The task of writing a second installment equally as beautiful and intriguing as the first is a hard task, but Wesley Chu did it perfectly.

I loved the continued growth and development of the characters, world, lore and look forward to the next even more. I feel this series is a fresh breath into the fantasy genre. I love that the characters feel authentic and genuine and believable.

This has easy become a must buy and must read fantasy series for me.

Thank you so much to Wesley Chu, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of Destiny: The War Arts Saga - Book 2 by Wesley Chu

672 Pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group. – Ballantine, Del Rey
Release Date: September 26, 2023

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Martial Arts

There are multiple story lines in the book that continue where the first book ended. Jian, the prophesized hero of the Tiandi is now being called an evil villain. His grand master Taishi is worn out and wants to pass the reins of her family line to Jian, but he is just not ready yet. She gathers other war artist masters to help finish his training.

Qisami is a Shadowkill assassin. She and her cell are on a secret mission by one of the dukes to infiltrate an opposing dukedom. They all have ordinary rolls that put them in strategic positions to kill and destroy when needed. Qisami begins to question the assignment when she is asked to perform an unthinkable act. Now she is not sure where her allegiance belongs.

Sali, the Viperstrike of Nezra, is the last of her kind. She is really feeling the affects from the Pull of the Khan, and she has soul rot. Her city was destroyed during her last mission and the people taken as slaves. After a revolt and escape, they have reestablished a new colony on a volcano rim, but they need supplies. They are running low on ore and food. Sali and her neophyte Haampa must go the furthest place in the realm, the frozen city, to find an alliance, supplies, and a possible cure.

The book is long, there is no getting around that. The author has built a world and characters are realistic and he does an amazing job of putting the reader into the story. The book is emotional at times as the reader gets attached to characters. I found myself laughing and getting angry at the characters. The book ends quickly setting the stage for the next book in the series. In the beginning of the book, the author provides a thorough list of characters to remind readers who everyone is and their status. This is a great help to get caught up from the first book. If you like fantasy books with the good versus evil plotline and flawed individuals, you will enjoy reading this book.

A great second installment to this unique and engaging series. Chu knocks it out of the park. The character development and action were on point. Engrossing and brilliant character driven fantasy!

wow!! book 2 was even better than book 1, which was a high bar to begin with. chu made me fall even more in love with every character in this series, especially qisami and sali. despite the many different pov’s in this story, chu made sure to spend time fleshing out each character and it paid off.
my only complaint about the art of destiny was that it started out a bit slow, but the last third of this book was absolutely insane. i loved every page of it.
thank you netgalley for the arc <3

Measuring up to the first book of a series can be a daunting task, but Wesley Chu avoids the sophomore slump with The Art of Destiny, the second tale in his War Arts saga. When the story picks up, Wen Jian, the prophesied hero, has been training in secret with his mentor, Taishi. Hiding and on the run, they’re the most wanted people in the kingdom. Unfortunately, Taishi’s health is declining, and she feels the pressure to finish her protégé’s training.

In the kingdom, the ever-warring dukes are jostling for power, but might be on the verge of a truce — assuming they can trust each other. They’re involving everyone in their schemes, including Qisami, the shadowkill assassin, and her crew. When they’re hired to go undercover during peace negotiations at Duke Yanso’s palace, Qisami finds herself playing double agent. Her loyalties are tested.

Meanwhile, Salminde the viperstrike has traveled to the far north to seek a cure for the wasting disease she incurred when her khan died. She hopes to rid herself of the disease while securing the future of her outlawed tribe.

Chu deftly weaves these story threads together as tensions rise in the kingdom. Chafing under the restrictions of hiding out, Jian eventually goes to town and finds the religious order that formerly venerated him has now labeled him the Villain of the Tiandi. All goes spectacularly wrong when Jian, Taishi, and their war artist friends are captured, then sent to Duke Yanso’s palace, where the pulse-pounding climax plays out.

One thing that sets this story apart from similar fantasy tales is its wry sense of humor. The hero whines, the assassin worries she’s getting soft, and the war artists snipe and squabble amongst themselves like old married couples. That’s not to say Chu shortchanges the action — far from it. Those who like their fantasy served up with martial arts and a dash of wit will find much to love about The Art of Destiny.

I adore these books. The action reads like an anime with hilarious action, but the characters are full of heart and flaws. I highly, highly recommend this!

his book is set a couple years after the first, and Wen is slowly building to be a master. I love the fact this book is equally character driven as the first, and fully immersive in its plot, people and world-building. We get to see some our old favourite characters, as well as meeting some new ones who are equally wonderful too. We have different storylines going on that intertwine together and build a rich, witty, emotional, and beautiful story. You will feel everything from heartwarming to heart wrenching moments, and yet you’ll keep coming back for more.

A great second entry in this series!
Life kept interrupting so it took me a while to finish this book. However, this is a very entertaining, enjoyable, adventure filled book! The main characters from book one return and we have some new characters joining the adventure. I enjoyed the character growth of Jian. Will he be able to mature and fulfill his destiny? The book is full of intrigue, adventure and has bits of humor as well.
If you read and enjoyed the first book in the series, definitely read this book. And if this book sounds interesting to you but you haven’t read the first book, then do yourself a favor and pick up book one! You won’t regret it. Happy reading!

Just finished the first book, Art of Prophecy, and realized this series just isn’t for me. There were funny moments and it wasn’t bad at all, just not my cup of tea. This would be a great read for anyone who’s a fan of anime, Asian history, and martial arts. Wesley Chu is a wonderful writer and my lack of enjoyment with this series isn’t at all on him, his writing, or any part of the story. I look forward to promoting this book on publication day, as I believe many people would enjoy it!

After throughly enjoying the first book, The Art of Destiny did not disappoint. The best parts of the first book - the characters and the humorous writing - got even better. I could read about these characters all day and and not get tired it was a joy to see the journeys they went on in this book.

Thanks to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

Absolutely love this series. I love everything about it it and this sequel did not disappoint me in the slightest. My only concern is now waiting for book 3. Highly recommended to everyone including my grandma who loves fantasy. Not one to be missed. Prepare to be immersed and obsessed.

The Art of Destiny is the action-packed sequel to The Art of Prophecy! Jian is the hero of prophecy, but what happens when it seems like the prophecy has made a mistake? Jian still needs to train with his masters and flee the various enemies he’s made through his journey. Qisami is infiltrating a noblewoman’s household and employing every trick she knows. Sali has been charged by her sister with fully investigating whether she can ever be healed from holding the last remaining piece of the Khan’s soul. What adventures will the three go on in the latest installment in this series?

Wesley Chu’s style of writing is so compelling and hilarious. I love the witty banter, the subtle jokes, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it comedy. The stakes are higher than ever! Jian is the same straightforward and sweet hero who is always doing his best. I loved Taishi’s character growth, learning about her background, and seeing how she chooses to fulfill her own personal destiny. Sali is impossible not to want the best for and goes on one of the most harrowing journeys- including travel by iceberg. I love Qisami so much and can’t wait to see where her story goes after that cliffhanger!! Her shadowkill powers were fascinating and I loved watching her navigate the complex politics of the court.

The Art of Destiny is fast-paced and filled with cinematic scenes of martial arts battles. It is clear this is a huge passion of Wesley Chu’s and it comes across the page in vivid prose. I love how he took the traditional trope of the chosen one and creatively re-imagined it. The world-building encompasses intricate details and is also expansive. I can’t wait to see what happens next to all of these lovable characters!! Readers who enjoy action-packed fantasy, cinematic battles, witty prose, and heartwarming characters will love this book.

Thank you so much to Wesley Chu, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

This book is set a couple years after the first, and Wen is slowly building to be a master. I love the fact this book is equally character driven as the first, and fully immersive in its plot, people and world-building. We get to see some our old favourite characters, as well as meeting some new ones who are equally wonderful too. We have different storylines going on that intertwine together and build a rich, witty, emotional, and beautiful story. You will feel everything from heartwarming to heart wrenching moments, and yet you’ll keep coming back for more.

Absolutely loved this sequel. I’m so glad I took a chance on book one after always eye balling the gorgeous cover. I loved the characters even more in this book. This kept me engaged and I couldn’t put it down

Thanks to Random House Worlds and NetGalley for the ARC. I have been eagerly anticipating the second installment in The War Arts Saga, so I jumped at the chance to review it early--and it did not disappoint.

Anyone who has read The Art of Prophecy should have a pretty good idea of what to expect for book 2, in terms of overall vibes. Don't take that to mean that the book is predictable--just that there's no wild tonal shift for the second volume. It's still a character-driven action-comedy and a martial arts fantasy with some of the wildest worldbuilding outside of The Stormlight Archive.

I found myself dwelling a lot on "second book syndrome" as I read this volume. It turned out that Wesley Chu was thinking about it too--he says so in the acknowledgements at the end of the book--and I think it shows in the text. It's a particular issue for this series because of just how transitional this section of the story is. Whereas the various divergent POVs in book 1 all come together at the end of that volume, The Art of Destiny's plot allows for no such convergence. It could almost be split into 3 separate books, and they could each stand on their own without the other two plotlines. They're definitely set for a collision course in book 3, but it doesn't happen here--the very definition of that thorny second book problem.

It seems like Chu solves the problem by leaning into it. Especially in the first half of the book, chapters tend to drop us into the middle of things, circumstances already established. Any event to shake up the status quo comes as a mini-cliffhanger at the end of a chapter. When we come back to that POV, the new status quo has already established itself, and we are once again dealing with character interactions right in the middle of things. Besides underscoring the fact that this is a middle book by always telling us the middle portion of every little mini-arc, this serves to emphasize just how character-driven the series really is.

It may not seem like the first choice for a fantasy martial arts comedy--you might think it would be all action, with plot point after plot point--but War Arts really is all about the characters. The plot isn't moving any faster than it did in the first book, which wasn't exactly slow, but it isn't fast-paced, either. I think that's more noticeable in the second book, as it lacks the momentum of plotlines moving towards one another.

The second book is particularly perilous for character-driven trilogies, in general, with slow-moving transitional plot threads losing some readers altogether. It can seem like nothing is happening at all. Chu has an advantage here, though, in that his character interactions are unfailingly hilarious. Not every character-driven story has to be a tortured meditation on the darkness that lurks within the human soul. They can also be full of wisecracks and over-the-top slapstick comedy, such that--even if you do lose the plot and feel like things aren't really progressing--you'll be too busy laughing to be overly concerned.

Ultimately, though, every character interaction happens for a reason--never just because Chu wanted an excuse for a gag. Besides advancing the plot, they do a lot of heavy lifting with the worldbuilding, which is pretty out there. You can learn a lot from scenes that are mostly just characters hanging out on a ship--a ship which just happens to be an entire iceberg, rigged up with machinery to make it move under its crew's command. Chu does not, however, make us read everything between the lines in people's conversations. He has a deft hand with exposition, explaining little tidbits as they become relevant, without ever feeling like he's infodumping.

Also, this is still a series with a magic system based in martial arts. There is plenty of action, and by the end, it's a thrill-a-minute pageturner. There's no jarring change of pace as that happens, either. All of the pieces are set in place such that, even when things descend into chaos, it is perfectly in tune with the flow of the story.

I'm giving this book 5 stars because I love the series, and I think it deserves the kind of precedence that the algorithm gives to books with a lot of 5-star reviews. I don't think it's the greatest book ever written, and I could knock off stars for one thing or another to try to honestly reflect minor criticisms, but the way that the algorithm treated that rating would not be an honest reflection of my opinion of the book. It gets the highest of recommendations from me, with many high hopes for the conclusion.

After throughly enjoying the first book, The Art of Destiny did not disappoint. For me, the best parts of the first book - the characters and the humorous writing - got even better. I could read about these characters all day and it was a joy to see the journeys they went on in this book. The lore/world is also expanded on in an interesting way that I’m excited to see how that develops.

I especially enjoyed a chosen one fantasy book where the chosen one is almost a side character. The whole concept is so clever and the writing is even more so. It can be difficult to do humor well. Chi’s writing is the perfect balance of wit. I only wish I didn’t have to wait for the next book.

For a while I was taking exception with book series. I just wanted a tale that had an ending of some sort, not another never ending story, which I felt was de rigueur for authors and publishers. Then I stumbled upon a couple of authors who have created worlds and characters so large they deserve further exploration. Wesley Chu is one of them.

Book two of The War Arts Saga opens a couple of years after the close of “The Art of Prophecy.” This is great, because having time pass between books gives the sense of separation I want in a series with the scope of a saga. Chu continues to develop his truly larger than life characters, imbuing them with sometimes fatal flaws and allowing complex relationships to form and grow. His writing style reminds me of the best old Chinese kung fu movies, with a little spaghetti western thrown in for seasoning.

Obviously five stars. This is a must read for any fantasy lover. After reading book one, of course. My thanks to Del Rey via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

#TheArtofDestiny #TheWarArtsSaga #DelRey #NetGalley #IfCatsCouldRead #RescuedIsMyFavoriteBreed #Bookstagram #Catstagram #BooksAndCats #CatsAndBooks

4.8 stars! i adore this silly goofy heartfelt series so much that i am so grateful that i got an arc of the second book in this series! the first book charmed me, but this one was mesmerizing and explosive in its character-driven headassery and epic, wuxia-style battle scenes. no second book letdown syndrome here!

set after a couple of years after the end of the first book, wen jian is steadily (generously speaking) building his way towards being the master windwhisper, being the disciple of ling taishi, a grandmaster war artist and one of the most powerful women in the enlightened states. wen jian is so pathetic meow meow because mild spoiler: he tried to hug a wild cat. he is so "if not friend, why friend shaped?" coded. i adore this dumbass. no wonder taishi protects him (often from himself). she sees him as an orphaned puppy, and their stern mother-and-idiotic son relationship made me so soft. and seeing his development and growth throughout this book into a semi-competent, somewhat confident teenage boy makes me so proud of him (i'll say it because taishi won't).

this book, in particular, is strongly character-driven, which is excellent storytelling because the characters are the heart of this immersive world. i adored seeing old characters and getting to meet the new ones that i fell in love with. split into 3 story lines of jian and taishi, qisami, and sali, this story was packed back to back with humor, heartfelt growth, stunning realizations, and heroic (and not so heroic) deaths. even though some plot lines are memorable than others, there was still a purpose behind each character's motivations that flowed so well with the overarching plot (the lore building in sali's plot line was jaw-dropping) (and that last chapter? i <i>demand</i> a return on my sadness! that authorial decision was so good). admittedly, i didn't know how the second book could have topped the first one in my mind, but it did, and i am in awe.

the only things that were missing for me in this one was grammar (easy to fix, but it was noticeable at some parts but that's what editing is for) and continuity issues (zofi not being mentioned at all during one scene (so i thought they left her behind) and then suddenly showing up out of nowhere (which threw me for a loop)). other than that, i had a fantastic time reading.

i have so many notes and annotations that i'm shaking with anticipation to share once this book comes out, but all i have left to say is that this book got me out of my months-long reading slump, so not only do i have adoration for this story but also gratitude for making me literate again. please add this series to your tbr - it's just too good. happy reading!

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me an arc for an honest review!

Undoubtedly, The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu, the first installment of The War Arts Saga trilogy, was one of my favorite books in 2023 and I had extremely high expectations going into The Art of Destiny. So if I were to describe The Art of Destiny in one sentence it would be, “This is one of those books you cancel your plans for.” Because this lived up to all my expectations and more.

The narrative resumes some time after the events of the first book, finding Taishi and Jian seeking refuge in the secluded and diminutive hamlet known as Cloud Pillars, as they endeavor to elude the substantial bounties offered for their capture. Qisami, who once exuded an air of haughty arrogance as a highly esteemed Shadowkill at the diamond tier, now finds herself steeped in disgrace and consumed by frustration over her previous mission failure, consequently struggling to secure employment within the ranks of the Shadowkills. Meanwhile, Sali, the indomitable Kautian Viperstrike and bearer of the Will of The Khan, finds solace within the Shetty mountain range alongside her liberated clan, grappling with the delicate balance between her obligation to the Khan and her duty to facilitate the reconstruction of Nezra.

After reading The Art of Prophecy a few weeks back it was abundantly clear to me that Wesley Chu was a phenomenal writer. Not only does he adeptly craft intricate and engaging narratives, but his expertise in world building and character creation and development truly shines. Give him a simple rubber duck and I am certain he will come up with the most absorbing and mind blowing storyline for it. In The Art of Destiny, this prowess is once again demonstrated as we are introduced to a multitude of fresh and intriguing settings, and encounter a host of remarkable new characters. Being an outsider with limited exposure to East Asian culture, I was profoundly moved by Wesley Chu’s ability to convey the essence of the environments, lore, and traditions within his narrative. His skillful portrayal resonated deeply with me, serving as a testament to his thorough understanding and appreciation of the subject matter. Through his writing, Wesley managed to bridge the cultural gap, offering a window into a rich and vibrant world that I, as an outsider, could readily embrace and appreciate. The immersive experience he crafted through his attention to detail and genuine portrayal spoke volumes, leaving a lasting impression on my perception and understanding of East Asian culture.

The whole story is a wild ride, bouncing back and forth between hilarious and gut-wrenching moments. There were so many moments I actually laughed out loud while reading this book. Also, Wesley Chu knows how to bring in twists and turns out of nowhere and there was this one scene at the end of the book that I almost cried because if you read the first book you know, this is going to be inevitable.

I absolutely relished the camaraderie that blossomed among Taishi and her companions in this particular installment. It provided a remarkable opportunity to delve beyond Taishi’s persona as a revered War Artist and genuinely understand her character on a more profound level. The glimpses into her past that were offered throughout the story proved to be invaluable in this regard. What truly struck me in The Art of Destiny was the palpable sense of maternal affection Taishi exhibited towards Jian, despite her outwardly tough demeanor and brusque mannerisms. It added a layer of depth and tenderness to her character, allowing readers to truly feel the depth of her love and concern for Jian’s well-being.

Although Jian was my favorite character in the first book, I must admit that Qisami truly captured the spotlight in The Art of Destiny. Wesley’s masterful crafting of her story arc was nothing short of brilliant, as it took her on a transformative journey that defied expectations. The experiences she underwent in this installment were drastically different from her previous disposition, and it was nothing short of ingenious how Wesley managed to unveil a more humane and compassionate side to her character. Witnessing such remarkable character growth for Qisami throughout the book undeniably made her a highly likable and relatable character, deepening my connection and investment in her personal journey.

Sali’s journey in The Art of Destiny resonated deeply with me. It was evident that she was grappling with a tremendous weight on her shoulders, fighting a battle that seemed overwhelming for a single individual. Balancing the demands of family, her role as a Viperstrike, and the arduous task of rebuilding her clan, all while serving her country as the Will of the Khan, posed an immense challenge. Despite her initial self-perception as a leader, it was clear from the beginning of the book that she was still naive and lacked the necessary experience. However, as the story unfolded, I had the privilege of witnessing her remarkable transformation into the very leader she aspired to become.

While Jian’s journey in the story may have been slightly overshadowed by the other three compelling perspectives, it still had its merits. One aspect I particularly adored was witnessing his gradual transformation into a humble human being, capable of finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. It was heartwarming to see him embrace the experiences of an average teenager within the unique backdrop of the story’s world. After enduring a long period of isolation, it was a delight to witness him relishing the company of friends and finally savoring the sense of belonging that had long eluded him. I also loved the budding romance between him and Sonaya.

The state politics depicted in The Art of Destiny truly captivated me. As a self proclaimed sucker for court politics, I was enthralled by seamlessly interwoven political dynamics rife with betrayals, displays of power, and conflicts of war. The narrative effortlessly transported me into a world where politics played a central role, adding layers of intrigue and tension to the story. And let’s not overlook the breathtaking combat scenes. It is impossible to deny Wesley’s talent for bringing these sequences to life with his vivid descriptions of diverse fighting styles. His ability to infuse these action-packed scenes with moments of humor undoubtedly enhanced the overall experience, creating a perfect blend of intensity and levity within these scenes.

Concluding my review of The Art of Destiny, I have to say I absolutely loved this book. There wasn’t a single dull moment throughout the story and I sometimes found myself at work thinking how fast I can get home so I can get to read the rest of the story. That’s how good The Art of Destiny was. I can absolutely gush more about the amazing supporting characters as well but this review is already too long. 🙂

I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley, Del Rey Books, and, of course, Wesley Chu for granting me the opportunity to read this advance copy of The Art of Destiny.

Note:
As per Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Del Rey books' guidelines I will be posting the review on below mentioned links two weeks prior to book publication.

Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this e-Arc! I have a planned review of this on my Instagram and will also review on Goodreads once I get to this read. This is one of my most anticipated reads of this year! Until then, I am giving a star rating as a placeholder on Netgalley. Stay tuned for my in depth review on all my social media platforms!