I am a big fan of Chinese related movies from ancient times, and have been for years, I spent a gap year in China helping out in a charity, which was a life changing experience, and my interest in China grew from this experience. About three years ago I discovered a whole new world of graphic novels related to the kind of movies I like, This novel is very good, pre-dates the film (I think!!! From my own understanding of the story-line). In general I can follow the story line, by the visual graphics, but occasionally some of the graphics can be a bit confusing particularly for new comers to such graphic novels, but the more you read the more familiar the Chinese style, colourings and meanings of graphic pictures become. Sometimes, it is better to read such a novel twice, because your understanding during the second reading is higher than the first time, and more enjoyable. Sometimes graphics are used to explain as situation rather than words. Something that I had to get use to again, because my comic reading days are decades ago. I am totally hooked on this type of novel, and hope one day to own all the series. I think to the best of my knowledge there are 12 books in the series, I remember volume 1 selling over 100’000 copies quickly, there was huge interest in the novel, and rightly so. The novel as a good story line and many good visuals of sword fights. My love of such movies, graphics is growing bigger, next is to find some text only books that are similar to the crouching tiger, hidden theme. Should any members know of any books that relate to Chinese history (All BC to 1900’s right up to the boxer revolution period), let me know. ( )