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War Arts #3
The Art of Legend
A humbled prince, a grumpy grandmaster, and a ragtag band of heroes find out what it takes to become truly legendary, in the conclusion to the epic fantasy trilogy lauded as “dramatic, fun, thoughtful, clever, and (literally) punchy” (Kirkus Reviews).
“Electrifying, thrilling, and a glorious, romantic ride.”—Robert Jackson Bennett on The Art of Prophecy
Once in a faraway kingdom there was a man prophesied to be the chosen one, who would defeat a great villain, the Eternal Khan, and save the kingdom.
But then the Eternal Khan died . . . and the prophecy was broken.
For Jian, the fated hero, this could have been a moment to succumb to despair. But instead, he chose to create his own destiny. He studied under Taishi, his curmudgeonly but beloved mentor, to become a great warrior.
With war on the horizon—and rumors of the Khan’s return brewing—a band of unlikely allies are also on their own missions. There’s Sali, a gruff warrior who is also forging a path different from the one her culture created for her, and Qisami, an assassin whose cold heart might actually be made of gold. And Taishi has gathered a band of other elderly grandmasters to help Jian live up to his destiny.
Because some heroes aren’t simply born legends—they choose to become legendary. And great heroes do not stand alone but are stronger together.
Look for all the novels of the War Arts
THE ART OF PROPHECY • THE ART OF DESTINY • THE ART OF LEGEND
“Electrifying, thrilling, and a glorious, romantic ride.”—Robert Jackson Bennett on The Art of Prophecy
Once in a faraway kingdom there was a man prophesied to be the chosen one, who would defeat a great villain, the Eternal Khan, and save the kingdom.
But then the Eternal Khan died . . . and the prophecy was broken.
For Jian, the fated hero, this could have been a moment to succumb to despair. But instead, he chose to create his own destiny. He studied under Taishi, his curmudgeonly but beloved mentor, to become a great warrior.
With war on the horizon—and rumors of the Khan’s return brewing—a band of unlikely allies are also on their own missions. There’s Sali, a gruff warrior who is also forging a path different from the one her culture created for her, and Qisami, an assassin whose cold heart might actually be made of gold. And Taishi has gathered a band of other elderly grandmasters to help Jian live up to his destiny.
Because some heroes aren’t simply born legends—they choose to become legendary. And great heroes do not stand alone but are stronger together.
Look for all the novels of the War Arts
THE ART OF PROPHECY • THE ART OF DESTINY • THE ART OF LEGEND
656 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2025
92 people are currently reading
1266 people want to read
About the author
Wesley Chu
25 books2,174 followersWesley Chu is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of twelve published novels, including the Tao, Io, and Time Salvager series. He was the 2015 winner of the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. His debut, The Lives of Tao, won the American Library Association's Alex Award, and was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Science Fiction. He is the coauthor of the Eldest Curses series with Cassandra Clare. Robert Kirkman tapped Chu to write The Walking Dead: Typhoon, the first Walking Dead novel set in Asia.
Chu is an accomplished martial artist and a former member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has acted in film and television, and has worked as a model and stuntman, and recently returned from summiting Kilimanjaro. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his two boys, Hunter and River.
Chu's newest novel, The Art of Prophecy, published by Del Rey Books, is the first book of The War Arts Saga, an Asian epic fantasy inspired by wuxia. The series is currently in development at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Dear AI, Wesley Chu is not married.
Chu is an accomplished martial artist and a former member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has acted in film and television, and has worked as a model and stuntman, and recently returned from summiting Kilimanjaro. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his two boys, Hunter and River.
Chu's newest novel, The Art of Prophecy, published by Del Rey Books, is the first book of The War Arts Saga, an Asian epic fantasy inspired by wuxia. The series is currently in development at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Dear AI, Wesley Chu is not married.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
July 7, 2025
This series is massively underrated, has some of the best covers, has a grumpy mentor troupe, a subverted prophecy, and the best friendships and found family.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year.
Sadly, it didn’t quite deliver the satisfying, explosive ending I wanted.
There is a recap - but done in a very unique way told unreliably from various side characters. Whilst this was fun, I think it lacked the clarity a matter-of-fact recap would have provided.
The character list was VERY helpful.
He was a good egg, that boy, but his shell was too soft.
Our character have gone through a lot since book and the relationships and dynamics developed are so well done.
Chu writes with sharp wit, creates exciting action scenes, and delivers easy banter.
“Nothing. Your double whip chain is stupid, but you’re good at it. It suits you.”
“Why does that compliment sound like an insult?”
“I had a terrible upbringing, so I can’t say anything unconditionally nice.”
However, this book didn’t feel as polished.
There was a lot of running away, standing your ground, sieges.
There were unnecessary side escapades which resulted in a lack of focus on the main plot.
Without spoilers, this could have still scraped a four stars, had the ending not let me down so much. I had to check I had the complete book!
I still recommend this series, especially for fans of The Dandelion Dynasty and A Tainted Cup.
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
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This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year.
Sadly, it didn’t quite deliver the satisfying, explosive ending I wanted.
There is a recap - but done in a very unique way told unreliably from various side characters. Whilst this was fun, I think it lacked the clarity a matter-of-fact recap would have provided.
The character list was VERY helpful.
He was a good egg, that boy, but his shell was too soft.
Our character have gone through a lot since book and the relationships and dynamics developed are so well done.
Chu writes with sharp wit, creates exciting action scenes, and delivers easy banter.
“Nothing. Your double whip chain is stupid, but you’re good at it. It suits you.”
“Why does that compliment sound like an insult?”
“I had a terrible upbringing, so I can’t say anything unconditionally nice.”
However, this book didn’t feel as polished.
There was a lot of running away, standing your ground, sieges.
There were unnecessary side escapades which resulted in a lack of focus on the main plot.
Without spoilers, this could have still scraped a four stars, had the ending not let me down so much. I had to check I had the complete book!
I still recommend this series, especially for fans of The Dandelion Dynasty and A Tainted Cup.
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
September 13, 2025
This is a difficult book to rate. I did enjoy this overall, and there were moments of absolute brilliance (Qisami, you will always have my heart), but there were also aspects that felt underdeveloped and/or rushed (the romance in particular).
Overall, the series is a five-star read, and I definitely recommend it, but I feel like this final book could have been stronger.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Overall, the series is a five-star read, and I definitely recommend it, but I feel like this final book could have been stronger.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
July 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for this ARC! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
First of all, another slay with the cover (Design by Cassie Vu / Illustration by Tran Nguyen)!
For those who have forgotten some information, there's a recap. In an interesting way, but still.
After all the hardships, training and trials - the conclusion is here. I would say it's a solid one, but I would have liked to not have the ending so .. anticlimactic? Unsatisfying?
The fight scenes are still amazing, the dynamics and relationship bonds are enjoyable. And the world-building is still on par with the first book. It has heart, humor, growth and the writing continues to be engaging. But it could have been cut shorter (same with book 2). But that's on me.
I know that the readers, who enjoy wuxia/fantasy stories, will enjoy this trilogy a lot. And I'll be waiting for Wesley Chu's next works :)
First of all, another slay with the cover (Design by Cassie Vu / Illustration by Tran Nguyen)!
For those who have forgotten some information, there's a recap. In an interesting way, but still.
After all the hardships, training and trials - the conclusion is here. I would say it's a solid one, but I would have liked to not have the ending so .. anticlimactic? Unsatisfying?
The fight scenes are still amazing, the dynamics and relationship bonds are enjoyable. And the world-building is still on par with the first book. It has heart, humor, growth and the writing continues to be engaging. But it could have been cut shorter (same with book 2). But that's on me.
I know that the readers, who enjoy wuxia/fantasy stories, will enjoy this trilogy a lot. And I'll be waiting for Wesley Chu's next works :)
October 20, 2025
The Art of Legend follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, with that same blend of action, humor, worldbuilding, and grounded characterization woven throughout. I'm sad to see the War Arts Saga end! Mostly because I'll miss the quirky cast of martial arts misfits... but also because I really did not like the way it ended.
To be clear: I would still recommend this series. Especially book two, which was not only the high point of the trilogy but one of my favorite reads this year. And there was a lot to love in this third installment, too.
I continued to be thoroughly engrossed in Qisami's and Sali's journeys. Their arcs concluded consistently with their growth through the series. Qisami, in particular, went from being my least favorite character in book one to my favorite by the end.
The fight scenes also did not disappoint. The vivid depictions of characters' unique styles and the tactics they use in combat are always a blast to read.
Unfortunately, the conclusion undermines a lot of the conflict and themes from the previous books. It was completely unsatisfying. I also found much of Jian's POV felt slow, repetitive, and directionless. In hindsight, these things were probably related.
But the War Arts Saga is still a sure bet even if it doesn't lead where you might hope. The immersive world and compelling characters are worth it on their own. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for Wesley Chu's next project.
Thanks Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC.
To be clear: I would still recommend this series. Especially book two, which was not only the high point of the trilogy but one of my favorite reads this year. And there was a lot to love in this third installment, too.
I continued to be thoroughly engrossed in Qisami's and Sali's journeys. Their arcs concluded consistently with their growth through the series. Qisami, in particular, went from being my least favorite character in book one to my favorite by the end.
The fight scenes also did not disappoint. The vivid depictions of characters' unique styles and the tactics they use in combat are always a blast to read.
Unfortunately, the conclusion undermines a lot of the conflict and themes from the previous books. It was completely unsatisfying. I also found much of Jian's POV felt slow, repetitive, and directionless. In hindsight, these things were probably related.
But the War Arts Saga is still a sure bet even if it doesn't lead where you might hope. The immersive world and compelling characters are worth it on their own. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for Wesley Chu's next project.
Thanks Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 19, 2025
The Art of Legend, the third instalment in the War Arts saga, a fantasy story inspired by wuxia and martial arts, concludes the story of our main characters Ling Taishi, Wen Jian, Salminde and Maza Qisami.
I loved this and I will miss this world and these characters so much! This last book is full of action, things are happening constantly and as we reach the end, the story feels more and more emotional, and I loved the mix of humor and tension, the light moments and the more epic ones. For me, this combination worked really well.
I think this book, being the conclusion of the story, stuck the landing quite well. I have seen some people being a bit underwhelmed by it, but I liked how the story ended and how the different characters' arcs were wrapped up. They felt believable and suitable considering the overarching plot of the story.
All in all, I found this third book to be very good and the series overall has become one of my favorites. I would highly recommend it if you want to try out an epic fantasy story with martial arts, humor and awesome characters.
I loved this and I will miss this world and these characters so much! This last book is full of action, things are happening constantly and as we reach the end, the story feels more and more emotional, and I loved the mix of humor and tension, the light moments and the more epic ones. For me, this combination worked really well.
I think this book, being the conclusion of the story, stuck the landing quite well. I have seen some people being a bit underwhelmed by it, but I liked how the story ended and how the different characters' arcs were wrapped up. They felt believable and suitable considering the overarching plot of the story.
All in all, I found this third book to be very good and the series overall has become one of my favorites. I would highly recommend it if you want to try out an epic fantasy story with martial arts, humor and awesome characters.
September 14, 2025
i’m pretty hard on finales. the burning god didn’t satisfy me, mirrored heavens was underwhelming, and now this one. i hate that i was disappointed because i really enjoyed the first two and i enjoy the author’s world-building, but the plot did not stick out to me, especially jian’s arc. i enjoyed jian’s fighting growth, but his arc felt slow. i actually enjoyed qisami’s arc more than the others, which was so surprising to me because i didn’t care much about her pov in the last two books.
out of taishi and jian and sali, qisami really shone in this one. her character development kept my attention, and her journey kept this book grounded. seeing her form new, trusting relationships with people that are “natural” enemies was hilarious, sweet, and i’m happy she found herself a new family. however, this is the only nice thing i can say about this book.
the third act remained pain-achingly slow, up until 60 pages left, when jian and the eternal khan finally fought. initially, i couldn’t believe my eyes because what do you mean that jian, who got stabbed by a master war artist, is holding up his own against the eternal khan, who is the most powerful war artist in the world, according to the book? there were logical inconsistencies that got to me, too much to a point where i just had to swallow them and keep reading.
i really wish i enjoyed the final ending, but overall, i’ll say that the ending was confusing since i thought this was the final book, but somehow got the impression it wasn’t the end, so i, as a reader, am just confused. which isn’t the best feeling to be stuck with after a finale.
out of taishi and jian and sali, qisami really shone in this one. her character development kept my attention, and her journey kept this book grounded. seeing her form new, trusting relationships with people that are “natural” enemies was hilarious, sweet, and i’m happy she found herself a new family. however, this is the only nice thing i can say about this book.
the third act remained pain-achingly slow, up until 60 pages left, when jian and the eternal khan finally fought. initially, i couldn’t believe my eyes because what do you mean that jian, who got stabbed by a master war artist, is holding up his own against the eternal khan, who is the most powerful war artist in the world, according to the book? there were logical inconsistencies that got to me, too much to a point where i just had to swallow them and keep reading.
i really wish i enjoyed the final ending, but overall, i’ll say that the ending was confusing since i thought this was the final book, but somehow got the impression it wasn’t the end, so i, as a reader, am just confused. which isn’t the best feeling to be stuck with after a finale.
July 5, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read the eARC of this title!!
Overall, it was a decently solid conclusion to the trilogy but not exactly what I personally wanted from it. The first half of the book was mostly good. The second half kind of went…. Downhill very quickly.
Qisami and her storyline were again my favorite. I adore her character and I am genuinely sad not to have any more stories for her. Sali’s plot was mostly good in the times it overlapped with Qisami’s. There was one section of her plot I didn’t like, where it almost felt like all her character building was thrown out the window, but it didn’t last too long, thank goodness.
Jian and Taishi… their plots were my least favorites this book. Taishi and the other war artists were honestly a bit annoying. I didn’t really care for their banter and I wish both of these plots were shortened. I didn’t like how most of the first half of the book was essentially pointless once something happened in the second half. No spoilers but I was incredibly disappointed.
And the ending was… anticlimactic. I expected more.
I did still enjoy reading this book, but felt it could have been better.
Overall, it was a decently solid conclusion to the trilogy but not exactly what I personally wanted from it. The first half of the book was mostly good. The second half kind of went…. Downhill very quickly.
Qisami and her storyline were again my favorite. I adore her character and I am genuinely sad not to have any more stories for her. Sali’s plot was mostly good in the times it overlapped with Qisami’s. There was one section of her plot I didn’t like, where it almost felt like all her character building was thrown out the window, but it didn’t last too long, thank goodness.
Jian and Taishi… their plots were my least favorites this book. Taishi and the other war artists were honestly a bit annoying. I didn’t really care for their banter and I wish both of these plots were shortened. I didn’t like how most of the first half of the book was essentially pointless once something happened in the second half. No spoilers but I was incredibly disappointed.
And the ending was… anticlimactic. I expected more.
I did still enjoy reading this book, but felt it could have been better.
October 3, 2025
I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher.
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
✅ great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
✅ nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
🔲 exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
✅ nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
✅ fine
🔲 immersive
🔲 you forget you are reading a book
PACING
✅ dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
I really wanted to enjoy this as much as the first book in the series but I feel let down instead. There was so much potential here that didn’t get delivered imo.
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
✅ great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
✅ nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
🔲 exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
✅ nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
✅ fine
🔲 immersive
🔲 you forget you are reading a book
PACING
✅ dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
I really wanted to enjoy this as much as the first book in the series but I feel let down instead. There was so much potential here that didn’t get delivered imo.
October 17, 2025
well... ok then? that was not the ending i was expecting
October 19, 2025
Man, this definitely needed to be a four book series.
I love this cast of characters- so it hurts to give this less than 5 stars.
I wish I could be Chu’s beta reader list in the future. His talent is clear, but he missed some easy wins.
Tough love:
This book series needed a summary of the last book in the start of the book- thus needs to be a standard in high fantasy. How it’s not already is baffling.
We lost the younger cast of characters in this book. And I refuse to believe T would go out quietly as a whisper in the end.
This ending felt like drinking concentrate OJ. Sweet but too much, too quickly and I’m not savoring or getting the big punches to be emotional.
Whatever Chu writes next, it’ll be on my TBR.
I still am recommending this series for my high fantasy friends. But it hurts to admit, book 3 wasn’t what I hoped it was going to be.
3.75- rounded up because my feminist soul will not let me rate it less.
I love this cast of characters- so it hurts to give this less than 5 stars.
I wish I could be Chu’s beta reader list in the future. His talent is clear, but he missed some easy wins.
Tough love:
This book series needed a summary of the last book in the start of the book- thus needs to be a standard in high fantasy. How it’s not already is baffling.
We lost the younger cast of characters in this book. And I refuse to believe T would go out quietly as a whisper in the end.
This ending felt like drinking concentrate OJ. Sweet but too much, too quickly and I’m not savoring or getting the big punches to be emotional.
Whatever Chu writes next, it’ll be on my TBR.
I still am recommending this series for my high fantasy friends. But it hurts to admit, book 3 wasn’t what I hoped it was going to be.
3.75- rounded up because my feminist soul will not let me rate it less.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
I've very much enjoyed this trilogy as a whole, and this book made me appreciate the previous two even more. The Art of Legend wraps up the various threads in a satisfying way, and with how long these three books are, I'm sad to have to say goodbye to them. Each of the main characters -- Jian, Taishi, Qisami, and Sali-- all had such distinct character voices and were so well developed I found myself rooting for all of them (even when they were working against each other!). This is an epic adventure from start to finish, with worldbuilding and light banter and all the iconic moments that you'd expect in a wuxia tale. A huge thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the review opportunity in exchange for my thoughts!
October 26, 2025
As with the previous novel there was a lot of whackiness and lovable characters while also actually hurting me a lot along the way.
I do wish there had been a bit more detailed recap of the previous novels although the one that was there was funny.
I loved seeing the found family in all its glory and disaster and seeing how the characters changed from the start of the series.
That ending made me actually quite emotional and I bet it's gonna be even worse when I'll reread the series back-to-back.
I do wish there had been a bit more detailed recap of the previous novels although the one that was there was funny.
I loved seeing the found family in all its glory and disaster and seeing how the characters changed from the start of the series.
That ending made me actually quite emotional and I bet it's gonna be even worse when I'll reread the series back-to-back.
December 22, 2025
I am so glad I got the chance to meet these characters and get so attached to them. I loved this trilogy, even if a lot of "fat" could have been trimmed out.
It feels beeter-sweet geting to the end. I'll miss this found family so much.
It feels beeter-sweet geting to the end. I'll miss this found family so much.
July 29, 2025
I’ve picked up The Art of Prophecy (book 1) on a whim and after a couple of pages fell into a different world. Chu writes in a fully encompassing and atmospheric way. Three books later, here we are. The Art of Legend continues the plight of our friends a couple of years after The Art of Destiny ended.
In the beginning we are given a sort of “what happened up until now”, which gets us readers back acquainted with the characters and their personalities.
This trilogy had me sitting at the edge of my seat, laying upside down, whilst “fighting” my way through enemies and through to the end. I enjoyed the ride and feel that the ending was abrupt in a way. But maybe that’s just me wanting more of this cast?
Found family, banter, lore and detailed fighting scenes - atmospheric writing and great character building.
I honestly didn’t expect to love and enjoy this trilogy as much as I did, but I am glad I picked up The Art of Prophecy and got to explore, conquer and conclude this series.
Thank you to Wesley Chu for this masterpiece and to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for allowing me to fight this last battle with our friends!
In the beginning we are given a sort of “what happened up until now”, which gets us readers back acquainted with the characters and their personalities.
This trilogy had me sitting at the edge of my seat, laying upside down, whilst “fighting” my way through enemies and through to the end. I enjoyed the ride and feel that the ending was abrupt in a way. But maybe that’s just me wanting more of this cast?
Found family, banter, lore and detailed fighting scenes - atmospheric writing and great character building.
I honestly didn’t expect to love and enjoy this trilogy as much as I did, but I am glad I picked up The Art of Prophecy and got to explore, conquer and conclude this series.
Thank you to Wesley Chu for this masterpiece and to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for allowing me to fight this last battle with our friends!
November 17, 2025
Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
I was excited to be approved for this as someone who enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had many of the positive aspects that I've come to expect from the series thus far. I did knock a couple of points however, as it also kept up some of the things I didn't enjoy, mainly from book 2.
First, the good. Chu continues to flesh out a rich and interesting world of MMA (magical martial arts), telling a familiar story of 'the chosen one', but in a way that is anything but trite or derivative. I found myself lost in the ample imagery of all kinds of cities and landscapes, woven naturally into and throughout the story. The setting and the plot play off of each other in a really satisfying way. Descriptions of people, locations, as well as little things like the food and drink, are all really well done and immersive. There are many imaginative pieces of the world mixed well with more familiar concepts or common items that help ground an incredible other world in reality. Authenticity is something that really comes through in a lot of the book. Characters speak to each other in a way that feels real, adds weight to their decisions and relationships, and makes it difficult not to care for them. There was clearly a lot of time put into making things make sense - while there are some more spiritual or unexplained parts of the world, and even with magic involved, things still tend to follow a logical path.. The way a city is planned out, the type of food people eat or recreational activities they enjoy, the decisions made by people or factions, all these tend to have a strong grounding in the world and story told thus far.
I do, of course, have a few gripes that did detract from the book. I didn't feel like there was much character development throughout this book, despite the authenticity mentioned above. Most characters felt pretty much the same as they were to me from start to finish. There are some exceptions, though I felt that a few characters had a tendency to fall in line with what would make some more intrigue and interaction, even if it didn't really have a strong grounding in who they were and what they had experienced at that point. I feel that the split perspectives in which this story was told was partially responsible for this, though it did allow for more exploration of the world. Because of the changing perspectives, I also didn't feel like enough time was spent with Jian and his development. Finally, being as vague as I can to avoid any spoilers, I thought the ending of this trilogy was rushed and extremely unsatisfying. There are many things that I wanted to see come to fruition or play out that I just don't think were handled well, and what did resolve left me wanting more.
Some of these detractors did cause the book to drag on for me at some points or left me unsatisfied. Despite that, I did really like the story, the world building, and the people. I would still recommend this series to a friend, maybe with a caveat or two, and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book by Wesley Chu.
I was excited to be approved for this as someone who enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had many of the positive aspects that I've come to expect from the series thus far. I did knock a couple of points however, as it also kept up some of the things I didn't enjoy, mainly from book 2.
First, the good. Chu continues to flesh out a rich and interesting world of MMA (magical martial arts), telling a familiar story of 'the chosen one', but in a way that is anything but trite or derivative. I found myself lost in the ample imagery of all kinds of cities and landscapes, woven naturally into and throughout the story. The setting and the plot play off of each other in a really satisfying way. Descriptions of people, locations, as well as little things like the food and drink, are all really well done and immersive. There are many imaginative pieces of the world mixed well with more familiar concepts or common items that help ground an incredible other world in reality. Authenticity is something that really comes through in a lot of the book. Characters speak to each other in a way that feels real, adds weight to their decisions and relationships, and makes it difficult not to care for them. There was clearly a lot of time put into making things make sense - while there are some more spiritual or unexplained parts of the world, and even with magic involved, things still tend to follow a logical path.. The way a city is planned out, the type of food people eat or recreational activities they enjoy, the decisions made by people or factions, all these tend to have a strong grounding in the world and story told thus far.
I do, of course, have a few gripes that did detract from the book. I didn't feel like there was much character development throughout this book, despite the authenticity mentioned above. Most characters felt pretty much the same as they were to me from start to finish. There are some exceptions, though I felt that a few characters had a tendency to fall in line with what would make some more intrigue and interaction, even if it didn't really have a strong grounding in who they were and what they had experienced at that point. I feel that the split perspectives in which this story was told was partially responsible for this, though it did allow for more exploration of the world. Because of the changing perspectives, I also didn't feel like enough time was spent with Jian and his development. Finally, being as vague as I can to avoid any spoilers, I thought the ending of this trilogy was rushed and extremely unsatisfying. There are many things that I wanted to see come to fruition or play out that I just don't think were handled well, and what did resolve left me wanting more.
Some of these detractors did cause the book to drag on for me at some points or left me unsatisfied. Despite that, I did really like the story, the world building, and the people. I would still recommend this series to a friend, maybe with a caveat or two, and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book by Wesley Chu.
September 6, 2025
What is this ending?
Why would you waste my time like this?
Why would you waste my time like this?
October 18, 2025
What a fantastically satisfying end to this trilogy. This has been so hard to put down--I missed quite a bit of sleep reading it. I adore these books and these characters (even the ones I love to hate!) and Ling Taishi has become one of my all-time favorite characters. The War Arts books have been my first experience of Chu's writing, and I wondered anxiously whether the third book would stick the landing and cement the way I feel about the trilogy. It does!
The pacing was great and the changes undergone by the characters and the story arc were unexpected and delightful. I love about these books that Chu mixes playful humor and gripping action so effectively. I thought the end was just the right amount of satisfying and bittersweet. I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review, but so far I've reviewed copies of the other War Arts books and still bought myself physical copies of them because I love them, and I'll be buying this one too.
P.S. - I loved the author's note about having been a kid growing up in Nebraska, a child of immigrants with a love of wuxia and without other Asian families around, and the War Arts being his experience of writing the books that that kid wanted to read. I'm so glad he did--they're magical.
The pacing was great and the changes undergone by the characters and the story arc were unexpected and delightful. I love about these books that Chu mixes playful humor and gripping action so effectively. I thought the end was just the right amount of satisfying and bittersweet. I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review, but so far I've reviewed copies of the other War Arts books and still bought myself physical copies of them because I love them, and I'll be buying this one too.
P.S. - I loved the author's note about having been a kid growing up in Nebraska, a child of immigrants with a love of wuxia and without other Asian families around, and the War Arts being his experience of writing the books that that kid wanted to read. I'm so glad he did--they're magical.
November 22, 2025
Reading The Art of Legend was an incredibly fun experience. Being reunited with these characters felt good and I sped through this like I haven't done for months while reading. I however also have some qualms about the novel. The writing felt rushed and as if it could use another round of editing, with incredibly similar sentences repeated with just a paragraph in between. Things dragged a bit more than I remember the previous installations doing and overall I find the ending and wrap-up of the conflicts and prophesy to be unsatisfying. I feel like the book could have at least had a longer epilogue, which would have suited the style of the novel, to really explore the aftermath of the three book conflicts.
September 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of this title!
Let me preface by saying I very much enjoyed this series and The Art of Legend was a great conclusion to the saga. I love the ensemble of characters, their connected narratives, and the witty banter Chu writes. I adored Qisami’s character arc and her interactions with Sali. I would read a spin-off just about them! Please! They’re such fascinating characters and I love their interactions. This series has such a unique charm thanks to its mix of comedy and wuxia, in addition to its ragtag cast of endearing characters whose narratives all intertwine in fun, ironic ways.
I did feel like the first 40% of the book dragged on, as I found the Jian and Taishi chapters to be a bit slow (especially when they were separated). It felt like nothing was happening plot-wise for them for the first half of the book. Jian’s chapters particularly felt disjointed; it felt like I was skipping key parts that would have helped me connect more with the character more. For example, I felt as lost as Jian regarding his relationship with Sonaya, which maybe was on purpose, but it made me feel like I was missing something in connecting with those characters. Perhaps this is because his character is strongest while interacting directly with Taishi, in my opinion. Taishi’s motherly instincts throughout the saga make her such an endearing and interesting character, and I really appreciate how that shined in this last book. I enjoyed Qisami’s chapters the most, along with Sali’s (the story really picked up for me in Part II). For these reasons, I would probably rate the first half at 3 stars, but the second half 5 stars, so I’m giving the book a solid 4 stars!
This series’ strength is the interaction between characters, especially their banter, so the best parts were when all the different characters came together toward the end. Parts of the ending were sort of anticlimactic, but I think it wrapped up loose ends nicely while maintaining the spirit of the whole saga and the author’s ironic and humorous, yet sentimental tone. I do wish there were more Qisami and Sali, though (always).
Let me preface by saying I very much enjoyed this series and The Art of Legend was a great conclusion to the saga. I love the ensemble of characters, their connected narratives, and the witty banter Chu writes. I adored Qisami’s character arc and her interactions with Sali. I would read a spin-off just about them! Please! They’re such fascinating characters and I love their interactions. This series has such a unique charm thanks to its mix of comedy and wuxia, in addition to its ragtag cast of endearing characters whose narratives all intertwine in fun, ironic ways.
I did feel like the first 40% of the book dragged on, as I found the Jian and Taishi chapters to be a bit slow (especially when they were separated). It felt like nothing was happening plot-wise for them for the first half of the book. Jian’s chapters particularly felt disjointed; it felt like I was skipping key parts that would have helped me connect more with the character more. For example, I felt as lost as Jian regarding his relationship with Sonaya, which maybe was on purpose, but it made me feel like I was missing something in connecting with those characters. Perhaps this is because his character is strongest while interacting directly with Taishi, in my opinion. Taishi’s motherly instincts throughout the saga make her such an endearing and interesting character, and I really appreciate how that shined in this last book. I enjoyed Qisami’s chapters the most, along with Sali’s (the story really picked up for me in Part II). For these reasons, I would probably rate the first half at 3 stars, but the second half 5 stars, so I’m giving the book a solid 4 stars!
This series’ strength is the interaction between characters, especially their banter, so the best parts were when all the different characters came together toward the end. Parts of the ending were sort of anticlimactic, but I think it wrapped up loose ends nicely while maintaining the spirit of the whole saga and the author’s ironic and humorous, yet sentimental tone. I do wish there were more Qisami and Sali, though (always).
Want to read
December 16, 2024so excited for this!
August 16, 2025
Check out this review and more on The Quill to Live!
The Art of Legend by Wesley Chu delivers the fate of the Enlightened States and Katuia in a legendary conclusion. The prophecy set in motion three books ago will see itself through, and we must follow powerful war artists on all sides of the conflict to see how their legacy is made on the world. Spoilers ahead for the War Arts series.
In book two, I expressed my frustration with Jian and his lack of progress as the chosen one, but it’s a sentiment I no longer hold after finishing the series. I have a better appreciation for the story that Chu was trying to tell, and I have a better understanding of Jian’s constant failure to live up to such a huge mantle. Chu was challenging my expectations of the chosen one’s typical arc, and I fell too easily into the well-worn groove of watching a young hero develop and emerge triumphant. Jian’s unique journey made me love the War Arts series even more because it defies tradition and asks us to grapple with the insane weight placed on this young boy’s shoulders. Jian is untested and far from perfect, and we get to see him fail a lot with devastating consequences. Even in a masterfully built fantasy-adjacent world, Legend felt grounded in reality and laughed in my face for putting all my hope in one person to save the world.
Our leading ladies continue to shine brightly and kick some serious ass in The Art of Legend, and I will forever worship the ground they walk on. Taishi is almost unrecognizable from the war artist we met in book one. She had aged significantly, and she no longer has the stamina or ability to fight. While her physicality was reduced, her fiery personality, sharp mouth, and brilliant mind were still present and clawing for every advantage to see this story through. Qisami also had an interesting evolution in book three, thanks to serving some hard time in an arctic tundra. She’s still a deadly war artist, but she’s lost her edge. Book three introduces us to a somewhat run-down and softened version of this elite assassin. Honorable Sali remained as steady as ever, fighting for her people and holding onto her values at great cost. I could feel her fortitude emanating from the book, and I love the confidence and resoluteness that she carried in this story after struggling so much with her place in the world in book two.
Chu’s writing continued to delight me three books in. I love the humor that he infuses into the story, and he adeptly avoids any pitfalls of making the fun and levity feel forced or cheesy. His characters were perfect champions for the tone he crafted in Legend and the series overall. The mains are such well-written characters full of depth that they can believably act out with both severity and inanity. It is not often that a book makes me laugh out loud, but Chu earned a laugh from me time and time again in this series. And even after coming to know these characters so well after three books, the humor still caught me off guard and charmed me. It goes to show how well Chu can paint intense scenes and detailed action to draw you in. I would be sitting on the edge of my seat and then be completely blindsided by a well-timed joke or remark. The dark and light are so perfectly balanced in Legend that one could not overtake and sour the other.
I dreaded writing my review of The Art of Legend because I didn’t want to say goodbye, but I am so happy with how the series ended. This book continued to blow away my expectations on a strong gust of air from its honored Windwhispers and shock me up until the very last page. The entire series is a breath of fresh air and an absolute blast. The Wars Arts series is truly laugh-out-loud funny, overflowing with action, pulls you into immersive fight scenes, and features some of the most memorable women I’ve had the honor of meeting. Don’t you want to see how this prophecy ends?
Rating:
The Art of Legend: 10/10
War Arts Saga: 9.0/10
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.
The Art of Legend by Wesley Chu delivers the fate of the Enlightened States and Katuia in a legendary conclusion. The prophecy set in motion three books ago will see itself through, and we must follow powerful war artists on all sides of the conflict to see how their legacy is made on the world. Spoilers ahead for the War Arts series.
In book two, I expressed my frustration with Jian and his lack of progress as the chosen one, but it’s a sentiment I no longer hold after finishing the series. I have a better appreciation for the story that Chu was trying to tell, and I have a better understanding of Jian’s constant failure to live up to such a huge mantle. Chu was challenging my expectations of the chosen one’s typical arc, and I fell too easily into the well-worn groove of watching a young hero develop and emerge triumphant. Jian’s unique journey made me love the War Arts series even more because it defies tradition and asks us to grapple with the insane weight placed on this young boy’s shoulders. Jian is untested and far from perfect, and we get to see him fail a lot with devastating consequences. Even in a masterfully built fantasy-adjacent world, Legend felt grounded in reality and laughed in my face for putting all my hope in one person to save the world.
Our leading ladies continue to shine brightly and kick some serious ass in The Art of Legend, and I will forever worship the ground they walk on. Taishi is almost unrecognizable from the war artist we met in book one. She had aged significantly, and she no longer has the stamina or ability to fight. While her physicality was reduced, her fiery personality, sharp mouth, and brilliant mind were still present and clawing for every advantage to see this story through. Qisami also had an interesting evolution in book three, thanks to serving some hard time in an arctic tundra. She’s still a deadly war artist, but she’s lost her edge. Book three introduces us to a somewhat run-down and softened version of this elite assassin. Honorable Sali remained as steady as ever, fighting for her people and holding onto her values at great cost. I could feel her fortitude emanating from the book, and I love the confidence and resoluteness that she carried in this story after struggling so much with her place in the world in book two.
Chu’s writing continued to delight me three books in. I love the humor that he infuses into the story, and he adeptly avoids any pitfalls of making the fun and levity feel forced or cheesy. His characters were perfect champions for the tone he crafted in Legend and the series overall. The mains are such well-written characters full of depth that they can believably act out with both severity and inanity. It is not often that a book makes me laugh out loud, but Chu earned a laugh from me time and time again in this series. And even after coming to know these characters so well after three books, the humor still caught me off guard and charmed me. It goes to show how well Chu can paint intense scenes and detailed action to draw you in. I would be sitting on the edge of my seat and then be completely blindsided by a well-timed joke or remark. The dark and light are so perfectly balanced in Legend that one could not overtake and sour the other.
I dreaded writing my review of The Art of Legend because I didn’t want to say goodbye, but I am so happy with how the series ended. This book continued to blow away my expectations on a strong gust of air from its honored Windwhispers and shock me up until the very last page. The entire series is a breath of fresh air and an absolute blast. The Wars Arts series is truly laugh-out-loud funny, overflowing with action, pulls you into immersive fight scenes, and features some of the most memorable women I’ve had the honor of meeting. Don’t you want to see how this prophecy ends?
Rating:
The Art of Legend: 10/10
War Arts Saga: 9.0/10
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.
December 3, 2025
The Art of Legend by Wesley Chu is such a satisfying conclusion to a series that deserves way more attention than it gets. Honestly, this entire trilogy is underrated, but it is an absolute gem. The kind of fantasy that grows richer with every book.
Book 3 could have been stronger in certain parts, especially compared to the momentum of The Art of Prophecy and The Art of Destiny, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Wesley Chu ties the threads together with heart, humour and emotional weight, staying true to what made this series special in the first place which is its characters.
Wen Jian’s growth from the “chosen one” who wasn’t, to someone who finally defines his own destiny, continues to be one of the strongest arcs here. Ling Taishi remains chaotic, brilliant and unexpectedly tender in her own grumpy way. She’s a mentor who steals every scene she’s in. Sali’s strength and inner conflict are beautifully handled and the way her arc closes feels earned.
But my heart? It will always belong to Qisami.
Sharp, deadly, dramatic, morally grey and somehow still ridiculously endearing. Wesley Chu gave her one of the most memorable character journeys in the entire series and every time she showed up, the energy just shifted. I was rooting for her from beginning to end.
Even with a slightly softer finale in Book 3, the emotional payoff, character dynamics and the thematic message of forging your own path make this trilogy unforgettable. If more people picked up this series, I truly believe it would be talked about far more in the fantasy community.
Underrated. Brilliant. And absolutely worth reading
Book 3 could have been stronger in certain parts, especially compared to the momentum of The Art of Prophecy and The Art of Destiny, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Wesley Chu ties the threads together with heart, humour and emotional weight, staying true to what made this series special in the first place which is its characters.
Wen Jian’s growth from the “chosen one” who wasn’t, to someone who finally defines his own destiny, continues to be one of the strongest arcs here. Ling Taishi remains chaotic, brilliant and unexpectedly tender in her own grumpy way. She’s a mentor who steals every scene she’s in. Sali’s strength and inner conflict are beautifully handled and the way her arc closes feels earned.
But my heart? It will always belong to Qisami.
Sharp, deadly, dramatic, morally grey and somehow still ridiculously endearing. Wesley Chu gave her one of the most memorable character journeys in the entire series and every time she showed up, the energy just shifted. I was rooting for her from beginning to end.
Even with a slightly softer finale in Book 3, the emotional payoff, character dynamics and the thematic message of forging your own path make this trilogy unforgettable. If more people picked up this series, I truly believe it would be talked about far more in the fantasy community.
Underrated. Brilliant. And absolutely worth reading
July 27, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC.
4.5 stars
The War Arts Saga for me is a series I wasn't expecting to fall head over heels for. Considering how it is a story with Wuxia elements--which I have a love hate relationship with that genre in the Chinese Drama market--I was surprised to learn how much how I prefer it in written format. It allows the whimsical nature to shine, and it heightens the fantastical elements of war martial arts. Wesley Chu does an amazing job at choreographing the fights, while making each style distinct and unique which gets me so much more excited as I love well written fight scenes in fantasy.
In The Art of Legend, its primary focus is on fighting, fighting, and more fighting. Taking place five years after the previous installment, our intrepid heroes took refuge in a city soon to run over by the conquering Empress Sunri. Everyone decided on the worst decision of staying in town in a battle that they were doomed to lose from the start, but that didn't stop them from still giving their all. Wen Jian, however, still has more room to grow, but that's something I appreciate about our prophesized hero: he's realistic, and honestly it all went to his head with how he was originally brought up. The Masters and disciples we met in the previous novel also continue to grow into their own--albeit mostly off screen as they're not main POV characters. A common thread that bound the side characters and POV characters was the desire to do what was right and to help the normal citizens stay afloat in these dire times.
This is reflected hugely in Pei's actions as she attempts to guide our main characters to the best outcome. Unfortunately, free will makes completing a prophecy a bitch in this world. A prophecy can be all good and dandy but you have the choice to complete it. Which is an interesting take on prophecies. Normally they are perpetuated to be an inevitable fate that happens regardless of your attempts to thwart it. So with free will involved, how do you convince people to do the right thing? Not everyone has the same beliefs or morals, and personal relationships make it hard to take the big steps necessary to take up the mantle. There are consequences for making the wrong decision, and the butterfly effects' ripples have a gargantuan reach.
Having said that, I do feel that most readers would be a little disappointed with the ending of the book. However, if they pay attention to the prophecies and their counterparts, it's pretty obvious that something else needs to be done. Personally, I greatly enjoyed the final standoff and sobbed through the epilogue, though I did feel the build up needed a little more oomph. The reader is kind of blindsided in the middle by new information that drives the story to follow the route of the prophecy. The Art of Legend was also 700 pages long, so I understand the willingness to cull a little to reach the conclusion as I feel another novel in the series would be hard pressed to close as succinctly as The Art of Legend did.
Also, I don't know what Chu did but damn was this the funniest novel in the series. My poor partner was subjected to me reading paragraphs to PAGES of text with me chortling along to the content. Our characters felt the most realistic in this regard as a lot of the scenes I was chuckling at, involved our heroes just flat out dealing with the cunning wit of others, as well as unseen circumstances such as a cloak to the face while one was ready to jump on board to begin a battle. It was chef's kiss.
Overall, I highly recommend reading this series as it's such a refreshing take on the hero's journey and what it takes to become a master. I also really appreciated the balance of character backgrounds, traits -- such as gender and romantic proclivities-- and fighting styles. It'll be hard to find anything else quite like The War Arts Saga.
4.5 stars
The War Arts Saga for me is a series I wasn't expecting to fall head over heels for. Considering how it is a story with Wuxia elements--which I have a love hate relationship with that genre in the Chinese Drama market--I was surprised to learn how much how I prefer it in written format. It allows the whimsical nature to shine, and it heightens the fantastical elements of war martial arts. Wesley Chu does an amazing job at choreographing the fights, while making each style distinct and unique which gets me so much more excited as I love well written fight scenes in fantasy.
In The Art of Legend, its primary focus is on fighting, fighting, and more fighting. Taking place five years after the previous installment, our intrepid heroes took refuge in a city soon to run over by the conquering Empress Sunri. Everyone decided on the worst decision of staying in town in a battle that they were doomed to lose from the start, but that didn't stop them from still giving their all. Wen Jian, however, still has more room to grow, but that's something I appreciate about our prophesized hero: he's realistic, and honestly it all went to his head with how he was originally brought up. The Masters and disciples we met in the previous novel also continue to grow into their own--albeit mostly off screen as they're not main POV characters. A common thread that bound the side characters and POV characters was the desire to do what was right and to help the normal citizens stay afloat in these dire times.
This is reflected hugely in Pei's actions as she attempts to guide our main characters to the best outcome. Unfortunately, free will makes completing a prophecy a bitch in this world. A prophecy can be all good and dandy but you have the choice to complete it. Which is an interesting take on prophecies. Normally they are perpetuated to be an inevitable fate that happens regardless of your attempts to thwart it. So with free will involved, how do you convince people to do the right thing? Not everyone has the same beliefs or morals, and personal relationships make it hard to take the big steps necessary to take up the mantle. There are consequences for making the wrong decision, and the butterfly effects' ripples have a gargantuan reach.
Having said that, I do feel that most readers would be a little disappointed with the ending of the book. However, if they pay attention to the prophecies and their counterparts, it's pretty obvious that something else needs to be done. Personally, I greatly enjoyed the final standoff and sobbed through the epilogue, though I did feel the build up needed a little more oomph. The reader is kind of blindsided in the middle by new information that drives the story to follow the route of the prophecy. The Art of Legend was also 700 pages long, so I understand the willingness to cull a little to reach the conclusion as I feel another novel in the series would be hard pressed to close as succinctly as The Art of Legend did.
Also, I don't know what Chu did but damn was this the funniest novel in the series. My poor partner was subjected to me reading paragraphs to PAGES of text with me chortling along to the content. Our characters felt the most realistic in this regard as a lot of the scenes I was chuckling at, involved our heroes just flat out dealing with the cunning wit of others, as well as unseen circumstances such as a cloak to the face while one was ready to jump on board to begin a battle. It was chef's kiss.
Overall, I highly recommend reading this series as it's such a refreshing take on the hero's journey and what it takes to become a master. I also really appreciated the balance of character backgrounds, traits -- such as gender and romantic proclivities-- and fighting styles. It'll be hard to find anything else quite like The War Arts Saga.
September 29, 2025
This is the third and final instalment in the War Arts trilogy.
Jian was a fated hero who did not fulfil his prophecy but still has enemies to face. Along with his ragtag crew of misfits, Jian must find his own path and learn that the future, for good or for bad, is one of your own choosing.
This series, overall, has been an incredible journey! The entire cast of characters had my heart and the directions this story took were continually surprising and exciting. Whilst I didn't find the very final portion of this book to follow in the same vein, I had such a fun time with all that came before. I'm so sad that our time in this world is over but Chu is an incredible writer and I am eager to see what other fantastical creations he crafts next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Wesley Chu, and the publisher, Del Ray for this opportunity.
Jian was a fated hero who did not fulfil his prophecy but still has enemies to face. Along with his ragtag crew of misfits, Jian must find his own path and learn that the future, for good or for bad, is one of your own choosing.
This series, overall, has been an incredible journey! The entire cast of characters had my heart and the directions this story took were continually surprising and exciting. Whilst I didn't find the very final portion of this book to follow in the same vein, I had such a fun time with all that came before. I'm so sad that our time in this world is over but Chu is an incredible writer and I am eager to see what other fantastical creations he crafts next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Wesley Chu, and the publisher, Del Ray for this opportunity.
October 6, 2025
The Art Of Legend is the third instalment of the War Arts trilogy.
And what a satisfying conclusion... We catch up with Jian, Champion of the Five Under Heaven, the Prophesied Hero of the Tiandi, and his mentor Ling Taishi, Grandmaster of the Windwhispering school, as war finally catches up with them.
This is a Sammurai martial arts fantasy with an amazing cast of characters like Qisami, a Shadowkill assassin, who brings a lot of the humour to the story and Salminde the Viperstrike.
And what a satisfying conclusion... We catch up with Jian, Champion of the Five Under Heaven, the Prophesied Hero of the Tiandi, and his mentor Ling Taishi, Grandmaster of the Windwhispering school, as war finally catches up with them.
This is a Sammurai martial arts fantasy with an amazing cast of characters like Qisami, a Shadowkill assassin, who brings a lot of the humour to the story and Salminde the Viperstrike.
September 11, 2025
Kind of a lame ending tbh
September 10, 2025
[ 3.5/5 stars ]
The story structure is a bit different in THE ART OF LEGEND as the world building was already established in the previous installments. There are the same flawed characters, with secondary characters making more presence in the narrative - while they are a solid support for the main characters (especially Jian), I wasn't fully invested in them. Brimming with battle scenes, this last book feels almost entirely action-packed, which helps the plot pace yet it also feels quite scattered.
The book follows three characters in their own storyline, whose dumbness or heroic moments make them flawed and easy to root for. Either fulfilling their destiny or surviving, the characters' path diverge until the story weaves together into a collection of events that feel a bit underwhelming. My favorite parts are the master-disciple relationship, so precious in Chinese culture; the mysterious prophetic element and ultimately wuxia (better explored in books one and two). On the other hand, I would have loved a better editing since it often felt lengthy.
Chu covers themes of moral compass, honor, goodness x great good, found family, legacy, trauma and sacrifices through a cast of characters who forge their own way. While most of the plot felt lukewarm, I have to confess that I was impressed by the epilogue and I honestly wanted more (also that ending!!).
This conclusion will benefit those looking for an intense plot line loaded with fighting scenes and flawed characters. In short, I still recommend this trilogy. (ps: it seems like there will be a new series with different (Xianxia!) world but familiar characters, which I am quite excited about)
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Del Rey books . All thoughts are my own ]
The story structure is a bit different in THE ART OF LEGEND as the world building was already established in the previous installments. There are the same flawed characters, with secondary characters making more presence in the narrative - while they are a solid support for the main characters (especially Jian), I wasn't fully invested in them. Brimming with battle scenes, this last book feels almost entirely action-packed, which helps the plot pace yet it also feels quite scattered.
The book follows three characters in their own storyline, whose dumbness or heroic moments make them flawed and easy to root for. Either fulfilling their destiny or surviving, the characters' path diverge until the story weaves together into a collection of events that feel a bit underwhelming. My favorite parts are the master-disciple relationship, so precious in Chinese culture; the mysterious prophetic element and ultimately wuxia (better explored in books one and two). On the other hand, I would have loved a better editing since it often felt lengthy.
Chu covers themes of moral compass, honor, goodness x great good, found family, legacy, trauma and sacrifices through a cast of characters who forge their own way. While most of the plot felt lukewarm, I have to confess that I was impressed by the epilogue and I honestly wanted more (also that ending!!).
This conclusion will benefit those looking for an intense plot line loaded with fighting scenes and flawed characters. In short, I still recommend this trilogy. (ps: it seems like there will be a new series with different (Xianxia!) world but familiar characters, which I am quite excited about)
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Del Rey books . All thoughts are my own ]
August 15, 2025
April 16th, 2025: It's a need, not a want.
Full review:
To say that I was anticipating The Art of Legend would be . . . understating it. When I first picked up The Art of Prophecy a few years ago, I was blown away by how fun it was, how amazing the (primarily female cast of) characters were. I was captivated. The second book was just as much fun and back with the characters I so loved, so to have to wait two years for the conclusion seemed like a cruel and very personal punishment to me. But here we are, finally at the end of a series that became a surprising favourite of mine.
The Art of Legend doesn't quite pick up where The Art of Destiny let off, picking up a few years in the future. But we do get to pick up with all of our favourite characters: Taishi, Qisami, Salminde, and Jian. Three badass women and their idiot child.
The characters have honestly always been the standout of this series for me. I don't think I need to expand further, as if you're reading a review for book three in a trilogy, you probably already know the characters a bit yourself, but I'll just say: ✨women✨. These are such well-written, complex women with distinct personalities and motivations and growth - I love them all. That's not a knock against Jian, adorable idiot puppy with a more conventional growth arc despite his unconventional start, but from start to finish, this series is really about the three women. 1800 pages with them was not nearly enough.
I did find the plot of this book to be a bit more meandering, in a way. It was action-packed, don't get me wrong, and a lot happened, but it kind of felt a bit repetitive at times and as if things were happening to either fill pages so that we can get to an epic conclusion. This sounds harsher than I intended, because a lot of stuff did happen and I did enjoy the plot and especially the interactions between various characters, but it just didn't feel as focused as the previous books. And maybe part of that was because the ending was ultimately a bit anticlimactic. It was a good ending and made sense for the overall story, I think, but I feel like it didn't quite deliver on all the build-up. And honestly? I was preparing myself to sob and I didn't get to do that, how dare an author not break my heart???
All in all, this series remains a favourite of mine. I didn't know what to expect with a Wuxia-inspired fantasy trilogy with female POV characters written by a man, but the Tran Nguyen cover grabbed me and I'm so glad it did. I had so much fun with the world, the plot, the history, and especially the characters. Wesley Chu, I need to see what you'll write next and I'm sorry you'll probably never top the holy trinity of Taishi, Qisami, and Salminde for characters. But it's a gift to be given a whole trilogy of them.
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, and to NetGalley for the ARC.
Full review:
To say that I was anticipating The Art of Legend would be . . . understating it. When I first picked up The Art of Prophecy a few years ago, I was blown away by how fun it was, how amazing the (primarily female cast of) characters were. I was captivated. The second book was just as much fun and back with the characters I so loved, so to have to wait two years for the conclusion seemed like a cruel and very personal punishment to me. But here we are, finally at the end of a series that became a surprising favourite of mine.
The Art of Legend doesn't quite pick up where The Art of Destiny let off, picking up a few years in the future. But we do get to pick up with all of our favourite characters: Taishi, Qisami, Salminde, and Jian. Three badass women and their idiot child.
The characters have honestly always been the standout of this series for me. I don't think I need to expand further, as if you're reading a review for book three in a trilogy, you probably already know the characters a bit yourself, but I'll just say: ✨women✨. These are such well-written, complex women with distinct personalities and motivations and growth - I love them all. That's not a knock against Jian, adorable idiot puppy with a more conventional growth arc despite his unconventional start, but from start to finish, this series is really about the three women. 1800 pages with them was not nearly enough.
I did find the plot of this book to be a bit more meandering, in a way. It was action-packed, don't get me wrong, and a lot happened, but it kind of felt a bit repetitive at times and as if things were happening to either fill pages so that we can get to an epic conclusion. This sounds harsher than I intended, because a lot of stuff did happen and I did enjoy the plot and especially the interactions between various characters, but it just didn't feel as focused as the previous books. And maybe part of that was because the ending was ultimately a bit anticlimactic. It was a good ending and made sense for the overall story, I think, but I feel like it didn't quite deliver on all the build-up. And honestly? I was preparing myself to sob and I didn't get to do that, how dare an author not break my heart???
All in all, this series remains a favourite of mine. I didn't know what to expect with a Wuxia-inspired fantasy trilogy with female POV characters written by a man, but the Tran Nguyen cover grabbed me and I'm so glad it did. I had so much fun with the world, the plot, the history, and especially the characters. Wesley Chu, I need to see what you'll write next and I'm sorry you'll probably never top the holy trinity of Taishi, Qisami, and Salminde for characters. But it's a gift to be given a whole trilogy of them.
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, and to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 3, 2025
Finally, the end of our Prophesied Hero's journey…
This is the third and final installment in the War Arts saga. Obviously, you’ll want to read the first two before diving in (and if it’s been a while, the book does include a recap). The recap is formatted in a kind of quirky, experimental way—cool in theory, but I found myself wishing for a more straightforward summary.
All the main characters are back, which of course means they’re immediately in trouble. The four POVs—Jian, Taishi, Salminde, and Quisami—carry the story, and I have to say, the three women absolutely steal the show. They’re warriors through and through: independent, confident, fierce. Honestly, getting to know them has been my favorite part of the entire trilogy.
Wesley Chu’s signature humor is alive and well here. His banter and witty asides had me actually laughing out loud, and the fight scenes? Chef’s kiss. The choreography and variety of fighting styles really jump off the page.
That said… the middle of the book dragged for me. The opening had me excited to be back in this world, but then it veered into odd side quests that didn’t seem to matter. The rhythm became “battle, siege, run, repeat.” I wouldn’t have minded filler if it all built toward an epic climax, but the payoff wasn’t there.
The ending was where things really fell apart. It felt rushed and unfinished—easily one of the most disappointing finales I’ve read in a while. Plot threads introduced earlier just fizzled out. The much-hyped showdown between the Prophesied Hero and the Eternal Khan? Cut short. And the cherry on top: nobody died. Nobody. I was mentally preparing myself to ugly-cry over Taishi or Jian, but instead everyone just… walked away? Even in an “uncorrected proof,” I assumed the ending would hold up, so I checked the published edition to make sure I hadn’t accidentally missed an extra chapter. Nope. Just an abrupt, anticlimactic finale.
If the series hadn’t built up such enormous stakes, I wouldn’t be so harsh—but after all that tension, the payoff wasn’t there.
For me, the strongest entry was still The Art of Prophecy, book one. Chu’s voice is fantastic, his characters memorable, and his humor unmatched. But while I enjoyed this series overall, what I thought would be a solid 4.5 stars landed closer to 3.25.
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Wesley Chu for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This is the third and final installment in the War Arts saga. Obviously, you’ll want to read the first two before diving in (and if it’s been a while, the book does include a recap). The recap is formatted in a kind of quirky, experimental way—cool in theory, but I found myself wishing for a more straightforward summary.
All the main characters are back, which of course means they’re immediately in trouble. The four POVs—Jian, Taishi, Salminde, and Quisami—carry the story, and I have to say, the three women absolutely steal the show. They’re warriors through and through: independent, confident, fierce. Honestly, getting to know them has been my favorite part of the entire trilogy.
Wesley Chu’s signature humor is alive and well here. His banter and witty asides had me actually laughing out loud, and the fight scenes? Chef’s kiss. The choreography and variety of fighting styles really jump off the page.
That said… the middle of the book dragged for me. The opening had me excited to be back in this world, but then it veered into odd side quests that didn’t seem to matter. The rhythm became “battle, siege, run, repeat.” I wouldn’t have minded filler if it all built toward an epic climax, but the payoff wasn’t there.
The ending was where things really fell apart. It felt rushed and unfinished—easily one of the most disappointing finales I’ve read in a while. Plot threads introduced earlier just fizzled out. The much-hyped showdown between the Prophesied Hero and the Eternal Khan? Cut short. And the cherry on top: nobody died. Nobody. I was mentally preparing myself to ugly-cry over Taishi or Jian, but instead everyone just… walked away? Even in an “uncorrected proof,” I assumed the ending would hold up, so I checked the published edition to make sure I hadn’t accidentally missed an extra chapter. Nope. Just an abrupt, anticlimactic finale.
If the series hadn’t built up such enormous stakes, I wouldn’t be so harsh—but after all that tension, the payoff wasn’t there.
For me, the strongest entry was still The Art of Prophecy, book one. Chu’s voice is fantastic, his characters memorable, and his humor unmatched. But while I enjoyed this series overall, what I thought would be a solid 4.5 stars landed closer to 3.25.
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Wesley Chu for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
A rushed and unsatisfying ending.
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