S.L. Huang’s writing in THE WATER OUTLAWS feels like an epic tale, and Huang did a great job balancing the huge casts by referencing their persona and preferred weapon; I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of characters that I initially thought I would. The dichotomy between Lin Chong (our main protagonist) and Lu Junyi (her longtime friend we also follow) is fascinating; they take opposite routes than what I had expected upon first meeting them. I loved the commentary THE WATER OUTLAWS also poses about society and our role as citizens. The idea that rebelling and breaking unjust laws is being the ultimate citizen because you love your country/empire/society and its people so much that you’re willing to break the rules, incur harm, and bring upon danger to yourself to help your society become a better version of itself definitely made me pause and reflect.