That was a classic! That was a classic!

I think...this is quite possibly the most interesting fantasy book I’ve read in several years. Wang manages pack this world full of such rich histories, and complex characters. I think was I can most appreciate is that the entire story is self-contained, and small. Bigger villains are alluded to, but they are not the focus here. This is the story of one family, one town, getting caught up in the machinations of the powers that be and trying to survive. It’s bold for a fantasy novel like this to be like: “Yeah, there’s wars, corrupt politicians and powerful villains with powerful magic out there in this world...but none of these characters will be the one to stop them.” It truly felt refreshing. I should have supposed as much from the subtitle: A Theonite War Story. It’s evocative of the “A Star Wars Story” anthology films that are completely separate from the main story events, being one shots.

What was also unique was how M.L. Wang fused eastern fantasy and mythology with the modern world. In that sense it felt like this could’ve been the setting for a Final Fantasy game. Since those game often do much of the same in term of having a uniquely realized fantasy world.

I cannot wait to see what this author does next, whatever it is I will support it. I’m also going to read the other Theonite books she has published that apparently take place a decade or so after this one? So, I can’t wait for that.