Short easy read, but felt not complete. Character introduction was good. But the first part of this was not enough to make it a book. Not sure why it broken up into many parts. Still don't have a clue about the 18 even though it was a large focus on the story line. not intrigued enough to read the next ones.

Incessantly preparing for the prestigious Chinese civil service examinations, Li Bing, sees a weird dream one night that involves 18 cranes. What could that mean? Perplexed, he goes seeking for answers, while simultaneously preparing for and attending his strenuous examinations. Peppered with little nuggets of life in 1630's China, this engaging novella is fit for a quick weekend read.

This short novella describes one week in the life of the young student Li Bing who must pass the highly competitive civil service examination in imperial China. The whole family expectation is on his shoulder and even his future marriage depends on passing this week-long grueling examination. The story is beautifully told and the reader can get a good feeling of how Chinese families and tradition worked. The language is elegant but the story is very short; maybe too short?
Nevertheless, while brief it is very enjoyable.

I've spent a couple of years in Asia (although obviously different than the 1600s), and I like this book even though it's a different style than I expected. I enjoyed the author's characters and wanted more of the plot in the end. The author has obvious talent. Recommended.

I really appreciate the free copy for review!

Interesting and well-written story. It has the feel of an ancient Chinese fable and has piqued my curiosity enough to pick up Book Two.