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howletswing's review against another edition
5.0
AWESOME. I wouldn't have picked it up, but JC put it in my hands and said "You have to read this."
durandana's review against another edition
4.0
An absolutely delightful read - witty and dramatic and intriguing all at once. It has that playful-yet-perilous tone that reminds me of The Princess Bride, while subverting most of the western fantasy tropes in favor of Asian ones. It also feels like something written by Terry Pratchett's Chinese twin brother. This is the kind of thing I am talking about:
For practical purposes the lake had no bottom at all, and Master Li turned bright red while he scorched the air with the Sixty Sequential Sacrileges with which he had won the all-China Freestyle Blasphemy Competition in Hangchow three years in a row.Amazing.
edequeant's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really good. It's a quest story that begins when a mysterious ailment effects all the children between the ages of 8 and 12 and Number Ten Ox is sent to find a wise man. Thus starts a fanastical quest through an ancient china that never was. This really is a fantastic book and there's not a lot i can say that won't spoil it except that the star festival of ancient china and japan plays a part in the story.
I think it would be awesome of Hayao Miyazaki made this into a movie. It would need to be cleaned up a little in a few places, but i think it is doable.
I think it would be awesome of Hayao Miyazaki made this into a movie. It would need to be cleaned up a little in a few places, but i think it is doable.
efalmquist's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a surprising mix of humor and wonder, with twists and turns, memorable characters, and a puzzle with a magnificently charming ending.
brew_strong's review against another edition
5.0
Great mix of mythology, mystery, and adventure. Thoroughly enjoyable. Miser Shen's dying prayer to his daughter is touching, the many shenanigans the protagonists find themselves in are humorous, and the twist at the end was a surprise.
Read it. Enjoy it.
Read it. Enjoy it.
deimosremus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tamaveris's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thegeekycolombo's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. This one could not keep my attention. I feel like the author was trying to too hard to be clever and it just distracted from the story.
lfido12's review against another edition
5.0
An incredibly funny book about a journey across China that is filled with crazy characters, mythology, and mystery. It has a Chinese fairytale-esque style to it. The journey starts off slow but becomes very captivating. All the characters are fun with plenty of twists that keep the reader guessing. It is written very well and feels authentic that makes it almost surprising that the author is American. The ending is fabulous with everything coming together. It's a great book and a fun read.