The Orchid Farmer's Sacrifice by Fred Yu
“Fred Yu has created an extraordinary world that taps into ancient, powerful archetypes. The lucky reader will journey into unexpected terrain.”— Jay Stern, producer of Rush Hour and Horrible Bosses
“The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice is a riveting experience, an intense
page-turner full of plot twists and intrigue.”— Kary Oberbrunner, author of Your Secret Name and The Deeper Path
Like Ancient China itself, 18-year-old Mu Feng is spoiled and overconfident. Son of one of the emperor’s vaunted Tiger Generals, Feng spends his days drinking with his friends, playing soldier and relishing in the trappings of nobility, never doubting for a moment that his path in life is clear.
When Mu Feng’s sister is abducted, and those who he once called friend are either slaughtered or turn out to be anything but, the world Feng once took for granted is turned on its head. The mystical birthmark on his body, desired by every player in the country, does nothing to help.
In this story of love and loss, humility and growth, revenge and redemption, Mu Feng must forget everything he once held to be true, and use every ounce of his budding military genius to save his country from an enemy unlike anything it has ever seen.
The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice (Author Academy Elite), the first installment of The Red Crest, an intended series, is a masterful work of storytelling that seamlessly weaves Fred Yu’s boundless knowledge of history and martial arts and military tactics into a nuanced, thought-provoking narrative.
COMBAT IS KING
This knowledge comes through in both brilliantly choreographed one-on-one conflicts and ingeniously devised larger-scale troop battles that would make Mu Feng, himself proud. At one point, Feng faces down the culprit of his sister’s kidnapping:
“Zeng Xi maneuvered around the onslaught, striking down the throwing weapons and slipping past them. Ming was upon him, slashing and stabbing as though she were possessed. Feng drew the Dart and rushed in, searching for an opening where he could force Zeng Xi to turn his back to Ming. Iron Spider launched needle after needle, but Zeng Xi avoided them. He moved like a hurricane, twisting, turning, and spinning around his opponents while slashing at them from all directions at once.”
Although The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice is a success on many levels, the combat is the star of the show. Just as the book emphasizes mastery of both mind and body when it comes to martial prowess, combat in Yu’s novel is a dance. Whether it is taking place between two individuals or two opposing armies, I felt as if I were right there in the middle of each conflict, and I understood both the beauty and tactical significance of each and every movement and decision made.
A WUXIA NOVEL WITH BROADER APPEAL
I’ve found myself becoming rather blasé when it comes to depictions of violence, but not so with this book. Yu subverts expectations. Filled with twists and fascinating glimpses into what, at its time, was the largest and most sophisticated of all unified realms on the planet, Yu’s novel is a breath of fresh air in a genre that can often succumb to cliché tropes and rehashed settings.
While having all the hallmarks of wuxia, it is also perfect for fans of both historical fiction and fantasy looking for a change of pace. The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice is a wonderful series debut that is sure to whet the appetite of martial arts and military enthusiasts everywhere.
The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice is available for purchase here.
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