. The long and the short of it is: you want Achilles to fight your wars for you, but you probably don’t want him hanging around town when the fighting is done. And, by extension, you definitely don’t want him getting any ideas about being in charge.
Ken Liu’s The Grace of Kings plays just such a scenario out in a fantasy world inspired by Chinese myths and legends. The novel chronicles the attempts of two men – the grave, Achilles-like Mata Zyndu and his blood brother, the cunning but open-hearted rascal Kuni Garu – to topple and supplant an oppressive empire. Their alliance is a promising one at first, but their opposing philosophies on both war and the rule of kingdoms quickly drives them apart and threatens to plunge the known world into a state of perpetual war.
Liu’s chops as a short story writer serve him well here. Written in his impossibly compact and straightforward prose, he utilizes the language of epic poetry – the juxtaposition of stark imagery and raw emotion – and tempers it with a prose writer's eye for key details. The result is an epic fantasy that has all the action, scope and intrigue one expects without all the obsessive micro-plotting that often draws out the action interminably. The novel is a comparatively lean 600 pages, but there is as much story going on as you will find in any 1400-page doorstopper by Brandon Sanderson or George R.R. Martin. It is a tense and action-packed tale, often heartbreaking but ultimately rewarding. A must read for genre fans and lay persons alike.
Ken Liu’s The Grace of Kings plays just such a scenario out in a fantasy world inspired by Chinese myths and legends. The novel chronicles the attempts of two men – the grave, Achilles-like Mata Zyndu and his blood brother, the cunning but open-hearted rascal Kuni Garu – to topple and supplant an oppressive empire. Their alliance is a promising one at first, but their opposing philosophies on both war and the rule of kingdoms quickly drives them apart and threatens to plunge the known world into a state of perpetual war.
Liu’s chops as a short story writer serve him well here. Written in his impossibly compact and straightforward prose, he utilizes the language of epic poetry – the juxtaposition of stark imagery and raw emotion – and tempers it with a prose writer's eye for key details. The result is an epic fantasy that has all the action, scope and intrigue one expects without all the obsessive micro-plotting that often draws out the action interminably. The novel is a comparatively lean 600 pages, but there is as much story going on as you will find in any 1400-page doorstopper by Brandon Sanderson or George R.R. Martin. It is a tense and action-packed tale, often heartbreaking but ultimately rewarding. A must read for genre fans and lay persons alike.
November 9, 2020
3,5/5
Venía con las expectativas muy altas por lo que amé 'El zoo de papel' y quizás eso me haya jugado una mala pasada. Aún así he disfrutado esta novela y me gustaría continuar con la trilogía.
Se trata de una historia de fantasía épica que emula las antiguas tragedias con ese tono asiático tan marcado, aunque en realidad parece una novela Histórica sobre conquistas y estrategia militar.
¿Qué me ha encantado? La ambientación, el panteón de dioses y cómo se entrometen en las vidas humanas (ESO ME HA GUSTADO PERO TANTO), las profecías y leyendas que nos deja caer el autor, la crítica al poder y la corrupción.
¿Qué no me ha gustado? Que haya tan poca fantasía, que la estrategia militar sea tan importante sin conseguir hacerme vivir las batallas en ningún momento... la historia parece contada con cierta frialdad y resulta difícil meterse en la vida de estos personajes, y bueno he echado mucho de menos personajes femenino relevantes. Hay muchísimos personajes (quizás demasiados de hecho) pero los pocos femeninos que aparecen son "mujeres de" exceptuando uno que aparece más bien al final.
Aún así, lo dicho, es una lectura que me ha gustado y a pesar de una parte central que se me hizo más pesada, he disfrutado por la originalidad que muestra Liu en este mundo creado tan peculiar. Me encantará seguir con las aventuras de estos personajes, eso sí, espero menos guerra, más intrigas, y un poquito más de emoción por favor.
Venía con las expectativas muy altas por lo que amé 'El zoo de papel' y quizás eso me haya jugado una mala pasada. Aún así he disfrutado esta novela y me gustaría continuar con la trilogía.
Se trata de una historia de fantasía épica que emula las antiguas tragedias con ese tono asiático tan marcado, aunque en realidad parece una novela Histórica sobre conquistas y estrategia militar.
¿Qué me ha encantado? La ambientación, el panteón de dioses y cómo se entrometen en las vidas humanas (ESO ME HA GUSTADO PERO TANTO), las profecías y leyendas que nos deja caer el autor, la crítica al poder y la corrupción.
¿Qué no me ha gustado? Que haya tan poca fantasía, que la estrategia militar sea tan importante sin conseguir hacerme vivir las batallas en ningún momento... la historia parece contada con cierta frialdad y resulta difícil meterse en la vida de estos personajes, y bueno he echado mucho de menos personajes femenino relevantes. Hay muchísimos personajes (quizás demasiados de hecho) pero los pocos femeninos que aparecen son "mujeres de" exceptuando uno que aparece más bien al final.
Aún así, lo dicho, es una lectura que me ha gustado y a pesar de una parte central que se me hizo más pesada, he disfrutado por la originalidad que muestra Liu en este mundo creado tan peculiar. Me encantará seguir con las aventuras de estos personajes, eso sí, espero menos guerra, más intrigas, y un poquito más de emoción por favor.
July 10, 2015
I am somewhat conflicted by this book. On the one hand it has some fantastic world building and a fast paced story. On the other hand the characters felt very undeveloped and descriptions suffered from too much telling, not enough showing. In the end I decided on three stars for much the same reason I gave Name of the Wind: it felt like lots of yummy, but ultimately empty, calories (albeit with a much, much, much less aggravating protagonist).
So first the good, namely the world building. The world and culture of this book are very much modeled on the ancient dynastic Chinese societies: autocratic government with an emperor at the top and nobles below, heavy emphasis on filial duty, academies of learning that revere ancient teachers of proper governing and moral principles, the importance of seating positions in social interactions. A criminally underused cultural influence that I always find fascinating to explore. Liu does a wonderful job exploring the various nooks and crannies of the world. Even though there is really just one big island with some smaller ones around it, different areas have their own cultures.
Liu also explores the cultural assumptions and how they affect governmental policy:
Liu also delivers a fast paced, engaging story. He isn't afraid to jump ahead several months or years at a time and this certainly keeps the action moving. The chapters are typically short and self contained entries that waste little time with frilly development. They have a purpose and usually achieve them very well, be it a battle (which are rarely described in depth), a character's backstory, or some political scheming. I found it very difficult to put down once it built up momentum.
Liu also does a wonderful job highlighting the perils of too much power. As much as people say power is just a tool, it is much more insidious. It corrupts people with the delusion that because they have power they are somehow above the common cut of people, seeing clearly where others have their head in the mud.
Finally Liu does turn some damn nice phrases:
The time jumps also don't help with this either. Because Liu's chapters are so focused on moving the action forward very little time is spent on the characters changing based on past events. I would say that the few female characters are poorly developed but that is a systemic problem that impacts most of the male characters as well. As great at the story was I didn't really feel the characters' joys and sorrows very deeply.
In the end I enjoyed the experience of reading this book very much, but the story was a bit light and simplistic. It is a fun ride but a bit empty in retrospect (and no where close to being a Wuxia version of Game of Thrones as the book jacket would have you believe).
So first the good, namely the world building. The world and culture of this book are very much modeled on the ancient dynastic Chinese societies: autocratic government with an emperor at the top and nobles below, heavy emphasis on filial duty, academies of learning that revere ancient teachers of proper governing and moral principles, the importance of seating positions in social interactions. A criminally underused cultural influence that I always find fascinating to explore. Liu does a wonderful job exploring the various nooks and crannies of the world. Even though there is really just one big island with some smaller ones around it, different areas have their own cultures.
Liu also explores the cultural assumptions and how they affect governmental policy:
"Treason was a taint in the blood, and a traitor's sin was borne by the whole family.This belief resulted in a policy of punishing the family of those who are punished for treason. For the old Emperor this resulted in widespread resentment and resistance. But it also reflects the prevailing cultural view that there was an intrinsic quality to an individual's blood. The nobles were inherently better and it was right that they ruled. Liu does an very good job translating this cultural ideas into real world impacts and character motivations.
Liu also delivers a fast paced, engaging story. He isn't afraid to jump ahead several months or years at a time and this certainly keeps the action moving. The chapters are typically short and self contained entries that waste little time with frilly development. They have a purpose and usually achieve them very well, be it a battle (which are rarely described in depth), a character's backstory, or some political scheming. I found it very difficult to put down once it built up momentum.
Liu also does a wonderful job highlighting the perils of too much power. As much as people say power is just a tool, it is much more insidious. It corrupts people with the delusion that because they have power they are somehow above the common cut of people, seeing clearly where others have their head in the mud.
"The world was so imperfect, and great men were always misunderstood by their own age"Even worse, power warps the very morality that a person holds dear.
"The grace of kings is not the same as the morals governing individuals."Fights started with the best of intentions devolve into naked power grabs as the spirit is brought to heel by vainglorious power. Once again: autocracies are a terrible form of government.
Finally Liu does turn some damn nice phrases:
"I have seen the poor suffer when nobles seek the purity of ideas. I have seen the powerless die when princes believe in the nostalgia of their dreams. I have seen the common people torn from peace and thrown into war when kings yearn to test the clarity of their vision."That being said, the fast pace and story style did not lend itself to very much character development. Even the two main characters didn't so much develop as see their underlying qualities in the early part of the book grow in intensity by the end. I felt like most of the characters could be described with a few qualities and lacked depth. They were mostly there to fulfill some story telling device instead of being flesh and blood creations. Too often I was told about the qualities of a character instead of discovering them through the action in the book.
~~~
"... The crowd erupted in applause, and by acclamation, Kuni Garu became the Duke of Zudi. A few pointed out that titles of nobility couldn't be handed out in such a democratic fashion, but these killjoys were ignored."
~~~
"What is fate but coincidences in retrospect?"
~~~
"Emperor, king, general, duke. These are just labels. Climb up the family tree of any of them high enough and you'll find a commoner who dared to take a chance."
The time jumps also don't help with this either. Because Liu's chapters are so focused on moving the action forward very little time is spent on the characters changing based on past events. I would say that the few female characters are poorly developed but that is a systemic problem that impacts most of the male characters as well. As great at the story was I didn't really feel the characters' joys and sorrows very deeply.
In the end I enjoyed the experience of reading this book very much, but the story was a bit light and simplistic. It is a fun ride but a bit empty in retrospect (and no where close to being a Wuxia version of Game of Thrones as the book jacket would have you believe).
August 8, 2018
Alas. Grace of Kings breathes Chinese mythology into the modern epic fantasy -- a worthy cause. But for me, I found this book to be a mythology with no grandeur, and an epic with no gravity.
It also suffered from constant speedbumps, painstakingly recorded for your amusement and edification at the end of this review. But here's the overview:
It's a story of rebellion against a callous empire. And it's a story about power - who has it; how to get it; how to keep it; and at what price it will come. The two central characters are Kuni, a commoner with his ear to the people, and Mata, a ferocious warrior groomed from childhood for pure vengeance.
But we stray from these characters frequently - the book is structured as more of a mosaic, with smaller tales interspersed at every turn. It's an ambitious structure, which gives the book an unusual feel and tone. And it's one of several devices aimed to make the book feel halfway a fable, or folklore, or myth.
The problem is that myth is built on tremendous resonance - and for me, Grace of Kings has none. Indeed, it's downright discordant - full of snags and bumps that make no sense at all, except as arbitrary decrees of author fiat and artifice.
So it is, for example, that Kuni and Mata meet, and immediately we are told that they become the fastest of brothers. But they never actually do anything very brotherlike. They never even seem to get along (and indeed, they have every reason not to). The only way in which their brotherhood is displayed is that occasionally, one or the other (or both) will announce how close and brotherly they are. So when, in a later act, tensions begin to rise between the two, the book seems to treat this as a cataclysmic tragedy. Whereas I the reader say, "Ummmm, yeah."
In truth, the entire characterization of our two protagonists suffers the same flaw. We're told that Kuni is daring, compassionate, and inspiring - but reading what he actually says and does, he mostly seems like an over-romantic loafabout who happens to be infallible when convenient for the author. And we're told that Mata is admired and respected by all - but from the text, it's very hard to see what anybody sees in him. Here's a character who apparently likes Mata very much:
It is as though, knowing he is writing grand myth, the author feels free from the constraints of logic and literature, and expect us to unquestionably accept anything he pronounces. This lets him stage grand battles and foul betrayals with great economy; the problem is, they feel hollow and forced. This problem repeats itself in so many ways, shapes and forms: in characterization; in plot twists; in battle sequences. I jotted down some reactions as I read, so you can see how many speed bumps and WTF moments I ran up against (scroll down to the status updates). The reader is continually expected to accept conclusions that just don't follow from the build-up.
The cruelest cut of all is that this should be true at the thematic level as well. Liu's writing is heavily concerned with moral, ideological, and political issues - but by waiving any commitment to plausible cause and effect, any statement he tries to make rings hollow.
Liu is trying to cover complex territory and shades of gray. It's a novel about rebellion against a cruel oppressor, but it isn't a story of mere bravery and glory. It's about how power corrupts; about how noble causes can be brought low by individual opportunism or fracticiousness; about how a ruler who ignores the well-being of his people must come to regret abusing their trust. But a ruler can't be saintly and pure either; there come times when truly horrendous acts are necessary.
Liu does a very good job of setting up these themes and tensions. Indeed, any hundred pages of Liu's should convince any sane reader that responsible leadership is an out-and-out impossibility. The only one who doesn't seem convinced is Liu himself - who showers Kuni with success, victory, and moral vindication, no matter how far-fetched or unearned this result may be. Kuni doesn't make mistakes (although sometimes other people make mistakes for him). When something morally questionable needs to be done, it's other people making the suggestion and other people making the call that, yes, this atrocity is really necessary. If he's ever at any risk of that whole business of being corrupted by power -- you know, that central thing the book's about -- then Kuni just shrugs it off and decides to not be corrupted by power instead. Easy!
It's back to the same problem: Liu's writing in broad strokes, and he is telling us that Kuni is heroic, capable, and good, without showing us that he's actually so. And instead of showing us somebody coping the the impossible conflicts of leadership, he just tells us that Kuni copes with them; every last blessed one of them. So Grace of Kings presents itself as navigating through the murky waters of power and war. But in fact, all we see is Kuni blithely overcoming hardship after hardship, because the deck's stacked solidly in his favor. The book lays out a formidable minefield, and then dances its protagonist right through it. Some may find that inspiring; I can't see it as anything more than false hope and wishful thinking.
Should I Read This Book?
Grace of Kings has gained quite a bit of acclaim already; obviously, this review is only my own opinion, and you might enjoy it a lot more than I did.
I would say you're likely to enjoy this book if you're familiar with Chinese culture and mythology; if you're a fan of a wide range of Liu's short fiction; if you enjoy epic power struggles on the national level, more than the personal; or if you enjoy trying out unusual writing styles. On the other hand, I would be very leery of comparisons to Game of Thrones or other familiar epic fantasy; this is a very different sort of beast, which you're likely to find deeply unsatisfying in that capacity.
What I will say is: If you're debating, read the preview at Amazon. It's an excellent representation of the book's tone and style. If you love it, great. If that doesn't wow you, then rest assured, it is not going to get better.
Further Reading
If you aren't sick of me already, you can see the reactions I jotted down while reading. Scroll down below the review, to the status updates. There's no better description of my reading experience than seeing exactly what I experienced while reading. And in this case I frequently get ranty, which is probably amusing.
Below, under the spoiler tag, I wrote a kind of case study about Kikomi - one of the characters and arcs in the book I found most infuriating. It's kind of a companion piece to this review, because I take a specific, limited chunk of the story and explain why it didn't work for me. Like, really really really didn't work for me.
----
A Few Words About Kikomi
It also suffered from constant speedbumps, painstakingly recorded for your amusement and edification at the end of this review. But here's the overview:
It's a story of rebellion against a callous empire. And it's a story about power - who has it; how to get it; how to keep it; and at what price it will come. The two central characters are Kuni, a commoner with his ear to the people, and Mata, a ferocious warrior groomed from childhood for pure vengeance.
But we stray from these characters frequently - the book is structured as more of a mosaic, with smaller tales interspersed at every turn. It's an ambitious structure, which gives the book an unusual feel and tone. And it's one of several devices aimed to make the book feel halfway a fable, or folklore, or myth.
The problem is that myth is built on tremendous resonance - and for me, Grace of Kings has none. Indeed, it's downright discordant - full of snags and bumps that make no sense at all, except as arbitrary decrees of author fiat and artifice.
So it is, for example, that Kuni and Mata meet, and immediately we are told that they become the fastest of brothers. But they never actually do anything very brotherlike. They never even seem to get along (and indeed, they have every reason not to). The only way in which their brotherhood is displayed is that occasionally, one or the other (or both) will announce how close and brotherly they are. So when, in a later act, tensions begin to rise between the two, the book seems to treat this as a cataclysmic tragedy. Whereas I the reader say, "Ummmm, yeah."
In truth, the entire characterization of our two protagonists suffers the same flaw. We're told that Kuni is daring, compassionate, and inspiring - but reading what he actually says and does, he mostly seems like an over-romantic loafabout who happens to be infallible when convenient for the author. And we're told that Mata is admired and respected by all - but from the text, it's very hard to see what anybody sees in him. Here's a character who apparently likes Mata very much:
She did like Mata, liked his awkward, stiff demeanor; his sincere, unadorned speech; his open face that could not hide how he felt. She even saw his faults in a forgiving light: his hot temper, his fragile pride, his overweening sense of honor.Now, read that and tell me true - does any of that actually sound attractive? Awkward and stiff and a hot temper he can't hide? What a catch!
It is as though, knowing he is writing grand myth, the author feels free from the constraints of logic and literature, and expect us to unquestionably accept anything he pronounces. This lets him stage grand battles and foul betrayals with great economy; the problem is, they feel hollow and forced. This problem repeats itself in so many ways, shapes and forms: in characterization; in plot twists; in battle sequences. I jotted down some reactions as I read, so you can see how many speed bumps and WTF moments I ran up against (scroll down to the status updates). The reader is continually expected to accept conclusions that just don't follow from the build-up.
The cruelest cut of all is that this should be true at the thematic level as well. Liu's writing is heavily concerned with moral, ideological, and political issues - but by waiving any commitment to plausible cause and effect, any statement he tries to make rings hollow.
Liu is trying to cover complex territory and shades of gray. It's a novel about rebellion against a cruel oppressor, but it isn't a story of mere bravery and glory. It's about how power corrupts; about how noble causes can be brought low by individual opportunism or fracticiousness; about how a ruler who ignores the well-being of his people must come to regret abusing their trust. But a ruler can't be saintly and pure either; there come times when truly horrendous acts are necessary.
Liu does a very good job of setting up these themes and tensions. Indeed, any hundred pages of Liu's should convince any sane reader that responsible leadership is an out-and-out impossibility. The only one who doesn't seem convinced is Liu himself - who showers Kuni with success, victory, and moral vindication, no matter how far-fetched or unearned this result may be. Kuni doesn't make mistakes (although sometimes other people make mistakes for him). When something morally questionable needs to be done, it's other people making the suggestion and other people making the call that, yes, this atrocity is really necessary. If he's ever at any risk of that whole business of being corrupted by power -- you know, that central thing the book's about -- then Kuni just shrugs it off and decides to not be corrupted by power instead. Easy!
It's back to the same problem: Liu's writing in broad strokes, and he is telling us that Kuni is heroic, capable, and good, without showing us that he's actually so. And instead of showing us somebody coping the the impossible conflicts of leadership, he just tells us that Kuni copes with them; every last blessed one of them. So Grace of Kings presents itself as navigating through the murky waters of power and war. But in fact, all we see is Kuni blithely overcoming hardship after hardship, because the deck's stacked solidly in his favor. The book lays out a formidable minefield, and then dances its protagonist right through it. Some may find that inspiring; I can't see it as anything more than false hope and wishful thinking.
Should I Read This Book?
Grace of Kings has gained quite a bit of acclaim already; obviously, this review is only my own opinion, and you might enjoy it a lot more than I did.
I would say you're likely to enjoy this book if you're familiar with Chinese culture and mythology; if you're a fan of a wide range of Liu's short fiction; if you enjoy epic power struggles on the national level, more than the personal; or if you enjoy trying out unusual writing styles. On the other hand, I would be very leery of comparisons to Game of Thrones or other familiar epic fantasy; this is a very different sort of beast, which you're likely to find deeply unsatisfying in that capacity.
What I will say is: If you're debating, read the preview at Amazon. It's an excellent representation of the book's tone and style. If you love it, great. If that doesn't wow you, then rest assured, it is not going to get better.
Further Reading
If you aren't sick of me already, you can see the reactions I jotted down while reading. Scroll down below the review, to the status updates. There's no better description of my reading experience than seeing exactly what I experienced while reading. And in this case I frequently get ranty, which is probably amusing.
Below, under the spoiler tag, I wrote a kind of case study about Kikomi - one of the characters and arcs in the book I found most infuriating. It's kind of a companion piece to this review, because I take a specific, limited chunk of the story and explain why it didn't work for me. Like, really really really didn't work for me.
----
A Few Words About Kikomi
September 10, 2022
This is going to be a tricky book to review. I have called books sweeping epics in the past, and after reading this book I am raising the standard for that description.
This basically is like if Ken Liu looked at all the authors who have done trilogy, or quartet. And then followed it up with another series. Except Ken decided to fit his entire first series into a 600 page book. And now he can write the sequel series, because people tend to like the sequel series anyway.(Dark age compared to Red Rising, Age of Madness compared to First Law, and I think people like Bakker's second series more as well)
I am not exaggerating when I say more happens in this book than in the first 5 ASOIAF books, or the first 4 Stormlight books.
This obviously doesn't mean it is better, or worse, but it does have clear pro's and clear cons
The main pro is that you manage to get an insane amount of story, and as a key point that story is continually good. Despite often being zoomed out, Liu manages to zoom in enough that you have reason to care about the people involved. Things are always moving forward, and I swear if I see someone say this book was too long, I will send a 4 pupiled giant after them.
The main con, is that of course a lot scenes in this book feel distant. Some of the dialogue feels very brief, like a summary of what was said, and not what was actually said. Some events are glanced over, and you kind of just have to trust that they make sense, and a couple of those felt a little questionable.
Basically if you have read Fire and Blood(or a normal history book, I guess), compare that to ASOIAF(or a normal fantasy book), this is halfway in between those. You get a lot more dialogue, and internal monologues, than a history book, but it also zooms through events. And if I were to look at the outline for this book, I would have guessed it was an outline for a 7 book series.
Oh also I want to mention, this world is not for the faint of heart. In terms of just how brutal things get, it is actually one of the darkest series I have read. Oh also props to Ken Liu for making a dark gritty world without resorting to inserting sexual violence.
Overall this was a really impressive book, that build a fantastic world, covered a lot of ground thematically, established a well fleshed out cast of morally complex, and dynamic characters, and truly covered an insane amount of events. While also at times feeling emotionally distant, and rushed a little to my taste.
My favorite moments in this book were generally the more zoomed in bits, which I have been told is more what the next 3 books are like.
8.2/10
This basically is like if Ken Liu looked at all the authors who have done trilogy, or quartet. And then followed it up with another series. Except Ken decided to fit his entire first series into a 600 page book. And now he can write the sequel series, because people tend to like the sequel series anyway.(Dark age compared to Red Rising, Age of Madness compared to First Law, and I think people like Bakker's second series more as well)
I am not exaggerating when I say more happens in this book than in the first 5 ASOIAF books, or the first 4 Stormlight books.
This obviously doesn't mean it is better, or worse, but it does have clear pro's and clear cons
The main pro is that you manage to get an insane amount of story, and as a key point that story is continually good. Despite often being zoomed out, Liu manages to zoom in enough that you have reason to care about the people involved. Things are always moving forward, and I swear if I see someone say this book was too long, I will send a 4 pupiled giant after them.
The main con, is that of course a lot scenes in this book feel distant. Some of the dialogue feels very brief, like a summary of what was said, and not what was actually said. Some events are glanced over, and you kind of just have to trust that they make sense, and a couple of those felt a little questionable.
Basically if you have read Fire and Blood(or a normal history book, I guess), compare that to ASOIAF(or a normal fantasy book), this is halfway in between those. You get a lot more dialogue, and internal monologues, than a history book, but it also zooms through events. And if I were to look at the outline for this book, I would have guessed it was an outline for a 7 book series.
Oh also I want to mention, this world is not for the faint of heart. In terms of just how brutal things get, it is actually one of the darkest series I have read. Oh also props to Ken Liu for making a dark gritty world without resorting to inserting sexual violence.
Overall this was a really impressive book, that build a fantastic world, covered a lot of ground thematically, established a well fleshed out cast of morally complex, and dynamic characters, and truly covered an insane amount of events. While also at times feeling emotionally distant, and rushed a little to my taste.
My favorite moments in this book were generally the more zoomed in bits, which I have been told is more what the next 3 books are like.
8.2/10
April 21, 2015
It is hard to know where to start with this book. What was lovely about it (and redeemed it up to two stars), or the reason I will not be reading past book one of this series?
I suppose I'll start with what there is to glow about. Silkpunk!! I never knew how much I wanted to read Silkpunk until Liu wrote it. Beautiful. Adventurous. Complex. Thoughtfully crafted and researched. Wow do I love Liu's prose and ability to put together an epic, multi-threaded story. This lives up to all the promise we've seen in his short stories and delivers more in terms of structure and visuals.
Now for the problem: this is a dude-bros only adventure. Yes, Liu has created a unique fantasy genre in 2015 and he still has chosen that only boys & men go on adventures while women stay home and support them or need saving.
.................... -_- ....................
(my not impressed face for you while that is contemplated, sorry I'm too old to gif it, we'll have to be happy with ASCII). Ah yes, one day maybe I will stop getting sucker punched because I expected better. There's been so much love for this book that I just didn't see that one coming.
Ok, so this aspect is his personal artistic choice for his unique melding of Chinese and Western story-telling traditions. But did he not read Kameron
Hurley's excellent, award winning essay "'We Have Always Fought': Challenging the 'Women, Cattle and Slaves' Narrative" . Just because women haven't been in the stories, doesn't mean they weren't there doing all the things, so WHY WHY WHY, is someone still inventing a new genre where women don't do all the things in 2015????? ARGH. I can give Tolkien a pass for having created his tale based on epic traditions in the 1930s, but Liu has created his in 2015 and he gets no passes.
At 25% there is still no woman in this book who isn’t a whore to be ridiculed (fortunately very few of those, though I am left wondering if it is only because the hero who visits "loose women" gets married relatively early in the tale), a wise wife who’s life’s mission is to be supportive of her husband or a mother to be defensive of her son (sons only, not daughters of course).
As excited as I was about Liu's new "Silkpunk" esthetic,this is not a book that cares whether it has a female audience (see update below), and I for one will read no more of The Dandelion Dynasty. If however, you are a reader who doesn't mind dude-bros only adventuring - well see my second paragraph. There are definitely good reasons people are raving about this book and I'm pretty disappointed that I'm not.
UPDATE: The author has responded on-line to other people talking about my criticism here, and I feel obliged to make note of it. Quoting from Twitter (and hopefully not editing too much as to mis-represent): "I did understand that approaching gender this way is risky.”, "and it’s problematic in some ways. I was hoping to develop the issue over a longer arc over the series.”, "but I think some readers will not have patience. And I have learned a lesson.”
So I am one of the readers without the patience. My comment above on the book not caring whether it has a female audience was probably too harsh, but it does not change the fact that that is an easy interpretation to make from what is on the pages of Volume 1. Given the many positive attributes, there may be a day when I'm willing to come back to this - but certainly not before the whole series is done.
I suppose I'll start with what there is to glow about. Silkpunk!! I never knew how much I wanted to read Silkpunk until Liu wrote it. Beautiful. Adventurous. Complex. Thoughtfully crafted and researched. Wow do I love Liu's prose and ability to put together an epic, multi-threaded story. This lives up to all the promise we've seen in his short stories and delivers more in terms of structure and visuals.
Now for the problem: this is a dude-bros only adventure. Yes, Liu has created a unique fantasy genre in 2015 and he still has chosen that only boys & men go on adventures while women stay home and support them or need saving.
.................... -_- ....................
(my not impressed face for you while that is contemplated, sorry I'm too old to gif it, we'll have to be happy with ASCII). Ah yes, one day maybe I will stop getting sucker punched because I expected better. There's been so much love for this book that I just didn't see that one coming.
Ok, so this aspect is his personal artistic choice for his unique melding of Chinese and Western story-telling traditions. But did he not read Kameron
Hurley's excellent, award winning essay "'We Have Always Fought': Challenging the 'Women, Cattle and Slaves' Narrative" . Just because women haven't been in the stories, doesn't mean they weren't there doing all the things, so WHY WHY WHY, is someone still inventing a new genre where women don't do all the things in 2015????? ARGH. I can give Tolkien a pass for having created his tale based on epic traditions in the 1930s, but Liu has created his in 2015 and he gets no passes.
At 25% there is still no woman in this book who isn’t a whore to be ridiculed (fortunately very few of those, though I am left wondering if it is only because the hero who visits "loose women" gets married relatively early in the tale), a wise wife who’s life’s mission is to be supportive of her husband or a mother to be defensive of her son (sons only, not daughters of course).
As excited as I was about Liu's new "Silkpunk" esthetic,
UPDATE: The author has responded on-line to other people talking about my criticism here, and I feel obliged to make note of it. Quoting from Twitter (and hopefully not editing too much as to mis-represent): "I did understand that approaching gender this way is risky.”, "and it’s problematic in some ways. I was hoping to develop the issue over a longer arc over the series.”, "but I think some readers will not have patience. And I have learned a lesson.”
So I am one of the readers without the patience. My comment above on the book not caring whether it has a female audience was probably too harsh, but it does not change the fact that that is an easy interpretation to make from what is on the pages of Volume 1. Given the many positive attributes, there may be a day when I'm willing to come back to this - but certainly not before the whole series is done.
October 27, 2023
4.5/5. I was not sure what to expect going into this book but I am glad I tried it and I am glad I followed through. This was such a complex book of political maneuvering, leadership and battles. The book starts off as a little confusing. The chapters hop to multiple different point of views and it can be hard to grasp what exactly is happening and which characters are to be the main characters. It is not until you get maybe 25% of the way through the book do you get a feel for the direction of the book and the main characters.
Watch my review here! https://youtu.be/rXMPCarAJNQ?si=74xIk...
Since the beginning of the book was a little confusing I was tempted to put the book down, but I am so glad I stuck with it. The beginning of the book shows the emperor of Xana, Mapidere, who is parading throughout the different nations, but there is an attempt on his life. Not everyone is happy with there being an emperor who conquered the other nations. The nation used to be run by multiple Tiro states in which each state had its own king and culture. But the emperor with the Xana army, conquered these states and made a unified nation.
The problem is that the emperor is running the nation more like a tyrant and there are still enough people who remember the individualism of the states which becomes a breeding ground for rebellion. This then becomes even worse when the Emperor dies and his son takes over, who is even worse than his father.
Rebel groups start to pop up and two key leaders arise from this rebellion; Kuni and Mata. These are two very different characters but they have a common goal in the beginning of their relationship; which is to topple the emperor. Whereas Mata is more of a warrior and brutal, Kuni is more merciful and compassionate.
“A lord who knows how to wield men is ten times more fearsome than one who knows only how to wield a sword.”
These two key characters become leaders and the dichotomy between the two character’s leadership skills is shown in stark contrast.
I honestly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It is not a typical fantasy novel and you don’t really get a deep connection with the characters but the lure of the story is with the political maneuvering, the leadership changes/styles and the battles. When I was about 50% of the way through the book, I honestly could not put it down, I was fascinated by it and I read the rest in one sitting.
I would recommend giving this book a try if you enjoy more political and strategy books, but it is not going to be your usual fantasy type novel.
Watch my review here! https://youtu.be/rXMPCarAJNQ?si=74xIk...
Since the beginning of the book was a little confusing I was tempted to put the book down, but I am so glad I stuck with it. The beginning of the book shows the emperor of Xana, Mapidere, who is parading throughout the different nations, but there is an attempt on his life. Not everyone is happy with there being an emperor who conquered the other nations. The nation used to be run by multiple Tiro states in which each state had its own king and culture. But the emperor with the Xana army, conquered these states and made a unified nation.
The problem is that the emperor is running the nation more like a tyrant and there are still enough people who remember the individualism of the states which becomes a breeding ground for rebellion. This then becomes even worse when the Emperor dies and his son takes over, who is even worse than his father.
Rebel groups start to pop up and two key leaders arise from this rebellion; Kuni and Mata. These are two very different characters but they have a common goal in the beginning of their relationship; which is to topple the emperor. Whereas Mata is more of a warrior and brutal, Kuni is more merciful and compassionate.
“A lord who knows how to wield men is ten times more fearsome than one who knows only how to wield a sword.”
These two key characters become leaders and the dichotomy between the two character’s leadership skills is shown in stark contrast.
I honestly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It is not a typical fantasy novel and you don’t really get a deep connection with the characters but the lure of the story is with the political maneuvering, the leadership changes/styles and the battles. When I was about 50% of the way through the book, I honestly could not put it down, I was fascinated by it and I read the rest in one sitting.
I would recommend giving this book a try if you enjoy more political and strategy books, but it is not going to be your usual fantasy type novel.
September 22, 2020
There was so much to like about this book. Good writing, setting inspired by Chinese history with just a pinch of steampunk in mature low fantasy story and all that from author of masterful short story collection Paper menagerie and other stories.
Sadly turns out Liu is much better at short stories because while this book has flashes of his brilliance over the course of the book, The Grace of Kings shows some major flaws.
Pacing is all over the place and ranges from slow to frantic. Characters change motivation easily (especially side characters) and majority of them are caricatures. Plot drives their motivation, not vice versa. Narrative has many twists and turns that it forgets how to walk a straight line.
Despite it's flaws I find it hard to not recommend the book. It's a dish with unique flavor and worth trying for unique blend of tastes even if you don't finish the meal.
Sadly turns out Liu is much better at short stories because while this book has flashes of his brilliance over the course of the book, The Grace of Kings shows some major flaws.
Pacing is all over the place and ranges from slow to frantic. Characters change motivation easily (especially side characters) and majority of them are caricatures. Plot drives their motivation, not vice versa. Narrative has many twists and turns that it forgets how to walk a straight line.
Despite it's flaws I find it hard to not recommend the book. It's a dish with unique flavor and worth trying for unique blend of tastes even if you don't finish the meal.
April 18, 2021
Well, umm, talk about disappointments, hmm yeah because, this was a disappointment. I find it interesting that this is the sort of book that I would have loved about three to four years ago when I had just started reading epic fantasy. There’s lots of battle and action, and massive armies and gods, all that sort of stuff. There are multiple POV and so many characters and backstories and all that jazz. I still enjoy all that stuff, don’t me get me wrong, but there was just so much plot, and so many things happening that there was such a clear disconnect for me as the reader and the characters. There was battle after battle, which like great, good for you, but like, what are the characters feeling? What are they going through? How is their mental health impacted, do they regret their actions?
I’ve realised that I’ve seriously become much more of a character reader. I still enjoy my plot obviously, but I don’t need as much of it anymore, if the characters are superbly written. This is a six hundred plus paged book that really crammed in so much plot, enough for an entire trilogy of six hundred paged books, but there were little moments where I felt the author truly zoomed into the characters’ heads and for the reader to genuinely connect with them. It was always this battle happened, and they lost so now they are retreating, or oh look that person died so he’s now king. It’s like reading a history book of a secondary world, instead of a novel. It tells the story of this land over several decades, but it never really touches on what the people of the world are going through.
It actually reminded me a fair bit of the English translation that I read of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I felt that this was written in a very similar fashion. And, as this is written inspired by East-Asian cultures, I believe predominantly Chinese and a lot of plot points, or twists or whatever were very predictable because being person with a Chinese background, I’m aware of a lot of these stories where the author drew his influence from. So, in that sense, while there was so much plot, I didn’t feel overly excited about it. Part of this was because since I wasn’t really with the characters, there wasn’t a lot of tension for me in this book. It wasn’t very exciting to read as all the characters served their purpose, but that was it and I wanted so much more character work.
There’s a lot of back and forth simply due to the nature of the conflict and it got boring to read if I’m being honest. It’s an exhausting read as there just so much death and destruction that highlights how pointless war and conflict is and how everyone should just bury their swords and go home - except that isn’t human nature. This entire book is just one long war that goes on and on and on and there was no point to it. I couldn’t deduce the purpose of it because I couldn’t tell what motivated the characters.
Mata Zyndu had one character trait and that was getting hella pissed whenever something didn’t go his way and have someone talk him out of it. Kuni’s one trait was being smart apparently even though some of his actions made no sense and I felt were poorly explained. Erishi was the most useless thing, while Jia really served little purpose at all, except for the extremely rushed romance where the characters no feeling towards each other and fell flat at the start. There were also so many characters that served little to no role in the end, they either just died like four pages later or faded in the background, so it was just so unecessary.
I honestly probably should have DNF’d this, but I had just DNF’d the last book I had failed to finish so I didn’t want to drop two books in a role. I also wanted to see how this novel would end, and it was as I predicted.
Everything just felt rushed. Major battles were quickly skimmed over, yet we got massive expositional dumps whenever a major character was introduced. Events that would normally be considered fairly important were summed up in a sentence or two, which again, like I want to know how this affected the characters, but I didn’t get that from this book. Also, for a good chunk of the start of the book, there was no point. We were following characters in their daily lives, and suddenly bam, bam, bam things come at your face, and then it stops. I didn’t vibe with the pacing in this book at all to say the least.
Also apparently, this is basically a straight up retelling of the Chu-Han contention, which is a period of history that I’m not familiar with, but I will say, a lot of moments in this book I have seen before, as it did feel somewhat copy and pastey, which was unfortunate.
I wanted to like this before going into it, didn’t work out in the end. In a sense, it is a preference thing, as I am more of a character reader than a plot reader, and if you are here for the plot, you might love this. 2/10
I’ve realised that I’ve seriously become much more of a character reader. I still enjoy my plot obviously, but I don’t need as much of it anymore, if the characters are superbly written. This is a six hundred plus paged book that really crammed in so much plot, enough for an entire trilogy of six hundred paged books, but there were little moments where I felt the author truly zoomed into the characters’ heads and for the reader to genuinely connect with them. It was always this battle happened, and they lost so now they are retreating, or oh look that person died so he’s now king. It’s like reading a history book of a secondary world, instead of a novel. It tells the story of this land over several decades, but it never really touches on what the people of the world are going through.
It actually reminded me a fair bit of the English translation that I read of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I felt that this was written in a very similar fashion. And, as this is written inspired by East-Asian cultures, I believe predominantly Chinese and a lot of plot points, or twists or whatever were very predictable because being person with a Chinese background, I’m aware of a lot of these stories where the author drew his influence from. So, in that sense, while there was so much plot, I didn’t feel overly excited about it. Part of this was because since I wasn’t really with the characters, there wasn’t a lot of tension for me in this book. It wasn’t very exciting to read as all the characters served their purpose, but that was it and I wanted so much more character work.
There’s a lot of back and forth simply due to the nature of the conflict and it got boring to read if I’m being honest. It’s an exhausting read as there just so much death and destruction that highlights how pointless war and conflict is and how everyone should just bury their swords and go home - except that isn’t human nature. This entire book is just one long war that goes on and on and on and there was no point to it. I couldn’t deduce the purpose of it because I couldn’t tell what motivated the characters.
Mata Zyndu had one character trait and that was getting hella pissed whenever something didn’t go his way and have someone talk him out of it. Kuni’s one trait was being smart apparently even though some of his actions made no sense and I felt were poorly explained. Erishi was the most useless thing, while Jia really served little purpose at all, except for the extremely rushed romance where the characters no feeling towards each other and fell flat at the start. There were also so many characters that served little to no role in the end, they either just died like four pages later or faded in the background, so it was just so unecessary.
I honestly probably should have DNF’d this, but I had just DNF’d the last book I had failed to finish so I didn’t want to drop two books in a role. I also wanted to see how this novel would end, and it was as I predicted.
Everything just felt rushed. Major battles were quickly skimmed over, yet we got massive expositional dumps whenever a major character was introduced. Events that would normally be considered fairly important were summed up in a sentence or two, which again, like I want to know how this affected the characters, but I didn’t get that from this book. Also, for a good chunk of the start of the book, there was no point. We were following characters in their daily lives, and suddenly bam, bam, bam things come at your face, and then it stops. I didn’t vibe with the pacing in this book at all to say the least.
Also apparently, this is basically a straight up retelling of the Chu-Han contention, which is a period of history that I’m not familiar with, but I will say, a lot of moments in this book I have seen before, as it did feel somewhat copy and pastey, which was unfortunate.
I wanted to like this before going into it, didn’t work out in the end. In a sense, it is a preference thing, as I am more of a character reader than a plot reader, and if you are here for the plot, you might love this. 2/10
July 13, 2018
This book straight up blew my mind.
Betrayals. Twists. Sacrifices. Honor. Love. Lust. Loss. This story has everything I could possibly want...
The Grace of Kings, hands down, has the greatest depiction of war i have ever read. Ken Liu is a genius at crafting war strategies, which are incredibly intricate and complex from every possible direction. The large scale battles are insane and seeing these different strategies play out is so intense. However, it's not only the war strategy that gets me, but also the hidden motives from every single character. There's always some sort of scheme happening in the background and all are extremely well crafted. Having a birds eye view of events really opens up the plot to these extra details.
As someone who studies Chinese at uni, I greatly appreciated the Chinese influence. This book takes pieces of Chinese history and makes its own history with it. However what impressed me more than the history was the philosophy. Every chapter had some sort of thought provoking passage or proverb that not only greatly affected character's decision making, but affected my own personal view on war and conflict.
The way that Gods were entwined into the main plot was PERFECT! Too often I read books where the role of Gods is a missed opportunity for me. Most recently that being The Song of Achilles. However, Ken Liu manages to feature the Gods sparingly to keep the mystery, but enough so that you know they play an active role in the plot. Their own conflict even draws parallel with that of mortals at times and their influence cannot be ignored.
Now to the Characters... This could well be the most well thought out cast I've read. Each one has their own backstory, so expect a whole lot of backstories, which i'm usually not a fan of, but in this case they were each so distinct and interesting that i was engaged throughout. Highlights for me were Soto, Jia, Luan, Gin, Mira and of course, Mata and Kuni. Mata and Kuni's relationship was written perfectly from start to finish and I loved reading about their opposing ideologies of how to make the world a better place.
The writing style is very different, at least to me, and took me a fair while to get used to. Ken Liu writes almost a description of events, as opposed to being real time if that makes sense? So that did make it hard for me to be fully engaged right away and on top of all the new characters and places it was a lot to take in. In the beginning i was constantly looking back to the glossary and character list, but it was worth it when it all clicked!
I've read some reviews saying they found this a slow read, but for me i was so engaged with all the intrigue and strategic build up that i didn't find it slow at all. There's so many different POVs that change constantly, that it really does build up intensity on a grand scale. But even on a smaller scale, i loved reading about the culture, like all the different seating positions to express different moods.
Overall, This book has gone straight to my favourites shelf. While being a lot to take in to start with, as soon as it clicked i was ready to go! The Asian influence, the Philosophy, The Characters, The Strategy, The Gods, everything was so well crafted.
Betrayals. Twists. Sacrifices. Honor. Love. Lust. Loss. This story has everything I could possibly want...
The Grace of Kings, hands down, has the greatest depiction of war i have ever read. Ken Liu is a genius at crafting war strategies, which are incredibly intricate and complex from every possible direction. The large scale battles are insane and seeing these different strategies play out is so intense. However, it's not only the war strategy that gets me, but also the hidden motives from every single character. There's always some sort of scheme happening in the background and all are extremely well crafted. Having a birds eye view of events really opens up the plot to these extra details.
As someone who studies Chinese at uni, I greatly appreciated the Chinese influence. This book takes pieces of Chinese history and makes its own history with it. However what impressed me more than the history was the philosophy. Every chapter had some sort of thought provoking passage or proverb that not only greatly affected character's decision making, but affected my own personal view on war and conflict.
The way that Gods were entwined into the main plot was PERFECT! Too often I read books where the role of Gods is a missed opportunity for me. Most recently that being The Song of Achilles. However, Ken Liu manages to feature the Gods sparingly to keep the mystery, but enough so that you know they play an active role in the plot. Their own conflict even draws parallel with that of mortals at times and their influence cannot be ignored.
Now to the Characters... This could well be the most well thought out cast I've read. Each one has their own backstory, so expect a whole lot of backstories, which i'm usually not a fan of, but in this case they were each so distinct and interesting that i was engaged throughout. Highlights for me were Soto, Jia, Luan, Gin, Mira and of course, Mata and Kuni. Mata and Kuni's relationship was written perfectly from start to finish and I loved reading about their opposing ideologies of how to make the world a better place.
The writing style is very different, at least to me, and took me a fair while to get used to. Ken Liu writes almost a description of events, as opposed to being real time if that makes sense? So that did make it hard for me to be fully engaged right away and on top of all the new characters and places it was a lot to take in. In the beginning i was constantly looking back to the glossary and character list, but it was worth it when it all clicked!
I've read some reviews saying they found this a slow read, but for me i was so engaged with all the intrigue and strategic build up that i didn't find it slow at all. There's so many different POVs that change constantly, that it really does build up intensity on a grand scale. But even on a smaller scale, i loved reading about the culture, like all the different seating positions to express different moods.
Overall, This book has gone straight to my favourites shelf. While being a lot to take in to start with, as soon as it clicked i was ready to go! The Asian influence, the Philosophy, The Characters, The Strategy, The Gods, everything was so well crafted.
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