The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu is an epic fantasy taking place in China, following a prophesied hero who doesn’t live up to expectations. Mr. Chu is a best-selling, award-winning, author, as well as an accomplished martial artist, actor, and stuntman.
My rating for The Art of Prophecy – 5
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This book was a wonderful surprise. I’ve read other Chinese fantasy before, but this one I couldn’t put down. The story-line flowed, and the characters were complex, interesting, as well as intriguing.
At first, I thought “not another student saving the world” type of book. However, the narrative kept me going and the story took unexpected turns. Instead of another coming-of-age book of a “Chosen one”, I got something completely different. The characters are fantastic, Sali, Taishi, and Qisami steal the show from the “hero”, each one is a complete, complex character, wielding really cool weapons, as well as their own strengths and weaknesses.
The story is certainly a coming-of-age one. But not necessarily that of a spoiled brat groomed to be a savior. People change at every stage of their lives, protagonists and antagonists. It is done in such a flawless way that I only thought about it while attempting to write this review.
The story takes place in China of legends. Not one that ever existed, and certainly not the one that exists today. I haven’t figured out if Mr. Chu revolved his story around Chinese mythology, like A Hero Born. The world building, however, is incredible. There are elements of the Grass Sea, the Great Kahn’s reincarnation, cultural aspects and ramifications, technology, cities landscapes, and more.
The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu is marketed as being the first of The War Arts Saga. I, for one, am certainly looking forward to reading the second installation, but it has a lot to live up to. I got a review copy for free, but I will buy a copy to add to my collection.
Jian has been chosen as the hero which will kill the immortal Eternal Khan and save his kingdom. He has been living in luxury, trained by the best masters in the country.
The prophecy was wrong, and Jian become a spoiled teenager. The greatest war artist of her generation, Taishi, evaluates the hero, finding a brat who will die in combat within seconds. However, when the emperor dies, the country has no use for a hero who is seen as a danger by the leaders of its factions.
And the journey begins.
Buy The Art of Prophecy from Amazon.com*
More Books by Wesley Chu*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free.
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
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