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Chronicles of the Fists #1
Shadow's Rise - Return of the Cabal
In a world where beliefs are real, actualized by will, expressed by intent, Yip Chi Chuan, a young martial and spiritual ascetic, flees as the only home he has ever known, the ancient monastery of the Priests of K’un Lun, is destroyed by a newly ascendant extradimensional evil. Cast out and alone, Yip strikes out on a quest spanning the breadth of his home world of Ea’ae and into the greater macroverse beyond in an attempt to unseat an all-consuming Darkness rooted in his once vaunted Order’s distant past.
Will Yip, the last of his kind to walk the wide world beyond his fallen sanctuary, succeed where his mighty brethren failed in Ages past?
Unfortunately for Yip, the answer appears all too clear…. Without the guidance and teachings of his lineage, pursued by malevolent supernatural agents of the Cabal, unable to fully defend himself in a world steeped in magic, his own quest may fail before it ever begins.
Unfazed by his own limitations, guided by his inner vision and direct experience of the energies of life, the radiant chi suffusing and enlivening the world all around, he is determined to triumph where others have faltered.
To win forward, he will need help… but first he must survive.
A blend of Eastern mysticism and Western fantasy, Shadow’s Rise is the first book of the Chronicles of the Fists, an epic trilogy recounting Yip’s adventures against all odds.
Will Yip, the last of his kind to walk the wide world beyond his fallen sanctuary, succeed where his mighty brethren failed in Ages past?
Unfortunately for Yip, the answer appears all too clear…. Without the guidance and teachings of his lineage, pursued by malevolent supernatural agents of the Cabal, unable to fully defend himself in a world steeped in magic, his own quest may fail before it ever begins.
Unfazed by his own limitations, guided by his inner vision and direct experience of the energies of life, the radiant chi suffusing and enlivening the world all around, he is determined to triumph where others have faltered.
To win forward, he will need help… but first he must survive.
A blend of Eastern mysticism and Western fantasy, Shadow’s Rise is the first book of the Chronicles of the Fists, an epic trilogy recounting Yip’s adventures against all odds.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2012
131 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Joseph J. Bailey
47 books23 followersThrough such simple questions as, "What if we lived in a world where our beliefs were real, tangible, and actualizable?" Joe explores the possible through thought, fantasy, wit, and character.
Including influences such as Shunryu Suzuki, Tolkien, Krishnamurti, Iain M. Banks, Laozi, Stephen R. Donaldson, Philip Kapleau, Raymond E. Feist, Edward O. Wilson, Dan Simmons, and David Bohm, Joe creates existential fantasy filled with rich worlds, concepts, stories, and ideas.
Joe holds an advanced degree in environmental management from Duke University where he also studied religion with a focus on meditative, experiential, and transformative traditions.
When not at play with his family, he enjoys reading, writing, and relaxation. When he can, Joe also practices various martial traditions in which he has attained the victim level of proficiency.
For more information, please visit Joe's website at: www.josephjbailey.com.
Including influences such as Shunryu Suzuki, Tolkien, Krishnamurti, Iain M. Banks, Laozi, Stephen R. Donaldson, Philip Kapleau, Raymond E. Feist, Edward O. Wilson, Dan Simmons, and David Bohm, Joe creates existential fantasy filled with rich worlds, concepts, stories, and ideas.
Joe holds an advanced degree in environmental management from Duke University where he also studied religion with a focus on meditative, experiential, and transformative traditions.
When not at play with his family, he enjoys reading, writing, and relaxation. When he can, Joe also practices various martial traditions in which he has attained the victim level of proficiency.
For more information, please visit Joe's website at: www.josephjbailey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 23, 2018
Pretentious waste
A compulsive polysyllabricator, is the only way I can describe this effort, in an attempt to be ironic I think the adjective is sesquipedalian. Don't waste your money.
A compulsive polysyllabricator, is the only way I can describe this effort, in an attempt to be ironic I think the adjective is sesquipedalian. Don't waste your money.
October 16, 2012
This first installment of Yip's epic adventure was truly captivating. The unique and magical world of Ea'ae is wonderfully creative - but what really made this story so compelling for me - the richly developed main character and supporting cast. From the beginning I was drawn in by the beautiful images the author painted of Yip's world, but I was not sure this would be my cup of tea (no real interest in martial arts, spiritual philosophy, etc). However, once Yip began to encounter both friend and foe, and especially when he met his traveling companions, I could not put the book down! "The four" really come to life - For me this band of characters is reminiscent of the crew in Star Wars aboard The Millennium Falcon or d'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers - interesting and unique characters, coming together to face exciting adventures and fight evil, all with the perfect blend of meaningful relationships and terrifically witty dialogue - heroes that you are just compelled to root for. Upon finishing Shadow's Rise, I immediately downloaded the second book -- I just had to find out what would happen next to Yip and crew!
July 20, 2013
The first 50 pages or more were very repetitive to me, and slow moving. However, once the main character meets his adventuring companions, it moves along nicely.
I liked it enough to buy the second book.
I liked it enough to buy the second book.
April 28, 2018
Good read!
The story was SLOW getting started, but enough to hold my interest that I had no desire to stop. The conclusion was worth time.
The story was SLOW getting started, but enough to hold my interest that I had no desire to stop. The conclusion was worth time.
March 26, 2013
Sword & Sorcery meets Shaolin!
The story told in the Chronicles of the Fists trilogy is not one full of plot twists, convolutions, or multiple story archs. Nor are the Chronicles gritty fantasies full of bloodshed and violence. The adventures told in Shadow's Rise, Shadow's Descent, and Lords of Light are, taken together, simply the tale of a young monk named Yip and his efforts to save his world Ea'ae. It is also a story of how Yip grows and rises to the occasion along each step of the way. The epicness of the trilogy is in the scope of the world, its ideas, people and places, and the enormity of Yip's journey revealed one vivid detail at a time.
What first drew me into the story was the world as seen through Yip's eyes, one where he can directly see, feel and experience the magical energies all around. He calls these energies "chi" and they form the basis of his development, appreciation, and deep understanding of the world he is thrust into when his monastery is first attacked and he is forced to flee for his life.
Most fantasy novels have characters that live in magical worlds that can do wondrous things but, by and large, they see and interact with the world like you and me. Not so with Yip. I really enjoyed the exploration of how living in a magical place shaped not only the world and its environs but also Yip's perceptions and how this evolution in interacting with the world is reflected in the story. This magical layer adds a richness and depth to the book and is very much unique to the Chronicles of the Fists.
Varied adventures aside (I won't give details away), the next component of the tale that captured my imagination were the main characters Yip befriends on his overarching quest. The Four (or Fists), as they are called, have a real chemistry that the author brings to life through humor, witty dialogue, and a real nuance for detail. The main characters in particular were lively, engaging, and much appreciated.
I particularly enjoyed Yip's flashbacks to his training sessions with his teacher Master Wei. They reminded me of a fantasized version of similar sequences in the old Kung Fu TV series. Snatch the pebble from my hand....
I would have liked to see a bit more action (or more extended action) but the novelty of Ea'ae and its magical systems, the diversity of the characters and inhabitants, and the immersive quality of the writing, all combined for a wonderful tale that is well worth reading and is highly recommended.
The story told in the Chronicles of the Fists trilogy is not one full of plot twists, convolutions, or multiple story archs. Nor are the Chronicles gritty fantasies full of bloodshed and violence. The adventures told in Shadow's Rise, Shadow's Descent, and Lords of Light are, taken together, simply the tale of a young monk named Yip and his efforts to save his world Ea'ae. It is also a story of how Yip grows and rises to the occasion along each step of the way. The epicness of the trilogy is in the scope of the world, its ideas, people and places, and the enormity of Yip's journey revealed one vivid detail at a time.
What first drew me into the story was the world as seen through Yip's eyes, one where he can directly see, feel and experience the magical energies all around. He calls these energies "chi" and they form the basis of his development, appreciation, and deep understanding of the world he is thrust into when his monastery is first attacked and he is forced to flee for his life.
Most fantasy novels have characters that live in magical worlds that can do wondrous things but, by and large, they see and interact with the world like you and me. Not so with Yip. I really enjoyed the exploration of how living in a magical place shaped not only the world and its environs but also Yip's perceptions and how this evolution in interacting with the world is reflected in the story. This magical layer adds a richness and depth to the book and is very much unique to the Chronicles of the Fists.
Varied adventures aside (I won't give details away), the next component of the tale that captured my imagination were the main characters Yip befriends on his overarching quest. The Four (or Fists), as they are called, have a real chemistry that the author brings to life through humor, witty dialogue, and a real nuance for detail. The main characters in particular were lively, engaging, and much appreciated.
I particularly enjoyed Yip's flashbacks to his training sessions with his teacher Master Wei. They reminded me of a fantasized version of similar sequences in the old Kung Fu TV series. Snatch the pebble from my hand....
I would have liked to see a bit more action (or more extended action) but the novelty of Ea'ae and its magical systems, the diversity of the characters and inhabitants, and the immersive quality of the writing, all combined for a wonderful tale that is well worth reading and is highly recommended.
Read
November 19, 2013From the Author:
I started the Chronicles of the Fists story arch with a simple question, "What if we lived in a world where our beliefs were real, tangible, and actualizable?"
So often characters in fantasies live in rich worlds full of marvels but they see and interact with the world just like you and me. I wanted to try something different. I wanted to create a story where the universe was alive with the beauty, wonder and magic of a unique point of view, where the main character sees and feels the currents that shape his perception and understanding, the radiant energy of life and magic flowing all around. Blending Eastern mysticism with Western fantasy, I wanted to explore the mind of an otherworldly martial ascetic, to share the experience of magic and belief made real.
The Chronicles of the Fists trilogy is the outcome of this effort. I have lived with the books' characters and their stories over the past several years and hope they bring as much pleasure to you as they have for me!
I started the Chronicles of the Fists story arch with a simple question, "What if we lived in a world where our beliefs were real, tangible, and actualizable?"
So often characters in fantasies live in rich worlds full of marvels but they see and interact with the world just like you and me. I wanted to try something different. I wanted to create a story where the universe was alive with the beauty, wonder and magic of a unique point of view, where the main character sees and feels the currents that shape his perception and understanding, the radiant energy of life and magic flowing all around. Blending Eastern mysticism with Western fantasy, I wanted to explore the mind of an otherworldly martial ascetic, to share the experience of magic and belief made real.
The Chronicles of the Fists trilogy is the outcome of this effort. I have lived with the books' characters and their stories over the past several years and hope they bring as much pleasure to you as they have for me!
November 15, 2012
Joseph J. Bailey may be a new author, but Shadow’s Rise shows that he belongs in the ranks with some of the genre’s most popular names. This book offers a unique blend of traditional fantasy with Eastern philosophy and martial arts. The author provides a very descriptive narrative that allowed me to fully visualize the scenery and story.
Once the action started in earnest and especially after the main character, Yip, meets the other members of “the Four” I had a hard time pulling myself away, sneaking a paragraph or two in whenever I could find a minute (even a couple times when stuck in traffic – the wonders of having a book on your phone). The banter amongst the members of the party, especially Slate and Wrindanneth reminds me of the wisecracks that fly around when I’m with my closest friends.
All in all, I thought this was an excellent first offering, and, upon finishing, I quickly purchased and began reading the second book of the trilogy, Shadow’s Descent.
Once the action started in earnest and especially after the main character, Yip, meets the other members of “the Four” I had a hard time pulling myself away, sneaking a paragraph or two in whenever I could find a minute (even a couple times when stuck in traffic – the wonders of having a book on your phone). The banter amongst the members of the party, especially Slate and Wrindanneth reminds me of the wisecracks that fly around when I’m with my closest friends.
All in all, I thought this was an excellent first offering, and, upon finishing, I quickly purchased and began reading the second book of the trilogy, Shadow’s Descent.
September 9, 2015
I loved the story line of the book, the characters were well written. But the author had a tendency to be very repetitive in his descriptiveness of flora, fauna and terrain. Honestly, I got to the point where I would just skim past as the descriptions would go on for pages. I don't think I have seen the word verdant written so many times in one book. I was anxious to get back to the story though so I pushed through it.
November 9, 2012
Shadow's Rise provides an enjoyable start to the Chronicles of the Fists trilogy.
This whole trilogy is fantastic... a Lord of the Rings enlightenment adventure.
I highly recommend this series to all fantasy fans. The original world, humorous dialogue, and quality of writing create an immersive place that the reader will want to visit again and again!
This whole trilogy is fantastic... a Lord of the Rings enlightenment adventure.
I highly recommend this series to all fantasy fans. The original world, humorous dialogue, and quality of writing create an immersive place that the reader will want to visit again and again!
November 14, 2012
Definitely, Shadow's Rise should be on your must read list! The detailed descriptions within this book are exquisite. The vivid imagery allows you to go to the world Ea'ae and travel with Yip and his new found companions throughout their adventures. You will not regret reading Shadow's Rise-Return of the Cabal!
unfinished
June 14, 2015Tried reading it and didn't have the brain power at the time. Probably worth coming back to with a more functional brain.
December 28, 2015
Good book
I enjoyed this book and the authors writing. Quite new to me but very good and interesting it should keep you turning pages to the end.
I enjoyed this book and the authors writing. Quite new to me but very good and interesting it should keep you turning pages to the end.
Read
April 25, 2019A fresh perspective!
Although the monk character is available in many Western based fantasy settings, rarely has the enlightened perspective been presented in such a way.
Although the monk character is available in many Western based fantasy settings, rarely has the enlightened perspective been presented in such a way.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews