Chu’s (
The Fall of Io) wuxia-inspired epic fantasy novel tells the story of Wen Jian, who grew up being told that he was the Hero of Prophecy, destined to save his people. When he discovers that his true fate may be different than anticipated, he must find a new path. This exciting and snarkily told tale is populated with numerous characters, and intertwining plot threads are made easily navigable by Natalie Naudus’s well-paced narration. Naudus voices the spoiled hero in training, the cynical martial arts master, the dutiful enemy, and the whimsical but sociopathic assassin with equal believability. Naudus’s performance brings real tension to the conflicts between each of the four main protagonists, making it difficult to know exactly whom to root for by the end. Listeners can only hope that Chu doesn’t make them wait too long for the next book.
VERDICT Clocking in at almost 19 hours, this is a hefty book, but listeners will be captivated by the intricate worldbuilding and satisfying character development. An engrossing series starter that is highly recommended for fans of Ken Liu, Yong Jin, and Nghi Vo.
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