“A dandelion is a strong but misunderstood flower. It cannot be defeated: Just when a gardener thinks he has won and eradicated it from his lawn, a rain would bring the yellow florets right back. Yet it’s never arrogant: Its color and fragrance never overwhelm those of another. Immensely practical, its leaves are delicious and medicinal, while its roots loosen hard soils, so that it acts as a pioneer for other more delicate flowers. But best of all, it’s a flower that lives in the soil but dreams of the skies. When its seeds take to the wind, it will go farther and see more than any pampered rose, tulip, or marigold.”
-The Grace of Kings
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu is hands down on of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. I know this series has been widely well-reviewed, and it is evident why. This story is incredible from the diverse cast of characters who you can’t help but root for but also some of the most incredible world building I have ever come across.
Dara was once divided into seven states, all ruled by different kings. But one day, a man dared to dream of uniting them and brought them under his rule, thus creating an empire under the rule of one man. But what was meant to improve the lives of many in fact makes it worse for a lot of people and there are those who dream of a better future for their people and their families.
Kuni Garu is a bandit who does everything he can to make money without working for it. But when he meets Jia and falls in love, he dares to dream of a better life because he wants to be worthy of her. But even by her side, Kuni says he will always make the most interesting choice. When a job to deliver some prisoners to the imperial city goes awry, Kuni knows he and his family will be killed for his failures. So instead he decides to change his fate and becomes the face of a revolution that could overturn the rule of the empire.
Mata Zyndu saw most of his family killed by the very empire currently in rule. He spends his youth getting stronger and biding his time alongside his uncle. For him, it is only a matter of time to bring down the empire and take back what is rightly his.
Both Mata and Kuni have different motivations for wanting to change the world, and with some interference from the gods, the two characters come drawn into each other’s lives. They continue to face challenges and political hurdles in order to see their visions realized, and both of them will have to answer the question of what it may cost them to achieve everything they want.
This book is layered with politics, incredible settings, devious characters and incredibly noble characters. I was swept away from the first page into another world, another time, and it was near impossible to let go. This promises to be the start of an incredible series, and I absolutely can’t wait to start the next one.
Of Worlds Forgotten 
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