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ambershelf 's review for:

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
5.0

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC

Lin Chong is an expert arms instructor who believes in hard work and keeping her head down. But when a vengeful man rips away her peaceful life, Lin Chong gets recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan, a group of outlaws who proclaim a belief in justice. Will Lin Chong find a new home with this group of bandits?

Inspired by the Chinese classic WATER MARGIN (Shi Nai'an), OUTLAWS is a gender-spun retelling featuring women bandits from all walks of life. It's an exhilarating journey into a world rich with wuxia elements. From the first page, I was drawn into a captivating narrative that seamlessly weaves together the mystique of martial arts and the allure of the fantastical.

One of the standout features is the diverse cast of women, each with unique personalities that add depth and dynamism to the story. From the fiercely loyal to the cunningly greedy, the variety among the characters is a refreshing take on female representation in the genre.

OUTLAWS is a fabulous reading experience that I found utterly unputdownable. It combines well-developed world-building and political intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat.