Very fun stuff. A combination of historical fiction with fantasy extrapolated from spiritualism. The action sequences/choreography is probably the best I’ve read. It’s Wuxia, so melodramatic as heck. Not very plotty, more of a prologue, it feels like. I really enjoyed this and am glad I’ve got the sequel already. Doesn’t conform to western fantasy (obviously) and is therefore not formulaic and novel, which gave it a lot of latitude.