The third installment of the War Arts Saga by Wesley Chu is another entertaining yarn with hypnotic martial arts action, sinister intrigue and amusing bits. Again the conflict focuses on the struggles between the settled, 'land-chained' empire of the Zhuun versus the Katuia of the Grass Sea, who are nomads with surprisingly advanced steampunk / silkpunk vehicles and weaponry.
This time I really appreciated the character development of the four or so main protagonists, who have come a long way over the course of the series. Things begin with Qisami the former Shadowkill assassin, who has been sentenced to a harsh, remote prison colony. There the inmates must try to mine a precious ore. Qisami becomes a reluctant helper to a group of prisoners who have been concealing and caring for infants born in the colony. She eventually leads a rebellion, and makes an important deal with a group of exiled Katuia. Qisami takes part in an unexpected personal journey where she loses most of her darker tendencies, immature attitudes and former distractability. Until ltimately, she finds true friends among the Katuia.
Sali the Viperstrike war artist master of the Nezra Katuia clan has finally been cured of her "soul rot" curse. But she must deal with new responsibility in the training of two new apprentices. She also must venture to seek risky new allies among the Sunjawa people led by their slippery leaders, the Yazgurs. Further, Sali must deal with capture and tempting offers made by the spirit shamans. She also faces real differences with the new incarnated Khan, the ruthless Visan. Sali must overcome all her past conditioning to find the ethical path forward for her people.
Ling Taishi, master of the Windwhisper style of war arts, and her disciple Jian have been living with friends in Vauzan, an area ruled by the Shulan Court. She has been taking advantage of the hospitality offered by Lee Mori, a former lover and abbot of the Tiandi temple. Taishi finds herself in conflict with others over the fate of Jian, who is the all-important Prophesied Hero of the Tiandi religion among the Zhuun. Lord Oban wants to manipulate Jian into being a stage-managed hero for the Vauzan to resist the invasion. Then later, it is the Tiandi priesthood and Duchess Sunri who try to gain control over Jian. Taishi must realise that she cannot always protect Jian and her struggle with others and with herself is to let Jian go, no matter the danger.
The final section of the book, with Sunri and her legions of the Caobiu invading the grand Tiandi temple is strongest, most engaging part of the story. Sunri plans to take it over in order to become Empress of the Zhuun, but she in turn must deal with threats by new Eternal Khan and the war pods of the Katuia. The epic battle with the Khan is definitely a page-turner. But it is the personal revelations and sacrifices in the story that once more trump the fighting action. The climactic resolution comes with startling news about the true nature Pei, the Divine Oracle of the Tiandi. It is a satifying ending. As a bonus, we even receive some bonus "journals" after the main story closes.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
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(Thanks to Del Rey / Random House Worlds / Inklore and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.)
