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Title details for The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu - Available

The Art of Prophecy

A Novel

#1 in series

by Wesley Chu
Natalie Naudus
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
A “superb fantasy saga” (Helene Wecker) of martial arts and magic, about what happens when a prophesied hero is not the chosen one after all—but has to work with a band of unlikely allies to save the kingdom anyway, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lives of Tao
 
“An ambitious and touching exploration of disillusionment in faith, tradition, and family—a glorious reinvention of fantasy and wuxia tropes.”—Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of A Deadly Education
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Gizmodo, Kirkus Reviews, The Quill to Live
So many stories begin the same way: With a prophecy. A chosen one. And the inevitable quest to slay a villain, save the kingdom, and fulfill a grand destiny.
 
But this is not that kind of story. 
 
It does begin with a prophecy: A child will rise to defeat the Eternal Khan, a cruel immortal god-king, and save the kingdom. 
 
And that prophecy did anoint a hero, Jian, raised since birth in luxury and splendor, and celebrated before he has won a single battle. 
 
But that’s when the story hits its first twist: The prophecy is wrong. 
 
What follows is a story more wondrous than any prophecy could foresee, and with many unexpected heroes: Taishi, an older woman who is the greatest grandmaster of magical martial arts in the kingdom but who thought her adventuring days were all behind her; Sali, a straitlaced warrior who learns the rules may no longer apply when the leader to whom she pledged her life is gone; and Qisami, a chaotic assassin who takes a little too much pleasure in the kill.
 
And Jian himself, who has to find a way to become what he no longer believes he can be—a hero after all.

  • Creators

  • Series

    War Arts Saga

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    August 9, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593606155
      • File size: 538169 KB
      • Duration: 18:41:11

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 11, 2022
      Bestseller Chu (The Lives of Tao) opens his ambitious War Arts Saga series with one-armed, aging Ling Taishi, the “greatest war arts master of her generation,” taking on a new student, Wen Jian. Jian is the Chosen One, prophesied to defeat the Eternal Kahn, immortal god-king of the Katuia Hordes, and Taishi offers to prepare him for this task—just in time to learn that the Kahn is already dead. Taishi, desperate not to repeat the failures that lead to her son’s death, hides Jian in a war arts school while she travels across the Enlightened States to discover why the prophecy fell through. Though Act I seems like by-the-numbers wuxia built on the tired trope of an unqualified man unbelievably surpassing a skilled woman at her life’s work, things pick up as the focus shifts from bland hero Jian onto a number of fascinating female characters, including two who want to kill him: Salminde “Sali” the Viperstrike of the Katuia, who seeks both her missing sister and the reincarnation of the Khan; and the mercurial Maza Qisami, an expert assassin known as a shadowkill. The epic scope of the worldbuilding, along with the sheer number of fight scenes, will delight Chu’s fans. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Gosh Literary.

    • Library Journal

      December 1, 2022

      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.--Matthew Galloway

      Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Natalie Naudus has plenty of opportunity to shine as the narrator of this audiobook. It's the first installment of The War Arts Saga, inspired by martial arts films with magic thrown in for good measure. The Chosen One, Jian, has been raised in luxury with a cadre of warriors to instruct him. Naudus has no trouble making clear that he is a spoiled brat. Eventually, he becomes the student of a one-armed grandmaster of magical martial arts who is feisty as can be and determined to make a warrior out of him. The grandmaster is one of three strong female characters, and Naudus creates nuanced personas for them all. The interaction among the characters is delightfully spirited, and snarky comments abound. J.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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