A review by josiah17
The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"The Flow is the inexorable current of the universe. To live gracefully is to accept it, and find joy within each passing moment. Every journey must have a final stop, and ever life must come to an end. We're like dyrans in the vast sea, silver streaks passing each other in the watery depths, and we should cherish the time we have been given."

The reading experience for this book was not the best thanks to another slump and my seemingly decreasing attention span. However, this is an excellent book. Even more grand and epic in scope. The worldbuilding is simply phenomenal and so inventive. I loved exploring wider corners of the world, and discovering new cultures and ways of life. 

"'The world is grand and the seas endless,' said Leita. 'All stories must be true in some corner of it.'"

Ken Lui's prose and overall writing is wonderful once again. But in particular, this book is far more personal and up-close with its characters rather than the unique and intense drama playwriting style of The Grace of Kings. His characters are more vividly crafted and ultimately even more compelling than the way many of the characters are written in the first book (not to say that was bad writing—it wasn't). Especially in regards to Kuni, Théra, Zomi, and Jia. They have their own distinct voices, motivations, and powerful life experiences. I was moved by Zomi's backstory in particular, and I found Luan incredibly endearing and admirable. Many other characters shine bright too, but these four were the ones I believe stand out the most. 

"'The Fluxists like to speak of a heart of emptiness as an ideal state. With a heart of emptiness, there is also infinite potential for the future: joy, anger, sorrow, happiness. How we full our hearts has much to do with our fates, far more than our natuve talents, the circumstances of our birth, the vicissitudes of fortune, or even the intervention of the gods. If you do not like the stories you've been told, fill your heart with new stories. If you do not like the script you've been given, design for yourself a new role.'"

I also appreciated the way Liu focused less on the overtly philosophical themes present in the first book and honed in on themes like the human condition, the perspectives of conflict, gender roles, and the political landscapes of nations. I think this was a result of that aforementioned greater proximity to the characters and their motivations. All of it was executed quite well, being more subtle yet just as profound.

"'The Grace of Kings does not glitter like precious gold or shine like gentle-jade,' said Jia. 'It is forged from iron and blood.'"

Altogether, The Wall of Storms is a fantastic book. It's not one that I would rate 5 stars at the moment thanks to my own reading slump and whatnot (plus my small criticisms here and there), but it's a book that certainly could be upon more reflection and however the series wraps up. Ken Liu continues to prove he's a magnificent writer.
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