Strange book.
On the one hand, it’s a straightforward epic fantasy in a pseudo-Japanese settings, similar to what I’ve recently read in Jade City and Shadow of the Fox. I can’t say there’s anything surprising—the avalanche of terminology was also expected.
On the other hand, it’s full of Winnetou-type scenes, more suited for children’s books, including endless sword fights. Epic drama-rama, the kind I usually prefer to avoid.
If I had to rate it based on just that, the book would get 2 stars, 3 at most. But there’s more to it—there’s a magical world just beginning to unfold, reminding me of a new series by Raymond Feist or Robin Hobb. There’s a sense of promise. And there’s an unusual structure, as if Maya Wang didn’t particularly care about how books are “supposed” to be written. I liked that part.
So in the end, I think I might eventually read a sequel—unlike with Jade City. I want to find out what these blood puppeteers are.
Veselin.blog 