What I’m Reading: Gareth Ward

As the members of my book club will readily attest, I am somewhat of a critical reader. So when a book comes along that ticks all the boxes and delivers on its promise with perfect execution it is a thing of great joy. The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu is such a book. It’s high-fantasy but rather than a world of elves and orcs it has a feudal Asian, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, feel to it.

The story follows the paths of heroes and anti-heroes each of whom is unique, engaging and flawed; they were such great characters that I could have happily read a novel about any single one.

The distinct plotlines are well executed and paced and obscured enough so the reader can’t predict how they will all eventually intertwine, but intertwine they do. I loved every character, even Qisami the chaotic assassin who enjoys her work a little too much and is out to end several of our heroes with extreme prejudice.

My favourite character and the main driving force of the story is Taishi, a woman old enough to be your great grandma, yet who is still the Kingdom’s grandmaster of martial arts, with a hint of magic thrown in. She is caustic, irritable and utterly brilliant.

I’m not going to delve into the plot because I abhor spoilers but it involves a prophecy, a chosen one, feudal brinkmanship, and does not go anywhere close to where you may expect from that description. If you like fantasy, give it a go, if you like Game of Thrones give it a go, if you’ve never tried fantasy but have always wanted to give it a try start here (Or read the excellent Tarquin the Honest, Ocian’s Elven by Gareth Ward.)