The Water Outlaws

Wuxia is a genre which I hope we get to see more of. Alternative histories are so much fun, and wuxia is a popular genre in Chinese fiction.

This is genre-bent, feminist take on a traditional story that is full of charm, marital arts and tough decisions. Nothing is clear-cut, and people suffer for the side they belong to through no fault of their own. Li Chong's personal journey of her morals adjusting and how people react to her being strong in them was a relatable read as her opinions are challenged and she's forced to adjust to the new world she finds herself in. I enjoyed the martial arts scenes and the magical elements.

And then we see the villains. This book has some excellent villains to hate. They have no compassion or care to. And it's their underlings who suffer for it.

All in all, this has scratched an itch I've had since more Chinese-inspired fiction has entered the English book marker.

I really ended up loving The Water Outlaws!
It was so beautiful both inside and
outside (that cover is stunning!)

I really loved all the characters!
This book also had amazing world building and was really action packed!
I couldn't put the book down!
I highly recommend this book especially if you are looking for a new queer epic fantasy book!

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

“We're dangerous people.”
“Only to those who would oppose what the Empire should be," Song Jiang affirmed, with her usual calm poetry. "What the Empire's heart can be. To all others, we shall be what stands between them and the rising waves. We shall be the storm of silk and steel that shelters all those in need."

Thank you to Solaris for providing an arc in exchange for a review!

Lin Chong is a respected arms instructor until the power and greed of men sees her unlawfully sentenced to unjust and underhanded death, leading to a new life as a fugitive exile, highway robber, and bandit chieftain.
Along with a cast of delightful characters who have also found themselves out of sorts with the bureaucracy of the empire and the vain, powerful men who rule it, they wish to righten the wrongs of the empire and protect the people.

The biggest highlight? Apart from the chivalry, the humour, the found family, cannibalism (yes, cannibalism), the desire for justice, and depiction of unfairness?
The representation.
It was deftly handled and incorporated so naturally, especially in a time period where these sorts of issues were probably strife with the male dominated regime and power.

“I am one who 'rides the sixteen winds'- I'm a man as chief of Dongxi, though my people know my eccentricities now and are unbothered that I become a woman elsewhere.”

"Perhaps it would have made my life easier, to live as a man," she wondered aloud. Though if she imagined hiding herself away, the idea was stifling. "Only if it feels like freedom. If not, it becomes just another kind of cage.”

One thing to note: there were a lot of names and nicknames to pin to people. There is a character list at the start so you can refer to that, but I find I never do as it always draws you out of the story.

This was such a clever reimagining inspired by the popular literature, the Water Margin. The character dynamics bounced off the page, the tactics deployed were superb, and the fight scenes were cinematic.
Not to mention the humour!

“I missed curfew," Lu Da answered.
“I see."
“A hundred and seventy-three times."
“That would-" started Lin Chong delicately.
"Because I was drunk!"

I would recommend the Dandelion Dynasty if you enjoyed this for a more dense adult fantasy!

“I only mean that as yet, our advancement has not come at the expense of men. But it shall, It must. There is not sufficient room for us otherwise. Our true success will mean some of them lose power . .. and that will not come without anger and fear."