LEGEND OF SNOW WOLF

When I first began reading this book, I did not expect to be drawn into a brilliantly created universe with a rich back story. I was hoping for a good story, something simple and enjoyable, perhaps with a proverb inside. Happily, I was instead transported back to a time some might consider simpler, but which is actually diverse and complex with complicated characters and multiple storylines that Mr. Yu ties together into a beautiful tale of love, love of others, love of country, love of life, and also, love of power and prestige. The characters express many different facets of human nature, some contradictory, but yet realistic sides of a person. Their motivation to do things draws deeply from different philosophies and shows the diversity inherent in China s history, something I appreciated while reading this epic tale. From the Mongol characters, like Suthachai and their simple way of life to the multiple personalities of the Chinese elite, like Fei Fei to the common man found in Li Kung, each viewpoint is intense and constantly draws the reader farther into their land and their lives. The characters make you want to take sides in the ongoing war and root for the little guy , even if he is described as a hulk of a man. The overarching stories of loyalty and betrayal and what it means to be family are portrayed through multiple battles and the instantaneous decisions of each character, shaping the way the story is played out and showing how decisions in the past now affect their futures in ways no one could have expected, with the exception of Snow Wolf, the absent heroine. Even if the reader wasn t pulled in by the challenges of finding and keeping love between the main pairs of characters, I expect they would want to continue reading this series just to know how Snow Wolf knew so much would happen to her people and her land and how she could have ever provided for them after her death. In my opinion, the mark of a good series book is one that answers some questions but leaves you hanging, waiting for the bigger ones to come. This book accomplished that, taking the main characters on a path that makes you impatient, not wanting to have to wait to see where it leads. Whatever happens in the next chapters will likely answer some questions but still provide more new ones. Mr. Yu succeeded in providing just enough to make sure you were enthralled and invested and wanted to know who survived and how the people of this northern region fared while the heroes fought with power hungry leaders and tried to find their own answers to questions of life, love, and power. –Alysa from Paper Dragon Ink

Fred Lit Yu lives in New York City. This is his first novel.