I recently finished a great new novel from Fonda Lee (author of the excellent Jade City series) and Shannon Lee (daughter of Bruce Lee), Breath of the Dragon. It’s about a rising martial artist named Jun who seeks entry into the Guardian’s Tournament, a once-every-six-years event that determines the person who will guard a sacred scroll. There’s a little magic in the book, but not much.
I love tournament/arena fiction, and I’m always up for a dose of magic. I think the book does a great job of showing what it takes to get into the tournament (including training and a high entrance fee), along with the thrill of the tournament itself without glorifying violence.
I expected the book to end with the tournament, but there was a good 25% left after that, as we’ve really only seen half of a country that was divided ages ago by a wall that divides people, cultures, and traditions. I’m not entirely sure if this is a duology, trilogy, or longer series, but I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
What are you reading right now?
This sounds great, I’ll definitely check it out!
Speaking of tournament/arena fiction, I’m just about to start the latest Hunger Games book that came out today. It’s supposed to be a prequel about Haymitch and the quarter quell that he competed in. I enjoyed the previous prequel the author released so am excited to check this one out as well.
I just ordered it myself! I thought the prequel was the best of all 4 books (followed closely by book 1), and the reviews for the new book are great. I’m excited to try it after I finish my current read (the latest Bobiverse book).