The Wall of Storms is really two books in one. The first part tells the story of the political aftermath of what's now term the Chrysanthemum-Dandelion War, and we get to know the emperor's three eldest childen as a potential succession fight looms. Most of the action revolves around the machinations of Empress Jia, who has very specific ideas about what a good government should look like, and uses devious means to entrap and condemn the Emperor's former allies for no other reason than they didn't fit in her mental model. At the height of this action, however, the fledgling empire is invaded by a seemingly unstoppable outside force, led by a ruler as clever as our heroes and much more ruthless. The book quickly shifts away from politics to war, with a focus on skunkworks-style military engineering as both sides try to adapt to the other's tactics. While the success rate of the new military weapons and techniques seemed a bit unrealistic at times, it was fun to read about the clever things they came up with. On the whole, I found the first part a bit depressing as the previously-likable Jia was turned into a bit of a villain, but the second part picked up as I enjoy reading about people being clever. ( )

In some ways, I liked this book more than the first one. It's more imaginative in the way it uses technology, and it has a more bizantine plot. In some ways, I also liked it less because it's less about the grand epic struggles and more about horrible things that people do when they're changed by power (though there was some of that in the first book). And also because my favorite characters died (no spoilers, though, this is a fantasy book spanning decades and multiple wars. People die, you know?)

I'm eager to read the next book in the series! ( )

Like it's predecessor, The Grace of Kings, The Wall of Storms is an excellent examination of human nature in the sphere of politics and war. Also like it's predecessor, it tends not to go quite where you expect it to. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series. ( )

This book made me have all the feelings. I was a big fan of Luan Zya in the first book, and this book, well, it shook me, is all I'll say about that. Ken Liu created a huge, vivid world here, one that is very complex, with a multitude of problems, and no easy answers. I wasn't happy with how a few characters changed (looking at you Empress Jia), but there were other surprises that I enjoyed very much. I can't wait for book 3. ( )

This second novel is superior to the first. It's an easy comparison. The characters and the plot development just WORK.

So, what? The previous novel had irritating characters? hmmm... well, they weren't all bad but some did irritate me. Portrayals of women, for one. But this new novel had none of that. Indeed, we have lots of great female characters. Leads that are smart, fascinating, and also RUTHLESS. :)

This Silkpunk fantasy straddles the line between fantasy (in beasts) and science fiction (airships, electromagnetism) firmly couched in the epic fantasy world (such worldbuilding!) brought to us in the first Dandelion Dynasty.

I really loved how much of this was devoted to learning, research, and the politics surrounding it. The battles and the invasion later were also fantastic, but for a long time, the primary feel of the book was a good YA, or rather, a brilliant student and a brilliant teacher. What happens later is tragic and glorious, but for any fan of Eastern-style fantasies, this is an old and well-respected tradition. :)

And I cried a little. :)

These are huge books. It's impossible to comment on any but a few aspects, but if you love super-rich worldbuilding, epic sweeps of time and history in an Asian-like empire filled with fire-breathing beasts, lightning-wielding airships, and an almost-impossible-to-navigate wall of storms separating vast reaches of the world, then you can't go wrong with this. Seriously. It's tons better than the first book. :) ( )