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The Wall of Storms

Book 2 in the series:The Dandelion Dynasty

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The Wall of Storms is a sprawling epic fantasy novel that continues the story of the Dandelion Dynasty. Ken Liu weaves together classical Chinese philosophy and culture with intricate world-building and complex characters. The plot involves political intrigue, war, scientific exploration, and the intervention of gods, creating a rich and immersive reading experience. The writing style is described as lyrical, graceful, and at times, sad, with deep characterization and a sophisticated plot that keeps readers engaged.

Characters:

The characters are depicted with depth, featuring a mix of new and returning personalities, particularly emphasizing the strengths and complexities of female roles, while others face significant changes.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by lyrical prose, a blend of modern and historical elements, and detailed expositions that highlight the author’s enthusiasm for technology and culture.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot embodies an epic tale filled with conflict, focusing on a blend of political intrigue and character dynamics, particularly within the royal family, leading to looming external threats.

Setting:

The setting is a rich and imaginative world that blends fantasy with traditional cultural aspects, featuring innovations that add a unique layer to its backdrop.

Pacing:

Pacing starts slow but builds momentum, with some sections perceived as overly lengthy, yet it ultimately aims to keep the reader engaged in the unfolding events.
The sky was overcast, and the cold wind whipped a few scattered snowflakes through the air. Carriages and pedestrians in thick coats and fur-lined hats hurried through the wide avenues of Pan, the Har...

Notes:

Ken Liu's novel is a sequel to 'The Grace of Kings' and continues an epic tale.
The story has a blend of old legends and modern elements, making it feel both timeless and fresh.
Characters include Kuni Garu, the emperor, and his four children, each with distinct personalities.
New female characters like Zomi and Thera are introduced and play significant roles.
The narrative explores themes of war, politics, technology, and magic.
There is a looming threat of invasion from a Viking-like group with flying beasts.
The book features intricate world-building, focusing on technological innovations instead of traditional magic.
Some readers found parts of the book slow, suggesting it could be shorter by 200 pages.
Kuni's first wife, Jia, undergoes significant changes that some readers did not appreciate.
The writing style is described as lyrical and sophisticated, contributing to a deep emotional impact.
Many found the ending satisfying, setting up anticipation for the next book in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of war, political intrigue, betrayal, and complex emotional conflicts.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance in the story, with character relationships playing a part in the plot.

From The Publisher:

One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time

In the much-anticipated sequel to the "magnificent fantasy epic" (NPR) Grace of Kings, Emperor Kuni Garu is faced with the invasion of an invincible army in his kingdom and must quickly find a way to defeat the intruders.

Kuni Garu, now known as Emperor Ragin, runs the archipelago kingdom of Dara, but struggles to maintain progress while serving the demands of the people and his vision. Then an unexpected invading force from the Lyucu empire in the far distant west comes to the shores of Dara-and chaos results.

But Emperor Kuni cannot go and lead his kingdom against the threat himself with his recently healed empire fraying at the seams, so he sends the only people he trusts to be Dara's savvy and cunning hopes against the invincible invaders: his children, now grown and ready to make their mark on history.

Ratings (4)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (10):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

Enjoyed it as much as the first one!

 

About the Author:

Ken Liu is an award-winning American author of speculative fiction. His collection, The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, has been published in more than a dozen languages. Liu's other works include The Grace of Kings, The Wall of Storms, The Veiled Throne, and a second collection The Hidden Girl and Other Stories. He has been involved in multiple media adaptations of his work including the short story "Good Hunting," adapted as an episode in Netflix's animated series Love, Death + Robots; and AMC's Pantheon, adapted from an interconnected series of short stories. "The Hidden Girl," "The Message," and "The Cleaners" have also been optioned for development. Liu previously worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation consultant. He frequently speaks at conferences and universities on topics including futurism, cryptocurrency, the history of technology, and the value of storytelling. Liu lives with his family near Boston, Massachusetts.

 
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