Book Review: The Sword Guest by Martin Chu Shui



Dragon's Pupils - The Sword Guest
Title: The Sword Guest
Series: Dragon's Pupils
Author: Martin Chu Shui
Format: eBook
Source: Author

The story centers on Liz, born of half Australian and of half Chinese descent. Growing up in Australia, she isnt very interested in her fathers ancient Chinese stories. She is concerned with problems that are far more contemporary such as environmental issues, and particularly her friends handsome brother who is an environmental activist. But her disinterest in Chinese culture changes when her two worlds collide, after a catastrophic accident sets thousands of ancient monsters loose near her home. Suddenly Liz must learn many new skills and call on all of her Chinese heritage if she is to prevent the monsters from destroying Earth. Helped by her twin brother and best friend, Liz sets out to discover why the monsters exist and how to stop them. When she is injured in a battle, she must travel to China to seek a cure that is spiritual as much as it is physical. But can she find the old man who can help her before the monsters catch her? How will she manage in a country that is so strange and yet so familiar? And can she learn enough about a world she has ignored to stop the monsters in time?




I'm generally not big on dragons, or the "straight stuff" of the fantasy genre, and I haven't read the whole "magical object" focus since His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, so this was another unusual read for me. As I've again been proven in this instance, sometimes it's a really great thing to step beyond the boundaries of a comfort zone. The main characters, Henry, Sue, and Liz, at fourteen, are all younger than the steady 17-19 that the YA genre is crowded right now, and it was also really interesting to see the vast differences in their relativity.

A calligraphy pen with astounding abilities, fearsome dragons, Chinese culture and classic hero-fighting (combated with the level-headedness of Tai Chi instruction rather than a grand mentor) are a fierce and stark contrast with Australia, protests/activism, terrifyingly odd animal behavior, and a couple of fourteen year olds, but that bold mixture actually worked -- and fantastically so.

The tone of the story is really unique. It's observational and funny, but also kindling the scent of "wise retelling" and fresh material. The author definitely harbors an uncanny ability to embody the classic "ole' storyteller" voice, but also manages to relate to the main characters in their youth, capturing unique and interesting personalities in a very creative way. Sometimes it's a bit too excitable, but it suits the piece nearly seamlessly. Aside from that, the writing is very realistic. It captures scene and time well, especially jumping between cultures, countries, and eras.

It really is a great story, embracing two very important reader needs: quick pacing and easy to understand. They contribute beautifully to the anticipation, and the reader is constantly on the edge of their seat.

The Sword Guest is an engrossing tale told like a hurricane: though sometimes it's hard to catch exactly what's going on at first, it's still fierce and engaging. It begins in the calm prior, then darts between the borders and the eye. Something exciting is always happening, and the reader totally feels that. The story starts with what is first interpreted as a parable and later recognized as warned foreboding, and keeps moving.

The premise is absolutely creative and different, and the themes are curiously combined. Paired with genuinely interesting and quirky characters, the Australia-meets-Chinese setting-meets-girl folds in a fascinating dynamic. The culture spun into it all is amazing. Adding in the subplots of environmental issues, protesting and noble causes, heritage, and being made unafraid to embrace one's roots, and there's something special there. It erects an encompassing world, pulls off a lovely cliffhanger, and constructs a piece like no other I've seen. It was different, and simply a fun book to read. It's definitely worth getting caught up in.

Though at times it can feel a little childish - as in recommended for a younger YA, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - but the attributes that hint towards a more middle-grade audience still resonate accordingly, and fit the story quite well. Plus, it was balanced out by a great vocab and real-world-dynamic woven throughout the fantasy. Unique and enjoyable, but simple and classic too, it's a great pick for transition, cross-over readers. It's a fantastic way to leave behind Karate Kid, Avatar, Jackie Chan's Adventures, and "The Mummy" phenomena and move into an awesome genre with a lot to offer.

For an indie read, the eBook is surprisingly well formatted and properly edited, giving it the smooth feel of a traditionally published piece. It's recommended :)

I recommend this for fans of The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson, Weaver by John Abramowitz, Rapture by Phillip Simpson, and any recently-graduated MG-to-YA reader interested in culture or fantasy.

Find it on Goodreads, Smashwords, or Amazon.

Comments

Anonymous said…
buy valium online effects valium unborn fetus - valium dental anxiety
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol online tramadol-no-prescription.us - generic tramadol online
Anonymous said…
tramadol online order tramadol online visa - tramadol hcl nih
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol cod overnight tramadol hcl 377 - buy tramadol free shipping
Anonymous said…
klonopin antidepressant klonopin online no prescription - klonopin makes you high
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online buy tramadol hcl 50 mg - tramadol online sale
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online no prescription cod buy tramadol online cod no prescription - tramadol 325 mg
Anonymous said…
ambien ambien sleep structure - ambien generic differences
Anonymous said…
soma muscle relaxant soma bras austin tx - buy somatropin pills
Anonymous said…
order tramadol online overnight tramadol 50mg much acetaminophen - what does tramadol 50 mg look like
Anonymous said…
klonopin pill klonopin jd - klonopin treatment anxiety
Anonymous said…
generic tramadol online tramadol dosage for dogs - трамадол таблетки
Anonymous said…
ativan medication ativan urban dictionary - ativan erowid
Anonymous said…
buy generic soma soma costco hours - qualitest generic soma
Anonymous said…
tramadol online cod where to buy tramadol for dogs - tramadol 50mg dosage
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol cheap purchase tramadol with mastercard - tramadol dosage 100mg
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol buy tramadol egypt - tramadol with valium high
Anonymous said…
klonopin for sale klonopin withdrawal with valium - side effects does klonopin have
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online no prescription tramadol blood thinner - tramadol hcl overdose amount
Anonymous said…
best buy tramadol cheap tramadol no prescription overnight - buy tramadol online tennessee
Anonymous said…
soma online is soma medication a narcotic - soma medication effects
Anonymous said…
order ambien ambien 10mg dosage - ambien cr shelf life
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol no prescription buy tramadol online no prescription - can you overdose tramadol 50mg
Anonymous said…
klonopin pharmacy generic klonopin pill identifier - klonopin side effects 2010
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol tramadol hcl dosage in humans - tramadol 37.5 325 dosage
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol cod fedex tramadol hcl - tramadol xanax
Anonymous said…
klonopin for anxiety klonopin diphenhydramine erowid - klonopin erowid
Anonymous said…
ativan pills can get high ativan - ativan and alcohol mix
Anonymous said…
ambien cr buy ambien cr online - ambien side effects heart palpitations
Anonymous said…
soma online generic for soma muscle relaxer - soma 250 drugs
Anonymous said…
generic ambien ambien and vyvanse drug interactions - some side effects ambien cr
Anonymous said…
generic ambien ambien drug interactions alcohol - zolpidem tartrate er same ambien cr
Anonymous said…
cheap generic ambien buy ambien no prescription - ambien insomnia
Anonymous said…
tramadol cheap buy tramadol hydrochloride - buy tramadol in australia
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol cod fedex tramadol recreational dose bluelight - buy tramadol buy cod
Anonymous said…
discount klonopin what's maximum dosage klonopin - klonopin high
Anonymous said…
cheapest ambien ambien side effects vertigo - ambien drug drug interactions
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online no prescription cheap online pharmacy tramadol overnight - tramadol high off
Anonymous said…
buy klonopin online overnight buy teva clonazepam - klonopin 93834
Anonymous said…
purchase soma buy soma tea - soma 250 mg generic
Anonymous said…
sildenafil citrate buy viagra online in canada - buy viagra online overnight
Anonymous said…
tramadol online tramadol withdrawal - tramadol hcl
Anonymous said…
ambien on line generic ambien mylan - ambien side effects driving
Anonymous said…
order carisoprodol soma discount code 2010 - soma brave new world
Anonymous said…
viagra drug buy viagra hujagra 2011 - viagra beer
Anonymous said…
ambien 10mg ambien cr 6.25 dosage - ambien pill pic
Anonymous said…
tramadol online pharmacy tramadol and ibuprofen - cheap tramadol no prescription overnight
Anonymous said…
buy ambien online generic ambien pictures pills - took 3 ambien cr
Anonymous said…
buy generic klonopin 2mg klonopin vs xanax - klonopin side effects webmd
Anonymous said…
buy viagra online buy viagra online with prescription - generic viagra line pharmacy
Anonymous said…
ambien online ambien side effects blurred vision - generic ambien doesn't work as well
Anonymous said…
buy cheap viagra online cheap viagra from usa - viagra for women gel
Anonymous said…
discount ambien ambien side effects wikipedia - ease ambien withdrawal
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol rx tramadol hcl apap - tramadol hcl dosage for dogs
Anonymous said…
buy ambien online buy ambien online overnight delivery - generic for ambien cr 6.25
Anonymous said…
klonopin antidepressant klonopin withdrawal nausea - klonopin typical dosage
Anonymous said…
order viagra cheap buy viagra costa rica - inurl dsa.gov.uk buy viagra
Anonymous said…
buy viagra sample viagra online is it safe - buy generic viagra canada online
Anonymous said…
tramadol online tramadol high lasts - tramadol 50mg vs tylenol 3
Anonymous said…
buy cheap klonopin buy klonopin online with mastercard - how much klonopin for severe anxiety
Anonymous said…
buy viagra pills online viagra india - buy viagra online overnight delivery
Anonymous said…
tramadol online tramadol junkie - purchase tramadol for dogs
Anonymous said…
generic zolpidem ambien medication for sleep - ambien cr and alcohol effects
Anonymous said…
buy viagra las vegas viagra tolerance - viagra generic name joke
Anonymous said…
buy cialis from canada generic cialis made - buy cialis cheap prices fast delivery
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol in florida buy tramadol - tramadol withdrawal worse than vicodin
Anonymous said…
buy generic soma soma fm online radio - soma muscle relaxer get you high
Anonymous said…
viagra sale cheap viagra europe - viagra online doctor
Anonymous said…
buy viagra sample viagra online order india - viagra for women 2011
Anonymous said…
soma online generic soma no prescription - buy soma muscle relaxer
Anonymous said…
viagra buy buy real viagra cheap - buy viagra online cheapest
Anonymous said…
buy viagra online legally do buy viagra online - do buy viagra online
Anonymous said…
viagra online viagra for women hindi - where can i buy viagra yahoo
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online no prescription buy tramadol ultram ultracet online - buy ultram tramadol online
Anonymous said…
buy viagra online reviews cheap viagra mastercard - cheap 25 mg viagra
Anonymous said…
buy sildenafil buy viagra cheap online no prescription - purchase viagra bangkok
Anonymous said…
buy viagra online usa cheap viagra online in uk - buy viagra qld
Anonymous said…
order viagra online without a prescription viagra dose - viagra online boots
Anonymous said…
order propecia online generic propecia as good - much does generic propecia cost
Anonymous said…
buy viagra from canada buy viagra online genuine - viagra buy online uk
Anonymous said…
buy viagra cialis how to purchase viagra online - order generic viagra online overnight
Anonymous said…
buy strattera online strattera quickly does work - strattera side effects first day
Anonymous said…
buy propecia online propecia finasteride - propecia 4 less
Anonymous said…
buy viagra buy cheap viagra usa - buy viagra online org uk
Anonymous said…
buy cheap tramadol does tramadol high feel like - buyers of tramadol
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg dog - tramadol withdrawal during pregnancy
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online tramadol hcl dosage - tramadol buy europe
Anonymous said…
how to buy viagra online buy viagra no prescription uk - buy viagra online pakistan
Anonymous said…
buy propecia online propecia online india - cheap prices propecia
Anonymous said…
tramadol generic buy generic tramadol no prescription - tramadol hcl dosage
Anonymous said…
finasteride medication generic propecia results - propecia side effects on fertility
Anonymous said…
buy propecia online propecia 6 months no results - can you buy propecia
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol overnight what is tramadol 100mg used for - tramadol qt prolongation
Anonymous said…
buy strattera online strattera online pharmacy - strattera release date
Anonymous said…
tramadol 50mg taking 5 50 mg tramadol - tramadol hcl mg
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol order tramadol online overnight - tramadol dosage nz
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol next day buy tramadol hydrochloride online - tramadol 50 mg buzz
Anonymous said…
buy generic tramadol online cheap tramadol cod - tramadol hcl canine
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol tramadol 50mg much acetaminophen - tramadol 93 58 dosage
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online tramadol dosage get high - tramadol overdose in canine
Anonymous said…
buy propecia online propecia otc - is propecia a qualified medical expense
Anonymous said…
buy retin buy retin a gel online no prescription - retin a cream breastfeeding
Anonymous said…
generic propecia propecia side effects dry eyes - propecia x finasterida
Anonymous said…
buy retin-a online purchase retin a for wrinkles - retin a micro experience
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol ultram tramadol for dogs dosage chart - discount tramadol online
Anonymous said…
generic strattera proper strattera dosing - strattera and high blood pressure
Anonymous said…
tramadol 50mg tramadol for dogs cancer - buy tramadol in usa no prescription
Anonymous said…
buy propecia online generic propecia just effective - printable propecia coupons
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol tramadol dosage comparison - tramadol 85 93
Anonymous said…
where to buy tramadol tramadol hcl drug class - tramadol withdrawal while pregnant
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol cod online tramadol withdrawal effects - order tramadol with free shipping
Anonymous said…
buy finasteride propecia side effects on liver - propecia online real
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol buy tramadol cod delivery - buy tramadol no prescription cod
Anonymous said…
buy generic propecia propecia libido - order propecia online cheap
Anonymous said…
tramadol online tramadol no prescription next day - tramadol dosage nz
Anonymous said…
tramadol buy tramadol 100 mg street value - order tramadol visa
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol order tramadol online tennessee - tramadol dosage puppy
Anonymous said…
generic viagra best place buy viagra - viagra 8000mg
Anonymous said…
tramadol 50mg forum buy cheap tramadol - tramadol for dogs after surgery
Anonymous said…
viagra online without prescription best generic viagra online - viagra what dosage
Anonymous said…
tramadol 50 mg tramadol hcl 50 mg picture - order tramadol online 100mg
Anonymous said…
viagra 50mg viagra 50 - ok buy viagra online
Anonymous said…
buy generic viagra buy viagra online tesco - buy viagra online australia no prescription
Anonymous said…
buy cialis cialis daily vs levitra - cialis quit working
Anonymous said…
order cialis cheap real cialis - cialis daily tablet
Anonymous said…
cialis pharmacy cialis price daily - adcirca vs cialis price
Anonymous said…
generic viagra purchase viagra online in us - where can you buy real generic viagra
Anonymous said…
buy cialis buy cialis without doctor prescription canada - что такое cialis
Anonymous said…
viagra online without prescription generic viagra 20mg - cheap generic viagra online us
Anonymous said…
generic viagra buy viagra online us cheap - cheap viagra gel
Anonymous said…
viagra online without prescription generic viagra free shipping - generic viagra online comparison
Anonymous said…
generic cialis get prescription cialis online - cheap cialis one a day
Anonymous said…
generic viagra buy generic viagra in us - viagra overdose
Anonymous said…
viagra online without prescription can you purchase viagra over counter - buy viagra through paypal
Anonymous said…
generic cialis no prescription buy brand cialis online uk - buy cialis 5mg online
Anonymous said…
cheap viagra buy viagra johor - viagra online risks
Anonymous said…
cialis sale cheap cialis prescription - buy generic cialis online review
Anonymous said…
buy cialis how to buy cialis online from canada - cialis nih
Anonymous said…
generic viagra best way buy viagra online - can i really buy viagra online
Anonymous said…
viagra online buy viagra online generic - viagra for women boots
Anonymous said…
cheap viagra buy liquid viagra us - buy 200 mg viagra
Anonymous said…
buy cialis online buy cialis online now - reliable sites buy cialis
Anonymous said…
buy cialis cialis daily 20 mg - buy cialis uk no prescription
Anonymous said…
viagra 50mg viagra us - cheap viagra tablets
Anonymous said…
buy cialis online cialis que es - cheap cialis levitra
Anonymous said…
viagra online buy viagra legally online us - buy viagra for women online
Anonymous said…
buy soma online soma san diego minus the bear - order soma online ga
Anonymous said…
viagra online viagra us - cheap viagra tablets
Anonymous said…
viagra price buy viagra australia - viagra dosage maximum
Anonymous said…
buy soma online soma 350 mg generic - buy soma online $0.45 each
Anonymous said…
generic viagra buy viagra online genuine - cheap generic viagra online pharmacy
Anonymous said…
buy viagra viagra ebay - how to buy viagra online forum
Anonymous said…
buy soma buy soma online with prescription - soma clothing sale
Anonymous said…
soma drug generic soma good - description of soma medication
Anonymous said…
soma pills soma for sale no prescription - buy cheap soma online no prescription
Anonymous said…
buy retin a retin a micro breakout stage - buy retin nz
Anonymous said…
buy soma online soma drug addiction - soma drug ingredients
Anonymous said…
buy soma online buy soma online no rx - soma other drug interactions
Anonymous said…
buy retin a online retin a gel ndc - buy retin usa
Anonymous said…
buy soma generic soma no prescription - soma usa online pharmacy
Anonymous said…
order retin-a online retin a micro gel pump reviews - retin a cream usa
Anonymous said…
soma drug generic soma dosage - generic soma identification
Anonymous said…
buy soma soma back pain medication - can you buy soma online
Anonymous said…
cialis pills cialis форум - generic cialis safe
Anonymous said…
order soma soma inn cafe - cost of soma pills
Anonymous said…
buy soma medication soma 250 mg - order soma without script
Anonymous said…
generic tramadol online tramadol hcl 50 mg cost - many tramadol 50 mg get high
Anonymous said…
retin a online retin a cream side effects - buy retin a gel australia
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online tramadol for dogs whining - tramadol 100 mg slow release
Anonymous said…
online pharmacy retin a buy retin a paypal - retin a cream prescription strength
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol no prescription tramadol hcl information - tramadol hcl 50mg get you high
Anonymous said…
retin a creme buy retin usa - retin a cream tattoo
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol saturday delivery 100 mg tramadol online - tramadol online 180
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online without a prescription tramadol 50 mg bijsluiter - tramadol brand name
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol buy tramadol online without script - buy tramadol online dogs
Anonymous said…
buy retin-a online retin a cream effectiveness - retin a micro oily skin
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol with cod tramadol 20 cream - tramadol online pharmacy
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online tramadol hcl migraine - buy tramadol for dogs
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol overnight shipping buy dog tramadol - tramadol dosage weight dogs
Anonymous said…
tramadol online withdrawal of tramadol - tramadol hcl taken with tylenol
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online order tramadol online check - tramadol 50mg dosage for humans
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol tramadol 617 - tramadol 50mg with alcohol
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online tramadol overdose can kill - is buying tramadol online legal
Anonymous said…
order tramadol no prescription tramadol hcl + kidney - tramadol 700 mg
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol ultram can you order tramadol online - tramadol hydrochloride overdose
Anonymous said…
cheap tramadol can you buy tramadol online legally - tramadol with alcohol high
Anonymous said…
xanax online xanax bars extended release - pass mouth swab drug test xanax
Anonymous said…
generic xanax xanax+online for sale - xanax dosage schedule
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online without a prescription buy tramadol online pharmacy - buy tramadol online safely
Anonymous said…
xanax online what do xanax pills look like - xanax you buy online real
Anonymous said…
tramadol 50 tramadol-ct 100mg retardkapseln beipackzettel - order tramadol online visa
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol tramadol online shipped florida - tramadol trip
Anonymous said…
tramadol online discount tramadol online - buy tramadol online no prescription cod
Anonymous said…
order tramadol online overnight tramadol hcl rimadyl - buy tramadol online no prescription overnight
Anonymous said…
tramadol online tramadol vs toradol - buy tramadol online worldwide
Anonymous said…
order tramadol tramadol for dogs people - order tramadol online
Anonymous said…
buy cheap tramadol buy tramadol online overnight cod - order tramadol pharmacy
Anonymous said…
tramadol online tramadol vs percocet - illegal buy tramadol online usa
Anonymous said…
carisoprodol 350 mg where to buy carisoprodol - carisoprodol a drug of continuing abuse
Anonymous said…
buy tramadol online no prescription cheap buy tramadol forum - 5 50 mg tramadol
1 – 200 of 210 Newer Newest

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Post by Brain Holers

Guest Post by Justin Ordoñez

The Strong Female: Guest Post by Sheryl Steins