The Art of Prophecy: 1 (The War Arts Saga)

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A prophecy is unexpectedly foiled and a chosen hero cast adrift in this first of a fantasy trilogy inspired by Chinese martial arts films. Soon, it became obvious that this was a book unlike any other. Here, we are introduced to Jian, the “chosen one” but instantly you’ll realize that this particular chosen one isn’t like any of the chosen ones you’ve probably come across in fantasy. Jian, the Champion of the Five Under Heaven, lives a lavish life where he is granted his every wish and has a bevy of servants and teachers whose job is to hang on his every whim and only challenge him just enough. the things that are foretold; these include the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Included

Una historia con intrigas políticas, venganzas, ineterses propios, un poco de humor y con acción, mucha acción. Podríamos incluir esta novela dentro del wuxia, pues bebe principalmente de influencias orientales. El mundo que nos presenta Wesley Chu es complejo y estoy seguro que en esta primera entrega hemos podido disfrutar de tan solo una parte. The worldbuilding in this book is heavily inspired by Chinese wuxia, with some twists. Qi is referred to as Jing (why change this lol), and the Khanate, likely inspired by the mongols, make these cool steampunk-esque moving cities that traverse the Grass Sea instead of riding horses. The steampunk element is one of the coolest aspects (how do they run? magic? steam engines?) and it’s definitely one I hope gets explored more as conflict between the Khanate and the Zuhn ramp up again. I’ve learned early on in my professional career inside and outside of publishing that I don’t know what I don’t know, so I am a huge fan of subject matter expertise. This is especially the case when it comes to artwork. I’ve learned early on in adulthood that I have pretty bad taste. I'm up in the air whether I want to own the physical copy. I did use one of my Audible credits to get the book as I couldn't seem to get through it with my Netgalley copy. The narration is very good and funny as hell at times so I do recommend it. This was an intriguing setup, but I felt that this was the best part of the book and that it became less compelling once Taishi and Jian went their separate ways. My favorite element of The Art of Prophecy was the dynamic between the two, whose mentor/mentee relationship had a rough start given that Taishi publicly humiliated her pupil and dismissed his previous teachers. Jian is not used to being challenged or viewed as a human being rather than a divine one, and he hates that Taishi treats him like a mere teenage boy and even dares to suggest he could improve. Taishi was also the most interesting character to me: an experienced older master who lost an arm, has power over wind, and is just kind of grumpy and over everyone’s crap. Yet beneath her grouchy exterior, she does have a soft spot for Jian and wants what’s best for him, even when he’s cross with her for ruining his luxurious lifestyle.

Success!

The first group of toy soldiers paraded into the pit and milled about, uncertain and disorganized. They were ten volunteers in a random assortment of weapons and armor, no two looking like they belonged in the same unit. Taishi pitied this pathetic bunch, these loyal soldiers of the States who hadn’t died in the war, but hadn’t necessarily survived it either. Now they were left to eke out a living the only way they could: becoming training toys to a boy playing war. There was the pikeman with the distant stare. The swordswoman with the shaking hands. The young man missing the rest of his arm below the elbow cowering behind her... Taishi shifted her own mangled arm hanging useless by her side. Well, one should never underestimate a cripple. 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 splendour, and celebrated before he has won a single battle.

This is an interesting fantasy setting that's inspired by wuxia drama and loosely analogous to China and the Eurasian Steppes during the time of the Khans. Jian is the prophesied hero meant to finally defeat the immortal Khan of the Grass Sea, and is being trained in a variety of martial arts under the auspices of martial arts masters commissioned by the five Dukes of his people. Taishi is a master the war arts who has come to assess Jian's readiness only to find a spoiled brat whose masters have trained in clashing styles. But then the immortal Khan dies at the hands of a simple soldier, and Jian has gone from being the hope of his people to being an embarrassment and a political liability as the five Dukes fall on each other vying for power. While the series is a tribute to wuxia, The Art of Prophecy is really a mix of Asian influences combined with Western-styled storytelling, which is sort of a mirror of my own upbringing.Disgusted, Taishi decides to take the boy on as her apprentice, determined to transform him into the hero that the prophecy promised. Having been doted on and spoiled his entire life, Jian initially rebels against her harsh training, but then the two of them eventually reach a point of mutual respect—just in time to receive the news that the Eternal Khan has died. In a single moment, Jian’s entire world is turned upside down. For if the nemesis that he was fated to kill is already dead, then where does that leave him? Sensing that the boy will be in great danger now that the entire prophecy has crumbled around him, Taishi escapes the palace with Jian and takes him to a warrior arts school, where she plans to hide him until the danger has passed. A whirlwind tale rich with politics and fantastical martial arts . . . Chu tells a refreshing coming-of-age story with a ‘chosen one’ who faces real challenges to become a hero.” —Robin Hobb, author of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy And that prophecy did anoint a hero, Jian, raised since birth in luxury and splendor, and celebrated before he has won a single battle. One character named Sali had one of the most unique and original weapons I've ever seen in fantasy multimedia. Most fantasy novels I read give characters traditional weapons like swords, so Sali's cool weapon really just transported me to an otherworldly fantasy realm.

I was so excited going into this book because of the premise of it. Chosen one but something got messed up and he isn't the chosen one? It sounded so interesting to me! And I will give that the plot ideas are great, but the execution failed. The Art of Prophecy is the first book in The War Arts Saga, an epic fantasy series by Astounding Award winner and New York Times bestselling author Wesley Chu. I was excited about this novel with magical martial arts due to the premise of a prophecy that turned out to be wrong and a couple of the characters: namely, an older woman who had thought her adventuring days were over and a chaotic assassin. But I ended up having rather mixed feelings about The Art of Prophecy, which I enjoyed throughout Act I but was less and less enthusiastic about the further into it I got. Basically, I moderately liked one character and one other character’s storyline, was fairly indifferent to another character and most of her plot, and was outright annoyed by the point-of-view character introduced around the halfway point.This infusion of magic and martial arts had me instantly transported into the gritty world of politics and underhanded scheming. There were many perspectives included, but Jian's is the only name I shall include here for fear of spoiling anything, and I loved how each worked together to bring the reader a comprehensive understanding for the legislative overhaul that many were attempting in this kingdom. All insights were given equal precedence and, despite having my favourites, there were none I was less eager to read from as they all provided understanding, altered in this focus and abilities, explored differing geographical terrains, and contained continuous new reveals.

The story opens with Ling Taishi, one of the greatest war masters of her generation, meeting Jian, the Chosen One who’s prophesied to defeat the Eternal Khan, the immortal god-king of the Katuia hordes. She’s not impressed. The boy is spoiled, arrogant, and not ready for the challenge. Just when she decides to train him, unexpected events prove the prophecy was a sham, and the boy’s existence becomes a political problem. That’s all you need to know - a more in-depth synopsis would only spoil part of the fun.The setting is a fantastic alternate China, and the martial arts are ones that will only exist in your wildest dreams. Neither Taishi nor Jian are the characters you might expect. It IS a coming of age story, if you understand that all people, at every stage of their lives, are coming of age. As the story progresses, the cast of characters increases. Jian's situation changes, as does Taishi's. Old friend and new enemies abound. You will be swept along. 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. I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for a digital copy of this book. Ah, this year has been a thing that’s happened. I’m going to try to get in the habit of writing at least one review a week from now on, but I’ve been extremely busy and I just haven’t had time. So, here I am.