asian mythology

Fantasy V.S. Mythology: What's the difference and why does it matter?

Fantasy V.S. Mythology: What's the difference and why does it matter?

The Epic of Gilgamesh. Hades and Persephone. Beowulf. One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. What do they have in common?

Now consider:

The Lord of the Rings. Harry Potter. The Chronicles of Narnia. A Song of Ice and Fire. What do they have in common?

Book Review: The Dragon Republic

Book Review: The Dragon Republic

The Dragon Republic, written by R.F. Kuang, is the sequel to The Poppy War. Unlike many sequels, The Dragon Republic doesn’t suffer from sequel syndrome. It follows protagonist Rin as she struggles to come to terms with the atrocities of war, the loss of trusted leadership, drug abuse, and PTSD. If you haven’t read The Poppy War, I highly suggest doing so and then immediately following up with The Dragon Republic.

Stormdancer

Stormdancer

Stormdancer, by Jay Kristoff, is the first book in The Lotus War. It is a steampunk novel set in alternate-universe Japan. The blood-lotus weed blights the county, pushed by the Lotus Guild as the only fuel for the grand machines. The weed is a balm for the masses, allowing for civilian complacency under the tyrannical Shogun.