The Water Outlaws is a queer, genderbent reimagining of Water Margin, an early Chinese novel that's about 108 outlaws that rebel against the government. But in this new reimagining, the bandits are now all women who have been failed by society in some way. Fleeing their past lives, they find refuge and safety in this unique sisterhood.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
While told through multiple POVs, our main character is Lin Chong. Originally a diligent and dutiful arms instructor to the Empire, a betrayal and false accusation from a powerful man rips that life away from her. Disgraced, tattooed as a criminal, and on the run, she is recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan. Mountain outlaws on the margins of society, the Liangshan Bandits proclaim a belief in justice—for women, for the downtrodden, for progressive thinkers a corrupt Empire would imprison or destroy. They’re also murderers, thieves, smugglers, and cutthroats.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Apart, they love like demons and fight like tigers. Together, they could bring down an empire.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
While the strong opening gripped me, there were some pacing issues in the first half that slowed me down. I also highly recommend looking up TWs as there are some graphic and bloody parts throughout.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But by the time I finished this, I was ravenous for a screen adaptation. Huang knows how to write fight scenes! And no wonder - a quick Google search informed me they are a professional stunt performer, firearms expert, and professional armorer in Hollywood!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you love action-packed, historical fantasy, I definitely recommend checking this one out!