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Title details for The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang - Available

The Water Outlaws

by S. L. Huang
Emily Woo Zeller
Audiobook
86 of 86 copies available
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86 of 86 copies available
Lin Chong is an expert arms instructor, training the Emperor's soldiers in sword and truncheon, battle axe and spear, lance and crossbow. Unlike bolder friends who flirt with challenging the unequal hierarchies and values of Imperial society, she believes in keeping her head down and doing her job. But then a powerful man with a vendetta rips that carefully-built life away. Disgraced, tattooed as a criminal, and on the run from an Imperial Marshall who will stop at nothing to see her dead, Lin Chong is recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan. Mountain outlaws on the margins of society, the Liangshan Bandits proclaim a belief in justice—for women, for the downtrodden, for progressive thinkers a corrupt Empire would imprison or destroy. They're also murderers, thieves, smugglers, and cutthroats. Apart, they love like demons and fight like tigers. Together, they could bring down an empire.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    August 22, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781666635195
      • File size: 568304 KB
      • Duration: 19:43:57

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Emily Woo Zeller's fierce narration perfectly suits this sweeping fantasy retelling of the Chinese classic "Water Margin." Lin Chong is a highly respected arms instructor for the Emperor's soldiers despite her gender. She's unwilling to challenge the sexism and corruption around her, but when her entire life and career are suddenly ripped away, she is recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan, fierce women outlaws who fight for justice. Zeller voices glorious action-packed fight scenes with carefully intensifying pacing to keep listeners on edge. Her voice for Lu Da is particularly notable, hilariously melodramatic and bold. She's sure to be among listeners' favorite characters. As Zeller takes full advantage of relentless villains and compelling unexpected heroes, her kaleidoscopic voice enhances a large, dynamic cast of characters. A.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      June 10, 2024

      Huang (Critical Point) condenses and modernizes the lengthy Chinese classic Water Margin, crafting it into a queer epic fantasy. After being sexually assaulted and falsely branded a traitor, arms instructor Lin Chong escapes and finds refuge among the Liangshan bandits, a group of women eschewing societal expectations for class and gender. Narrator Emily Woo Zeller conveys the fast-paced, tension-filled plot as the Liangshan prepare to take down government forces. Zeller provides unique voices for the huge cast, who often occupy the same scene. A few of these voices are unpleasant and even a little silly, but they match the characters' personalities as described by Huang and don't detract from the story. More important, listeners will not confuse the voices of the characters even if they become overwhelmed by the number of names (the print version offers a helpful list of dramatis personae). Lin Chong and villain Cai Jin have especially well-developed personas, full of strong emotions and intent. VERDICT This exciting and often amusing martial-arts adventure is an excellent recommendation for readers interested in high fantasy that addresses wealth disparities and abuse of power. Share with readers of Neon Yang's The Black Tides of Heaven.--Matthew Galloway

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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