Historical fiction is read for many reasons, chiefly among them is the escapism they allow. In author Fred Yu’s writing he does exactly that. “I want readers to put down my books at the very end and feel that they were transported to a world that no longer exists,” says Yu, “a world where the people they came to know lived by a very different set of rules from modern times.”
Yu’s new novel, The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice, is (as I said in my review) an excellent example of this.
Like Ancient China itself, 18-year-old Mu Feng, son of one of the vaunted tiger generals, is spoiled and overconfident. 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.
In this story, 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.
In this Q&A, we are given a peek into the mind and experience behind the story.
Q: Your novel is classified as wuxia fiction. Could you explain to our readers, who may not be familiar with the term, what wuxia is?
A: Well, technically this is a historical fantasy, but wuxia is a popular genre of historical fantasies specific to Asia. There are normally no fantastic creatures, no warlocks or witches that the western audience is familiar with, but the magical elements are focused on martial arts and the superhuman abilities derived from martial arts. Yet, unlike superhero stories, these powerful skills can be attained by anyone with the right training, and so many stories in this genre would focus on people fighting for access to that special skill.
Q: What sparked your interest in martial arts, and have you practiced or mastered any forms yourself? Or are you more of a researcher in this area?
A: I have practiced martial arts most of my early adult life, and as I became older, I guess I am now a researcher in this area. I am well past combat age, but I still beat the heavy bag in the morning, and I still write about martial arts when I am invited to. A few years ago, I published an instructional book on a knife system.
Q: Who are some of your favorite wuxia authors, and how would you say your voice has developed as a writer in the genre? What unique aspects do you bring to it?
A: In modern times, everyone has either read (if they can read Chinese, which I cannot) or watched movies adapted from Jin Yong novels. Among authors alive and prolific, I admire RF Kuang, ML Wang and Fonda Lee. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough of us to occupy our own bookshelves, but I hope that will change very soon.
I like to write about large scale battles involving tens of thousands, siege weapons, arrows blanketing the sky, people dying for honor and glory, without magical elements. Scenes reminiscent of the battle of Thermopylae, but in an Asian fantasy.
Q: Speaking of honor and glory, these themes, as well as sacrifice and loyalty, are woven throughout Mu Feng’s story. What are you looking for readers to take away from reading the book?
A: I want readers to put down my books at the very end and feel that they were transported to a world that no longer exists, a world where the people they came to know lived by a very different set of rules from modern times. We still teach these principles of honor and loyalty as martial arts practitioners, although that’s fading, but traditional martial artists are bound by these traditions. The way of the warrior is no longer a significant part of the modern cultural experience, and reintroducing these themes, at least in fiction, has always been something I wanted.
Q: The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice is the first book in an intended series called The Red Crest. What can you tell us about your plans for the other books?
A: Book Two is scheduled to be released May 5, 2022. The first three books will focus on each of the three main characters, each from a different point of view, with each book ending at the same point in the story timeline. Book Four, and perhaps Five depending on whether I run up the word count again, would involve all three characters together resolving the situation.
The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice is available for purchase here.
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About Fred Yu:
Fred Yu writes fiction in the Asian Historical Fantasy genre. He is a filmmaker, chef, Feng Shui practitioner, martial artist, and for over a decade was a risk manager in a global bank. He graduated from New York University majoring in film and television. Yu’s publications in the Historical Asian Fantasy genre include, The Legend of Snow Wolf and The Orchid Farmer’s Sacrifice. He has also published a cookbook, Haute Tea Cuisine, as well as a martial arts instructional book, Yin Yang Blades. Yu is currently a full-time writer and lives in New York City.
