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Princess Rouran Adventures #1
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages
Why is the dragon the only fantasy creature in the Chinese zodiac? Maybe it's because dragons aren't a fantasy after all...
Moli has never seen a dragon, but she'd imagined one many times. Following the death of her father, a museum curator and historian, her need to escape from the real world has never felt so acute.
Travelling from China to London to attend the funeral, Moli takes the opportunity to visit her father's last exhibition, "The Lost Dynasty of Rouran". The trip reveals Moli's connection to an ancient khanate and, unexpectedly, opens the door to another realm. This is just the beginning of an adventure that takes her travelling through time to a world of shamans, rituals, conqueror worms, dragon chariots and even a confrontation with the world's greatest foes.
To save humanity, Moli and an unlikely quartet of heroes are sent back in history, but can they outrun a fate worse than death? And where does reality end and magic begin? Enter a world where everything is possible... "The mixture of time travel, mythology, SF tropes, and a spirited youngster in the lead makes for a truly wild narrative." – Kirkus Reviews
"With a precocious young protagonist navigating immense, sophisticated ideas and feelings, this is a thoughtful story about choosing empathy and hope in a world of grief and intolerance written with eloquent language and Alice-in-Wonderland-like flair." – IndieReader
"If you love adventure stories featuring dragons, shamans, talking cats, and other fantastical elements, this will be just up your alley." – Readers' Favorite
"Deeply meaningful and with a blend of needed fantasy, the story flows in a wonderful spectrum of events." – Tima, Amazon
"A captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish." – Bethuel Kibet, Amazon
"This is an intriguing and action-packed novel. I was entertained as much as I was compelled to think about the faults, failures, and triumphs of humanity." – Josephe-Anne, OnlineBookClub I'm Shawe Ruckus, a writer of stories that others dare not write, where legendary creatures and cold cases take centre stage.
I am also a member of the 'Space Mafia', aka the International Space University, and a former student of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London, where Agatha Christie learnt how to poison.
Sign up for my newsletter to find out about my latest releases and get a free book at
Moli has never seen a dragon, but she'd imagined one many times. Following the death of her father, a museum curator and historian, her need to escape from the real world has never felt so acute.
Travelling from China to London to attend the funeral, Moli takes the opportunity to visit her father's last exhibition, "The Lost Dynasty of Rouran". The trip reveals Moli's connection to an ancient khanate and, unexpectedly, opens the door to another realm. This is just the beginning of an adventure that takes her travelling through time to a world of shamans, rituals, conqueror worms, dragon chariots and even a confrontation with the world's greatest foes.
To save humanity, Moli and an unlikely quartet of heroes are sent back in history, but can they outrun a fate worse than death? And where does reality end and magic begin? Enter a world where everything is possible... "The mixture of time travel, mythology, SF tropes, and a spirited youngster in the lead makes for a truly wild narrative." – Kirkus Reviews
"With a precocious young protagonist navigating immense, sophisticated ideas and feelings, this is a thoughtful story about choosing empathy and hope in a world of grief and intolerance written with eloquent language and Alice-in-Wonderland-like flair." – IndieReader
"If you love adventure stories featuring dragons, shamans, talking cats, and other fantastical elements, this will be just up your alley." – Readers' Favorite
"Deeply meaningful and with a blend of needed fantasy, the story flows in a wonderful spectrum of events." – Tima, Amazon
"A captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish." – Bethuel Kibet, Amazon
"This is an intriguing and action-packed novel. I was entertained as much as I was compelled to think about the faults, failures, and triumphs of humanity." – Josephe-Anne, OnlineBookClub I'm Shawe Ruckus, a writer of stories that others dare not write, where legendary creatures and cold cases take centre stage.
I am also a member of the 'Space Mafia', aka the International Space University, and a former student of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London, where Agatha Christie learnt how to poison.
Sign up for my newsletter to find out about my latest releases and get a free book at
221 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2022
13 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Shawe Ruckus
8 books10 followersShawe Ruckus is an author of urban mysteries and YA science fantasy, in which cold cases and legendary creatures take centre stage.
Shawe is a globetrotter born in Inner Mongolia. Having woven a rich tapestry of experiences from her diverse residencies—including China, the UK, Austria, South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan—Shawe brings a unique medley of humour, bad humour, suspense, and slices of everyday life to her stories.
Having attended King's College London and the University of Cambridge, Shawe also took courses at the International Space University, where she acquired much useful technical knowledge for her writing. She was a student at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London, where Agatha Christie learned how to poison.
Her first book in the Mercenaries in Suits series was shortlisted for the 2023 Readers' Favorite Book Award in the Urban Fiction category.
When not writing, Shawe Ruckus indulges in culinary adventures, offers mentorship sessions to inspiring entrepreneurs to 'hunt' their next unicorn, and persistently attempts to cultivate a green thumb.
Sign up for the Awe & Ruckus VIP Book Club at
www.aweandruckus.com
Shawe is a globetrotter born in Inner Mongolia. Having woven a rich tapestry of experiences from her diverse residencies—including China, the UK, Austria, South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan—Shawe brings a unique medley of humour, bad humour, suspense, and slices of everyday life to her stories.
Having attended King's College London and the University of Cambridge, Shawe also took courses at the International Space University, where she acquired much useful technical knowledge for her writing. She was a student at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London, where Agatha Christie learned how to poison.
Her first book in the Mercenaries in Suits series was shortlisted for the 2023 Readers' Favorite Book Award in the Urban Fiction category.
When not writing, Shawe Ruckus indulges in culinary adventures, offers mentorship sessions to inspiring entrepreneurs to 'hunt' their next unicorn, and persistently attempts to cultivate a green thumb.
Sign up for the Awe & Ruckus VIP Book Club at
www.aweandruckus.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 11, 2023
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages is a short and sweet young adult novel by Shawe Ruckus, the first in a series.
The novel takes place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; Moli, a young girl from Penglai, China, travels with her mother to London to attend the funeral of Moli’s father, who died from Covid-related complications. After seeing her father’s final work displayed in The British Museum about a clan from Ancient China – the Rourans – Moli experiences a “time slip” and falls into the past. What ensues is what the Tenth Doctor might call “wibbly wobbly, timey-wimey… stuff.”
Without delving too far into it, the book ends with what seems to be a call to action for Moli (and some others we are introduced to in the latter part of the book) to fix the timeline.
The book reminds me a lot of isekai fiction (isekai is Japanese for “other world,” used when a character is pulled from the world they know into one totally different) and historical fantasy, especially series like the Magic Tree House. This book is certainly meant for an older audience than the Magic Tree House series (probably closer to the 14-19 range of teens), but it has the same whimsy and absurdism that I see in a lot of these types of books, mixed with a type of macabre chagrin that definitely matures it.
The book handles a lot of political topics, but mostly focused around the Covid-19 pandemic and the sinophobia that was generated from it. Plenty of other types of politics make their way into it, including deep meditation on human nature (though I am loathe to use such a phrase) and what it means to choose kindness and hope.
Since the onset of the pandemic, many artists have tried to encapsulate the experiences we had as a species and process everything that came with it. Comfort levels with regard to this topic vary, as well as the political ramifications that continue to ripple across the globe.
This novel has many layers; the aforementioned themes of real-world struggle, as well as mix-ins of science-fantasy, mythology and folklore, and in some ways absurdism. This makes it difficult to keep track of at times. I thought I knew what the book was going to be about, but then it took a sharp turn that threw me off about halfway through the book. Surprising your readers isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, but with the introduction of many other point-of-view characters so far into the book, it left me wishing we had had time to get to know this other cast of characters I am, presumably, supposed to spend the rest of the series with.
Since I didn’t have much time to get to know the main cast of characters besides Moli, I can’t really tell you much about them. They’re a diverse group of people, from different backgrounds and with different experiences.
The other main cast of characters is a band of dragons from Chinese folklore. I don’t feel like this is a spoiler, since the first line in the book foreshadows their appearance. They play the part of guides, as well as the keepers of the timeline. Again, they’re difficult to describe, and there are a lot of them, each with their own personality, but they mainly show up in the action after their initial introduction, so aside from their cryptic nature and strange appearance, we don’t get much of them, either.
Moli, our main point of view character, is who we get the most of, though strangely I feel like I hardly know her at all. It’s difficult to pinpoint how old Moli is; I started the book thinking she couldn’t be older than thirteen, but having finished the book I think she falls closer to the mid-teens. She refers to both of her parents by their first name, which with cursory research is odd not only in Western culture, but also in Chinese culture. She’s very fond of her parents – and regrets not spending time with her late father – and there was no indication as to exactly why she was in this habit. This also made her age hard to grasp, and her naivete and innocence further confused it.
Aside from that, Moli’s inner monologue sometimes jumps from philosophical – much like the narrative of the book itself – to childlike. Not that we can’t have both, or a complex character, or even a character whose thoughts and feelings are confusing to outsiders due to neurodivergence, but there has to be reason and continuity to this, especially as our main point of view character. I should be able to get to know her closely, but I often felt that she was at a distance that wasn’t suited for the close first-person point of view.
The other issue that I found bringing me out of the fiction – though this was only occasionally – was the setting descriptions; sometimes they were vivid and clear, other times I wasn’t quite sure where someone was standing and when.Sometimes I wished the narrative would take a step away from philosophizing and tell me more about the setting, have it set more sturdily in my mind. I don’t mind the rambliness of the narrative, I think it falls in line with what Shawe is trying to achieve with their writing. However, when all the characters are talking in their heads in this soliloquy sort of way, and the narrative is doing it too, it gets overwhelming.
I don’t want to come off totally negatively about the book at all – far from it, in fact. I think the concept and the worldbuilding of this novel is, well… novel. It’s creative and multilayered in a way I don’t see many authors juggle this well. Aside from my criticisms mentioned – which can certainly improve in a second book, which is currently available – I enjoyed myself while I was reading this novel, even when I was sort of confused on its direction.
The way the dragons talk is fun, and I think it fits them well; it’s this sort of condescending, otherworldly tone. They feel ancient and “above it all” (or at least, they think so). The way the novel melds science and magic and mathematics, math as magic and magic as science, is fun, and you don’t have to know much about math to get a general sense of what’s going on. Moli is a very endearing character, and when we get to know her she’s likeable. She has a hard time being brave, she makes mistakes – some really big ones, even – and does her best to rectify them. She’s growing and learning before our eyes, not just while she’s entering into this new world of time travel and mythology, but as she experiences the unfamiliar world of London and the hostility it can sometimes bring.
A theme of togetherness, a want of world peace, a sort of disappointment in the way things are, make this novel an optimistic one, which is just fine for its intended audience. The characters want to save the world despite the fact that it’s flawed, broken in many ways, and it would be easy to shrug humanity off as a lost cause, informed not only by their positions as protagonists, but also as deeply hopeful individuals who have not only seen the worst the world has to offer, but also the best of humanity.
If you love isekai anime or the Magic Tree House series, enjoy science fantasy, or have a weekend to read something new, I would definitely recommend this book; it’s got growing pains, of course, as writers we all have them, a first installment of a series is going to stumble at times, but this is why I also tend to give this genre a little more leeway and compassion – as a fantasy writer myself, it’s a lot to juggle, and the content will have anyone monologuing – as evidenced by the length of this review. If I read future installments in this series, or if I read other works by Ruckus, I’ll be excited to see how the writing grows. I may be far more critical of the novel than most other reviews; I tend to be a nitpicker. However, I think as an indie writer without access to the resources more established writers have, they have created a thought-provoking backdrop to an intense epic historical fantasy series, the perfect weekend read when you not only want to hear about the fantastical, but also about the deeply human.
The novel takes place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; Moli, a young girl from Penglai, China, travels with her mother to London to attend the funeral of Moli’s father, who died from Covid-related complications. After seeing her father’s final work displayed in The British Museum about a clan from Ancient China – the Rourans – Moli experiences a “time slip” and falls into the past. What ensues is what the Tenth Doctor might call “wibbly wobbly, timey-wimey… stuff.”
Without delving too far into it, the book ends with what seems to be a call to action for Moli (and some others we are introduced to in the latter part of the book) to fix the timeline.
The book reminds me a lot of isekai fiction (isekai is Japanese for “other world,” used when a character is pulled from the world they know into one totally different) and historical fantasy, especially series like the Magic Tree House. This book is certainly meant for an older audience than the Magic Tree House series (probably closer to the 14-19 range of teens), but it has the same whimsy and absurdism that I see in a lot of these types of books, mixed with a type of macabre chagrin that definitely matures it.
The book handles a lot of political topics, but mostly focused around the Covid-19 pandemic and the sinophobia that was generated from it. Plenty of other types of politics make their way into it, including deep meditation on human nature (though I am loathe to use such a phrase) and what it means to choose kindness and hope.
Since the onset of the pandemic, many artists have tried to encapsulate the experiences we had as a species and process everything that came with it. Comfort levels with regard to this topic vary, as well as the political ramifications that continue to ripple across the globe.
This novel has many layers; the aforementioned themes of real-world struggle, as well as mix-ins of science-fantasy, mythology and folklore, and in some ways absurdism. This makes it difficult to keep track of at times. I thought I knew what the book was going to be about, but then it took a sharp turn that threw me off about halfway through the book. Surprising your readers isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, but with the introduction of many other point-of-view characters so far into the book, it left me wishing we had had time to get to know this other cast of characters I am, presumably, supposed to spend the rest of the series with.
Since I didn’t have much time to get to know the main cast of characters besides Moli, I can’t really tell you much about them. They’re a diverse group of people, from different backgrounds and with different experiences.
The other main cast of characters is a band of dragons from Chinese folklore. I don’t feel like this is a spoiler, since the first line in the book foreshadows their appearance. They play the part of guides, as well as the keepers of the timeline. Again, they’re difficult to describe, and there are a lot of them, each with their own personality, but they mainly show up in the action after their initial introduction, so aside from their cryptic nature and strange appearance, we don’t get much of them, either.
Moli, our main point of view character, is who we get the most of, though strangely I feel like I hardly know her at all. It’s difficult to pinpoint how old Moli is; I started the book thinking she couldn’t be older than thirteen, but having finished the book I think she falls closer to the mid-teens. She refers to both of her parents by their first name, which with cursory research is odd not only in Western culture, but also in Chinese culture. She’s very fond of her parents – and regrets not spending time with her late father – and there was no indication as to exactly why she was in this habit. This also made her age hard to grasp, and her naivete and innocence further confused it.
Aside from that, Moli’s inner monologue sometimes jumps from philosophical – much like the narrative of the book itself – to childlike. Not that we can’t have both, or a complex character, or even a character whose thoughts and feelings are confusing to outsiders due to neurodivergence, but there has to be reason and continuity to this, especially as our main point of view character. I should be able to get to know her closely, but I often felt that she was at a distance that wasn’t suited for the close first-person point of view.
The other issue that I found bringing me out of the fiction – though this was only occasionally – was the setting descriptions; sometimes they were vivid and clear, other times I wasn’t quite sure where someone was standing and when.Sometimes I wished the narrative would take a step away from philosophizing and tell me more about the setting, have it set more sturdily in my mind. I don’t mind the rambliness of the narrative, I think it falls in line with what Shawe is trying to achieve with their writing. However, when all the characters are talking in their heads in this soliloquy sort of way, and the narrative is doing it too, it gets overwhelming.
I don’t want to come off totally negatively about the book at all – far from it, in fact. I think the concept and the worldbuilding of this novel is, well… novel. It’s creative and multilayered in a way I don’t see many authors juggle this well. Aside from my criticisms mentioned – which can certainly improve in a second book, which is currently available – I enjoyed myself while I was reading this novel, even when I was sort of confused on its direction.
The way the dragons talk is fun, and I think it fits them well; it’s this sort of condescending, otherworldly tone. They feel ancient and “above it all” (or at least, they think so). The way the novel melds science and magic and mathematics, math as magic and magic as science, is fun, and you don’t have to know much about math to get a general sense of what’s going on. Moli is a very endearing character, and when we get to know her she’s likeable. She has a hard time being brave, she makes mistakes – some really big ones, even – and does her best to rectify them. She’s growing and learning before our eyes, not just while she’s entering into this new world of time travel and mythology, but as she experiences the unfamiliar world of London and the hostility it can sometimes bring.
A theme of togetherness, a want of world peace, a sort of disappointment in the way things are, make this novel an optimistic one, which is just fine for its intended audience. The characters want to save the world despite the fact that it’s flawed, broken in many ways, and it would be easy to shrug humanity off as a lost cause, informed not only by their positions as protagonists, but also as deeply hopeful individuals who have not only seen the worst the world has to offer, but also the best of humanity.
If you love isekai anime or the Magic Tree House series, enjoy science fantasy, or have a weekend to read something new, I would definitely recommend this book; it’s got growing pains, of course, as writers we all have them, a first installment of a series is going to stumble at times, but this is why I also tend to give this genre a little more leeway and compassion – as a fantasy writer myself, it’s a lot to juggle, and the content will have anyone monologuing – as evidenced by the length of this review. If I read future installments in this series, or if I read other works by Ruckus, I’ll be excited to see how the writing grows. I may be far more critical of the novel than most other reviews; I tend to be a nitpicker. However, I think as an indie writer without access to the resources more established writers have, they have created a thought-provoking backdrop to an intense epic historical fantasy series, the perfect weekend read when you not only want to hear about the fantastical, but also about the deeply human.
March 30, 2023
Shawe Ruckus brings us another masterpiece of action and adventure with Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages. Ruckus does a brilliant job incorporating ancient Chinese traditions and zodiac animals (dragons) and weaving them into current world crises. I loved Moli's outlook throughout the book. It personified that we are struggling with the crises caused by war but focusing on bringing forth and executing solutions. One concept that struck me was how Ruckus mentioned in the book that COVID-19 caused people to witness history, and the fatal results made Moli sad to witness such history. This line shows Moli's strength throughout the book, and she uses her strength as her greatest asset. Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages is a book to spark interest in YA readers.
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages is an enchanting fantasy adventure applying ancient culture to modern crises. I am giving this book a 4 out of 5-star rating.
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages is an enchanting fantasy adventure applying ancient culture to modern crises. I am giving this book a 4 out of 5-star rating.
May 16, 2023
Why is it that the dragon is the only fictitious creature in the Chinese Zodiac?
The promotional blurb for this story really intrigued me, and I was so interested to see how Ruckus brought together all of the promised elements into Princess Rouran & The Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages... but unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.
The writing style and storytelling holds SO much promise. I can tell Ruckus has talent and stories to tell, and I think with more rounds of developmental editing this story could have been elevated from a 2-star read to a 3- or even 4-star read. But there were elements to the writing I couldn't get past: a lot of telling instead of showing in the beginning, phrases that didn't really make sense in English, and quick jumps in perspective that left me a bit confused as to who we were reading about. The biggest issue I had, though—and it may just have been an expectation issue on my part—was that I picked up the book for the more fantastical elements promised in the teaser. Instead, the story was driven mostly by historical and philosophical thought and an unexpected central plot point driven by the COVID-19 pandemic; it just so happened to have dragons and other creatures as characters.
I wanted to get to know Moli so much more; I wanted to learn about her relationship with her father and the roots of his interests in the Rouran Dynasty; I wanted a lot of things that the story hinted at but never delved into. In the beginning, this story had elements of both Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth which are both personal favorites, but I think it just lost its way as the story progressed.
The promotional blurb for this story really intrigued me, and I was so interested to see how Ruckus brought together all of the promised elements into Princess Rouran & The Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages... but unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.
The writing style and storytelling holds SO much promise. I can tell Ruckus has talent and stories to tell, and I think with more rounds of developmental editing this story could have been elevated from a 2-star read to a 3- or even 4-star read. But there were elements to the writing I couldn't get past: a lot of telling instead of showing in the beginning, phrases that didn't really make sense in English, and quick jumps in perspective that left me a bit confused as to who we were reading about. The biggest issue I had, though—and it may just have been an expectation issue on my part—was that I picked up the book for the more fantastical elements promised in the teaser. Instead, the story was driven mostly by historical and philosophical thought and an unexpected central plot point driven by the COVID-19 pandemic; it just so happened to have dragons and other creatures as characters.
I wanted to get to know Moli so much more; I wanted to learn about her relationship with her father and the roots of his interests in the Rouran Dynasty; I wanted a lot of things that the story hinted at but never delved into. In the beginning, this story had elements of both Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth which are both personal favorites, but I think it just lost its way as the story progressed.
April 23, 2023
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages by Shawe Ruckus is a young adult fantasy adventure that blends ancient history with contemporary events. The story centers around Moli, a young girl from China, who travels to London for her father's funeral and gets swept up in a wild adventure involving time travel, mythology, and a battle to save the world from Adolf Hitler.
Her father, Morris, was a museum curator who had focused his last work on the Rouran period. Moli and her aunt Edith seize the chance to attend her father's last art exhibit, "The Lost Dynasty of Rouran," at the British Museum. The story turns out unexpectedly when Moli discovers her ties to the Rourans, an ancient dynasty once the nemesis of Hua Mulan. This unfolds another world where dragons are more than mythological beings. The story becomes even more intriguing when Moli travels back to the Rouran period, led by Qiuniu, the eldest among the dragon's nine sons and the best-tempered one.
She witnesses the Rourans' clash with the Gaoches, and Moli plays an active role in securing victory for the Rourans. Later, back in her world, Moli, Edith, Kiza, and James must join forces to combat a historical evil brought to the modern era, Adolf Hitler and save the world. So what happens next?
The story is packed with surprises, time travel, mythology, and SF tropes, creating an engaging and wild narrative. Moli is a spirited and determined protagonist. Throughout the story, her courage and quick thinking make her a likable and relatable character. Another highlight of this book is how Ruckus weaves real-world issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, into the story. This adds depth to the narrative and makes it even more relevant to modern readers. The characters are well-developed, and the reader will root for Moli and her companions as they try to save the world from historical evil.
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages is a well-crafted and engaging novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. Ruckus has created a unique and thrilling world that captures readers' imaginations and leaves them wanting more. I highly recommend it.
Her father, Morris, was a museum curator who had focused his last work on the Rouran period. Moli and her aunt Edith seize the chance to attend her father's last art exhibit, "The Lost Dynasty of Rouran," at the British Museum. The story turns out unexpectedly when Moli discovers her ties to the Rourans, an ancient dynasty once the nemesis of Hua Mulan. This unfolds another world where dragons are more than mythological beings. The story becomes even more intriguing when Moli travels back to the Rouran period, led by Qiuniu, the eldest among the dragon's nine sons and the best-tempered one.
She witnesses the Rourans' clash with the Gaoches, and Moli plays an active role in securing victory for the Rourans. Later, back in her world, Moli, Edith, Kiza, and James must join forces to combat a historical evil brought to the modern era, Adolf Hitler and save the world. So what happens next?
The story is packed with surprises, time travel, mythology, and SF tropes, creating an engaging and wild narrative. Moli is a spirited and determined protagonist. Throughout the story, her courage and quick thinking make her a likable and relatable character. Another highlight of this book is how Ruckus weaves real-world issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, into the story. This adds depth to the narrative and makes it even more relevant to modern readers. The characters are well-developed, and the reader will root for Moli and her companions as they try to save the world from historical evil.
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages is a well-crafted and engaging novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. Ruckus has created a unique and thrilling world that captures readers' imaginations and leaves them wanting more. I highly recommend it.
July 10, 2023
Rather than an outright fantasy adventure, Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages is equal parts adventure and modern-day events centered around COVID-19. The philosophical ponderings by the many creatures Moli encounters are intended to get the audience thinking, and it does to a degree. Unfortunately, it also served to pull me from the primary story at times with odd phrasings or confusing questions that never get explored. Ruckus certainly had a story in mind at the outset of the book and with more editorial guidance I can see this author succeeding in the fantasy/folklore genre. Moli’s adventure was filled with a variety of mythological creatures that stretched the imagination and served to keep me interested in what else she might encounter.
Moli’s interest in her late father’s research of the Rouran’s kicks off the story. She’s pulled into another realm and when things go awry, she must flee and finds herself in the very time period her father dedicated the final years of his life. Moli gets a first-hand experience of the ongoing war and the lives of the Rouran’s which served as an intriguing plot point. Her involvement in the era coupled with another important moment creates a ripple effect when she returns to her time and Ruckus gives readers a shocking twist setting up the second book in the series.
One of the sticking points for me was the shifting point of view from Moli to another character without a page break which was disconcerting as a reader. It did serve to give a fuller view of the ongoing drama, it just needed to be a smoother in execution. Additionally, I wish we’d spent more time in the era Moli is transported to and had more time to get to know her as a character. As I said, the story is half Moli’s adventure and half focused on the pandemic in modern times. While it could have been executed better, it did highlight the very real prejudices that happened during 2020.
Overall, the book was an ok read that could have fleshed out the adventure more to better live up to the excellent hook and synopsis that first drew me to the story. Moli is a bright and fearless character that really shone throughout the story.
Moli’s interest in her late father’s research of the Rouran’s kicks off the story. She’s pulled into another realm and when things go awry, she must flee and finds herself in the very time period her father dedicated the final years of his life. Moli gets a first-hand experience of the ongoing war and the lives of the Rouran’s which served as an intriguing plot point. Her involvement in the era coupled with another important moment creates a ripple effect when she returns to her time and Ruckus gives readers a shocking twist setting up the second book in the series.
One of the sticking points for me was the shifting point of view from Moli to another character without a page break which was disconcerting as a reader. It did serve to give a fuller view of the ongoing drama, it just needed to be a smoother in execution. Additionally, I wish we’d spent more time in the era Moli is transported to and had more time to get to know her as a character. As I said, the story is half Moli’s adventure and half focused on the pandemic in modern times. While it could have been executed better, it did highlight the very real prejudices that happened during 2020.
Overall, the book was an ok read that could have fleshed out the adventure more to better live up to the excellent hook and synopsis that first drew me to the story. Moli is a bright and fearless character that really shone throughout the story.
March 22, 2023
‘Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages’ by Shawe Ruckus is a great read for lovers of adventure. The book narrates the fantasy of Moli a young girl who travels to London for her father’s burial where she enters a realm of dragons, shamans, and beasts. Her presence is mistaken for some special powers that will aid humanity solve crises such as war, sickness, hunger, and racism, an immense responsibility for such a girl. While in this new world, Moli encounters strange and silly things like holding a conversation with a snake and a turtle, talking cat, and a room with doors that can destroy the world if opened. These magical mysteries will leave readers, especially kids, entertained as they unravel how these bizarre things relate.
The author’s use of magical mysteries makes it relatable to readers. In the Chinese mythologies Shawe Ruckus tackle themes of power and wars that plague the world today. The COVID-19 pandemic is poised as a challenge and how it brought the world to a standstill. Despite soldiers and political leaders clashing, Moli is happy they are talking about the solutions but sad because it is a huge problem. Shawe captures Moli’s emotions which influence what she does in the story. These different feelings using fancy and expressive language invite readers into learning the character and understanding the story better.
I loved how the author advances the themes of discrimination and violence in the book. Chinese characters are sidelined as in the case of Moli and her family who face the wrath of London society. The author is keen to highlight how society was ignorant and racists towards Chinese locals in relation to the pandemic. However, it feels to the reader the comments were forced and it would feel more natural to have the author incorporate the themes into the fantasy realms or mythological creatures rather than point out an encounter at a shopping center.
Great read for young adult fantasy and adventurer lovers.
The author’s use of magical mysteries makes it relatable to readers. In the Chinese mythologies Shawe Ruckus tackle themes of power and wars that plague the world today. The COVID-19 pandemic is poised as a challenge and how it brought the world to a standstill. Despite soldiers and political leaders clashing, Moli is happy they are talking about the solutions but sad because it is a huge problem. Shawe captures Moli’s emotions which influence what she does in the story. These different feelings using fancy and expressive language invite readers into learning the character and understanding the story better.
I loved how the author advances the themes of discrimination and violence in the book. Chinese characters are sidelined as in the case of Moli and her family who face the wrath of London society. The author is keen to highlight how society was ignorant and racists towards Chinese locals in relation to the pandemic. However, it feels to the reader the comments were forced and it would feel more natural to have the author incorporate the themes into the fantasy realms or mythological creatures rather than point out an encounter at a shopping center.
Great read for young adult fantasy and adventurer lovers.
May 23, 2023
We are in the middle of the pandemic. People are still scared, so scared that they would blame anyone just to feel better. Moli, a young Chinese girl, and her mother Maggie are traveling to the UK from China to attend Moli's father's funeral. Morris, an archeologist (maybe?) very interested in Asia and especially China, passed away because of the virus.
Arrived in the UK, Moli decides to learn more about her father's last work. Together with her aunt Edith, they will go to the museum and learn about the Rourans. Later that day, Moli meets a few dragons and goes back in time when the Rourans were still alive. Unfortunately, her little adventure will have bigger consequences in the present.
I am not familiar with Asian history, especially China. I enjoyed all the references to its culture, mythology, and legends. I really liked the first half of the book, and I thought Moli's adventure in the past was quite entertaining.
I wasn't a big fan of the second part of the book, mostly because I wasn't expecting it to take such a different turn. It did explain some of the events from book 2, which I read before this one, and for that I am grateful.
I think, as I said for book 2, this might not exactly be a book for very young readers. They might still enjoy it, but the storyline seems to be more of a background to all the social problems we have been experiencing in the past few years. Book 2 goes a bit wider, while book 1 focuses especially on the virus and all the issues around it, from the vaccine to its origin.
I think I would recommend this book only if you were particularly interested in these things; otherwise, the story doesn't feel very important after Moli comes back to the present. And that is also why I decided to give it 4 stars; I wanted to read more about Moli's adventures in the past. I still enjoyed it and I am glad I got the chance to read both books 1 and 2.
Arrived in the UK, Moli decides to learn more about her father's last work. Together with her aunt Edith, they will go to the museum and learn about the Rourans. Later that day, Moli meets a few dragons and goes back in time when the Rourans were still alive. Unfortunately, her little adventure will have bigger consequences in the present.
I am not familiar with Asian history, especially China. I enjoyed all the references to its culture, mythology, and legends. I really liked the first half of the book, and I thought Moli's adventure in the past was quite entertaining.
I wasn't a big fan of the second part of the book, mostly because I wasn't expecting it to take such a different turn. It did explain some of the events from book 2, which I read before this one, and for that I am grateful.
I think, as I said for book 2, this might not exactly be a book for very young readers. They might still enjoy it, but the storyline seems to be more of a background to all the social problems we have been experiencing in the past few years. Book 2 goes a bit wider, while book 1 focuses especially on the virus and all the issues around it, from the vaccine to its origin.
I think I would recommend this book only if you were particularly interested in these things; otherwise, the story doesn't feel very important after Moli comes back to the present. And that is also why I decided to give it 4 stars; I wanted to read more about Moli's adventures in the past. I still enjoyed it and I am glad I got the chance to read both books 1 and 2.
February 23, 2023
Shawe Ruckus’s Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot Of 10,000 Sages is an enticing read about Molly's fascinating world. Molly, a young girl who visits her aunt and grandma in London. She is part of an unsettling environment but the story proceeds with its sweet and sour nature.
It's a very real build up, it covers everything like real life events. The way a young girl goes about her childhood is interested in dragons and languages. And the horrifying scenario of the recent past yet everything is held together with beautifully narrated events.
It feels very good to read a book that has fantasy embedded in reality or so to say in imagination. The young Molly is going through a lot and she has been mature throughout the book but that doesn't outshadow her innocence. Her interest in knowing about something and keeping herself calm when she has suffered an unfortunate loss.
Her transcendental journey is well thought out, it is fast paced as she moves hither and thither. She is a fascinating character and as the magical world turns real, she goes on to experience a profoundly alternate world where she could talk to animals and meet past age characters.
The story should have been more prolonged. Everything seems interconnected but it could have been more intense with some extra bit of background information. Molly can anticipate what goes around her and being a willful girl, she brings a lot of positive energy to the scenes.
Her presence is portrayed with optimism for all of us. Besides the realm of fantasy, there is an ungrateful lifestyle of human nature, the problem of racism and the gravitating force of modern life accurately gripples the ongoing scenario.
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot Of 10,000 Sages is deeply meaningful and with a blend of needed fantasy, the story flows in a wonderful spectrum of events.
It's a very real build up, it covers everything like real life events. The way a young girl goes about her childhood is interested in dragons and languages. And the horrifying scenario of the recent past yet everything is held together with beautifully narrated events.
It feels very good to read a book that has fantasy embedded in reality or so to say in imagination. The young Molly is going through a lot and she has been mature throughout the book but that doesn't outshadow her innocence. Her interest in knowing about something and keeping herself calm when she has suffered an unfortunate loss.
Her transcendental journey is well thought out, it is fast paced as she moves hither and thither. She is a fascinating character and as the magical world turns real, she goes on to experience a profoundly alternate world where she could talk to animals and meet past age characters.
The story should have been more prolonged. Everything seems interconnected but it could have been more intense with some extra bit of background information. Molly can anticipate what goes around her and being a willful girl, she brings a lot of positive energy to the scenes.
Her presence is portrayed with optimism for all of us. Besides the realm of fantasy, there is an ungrateful lifestyle of human nature, the problem of racism and the gravitating force of modern life accurately gripples the ongoing scenario.
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot Of 10,000 Sages is deeply meaningful and with a blend of needed fantasy, the story flows in a wonderful spectrum of events.
April 21, 2023
"Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages" by Shawe Ruckus transports readers to a time and space-traveling epic. Moli, a young Chinese girl, travels to London to attend her father's funeral and unexpectedly finds herself in a mystical realm populated by dragons, shamans, and conqueror worms. She discovers her kinship with an ancient khanate and is tasked with assisting humanity in overcoming crises such as war, sickness, starvation, and prejudice.
The author brilliantly blends themes of power, inequality, and violence throughout the work, mirroring Chinese mythology as well as the difficulties of the modern world. Moli's voyage demonstrates how society is uninformed and prejudiced against Chinese natives, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. The author uses elaborate and evocative language to portray Moli's feelings, making her character and the plot more relevant and intriguing.
Ruckus' imaginative writing in creating a young heroine who overcomes adversity is motivating and compelling, making this novel a must-read for young adult fantasy and adventure fans. Moli's character growth is subtle but significant, and the use of mystical puzzles keeps the book exciting and intriguing for readers, particularly children. The ability of the author to blend several sorts of mythology into the plot adds depth and interest, and the depiction of the dragon, shamans, and other creatures is innovative and engaging.
Overall, "Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages" is a meaningful novel about the importance of empathy and optimism in a world filled with sadness and hate. The novel is an extremely gratifying read that will captivate readers with Moli's trip and the wonderful land she encounters. Anyone who appreciates grand adventures and fantastic narrative should read it.
The author brilliantly blends themes of power, inequality, and violence throughout the work, mirroring Chinese mythology as well as the difficulties of the modern world. Moli's voyage demonstrates how society is uninformed and prejudiced against Chinese natives, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. The author uses elaborate and evocative language to portray Moli's feelings, making her character and the plot more relevant and intriguing.
Ruckus' imaginative writing in creating a young heroine who overcomes adversity is motivating and compelling, making this novel a must-read for young adult fantasy and adventure fans. Moli's character growth is subtle but significant, and the use of mystical puzzles keeps the book exciting and intriguing for readers, particularly children. The ability of the author to blend several sorts of mythology into the plot adds depth and interest, and the depiction of the dragon, shamans, and other creatures is innovative and engaging.
Overall, "Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages" is a meaningful novel about the importance of empathy and optimism in a world filled with sadness and hate. The novel is an extremely gratifying read that will captivate readers with Moli's trip and the wonderful land she encounters. Anyone who appreciates grand adventures and fantastic narrative should read it.
May 19, 2023
A realm of extraordinary fantasy
Author Shawe Ruckus delivers with Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages an impressive contribution to the ever-growing young adult fantastic adventure subgenre. The book has everything required from the tradition, namely, great pace, pristine prose, and an adequate structural consistency throughout its 223 pages. Ruckus know perfectly how to play his audience, oscillating between particular elements from ancient history to contemporary historical events. This quality serves a huge regarding the intersections of space and time the author imposes on the plot.
From the colossal Chinese cultural legacy to mythological allusions, from WWII-related issues to the implications of time travel. One could even argue that this particular novel was written with a very precise responsibility towards historical narratives and artefacts. Ruckus interweaves magnificently the structure of a novel that is almost touching the science fiction realms, to the complexities on a geopolitical scale around fifth-century China. Art and dragons, flesh and bone. The latter is perfected through the depth of the protagonist, Moli, who carries the story forward.
Great insight into twentieth-century issues in the realm of fantasy and adventure. A must-read for the fans of this (sub)genre, who most likely will be tempted to move quickly to Ruckus' second instalment, published just a couple of months after, in order to proceed with Moli's adventure. Give it a try.
Author Shawe Ruckus delivers with Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages an impressive contribution to the ever-growing young adult fantastic adventure subgenre. The book has everything required from the tradition, namely, great pace, pristine prose, and an adequate structural consistency throughout its 223 pages. Ruckus know perfectly how to play his audience, oscillating between particular elements from ancient history to contemporary historical events. This quality serves a huge regarding the intersections of space and time the author imposes on the plot.
From the colossal Chinese cultural legacy to mythological allusions, from WWII-related issues to the implications of time travel. One could even argue that this particular novel was written with a very precise responsibility towards historical narratives and artefacts. Ruckus interweaves magnificently the structure of a novel that is almost touching the science fiction realms, to the complexities on a geopolitical scale around fifth-century China. Art and dragons, flesh and bone. The latter is perfected through the depth of the protagonist, Moli, who carries the story forward.
Great insight into twentieth-century issues in the realm of fantasy and adventure. A must-read for the fans of this (sub)genre, who most likely will be tempted to move quickly to Ruckus' second instalment, published just a couple of months after, in order to proceed with Moli's adventure. Give it a try.
May 9, 2023
This is great adventure story about a girl named Moli who travels from China to London to attend her dad’s funeral. Her father worked at a museum and it is while at the exhibition Moli chances upon another realm full of Chinese creatures and dragons. While at it she is mistaken to possess powers that will aid in saving the world from the current challenges like wars, diseases, famine, racism, among others. The author employs absurd characters in the story like a snake and a turtle and doors that respond to magic. Readers will be drawn into the story as they immediately are drawn into the life Moli whose experiences invite empathy.
Ruckus does a fantastic job in describing the magical encounters Moli undergoes and readers can feel in touch with the reality. While the events in the novel appear fictitious, they resemble the challenges we presently encounter. The constant conflict between politicians, especially on arms race is an example of what is happening in today’s world. Instead of fostering unity and cooperation everyone is fighting to safeguard their own interests. Ruckus depicts how Moli’s family encountered discrimination because they were Chinese. There is also mention of the Covid-19 pandemic and its links with China in a racist angle. Despite the turbulence, Moli maintains her composure she does not let her emotions and feelings get the best of her. This is a great fantasy novel for teens and adults. Exploring the adventures of Moli as she is traverses dangerous places confronting dangerous foes in a bid to save humanity is one thrilling story that will get you hooked from start to finish.
Ruckus does a fantastic job in describing the magical encounters Moli undergoes and readers can feel in touch with the reality. While the events in the novel appear fictitious, they resemble the challenges we presently encounter. The constant conflict between politicians, especially on arms race is an example of what is happening in today’s world. Instead of fostering unity and cooperation everyone is fighting to safeguard their own interests. Ruckus depicts how Moli’s family encountered discrimination because they were Chinese. There is also mention of the Covid-19 pandemic and its links with China in a racist angle. Despite the turbulence, Moli maintains her composure she does not let her emotions and feelings get the best of her. This is a great fantasy novel for teens and adults. Exploring the adventures of Moli as she is traverses dangerous places confronting dangerous foes in a bid to save humanity is one thrilling story that will get you hooked from start to finish.
April 19, 2023
The start of change and growth by learning from history.
I read the sequel for this series before getting to this one and it suprisingly didn't confuse my experience getting through it within a few hours. I think its because I knew what to expect in how Ruckus writes this time jumps for the story that moves from one major characters viewpoint to another. Other than and some grammar errors, I'm so glad I read out order because it let me ease up on my structural need to do everything right. There was no pressure by the end because it all made sense and made everything in the next book of course easier to understand how it begins. In a fictional world that's full of cultural history meaningful to Moli and her family plus the major link to major events of life in the past and present for all the cast of characters.
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages was my favorite out of the two because it was more clear about the issue at hand. Plus the conflicts and issues that came along with it were more easy to read without as many stray trains of thought in the action and dialogue. Not to mention how significant representation to a major cultural and native people of China and there connection to mythical and legendary creature is . It was right to the fun and often tragic relative power of the magic and adventure much faster. A story that made me both nervous, intrigued and sad all at once which made this a perfectly fine on the cusp of good first book.
I read the sequel for this series before getting to this one and it suprisingly didn't confuse my experience getting through it within a few hours. I think its because I knew what to expect in how Ruckus writes this time jumps for the story that moves from one major characters viewpoint to another. Other than and some grammar errors, I'm so glad I read out order because it let me ease up on my structural need to do everything right. There was no pressure by the end because it all made sense and made everything in the next book of course easier to understand how it begins. In a fictional world that's full of cultural history meaningful to Moli and her family plus the major link to major events of life in the past and present for all the cast of characters.
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages was my favorite out of the two because it was more clear about the issue at hand. Plus the conflicts and issues that came along with it were more easy to read without as many stray trains of thought in the action and dialogue. Not to mention how significant representation to a major cultural and native people of China and there connection to mythical and legendary creature is . It was right to the fun and often tragic relative power of the magic and adventure much faster. A story that made me both nervous, intrigued and sad all at once which made this a perfectly fine on the cusp of good first book.
June 12, 2023
Pg. 49 “...she asked in a shaky voice, “If dragons do exist, why don’t you save people?” Qiuniu replied, “Humans make history. We only remember... There have been as many plagues as wars in history, yet plagues and wars take people equally by surprise. It seems that humans are once again in the grip of extraordinarily dangerous outbreak of forgetfulness.:
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages by Shawe Ruckus follows a young girl, Moli. Moli is on her way to London, for the funeral of her father, who loved history and was working on a project about the Dynasty of Rouran. One night, Moli is woken up to a simple tune playing. She follows the music and is led by Qiuniu to the Hall of Ten Thousand Sages. During that visit an attack happens and Moli tries to escape, however, she opens a door with a letter “i” on it accidently, which causes Moli to time travel to a moment in history. With that happening, Moli causes something major to happen which causes three other people to join her in hopes of saving the world from a terrible demise.
This book was wonderful! I thought that the story flowed very well. I really thought that Moli’s story was interesting and how she was able to keep her head calm during certain times in the story. However, I would have liked to learn more about the other three people that had to join Moli at the end. These people were just introduced and agreed to help Moli with her without much of a background. I am looking forward to seeing where the second book goes and if Moli and her new friends can save the world.
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages by Shawe Ruckus follows a young girl, Moli. Moli is on her way to London, for the funeral of her father, who loved history and was working on a project about the Dynasty of Rouran. One night, Moli is woken up to a simple tune playing. She follows the music and is led by Qiuniu to the Hall of Ten Thousand Sages. During that visit an attack happens and Moli tries to escape, however, she opens a door with a letter “i” on it accidently, which causes Moli to time travel to a moment in history. With that happening, Moli causes something major to happen which causes three other people to join her in hopes of saving the world from a terrible demise.
This book was wonderful! I thought that the story flowed very well. I really thought that Moli’s story was interesting and how she was able to keep her head calm during certain times in the story. However, I would have liked to learn more about the other three people that had to join Moli at the end. These people were just introduced and agreed to help Moli with her without much of a background. I am looking forward to seeing where the second book goes and if Moli and her new friends can save the world.
May 14, 2023
I liked that many of the situations presented in the story are quite relatable. Although most of the protagonists in the story are children, the book cannot be exactly termed as meant for children, not just because of the plenty of terms which are not common in everyday English, but also because of touching upon many disturbing yet controversial topics which are not suitable for children.
Chapters are of the right length. However, for a large part of the story, the title seems a bit misplaced. There is a helpful list of notes and references at the end which mainly explains concepts borrowed/adapted from other languages and famous works of literature as well as the sources from which certain observations and conclusions have been cited in the text. Certain elements and characters of the story find mention in the second book of the series as well.
It is very easy to get lost into imagination as there are several thought-provoking and often open-ended questions asked throughout the book. Many such questions are good candidates for a debate with no definite answer. Keeping focus on the main storyline is hard because of these tangential thoughts. However, the book does bring to the surface some core human values and beliefs presented with a fresh perspective, often bringing to the fore the other side of the coin.
I would have liked it better if the climax was not abrupt and also if the title of the work didn't lose relevance as the story progressed.
Chapters are of the right length. However, for a large part of the story, the title seems a bit misplaced. There is a helpful list of notes and references at the end which mainly explains concepts borrowed/adapted from other languages and famous works of literature as well as the sources from which certain observations and conclusions have been cited in the text. Certain elements and characters of the story find mention in the second book of the series as well.
It is very easy to get lost into imagination as there are several thought-provoking and often open-ended questions asked throughout the book. Many such questions are good candidates for a debate with no definite answer. Keeping focus on the main storyline is hard because of these tangential thoughts. However, the book does bring to the surface some core human values and beliefs presented with a fresh perspective, often bringing to the fore the other side of the coin.
I would have liked it better if the climax was not abrupt and also if the title of the work didn't lose relevance as the story progressed.
April 27, 2023
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages is the first installment to Ruckus's Princess Rouran Adventures series. Moli, is a young girl who travels with her family from China to London in order to attend her father's funeral. While in London, Moli takes the opportunity to visit the British Museum to see an exhibit, "The Last Dynasty of Rouran" the last work her father, a museum curator and historian, completed before his death. Unknown to Moli, visiting the exhibition awakens a magical ability in her. When Qiuniu, one of the dragon's nine sons, suddenly appears in her hotel room, she follows him without question. Upon following him, Moli is transported to another dimension, another time period to be exact. Mistaken for a shamaness, Moli finds herself in the Rouran dynasty and is tasked with helping the Rourans defeat their enemies, the fierce Gaoches. Though marketed as a YA, this reads more like an upper level Middle Grade to me and was still an entertaining read. I appreciate how Ruckus addressed the Covid 19 pandemic, along with the racism aimed at Asians particularly at the start of the pandemic, as this is the first time I've seen it addressed in a work of fiction. My favorite part of the book was definitely the mixture of fantasy and Chinese mythology. Would definitely recommend this book to fans of fantasy and mythology.
May 17, 2023
If you’re anything like me and love a bit of folklore then this book is for you. The wealth of old stories intertwined with the tale of Moli as she negotiates grief, discrimination, and an incredible legacy is artfully done and full of surprises.
Fantasy writing is crying out for more characters like Moli. I took to her right away and will be following her subsequent adventures with her three compatriots.
It took a little while to get going. I was keen to meet the dragons and other creatures, but when they arrived they didn’t disappoint, and then I appreciated the effort the author had gone to to build the story to a point where things could really take off.
And take off they do!
Along the way, there are thoughtful diversions in political philosophy, debates about the motivation for war, and alternative viewpoints regarding the Covid-19 pandemic amongst other concerns that we all share today.
Bringing folklore to the fore in a modern setting, and making the fantastic real is a tough gig, but Ruckus really pulls it off like a proper ink-slinger should. I’m going to have to read it again to catch all the little bits I missed the first time around, the proverbs, the questions, and the language lessons!
I look forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended. Great entertainment!
Fantasy writing is crying out for more characters like Moli. I took to her right away and will be following her subsequent adventures with her three compatriots.
It took a little while to get going. I was keen to meet the dragons and other creatures, but when they arrived they didn’t disappoint, and then I appreciated the effort the author had gone to to build the story to a point where things could really take off.
And take off they do!
Along the way, there are thoughtful diversions in political philosophy, debates about the motivation for war, and alternative viewpoints regarding the Covid-19 pandemic amongst other concerns that we all share today.
Bringing folklore to the fore in a modern setting, and making the fantastic real is a tough gig, but Ruckus really pulls it off like a proper ink-slinger should. I’m going to have to read it again to catch all the little bits I missed the first time around, the proverbs, the questions, and the language lessons!
I look forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended. Great entertainment!
November 6, 2023
A young girl who loves dragons finds her life turned upside down after her father's death as she ventures into another realm while looking into her museum curator/historian father's research. The story centers around the modern-day events of COVID-19 and focuses on a young girl named Moli who is traveling from China to London to attend her father's funeral and see his last exhibition. She finds herself pulled into another realm, one that is filled with mythical creatures and she gets to experience first-hand the ongoing war and the lives of the Rouran's, which her father was looking into. Her involvement in the past time has a ripple effect when she returns to her own time. The story is a fantasy one but poses a lot of philosophical thoughts. It's an interesting read and definitely leaves room for a second book. My only big thing about this was that the writing style was all over the place and it was hard to get into the story when I felt like I was constantly being pulled out of it. I did enjoy that this book was trying to tackle a lot of things but it felt like I was being pulled back and forth between the fantasy realm with Moli and the modern pandemic times. The story just felt a bit all over the place but I can appreciate what it was trying to do.
*Thanks Netgalley and UK Book Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thanks Netgalley and UK Book Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
April 17, 2023
"Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages" by Shawe Ruckus stands out as a riveting and highly satisfying adventurous read regarding the magical and poignant ventures of a young Chinese girl, Moli. Her mystical abilities have helped her unravel a new magical dimension that will have readers fascinated by her aptitudes especially after she visits her father's project,' The Lost Dynasty of the Rouran'. An unforeseen test awaited the young girl as she finds herself tasked with helping the Rourans in becoming victorious against the vicious Gaoches. Readers won't find it easy stopping in between the pages as a build-up of deep suspense and anticipation overtakes them in a rich and adrenalizing exposure to the shamans' and dragons' realm.
Shawe Ruckus' expertise and creative writing in building a young heroin character who overcomes difficult odds in a rich display of power and talent is a great inspiration to every young mind that comes across this highly imagined text. Ruckus will quickly capture the attention of new and old lovers of mystery with a compelling plot that will see them transported to places full of new joys and discoveries. Highly recommended for young readers!
Shawe Ruckus' expertise and creative writing in building a young heroin character who overcomes difficult odds in a rich display of power and talent is a great inspiration to every young mind that comes across this highly imagined text. Ruckus will quickly capture the attention of new and old lovers of mystery with a compelling plot that will see them transported to places full of new joys and discoveries. Highly recommended for young readers!
February 27, 2023
Engaging fantasy story
"Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages" is a fantastic read for young adventurers! This book takes you on an epic journey through a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and a brave princess who will stop at nothing to save her kingdom.
Shawe Ruckus has done an amazing job creating a story that is action-packed and full of suspense. The world-building is incredible, with rich descriptions that bring the magical world to life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Princess Rouran being a standout protagonist who is both courageous and inspiring.
The themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage are woven throughout the story, making it not only an exciting adventure but also a story with a positive message. The writing style is easy to read, making it accessible to young readers aged over 8years.
Overall, I highly recommend "Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages" to anyone who loves a good adventure story. It's a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I can't wait to read more books in the Princess Rouran Adventures series!
"Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages" is a fantastic read for young adventurers! This book takes you on an epic journey through a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and a brave princess who will stop at nothing to save her kingdom.
Shawe Ruckus has done an amazing job creating a story that is action-packed and full of suspense. The world-building is incredible, with rich descriptions that bring the magical world to life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Princess Rouran being a standout protagonist who is both courageous and inspiring.
The themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage are woven throughout the story, making it not only an exciting adventure but also a story with a positive message. The writing style is easy to read, making it accessible to young readers aged over 8years.
Overall, I highly recommend "Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages" to anyone who loves a good adventure story. It's a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I can't wait to read more books in the Princess Rouran Adventures series!
April 3, 2023
Moli is a Chinese girl who travels to the UK to attend her dad's funeral. She uses the opportunity to also visit her dad's last exhibit "The Lost Dynasty of Rouran" and because of her magical heritage, she manages to open a portal to another dimension where dragons are real and they're found to actually help humanity throughout its history in various ways, each taking care of an aspect of knowledge.
The story mixes reality with imagination, for Moli is a person who fantasizes a lot and sees everything through the eyes of her vivid imagination. Maybe this is her power?
I literally devoured this book. Sweet, well-written, poetic and filled with family life, a novel
that will meet your taste if you like a light but adventurous fiction and you love the Fantasy genre, Chinese folklore and mithology and, ultimately, a good story. I read this one mostly at bedtime and it didn't give me any bad dreams, so you can read it even if you're the sensitive type (I'm an HSP).
5/5 stars. Looking forward to reading book 2!
** Trigger warnings below! **
Death/funeral; Covid-19 pandemic.
The story mixes reality with imagination, for Moli is a person who fantasizes a lot and sees everything through the eyes of her vivid imagination. Maybe this is her power?
I literally devoured this book. Sweet, well-written, poetic and filled with family life, a novel
that will meet your taste if you like a light but adventurous fiction and you love the Fantasy genre, Chinese folklore and mithology and, ultimately, a good story. I read this one mostly at bedtime and it didn't give me any bad dreams, so you can read it even if you're the sensitive type (I'm an HSP).
5/5 stars. Looking forward to reading book 2!
** Trigger warnings below! **
Death/funeral; Covid-19 pandemic.
May 3, 2023
I will admit I read the second adventure before this one, and while I was still able to follow book 2, this made everything I read there more understandable.
This book is a fun read and very much an epic adventure. You start off with the character Moli, who's young but not so young she couldn't get through some of these feats alone. Moli is Chinese and has a knows a lot of Chinese lore and fables, which I think inspires much of this book. We follow Moli on what at first seems like a weird dream but is in fact reality. She even does a time jump, which sets everything that happens later in motion.
It's up to Moli, her Aunt Edith, James and Kiza to ultimately save the world. While I did enjoy reading this, I felt like the introduction of Edith, James and Kiza as key players was a little abrupt and would have liked to see them pulled into a short little adventure like Moli and then bring everyone together under a common purpose. Shawe Ruckus also has a writing style that lends to lots of dialogue and long winded scenes. There's a method to it though and ultimately it all makes sense.
Either way I would highly recommend.
This book is a fun read and very much an epic adventure. You start off with the character Moli, who's young but not so young she couldn't get through some of these feats alone. Moli is Chinese and has a knows a lot of Chinese lore and fables, which I think inspires much of this book. We follow Moli on what at first seems like a weird dream but is in fact reality. She even does a time jump, which sets everything that happens later in motion.
It's up to Moli, her Aunt Edith, James and Kiza to ultimately save the world. While I did enjoy reading this, I felt like the introduction of Edith, James and Kiza as key players was a little abrupt and would have liked to see them pulled into a short little adventure like Moli and then bring everyone together under a common purpose. Shawe Ruckus also has a writing style that lends to lots of dialogue and long winded scenes. There's a method to it though and ultimately it all makes sense.
Either way I would highly recommend.
June 20, 2023
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages by Shawe Ruckus I can say was a story that exuded different emotions. The story basically revolved around a girl named Moli whose father was called Morris and mother Maggie. Unfortunately Morris died due to the virus. He was an avid historian and had come up with an exhibition on Rouran. One day, Maggie decided to take Moli to a British museum in London and they were accompanied by Edith who was Moli’s aunt. At the museum, Moli appeared to be intrigued by what she saw and had a deep interest in learning about his dad’s findings. As the story continued to unfold, Moli enountered time slips which will surely keep you intrigued. James, Kiza, Moli and Edith with the help of others were on a mission to save the world. Moxie, another fictional character in the story offered each one of them something that would come in handy during this expedition. Moli was offered a pentrachromic pen, Kiza a Thunderclap frisbee and Edith is given an Excalibur. Since this story was fictional, character descriptions were beyond human thinking which I know fictional lovers will love to indulge in. This was indeed an interesting read!
February 22, 2023
I have already read one of the books in the series earlier (I am going backward). Therefore I will just go into the overall likeability of the book, story, and characters (no spoilers!).
The story is very addicting. The plot has many twists that will keep you hooked for the whole duration of the book. Also, believe me when I say, once you start the book it will be difficult to put down. It is very addicting.
As I said in the review of book #2 in the series, the characters are very well fleshed out. They show and depict a range of emotions that the reader can feel as well as relate to. The author has done a wonderful job on the characters, by which I mean both the side characters and the main character.
Overall, I loved this book as much as I loved the first one, probably a tad bit more. Anyways, if you are into fantasy books with a strong character cast, go for this book without any hesitation whatsoever. Lastly, much gratitude to the author for writing this book for us to enjoy.
Thank you
Happy Reading
The story is very addicting. The plot has many twists that will keep you hooked for the whole duration of the book. Also, believe me when I say, once you start the book it will be difficult to put down. It is very addicting.
As I said in the review of book #2 in the series, the characters are very well fleshed out. They show and depict a range of emotions that the reader can feel as well as relate to. The author has done a wonderful job on the characters, by which I mean both the side characters and the main character.
Overall, I loved this book as much as I loved the first one, probably a tad bit more. Anyways, if you are into fantasy books with a strong character cast, go for this book without any hesitation whatsoever. Lastly, much gratitude to the author for writing this book for us to enjoy.
Thank you
Happy Reading
April 3, 2023
Embark on a thrilling fantasy adventure
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages by Shawe Ruckus is a young adult fantasy adventure that is sure to capture your imagination. The novel is the first in a series and follows the story of Moli, who is brought to England after the death of her father, Morris, a museum curator and historian. In England, Moli discovers her connection to the Rouran dynasty and embarks on a thrilling adventure that takes her to the Hall of the Ten Thousand Sages.
Moli encounters a wide range of otherworldly magical creatures and becomes embroiled in the Rourans' conflict with the Gaoches. The Rourans mistake her for a female shaman, and Moli must use all her wits to help them emerge victorious. After returning to her world, Moli teams up with her aunt Edith, Kiza, and James to save the world from a historical evil.
The novel is an engaging and exciting read, filled with action, adventure, and plenty of twists and turns. Ruckus' writing is fluid and descriptive, bringing the magical world of the Rourans to life. The characters are well-drawn and likable, and the plot is compelling, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.
Princess Rouran and The Dragon Chariot of 10,000 Sages by Shawe Ruckus is a young adult fantasy adventure that is sure to capture your imagination. The novel is the first in a series and follows the story of Moli, who is brought to England after the death of her father, Morris, a museum curator and historian. In England, Moli discovers her connection to the Rouran dynasty and embarks on a thrilling adventure that takes her to the Hall of the Ten Thousand Sages.
Moli encounters a wide range of otherworldly magical creatures and becomes embroiled in the Rourans' conflict with the Gaoches. The Rourans mistake her for a female shaman, and Moli must use all her wits to help them emerge victorious. After returning to her world, Moli teams up with her aunt Edith, Kiza, and James to save the world from a historical evil.
The novel is an engaging and exciting read, filled with action, adventure, and plenty of twists and turns. Ruckus' writing is fluid and descriptive, bringing the magical world of the Rourans to life. The characters are well-drawn and likable, and the plot is compelling, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.
April 10, 2023
This first instalment of the Princess Rouran Adventures is a cracking read. The story is centered around Moli - an excellent main character - who travels to England on a journey of self-exploration after her father's death. She is unexpectedly thrown into an adventure inspired by her culture and her childhood dreams, and which (to the best of my understanding) reflects actual Chineee mythology.
The author explores the hard-hitting issues of racism and discrimination, particularly in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, but this book is perfectly suitable for younger readers. Moli's journey also leads her to learn more about herself and values such as courage and friendship. I agree with some other reviewers that references to covid are slightly jarring in a book which otherwise immerses the reader in a fascinating fantasy world, but I think given that is deliberate given the important messaging around racism.
Overall, a really enjoyable read and I've already made a start on the sequel...
The author explores the hard-hitting issues of racism and discrimination, particularly in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, but this book is perfectly suitable for younger readers. Moli's journey also leads her to learn more about herself and values such as courage and friendship. I agree with some other reviewers that references to covid are slightly jarring in a book which otherwise immerses the reader in a fascinating fantasy world, but I think given that is deliberate given the important messaging around racism.
Overall, a really enjoyable read and I've already made a start on the sequel...
May 9, 2023
Princess Rouran and the Dragon Chariot of Ten Thousand Sages by Shawe Ruckus is a fantasy and adventure fiction novel that features a young girl called Moli, who travels from China to England to attend her father's funeral during the Covid-19 pandemic. When she visits an exhibition about the Dynasty of Rouran at the museum, she gets caught up in a fantastical adventure that involves mythical creatures, dinosaurs, and even Adolf Hitler.
I read the second book in this series first, so I already had some idea of what the story would be about. This book was more enjoyable for me because the storyline was clearer and easier to get into. I really liked the focus on the main character, Moli, and her aunt. Additionally, I really enjoyed how the book touches on many important concepts like discrimination, the challenges we faced during Covid-19, and violence. Although the narrative gets a bit confusing at times due to quick perspective switches, I would recommend this book to readers who love both fantasy and science fiction.
I read the second book in this series first, so I already had some idea of what the story would be about. This book was more enjoyable for me because the storyline was clearer and easier to get into. I really liked the focus on the main character, Moli, and her aunt. Additionally, I really enjoyed how the book touches on many important concepts like discrimination, the challenges we faced during Covid-19, and violence. Although the narrative gets a bit confusing at times due to quick perspective switches, I would recommend this book to readers who love both fantasy and science fiction.
May 24, 2023
A very entertaining work of fiction and mythology
I enjoyed reading the book; I like how the author used time travel to fuse the past and present. The journey of Moli and her family to attend her father's burial in London turned out to be a "journey of discovery". This journey also gave Moli and her aunt Edith an opportunity to visit her father's last art exhibit, The Last Dynasty of Rouran, at the British Museum.
I like Moli's character and determination; she affords some sense of humour, especially when she asks herself whether her dad had taken his coffee, although he was dead. Her immersion into the world of mythology in time travel is very interesting. The relationship between people and dragons is intriguing. I also like the spirited determination by Moli to fight evil and injustice.
I was also impressed by how the author featured racism and the Covid 19 pandemic. This makes the story relatable to present-day life. This book captured my mind, and I kept wanting to find out more and more. I recommend it to people of all ages who love mythology and fantasy.
I enjoyed reading the book; I like how the author used time travel to fuse the past and present. The journey of Moli and her family to attend her father's burial in London turned out to be a "journey of discovery". This journey also gave Moli and her aunt Edith an opportunity to visit her father's last art exhibit, The Last Dynasty of Rouran, at the British Museum.
I like Moli's character and determination; she affords some sense of humour, especially when she asks herself whether her dad had taken his coffee, although he was dead. Her immersion into the world of mythology in time travel is very interesting. The relationship between people and dragons is intriguing. I also like the spirited determination by Moli to fight evil and injustice.
I was also impressed by how the author featured racism and the Covid 19 pandemic. This makes the story relatable to present-day life. This book captured my mind, and I kept wanting to find out more and more. I recommend it to people of all ages who love mythology and fantasy.
February 26, 2023
Princess Rouran presents us with a refreshing take on dragons, shamans, and other fantasy creatures in a new environment. It tells the story of Moli, a young girl who is dealing with the recent loss of her father. During a visit to her father's last exhibition, Moli discovers a connection to an ancient khanate and a doorway to another realm. This is the beginning of an epic adventure that takes her traveling through time and encountering shamans, conqueror worms, and even a confrontation with the world's greatest foes.
I enjoyed the young protagonist dealing with issues of intolerance, sometimes even flat out racism. It’s a good way to educate children how to deal with certain uncomfortable situations that could happen in real life through the whimsical lens of fantasy. It also tackles grief in a beautiful way.
It’s a captivating and imaginative story that will appeal to children and adults alike. It is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure novels.
I enjoyed the young protagonist dealing with issues of intolerance, sometimes even flat out racism. It’s a good way to educate children how to deal with certain uncomfortable situations that could happen in real life through the whimsical lens of fantasy. It also tackles grief in a beautiful way.
It’s a captivating and imaginative story that will appeal to children and adults alike. It is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure novels.
February 26, 2023
The story centers around Moli, after she travels to the UK during the Covid pandemic for the funeral of her historian father. She has always been fascinated by dragons and dragon lore and so does not turn down an opportunity to visit the British Museum to see the last project her father had been working on ... The Lost Dynasty of the Rouran'. The day of the visit leads to the night when a dragon came to call on Moli. What comes next is an amazing adventure full of the very things that have filled Moli's imagination since she was young.
I loved the education on racism weaved in, especially around the pandemic. These are important themes that need to be written into narratives as a record of our times, so hopefully as we can learn from the past. The book is well written and well paced, and Moli, as the main character, is a strong female lead often lacking in fantasy novels. A tale of hope and strength in the face of danger and adversity which all will enjoy.
I loved the education on racism weaved in, especially around the pandemic. These are important themes that need to be written into narratives as a record of our times, so hopefully as we can learn from the past. The book is well written and well paced, and Moli, as the main character, is a strong female lead often lacking in fantasy novels. A tale of hope and strength in the face of danger and adversity which all will enjoy.
May 7, 2023
I didn't really care for this one because the story didn't flow but jumped from one point to another. There were times I was confused as to where they were, who Moli was with, and what was going on. Moli was joining her aunt in London for her father's funeral and they stop in at a museum, to view her father's last dig. Later that night, she disappears into an alternate universe. Moli finds herself being introduced to strange characters, dragons sons, and wars. Will she survive? Will she be able to share what she learned, when she returns to her world or will others find her crazy?
Basically, this was my first time introduced to fantasy and it was confusing. I'm not sure how others were able to give it a 5 star review, but my guess, is that they love fantasy and had no problems following the story.
Overall, if you like fantasy and time travel, it will be a good read. However, if you don't enjoy fantasy, this isn't for you.
Basically, this was my first time introduced to fantasy and it was confusing. I'm not sure how others were able to give it a 5 star review, but my guess, is that they love fantasy and had no problems following the story.
Overall, if you like fantasy and time travel, it will be a good read. However, if you don't enjoy fantasy, this isn't for you.
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