The plight of Yang Zhi following his expulsion form civil service, when considered alongsie the story of Chao Gai hatching a plan to rob a fortune from Secretary Liang ZhongShu, provides an insightful glimpse into the contrasting realities of life during the Song Dynasty. For those who live close to the central cities, and therefore live under the influence of civil and governing institutions, there is a sense that common purpose can be a civic ideal that overcomes a winner-take-all mental...

There is plenty of evidence throughout Outlaws of the Marsh to suggest that very few people fear subverting the laws in China during the Song Dynasty. With alarming suddenness, former public officials become outlaws, and the transition hardly weighs on their consciousness. This is in keeping with the story's complex portrait of nobility and rebellion. But it also reveals much about the characters who come to be known as "heroes": very often that word is used to describe those willing to fi...

Outlaws of the Marsh is a story in which the central governing authority is riddled with corruption and trusted by very few. As a result, the story examines several characters who act as self-appointed authority figures to those around them. With regard to the specific figures of Chao Gai and Lu ZhiShen, the story draws contrasting portraits about the utility of violence in establishing authority. Where one man is quick to use intimidation and violence as a way of winning allies and subord...

The dazzling dean of epic fantasy Jonathan Evan Hudson rules the bookshelves once again with another thrilling caper set in an awe-inspiring land full of mesmerizing magic and menacing monsters.Nothing beats the creamy sweet smell of the Floral Shroom Forest. A foggy forest of gigantic blue portobella-like mushrooms. Their ever-swaying caps.And the only safe passage through the razor-sharp spires of the Razored Peaks.A passage now in grave danger.A devastati...

The dazzling dean of epic fantasy Jonathan Evan Hudson rules the bookshelves once again with another thrilling caper set in an awe-inspiring land full of mesmerizing magic and menacing monsters.Nothing beats the creamy sweet smell of the Floral Shroom Forest. A foggy forest of gigantic blue portobella-like mushrooms. Their ever-swaying caps.And the only safe passage through the razor-sharp spires of the Razored Peaks.A passage now in grave danger.A devastati...

The exalted maestro of fantasy Jonathan Evan Hudson excited fans new and old alike once again with a fast-paced action adventure full of magic, monsters, and mayhem!In The Elf Girl Effect, meet the newly knighted Roo Vorshaya. Sworn to protect humanity in the isolated mountain town of Appleharth. Dreams of action-packed adventure and passionate love under a lovely but sinister strawberry-pink sky.Love re-ignited by a whiff of the familiar peaches and cream scent of...

The acclaimed king of fantasy Jonathan Evan Hudson rules amazing once again through fast-paced action adventure in an awe-inspiring world.In the astounding Into Shadow Forest: The talented twenty-something sword master Romeo Bladell yearns for love and adventure.And at the musty edges of Shadow Forest. Near the towering high oaks bearded like stout old dwarves. By a canyon like a wound gnashed deep through in the granite. A canyon like the maw of a stone dragon.

San Zang and his three disciples have just overcome the greatest threat to their journey so far: their fidelity to one another. Now they must confront and overcome two of the most poweful monsters they have encountered, a pair of brothers who rule with the help of five enchanted weapons. They are the Golden Horned King and his younger brother, Silver Horned King. They have heard that eating SanZang's flesh will grant eternal life, so the Silver Horned King gathers his troops to patrol the ...

As autumn draws to a close, San Zang have traveled well past the dangerous Mount Flame when they come upon an enormous city. It is the capital of the JiSai Kingdom, and at its center is an enormous Buddhist temple. When the traveling companions arrive in the city, they look for food and lodging. Bajie volunteers to go looking for food, but when he asks a local vendor for charity in the name of Buddha, he is angrily rebuked and then physically attacked. Wu Kong intervenes and subdues the ve...

From the moment they crossed the western border of the Tang Dynasty, San Zang and Sun Wu Kong have been in danger. When not struggling to keep the monkey from causing trouble or angering the gods, the priest must worry about threats from both monsters and people. But the two journeymen have found fortune and the occasional friend along the way, and now another unlikely companion is set to join them on their journey to the West. The two travelers come upon a village whose ruler asks for the...

San Zang has known from the beginning of the journey to the West that Sun Wu Kong's short temper and violent tendencies could be as great a threat to their mission as any monster or demon. Sun Wu Kong stands alone in the middle of a great void, speaking to disembodied menace who watches over him and plays mind game on him. The stone monkey demands answers, but the menace vanishes, and soon Wu Kong is staring down the heavenly army of the Jade Emperor, the same army he defeated centuries be...

* Save 50% by grabbing volumes 6 to 10 in this exclusive omnibus edition!Vol. 6: San Zang and his disciples have only just escaped danger when they arrive at the temple of Zhen Yuan, the most distinguished Taoist in the world and the owner of the magical RenShen tree. When Wu Kong and Bajie discover the secret of the RenShen's precious fruits, the travelers must once again face the consequences of the pig's appetite and the monkey's temper. Three disciples eat fruits of the RenShen...