The Grace of Kings (Spoiler Free Review) by Ken Liu
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
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Ken Liu is an amazing storyteller. Even his collection of short stories are masterpieces. He's one of my favorite authors right up there with Joe Abercrombie and Brando Sando.
I finished the quartet this month and The Dandelion Dynasty might be my favorite series of all time. The series is incredible. So glad you enjoyed the first book. A lot of people say it's the weakest in the series, but I loved it. I will say that the next three books take a different direction and this first book is just a prelude to what's to come. I think Liu's storytelling improves and I have no idea how he came up with his ideas. Incredibly impressive fantasy writing. I feel like RF Kuang should read this series. In an interview she said she doesn't really read fantasy so she doesn't copy what others are doing, but after reading both The Poppy War and Babel, it really shows. The Poppy War is incredibly underwhelming compared to this masterpiece.
Also, I know you still need to read book 2, but I agree with the author that you should try to read books 3 & 4 as close to each other as possible. The publisher had to split the book because it was too big, but they weren't meant to be separate books. But it's a lot of committment. 2000+ pages, or 80 hours on audiobook lol. I read these by immersion and highly recommend that route as long as you don't mind Michael Kramer. I think he does a good job.
I don't mind a good 2,000 page book! Thanks for the advice!
I whole heartedly agree. I originally gave this book 4.5 stars, but I can't stop thinking about this book even years later. I have now bought the rest in the series, and I am ready to re-read this, and then continue on to the rest of the series! I have finished Ken's two short story collections (both are fantastic), with The Paper Menagerie" being my favorite short story collection of all time. Ken's writing style really fits my desires as a reader, and definitely is different. I think I loved this book so much because I love short stories. There are micro stories over the course of history that create the tapestry we know as our past, and this books approach to telling that history (though in a fantastical way) is right in line with why I love stories.
Very well stated!
This book got me back into reading fantasy! I read it when it first came out and fell in love. I look forward to your reviews of the rest of the series. It really is a masterpiece of a series.
I can't wait!
This series was my favorite read in 2022, and honestly I still can't stop thinking about it. I have found that a lot of people who LOVED/HATED Grace of Kings felt the opposite about The Wall of Storms and beyond in the series, but I personally did not. I thought they were all amazing. I hope you do as well, Matt! Great review!
I hope I am in the same boat as you!
His translation of The Three Body Problem was really good, I'll add this to my TBR list -- thanks for the great review!
I keep hearing that, I'll have to check it out!
The Dandelion Dynasty is currently my favorite fantasy series! I'm so glad you enjoyed the first one this much...I have a feeling it's only going to get better for you from here on out :)
I can't wait!
I am only two books into this series and I am really enjoying it. I am also reading this series alongside Malazan, and because of these two series I am starting to appreciate when authors write a story that includes God figures along with the human followers. Prior to reading both these series, I never really found a series that made me appreciate that aspect of storytelling.
Yeah it's a wonderful storytelling device that I feel more books could use!
Great review! Now Im feeling pretty pumped up. Can't wait to start reading this book.
I hope you love it!
Heeeeck yes!!! This makes me so excited, because if you already adored book 1 this much, then you are just in for an absolute treat with the rest of the series, it's simply a masterpiece. I fell head over heels in love with these books last year and I already can't wait to re-read them.
Enjoy the wild ride! And prepare for emotional damage 🤪
I can't wait, and I will definitely prepare myself for being ruined emotionally!
Great Review Matt. This has been on my radar for awhile. ASOIAF has loose ties to the war of the roses so makes sense this connected with you since you enjoyed Martins series (I also agree we won't see it finished). You and I have similar tastes, anything with politics, count me in.
Yeah I bet you are going to LOVE it if you are into political stuff.
Wow!!! I’m so pumped to try this out this year!!
Nice, I hope you enjoy!
Glad you loved this! I think the next books are even better, besides TVT. So GoK is based on the Chu-Han contention, but most of the book deals with the Qin Dynasty (mapidere is a stand in for the first emperor of China) and the rebellions that happened during that Dynasty, so around 200BCE, definitely "ancient" China haha. The next books veer away from historical allegory, though, and do their own thing. Wall of Storms is one of my favorite books ever
Wonderful, I can't wait!
I loved the veiled throne, even the 200 page cooking competion had me crying by the end.
I have all four of these and haven’t started them yet. Bought them based on Patrick Leo’s enthusiasm. Your tastes are soooo similar to mine if you rate it, then normally it’s a must buy for me. I can’t wait to start this series now.
I hope you love it!
So glad you loved this. In the series, Grace of Kings is my favorite. I've heard it described as this world's Illiad or Odyssey. I felt like I was reading the history and mythos of this world. The second book is my most favorite, but Grace of Kings is such a close second they are basically tied for me.
I love hearing it!
Yeah second book was my fav so far. First book good and in top10 for last year but had a few others I would rate higher
Remains to be seen if I get into similar feels with this book. I got it to about 20% a few weeks ago and decided to let it wait a while for some better moment. So far your description sounds much more realistic and in line, than quite a few others I've heard, to what I would expect to get in the book based on my so far experience. Got to pick it up some time soon again.
Yeah, but it very well just may not be for you - and that's totally okay!
I bought this book and book 2 and 3 were offered to me for Xmas, I'm now really excited.
I hope you love them!
I am a big fan of GOT and kingdom (manga) which is about ancient china, so after you said it was like game of thrones and it was your second favorite book and it was about ancient china and Han dynasty, there was nothing anyone could say that would keep me from reading it
Yay! I hope you love it!
Kingdom is one of the greatest peace of fiction ever made
@@Haarwyvern right you are brother
I actually just got a copy of this book to read at some point. Might have to move it up the list though as I hear more and more about how good the series is
Yes, move it up!
cant wait to hear ur ongoing thoughts with this series, I think ull either love or hate the direction it goes
Hope I love it!
Aparently, i'm the only person Who could not finish this book. I feel like things happends to fast so I never felt any stake or love for the characters. I would love to read a trilogy version of this book because it would give the book time to develop characters and to make battle more epic.
No, a lot of people agree with you. It's the major criticism on the book.
Im reading GOK now and struggling to finish it. Characters and combat not very interesting and just all seems a bit silly to me.
@@rengarnett3573 honestly you should stop reading this book, it is not for you.
Matt!! STOP ADDING TO MY TBR!!!! Your gonna end up on my wife's ish list. I am currently formulating my argument to her on why I should buy a kindle and the money we will save. Cross your fingers!! Lol. Great review man!!
Yeah I read Kindle because my wife told me to stop spending so much on books! Now I get all my books for free from the library directly to my Kindle.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I have screen shot this message to strengthen my argument. Thank you Sir!!
@@blacknbluecollarreader yes! I literally save about $1500 a year using this kindle.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews More EVIDENCE!! Screenshot!! LOL
High praise indeed. I can't wait wait to check this out now! Thanks!
You are most welcome. Enjoy!
So glad you liked it. I think this series is fantastic and book 2 is better than book 1 as well as everyone else in the comments lol - so hyped for you to read the rest and hear your thoughts and praise.
I can't wait!
Man that is high praise! I heard that book 2 is even better so you might be in for a hell of a ride!
I certainly hope so!
I subscribed after seeing your tier list video. Very similar to own views on fantansy :) Will definitely read the dandelion dynasty next! Thanks Matt
Awesome, I hope you love it!
You break down how a book feels to read better than anybody. I really have a sense of it now. It reminded me of Pierce Brown with Red Rising, how huge events happen one after the other. Is it kind of like that?
Yup, very similar but on a more global scale.
And thanks for the kind words!
This book is on my to-read list and after your review, I’m excited to get started with it.
I hope you love it!
THANK YOU!
I just finshed this book and was aksing constantly myself if I just read the best book ever written and your review gave me the answer: yes I did.
Wow this makes me want to read the book even more. I especially like a well paced book, and it sounds like this is. My only worry is if it will be too dry for me lol. I’m excited to try it though.
Yeah you will know right away whether it grabs you or not.
I finish Grace of kings saturday and OMG wat an amazing 600 plus pages prologue
Love it
LOL, yeah well put!
I loved the “historical” tone of this one. Although there was minimal interiority, I actually thought the characters were fantastic. Can’t wait to keep going with the series!
Matt you have to stop reading so many good books!!! I can't keep up with this! What's worse is every time I read a book you recommend I love it smh 🤦♂. You get me way to hyped for these books!!!
I'm sorry Dino! lol.
I actually said to myself before I posted this that Dino is going to hate that I added another book to his TBR!
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews haha 😂I believe it! Probably the reason you read so much is just to wreck my tbr and make me feel fomo all the time haha
I got about 100 pages in and it just wasn't grabbing me
Yeah if it doesn't grab you by then, you would have never been grabbed.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Just kinda weird cause normally I like the same stuff you do, haha
Great review Matt! I’m happy you loved it! When do you plan on reading book 2? Book2 is awesome too!
Should start it mid-April. I can't wait, and thanks again for picking this book!
I consider "Grace of Kings" to be my personal favourite Modern Fantasy Novel published in the last 10 years! The biggest criticism I have seen, is that it lifts most of its characters and beats from the official history on the origin of the Qin and Han dynasties and therefore lacks “originality” and is simple a “copy and paste” of it. While valid, this criticism ignore that a lot of fantasy does this, either to make traditional stories and myths more accessible for a modern audience or as jumping points for modern interpretations/criticism/review.
And in my book Ken Liu succeeds on all these points, and his story slaps! The amazing characters, the awesome battles (not one them had repeating tactics: Psychological warfare, logistics, new tech and within the first chapters, I simply fell in love with how Mata’s hatred of how the Xana Empire has suppressed “the natural state” of Dara’s Nations and Societies, is contrasted with Kuni’s Cosmopolitan view of the Empire as “good ideas with horrible methods” (Blooming trade, infrastructure, technology and cultural exchange, but under a brutal tyranny that stifle its further potential) and do not want Dara to return of its previous divisions and rule by Nobles without regard for how their petty wars hurt the peoples of Dara. So when they become unlikely friends and later rivals, it breaks my heart! 😭
I also fully agree with Liu when he in an interview said that he views “The Grace of Kings” to be as much as an American Fantasy as a Chinese-inspired one: This is a multiethnic setting inspired as much of the US as of Han or Tang Dynasty China, with several characters having mindsets resembling as much those of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison or the Wright Brothers, as they do of Confucius, Cao Cao and Lubu! There are parallels to “Manifest Destiny” and the Sinicization of what is now Modern Southern China and Taiwan, and to the Iliad and the Odyssey in how the Gods interact internally between each other and on the ground! Xana is as much Qin Dynasty China as it is Imperial Japan occupying China and much of East Asia during the First & Second Sino-Japanese War/WW2! The Aboriginals of Dara have aspects in common of the Australian Aboriginals and the Pacific Melanesians! And from an different angle, the Island of Dara Island is slightly similar to Ireland in shape, another nation divided by Ancient Petty Kingdoms (tuatha), home to mighty heroes and powerful women and occupied by an Island Empire…
Tried it myself and it is indeed underrated. 5/5 for me also. really good
Greetings form Poland 😘 Thank for all your awsome YT works!!
I also adore The Grace of Kings and The Wall of Storms. But our polish publisher STOPS on second book... I hope someday watch your review 3 and 4 parts ❤️ or maybe I will be crazy and (for 1/6 of my salary) I'l buy books in english ;p
Are you familiar with "The Folding Knife" K.J. Parker? This is stand alone nowel. It is also political (little) fantasy book. The main character is a genius, economics/miliatary tactician and mathematician. In addition, he is so... manipulatives. And yet, I very, very sympathizes with him. I just wonder while I was reading ... how he will come out of the next crisis!? Such a underrated author in Poland also as Ken Liu...
PS Sorry for my english. Best regards!!
Your English is great!
That's super frustrating that the publisher stopped, I would absolutely hate that! And no I have not read The Folding Knife, but I'll put it on my TBR!
If you loved this. The next three books will make this an all time favorite of all time
The next book in particular is so much better than the first
I don't know how it's possible but I can't wait to read it!
Just wait. I'm still working on speaking bones but my god, this is hands down top five series of all time.
Wall of Storms was my fave as well, though I adore them all.
Oh, man... just wait until you read book 2. The whole series is fantastic, but The Wall of Storms is one of my favorite books I've read in years.
That's amazing, I can't wait!
I was so pumped to start this book when you started the review but the more you described it, the less I got excited to read it 😆.
LOL! Glad I could at least give you a good insight so you don't waste your money! :)
Yeah this really wasn’t for me, way too plotty, shallow characters and some awful dialogue moments that made some of them sound the same multiple times. It’s great to hear different opinions, though, thanks for sharing.
Really liked this series too. Really nice discussion.
Thank so much!
Going to read this series soon ! Great Review Matt !
Also, I keep hearing that your 2nd fav book of all time is Lonesome Dove (and now this one), what is your 1st fav book of all time ?
The Crippled God by Steven Erikson.
This is my favorite series and I’m so glad it’s getting the love it deserves
I'm only 93 pages in and I'm having to force myself to stop because it's getting late. Planning to start testing earlier tomorrow because it's so good so early on.
Savor it!
@@MattsFantasyBookReviewsfinished it. It's an actual masterpiece.
Is it dark or light hearted? Time of Han dynasty was reaally brutal.
It's dark.
Loved this book, it definitely not for everyone but it hit me so hard
Glad you loved it!
You are correct matt...your opinions are definitely different xD honestly it's my favorite part of your channel. It takes a lot of guts to say you dislike Dresden xD you do you man and keep it up
Thanks Ashley!
If five warrior angels is a 10 on the grimdark scale how grim dark is grace of kings on a scale of 1 to 10
Maybe an 8. Not quite as gruesome but also a rather dark tale.
I just ordered it!
I hope you love it!
Why the good reads evaluation not high?
Well, see the other highest rated comments be4 you and other youtube putted it a good note:
-The book is boring. (I find this too subjective)
-The book is mysoginist (What did she expect of a book based in ancient China?)
-The book is a ripoff of the chu-han contingency, he just changed the names of the characters and inserted flying ships.
Well, this last one would had been enough for u for dislike it if u would had known the history I guess.
Great insight!
The last one is exactly my thought...too bad most guys do not know ancient Chinese history
Told you bro! And you were worried
Yeah you were 1000% right. I love when that happens! :)
Just could not get into the first book. I found it too stiff and clunky.
Yeah I could definitely see people thinking that!
This fantasy series didn't hold my interest; it appeared too sallow and bored. It's as if the author revised a 14th-century novel, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and then published it under his own name. I think you should read the original novel instead of this one.
Awesome beard bro 😄😄😄
Thanks!
Really? And I've heard book 1 is the weakest book in the series too, definitely moving it up on my TBR list
That's wonderful news for me!
Okay...but did it have ships???
YES!
Oh dude, just wait for book 2...
I can't wait!
Ehm?
In the poppy war, one of the reasons you said the book was terrible was because the plot was historical and that ruined it.
Here is just the Han rise, and you think its nice hecause u don’t know it.
Then u shouldn’t quit points to poppy war for the historical plot.
Green Bone, Poppy War, Grace of Kings...
Why they didn’t just wrote them as historical novels?
One of my problems with Poppy War was I knew the story and it ruined all the suspense. That part of my dislike wasn't the fault of the author, but nonetheless hurt my enjoyment.
In this one I didn't know the story, so all the suspense was still there.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews mmmm you loved history books?
Then why you stopped reading them? Is my favourite genre.
@@adamnesico I just got more into fantasy.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews ?? For professional reasons?
Im more into history, but that doesn’t quit me the desire of read fantasy, or science, or whatever i like.
And you read far more than me.
Well first of all Green Bone is not historical at all 🤣 second of all 75% of the books in Dandelion Dynasty are not based on real events, and the one that is has fantastical elements.
Also. Just an FYI. This is not asian inspired. It's American inspired according to ken liu
How is that possible if it is a retelling of a real event in Chinese history?
I forget his exact explaination, but he tackles colonization, etc a lot in the next books. I'd suggest looking into it
I think library of a viking did an interview with him.
Also, you're gonna love jia, I think
And zomi
That is not accurate since Grace of Kings is a retelling of real Chinese history. I think his point is this story transcends the inspiration and there is commentary and themes relevant to western civilization. I think the inspiration blends both western and eastern historical events, particularly after the first book, but the setting is clearly not American-inspired.