The Grace of Kings

Crazy huge epic fantasy inspired by Chinese history. Dara is an archipelago about as big as France, traditionally divided into seven kingdoms but now united under a harsh emperor. When he dies, it’s every ambitious man for himself in a massive war of clever tactics and political betrayal. The story follows the friendship and rivalry of Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, two men who rise from the ashes to represent respectively new and old ways of doing things.

Liu has an easy and familiar way of writing that puts you right inside the action. The setting nicely adapts and updates tired fantasy tropes, using airships and the arguments of gods to good effect. You’ll want to see what Kuni Garu does next.