Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

by Justin Hill, Wang Dulu

Another life-altering quest, another struggle between honor and lust for power, another generation of warriors forging alliances and enmities. The adventure, romance, and artistry of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon continues in this novelized companion to the first ever Netflix debut film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny based on the novel by Wang Dulu.
Seventeen years after the legendary fighter Mubai dies protecting the world-conquering sword The Green Destiny, four great warriors are called together to guard the formidable weapon once more. The forces surrounding the sword irrevocably altered the life of Shulien, Mubai’s lover, but seventeen years later she is still honor-bound to defend the blade from the power-hungry warlord Hades Dai. The young fighters Wei-fang and Snow Vase, switched at birth, also have heritages and inheritances that inextricably link them to both each other and the fate of the sword. And Silent Wolf, Shulien’s former fiancé, returns from presumed death to thwart Hades Dai—and rekindle an emotionally isolated Shulien’s feelings.
Jam-packed with all the hallmarks of an epic adventure—sacrifice, battles, betrayal, vengeance, redemption, and destiny—this saga also explores the deeper meaning of true heroism and virtue. As Wei-fang and Snow Vase search for identity and forge their places in the world of warriors and heroes, Shu-lien and Silent Wolf struggle to reconcile both the traditions and heartbreak of the past with a fragile hope for the future.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Chinese Literature, Novels, Historical

309 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2015

About the author

Justin is an English novelist whose work has twice been nominated for the Man Booker Prize. He was born in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island in 1971 and was brought up in York. He was educated at St Peter's School, York, and was a member of St Cuthbert's Society, Durham University.

He worked for seven years as a volunteer with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) in rural China and Africa, before returning home to Yorkshire in 1999. His internationally acclaimed first novel, The Drink and Dream Teahouse, won the 2003 Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize and a 2002 Betty Trask Award, and banned by the government in China. It was also picked by the Washington Post as one of the Top Novels of 2001.

His second novel, Passing Under Heaven, won the 2005 Somerset Maugham Award and was shortlisted for the Encore Award. The Independent on Sunday and Sunday Telegraph both picked it for their Christmas Recommended Reads in 2005.

Ciao Asmara, a factual account of his time in Eritrea, was shortlisted for the 2003 Thomas Cook Travel Book Award.

In December 2009, he signed a two-book deal with Little, Brown, to publish his Conquest Series.

His work has been translated into fifteen languages.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.

It should be noted that this is a novelization of the script for the screen to the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, while this book and the movies are based on a pentalogy, the film (and therefore this book) contain some major differences from the source material by Wang Dalu.

Shulien (Michelle Yeoh’s character from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) finds herself dragged rather unwillingly out of herself exile to see to the safety of the Green Sword, yet again.

In many ways, while this book does tell the reader what happen to the other characters from the previous movie, it also feels like a redo of the phrase movie. Once again, we have an older would be couple, and a younger would be couple, who are fated to be together.

It’s not a bad book, but in many ways it is simply a slightly happier version than the first movie. The most interesting parts are the ones with Shulien, and not solely due to the fact that she is the hold over character from the movie. It is in the scenes with her that the novel slows down and is actually more than round two of the same story. It is in these scenes that there are reflections about honor, power, and duty. While these reflections are transfer to the character of Snow Vase, they are dealt with to a stronger degree with Shulien.

It’s not the best book in the world, yet it is more than a cheaper novelization. It does make me wish that the original pentalogy was available in English.

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny' by Justin Hill.

Martial arts and Sword play are at the root of the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon series. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon:Sword of Destiny by Justin Hill follows on the artistry of Wang Dulu, the creator of the above series. When Duke Te, master of the Iron Way dies, the Green Destiny sword is no long safe in the world. Having been protected by the Duke, at least in rumor, the legend draws those who feel the pull of such beauty.

However, in the wrong hands, such a sword of power can create peril in the martial-arts world.

Yu Shu Lien, the legendary female warrior has been in hiding, in solitude as long as the sword was safe. The sword was in part responsible for her pain and the loss of her own love, Li Mu Bai. She knows she must now travel to Beijing to protect the sword, but there are others whose motives aren’t so pure gathering to strike as well.

From the past comes Yu Jiaolong on the trail of the elusive sword, craving it for her fierce daughter Snow Vase. The Green Destiny pulls together a strong and exceptional group of characters into a battle of bravery, with an anxious but necessary conclusion.

Justin Hill is a great story teller, and brings a strong group of characters together, weaving a fantastic tale of greed and revenge. A take from the above series of Wang Dulu, you find both beauty and symmetry in the sword play, but make no mistake, the danger is constant, and the strength of the characters holds you enthralled.

If you are a fan of the Iron series, you will find this to be an exciting edition, one that gives closure and yet opens your senses to the beauty of a profession that seems more magical then real. Yet that is the beauty of martial arts and sword play. Timing and movement, patience and agility create the beauty of dance, but the danger is powerful, luring you in to the incredible power of both.

This would be a wonderful gift for your avid reader, it would be of interest to those who enjoy action, adventure, mystery, magic, and even epic battles. It has something for most everyone. Hill has given us another great work, one you can enjoy many times over.

[Filip Pettersson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book the story of the movie got so much clearer.

[Katie_la_geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this review and more check out my blog

I was just a teenager when I first saw the movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. I had never seen a film like it before and it captured my imagination and gave me a new found respect for foreign cinema. It has been about sixteen years since Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon came out in British cinemas and now it is back in a big way with a new film called Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny coming out on Netflix in February. Alongside the film release, we are also being treated to the book written by Wang Dulu and Booker Prize nominee Justin Hill.

I have never read a book like this one before. It is strange to read something completely new which features characters I know well from somewhere else. It was great to see what happened to some of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon's best loved and most iconic characters. Both Shulien and Jiaolong are back in this sequel and there is also a host of brand new characters as well.

For the most part, I liked Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of destiny. I wanted to love it but it didn't grip me as much as I would have liked. I thought the storyline was good and I enjoyed how everything came together. It was poetic in some places and epic in others, and it was all brought to vivid life with the writing.

It is the writing that comes out on top. Everything from the scenery to the epic battles is beautifully written. Great care has been taken to set a tone for this book and stick with it all the way through. I found all the characters to be well-rounded and interesting. Out of all the characters, it is Shulien who carried most of the emotional weight. Much like her role in the movie, she is forced to shelve her own needs in order to carry out her duty. The moments where she looks back at her life and what she has lost are the most poignant of the whole book.

However, there were times where this book managed to bore me. It was not always an easy read and sometimes I found myself getting distracted. There are just moments where this all felt a little slow and I wanted a little more character to the book. I think it all comes down to taste, as a whole this book didn't always work for me but that is not through a lack of talent on the author's part.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny is a beautifully constructed book with some stunning writing. It just could have used a little more pace at times.

(A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review)

[Debra Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Sword of Destiny” transports the reader back to the landscape of ancient China when it was revered to be a warrior who followed The Iron Way. The story picks up seventeen years after the death of one of the greatest warriors, Mubai, as he defended the legendary sword, The Green Destiny. Shulien, who loved Mubai, must now come out of her self-imposed exile when The Green Destiny is once again vulnerable to falling into the hands of the evil warlord, Hades Dai. Two young warriors, Snow Vase and Wei-fang, also find their destiny intertwined with Shulien and the famed sword.

Mr. Hill’s words come alive on the pages as the story unfolds – the landscape, the inner thoughts of the characters and of course the agility of the battles. The warriors fight with such elegance and grace and you feel like you’re watching a beautiful and intricate dance play across the stage. Sulien’s character is the most complex—her feelings when she held Mubai as he took his final breaths, her need for reflection and solitude as she mourns a life that can never be, and finally her responsibility to the sword’s safe-keeping. No warrior is safe and evil is conquering the land. Can four warriors keep the sword safe or will it fall into the hands of one of the most evil warriors ever born? This is the journey Mr. Hill takes the reader on and he does it with such skill that before you know it, you’ve finished the story and are begging for more. Highly recommended.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never seen the film but I have heard nothing but good things about it, this prompted me to read this when the opportunity arose. Plus I believe Netflix are making this into a film too with Michelle Yeoh returning as Shu Lien.

Of course the setting for this novel is China and it really is the star of the show, beautifully described and incredibly inviting making for the perfect contrast against the battling warriors.

The synopsis says it more eloquently than I can but the story follows Snow Vase a young woman who has been raised by her warrior mother and is following in her footsteps. It also follows Shu lien, the legendary warrior who comes out of retirement to find out what has happened to the Green Legend, a sword which had been under the safekeeping of the late Duke Te.

I don't want to spoil the story for you but if you enjoyed the original film or you enjoy reading a story with beautifully written characters and wonderful scenery plus a bit of romance then you can't go wrong with this. A great read to immerse yourself in.

Thanks to Little Brown for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Arsnoctis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a proper book, in fact it's a screenplay, a good one.
I loved the previous Crouching tiger, hidden dragon movie and I'm super excited about the upcoming Netflix' sequel expecially after this read.
The story takes place in ancient China when traditionally warriors followed the Iron way; horses, swords and a lot of tea are some of the ingredients that contribute to develope a beautiful scenario.

There are a few main characters, but there's also also a protagonist, Shulien, that comes from the previous movie.
This review it's spoiler free, so I won't say anything about the plot, but I liked it. There are a few slow-boring pharagrahps , but I think that it's expected in a story like this.
I can't wait to see the movie, but I could also recommend this screenplay as well.
(eArc via Netgalley)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The narrative is simple and soothing, but completely immersive, painting pictures of ancient China and WuShu warriors in the mind.
All four of the main characters Shu Lien, Silent Wolf, Snow Vase, and Wei Fang all complex and engaging, each with their own journey and emotional arch to complete. (If I had one criticism, it would be that I wish some of the secondary characters and villains were fleshed out this much. They felt a little bit more characature that character.)
If you enjoyed the movie 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' then I really recommend this one, as I found it a very satisfying sequel. Now if only someone would translate the entire series by Wang Du Lu into english my world would be complete! Happy Reading!

[Lauren Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sad cause mubai died and that he didn't want to marry shulien when they still had time I'm glad though that snow vase and wei fang found each other

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novelization based on a screenplay based on a Chinese novel. Which is a sequel to the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. So, in short, this book should be doomed. On the other hand, it's a good looking book. They went to the trouble to turn out a novelization and hired an actual writer to do it, and I was in the mood.
The book does fall into a few traps that plague novelizations. In the era of completely unreal action sequences, dealing with those in a non-visual medium is difficult. This movie is not yet out, but if it's predecessor is any guide it will be full of wire work superhero level martial arts. That's hard to translate and the author does a very good job up until the grand finale. Luckily the emotional fall out of the battle is more important and translates much better.
There is a group of characters I think of as the dirty half dozen, who do not serve much purpose in the book. It is easy to see how they will serve a better purpose in the movie, where these characters can be portrayed visually with little screen time. In the book we do not get to know them well enough for their actions or their fate to make any difference.
On the plus side, the author does a very good job of portraying China. Is it historically accurate? How do I know, but the setting was a living part of the story.
A more meta reason for me enjoying this was its size and scope. This is historical fiction, but the feel is much more of the fantasy genre. I haven't read much fantasy in recent decades. The template is serial novels that run to millions of words. Such a monster demands certain moving parts. You need a huge conflict with super high stakes to sustain that many words. You need a huge cast of characters to show every bit of your huge conflict in detail. It's the reason that Star Trek movies are never about exploring the galaxy and the ship is in danger, they are about the Earth is going to be destroyed and the galaxy is in danger. You have to give those folks paying a hundred bucks to watch a movie and eat popcorn with their whole family a big enough bang for the buck. But the smaller stories get left behind.
Even though this is a sequel and part of a larger work, it doesn't read like Wheel of Time or Game of Thrones. This is a smaller story at a more human level and I appreciate that. There is no grand prophecy or chosen one guiding these people- which I find refreshing.
I can't in good conscience give this more than three and half stars, though I will click four. If you are the sort of person thinking of reading the book in the first place, you'll probably get what you need from it.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was approached about this book a while ago I was immediately intrigued by the book description. ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon..’ is not a book I would usually read, but somehow it really interested me and I was in desperate need of reading something a little different. And different than my normal reads it definitely was.

First of all ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon..’ takes place in ancient China and involves warriors. Second of all this book includes Martial arts and Sword play. Those are all things I honestly wouldn’t read a book about. And apparently there have been movies about this book, something I really didn’t know. For me it was a completely new story. And overall I did like it. The writing was easy to follow and written in a way that I wanted to keep on reading. The characters where interesting and the story was fascinating because I was just so out of my comfort zone.

But men, the names!! I’ve mentioned a view other times that I have a problem with names, especially if there are many and if they are in a way alike.. Well add Chinese names to that list of things that make me confused. Yu Jiaolong, Li Mu Bai, Yu Shu Lien.. They may not be alike but I just couldn’t seem to remember which name was with which character. I literally needed to see where the chapter was about to get who we were talking about.. Frustrating! Maybe I need to start writing them down.

The battle scenes where really something different! It’s not often that I read a book in which a battle almost felt beautiful. But Justin Hill really achieved that.
Although I don’t think I will be reading other books in this style and about this subject, I did really enjoy it. It was just not something I would want to read again.

[K.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very new to the Crouching Tiger world, having just watched the movie a few days ago before picking up this book. I fell in love with the film, and am looking forward to Netflix's sequel, for a variety of reasons, all of which are mirrored, in some way, in Sword of Destiny.

The backdrop of China against characters following the Iron Way makes for a narrative at odds. China is graced with mountains and valleys, open plains and dense forests, full of villages and yet relatively untouched. The warriors we meet along the way are the product of their birthplace; they are both fluid and strong. The violence they seek and find while chasing after Green Destiny is contrasted against the beauty of the world around them.

The introduction of new characters like Snow Vase and Wei-fang balances out the masters with their students. Snow Vase in particular may be young and wild, but her introspection and advice to Shulien is a highlight to the overall story.

Read more at http://www.hypable.com/review/book-re...

[Zee Monodee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this book...not through any of its fault, but I had this as a paperback and I have long since stopped reading paper books in favor of ebooks, so it was tedious for me to adapt to paper every time I had to get to this, though the book was not at fault here. My bad.
So, I kept thinking of the previous Crouching Tiger movie when I saw this book or even started reading it. Like, I imagined the spectacular fight scenes in the movie and the grace of movement of the characters - I wondered how this could be replicated in a book.
I needn't have worried, because the descriptions were nothing short of brilliant and breathtaking, allowing the reader to easily picture it all in mind, putting us in the characters' shoes all the way. Hectic, never boring, not a lull too long - this is definitely great action candy that also puts you into a world that not many know about/are privy to. Well worth the read!

[Lillia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I proofread nonfiction textbooks for a living, and a few years ago I ended up with a project about Chinese literature, and in it the author talked about wuxia literature and Wang Dulu, the author of a series of books, one of them which provided the basis for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I was disheartened to find out that none of his books had been translated into English. While I know this is an American living in China who is imitating Wang Dulu's content and style, it was still a pleasure to read. It picks up many years after the end of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but Shulien is back along with her backstory. The story is just complex enough to keep a reader interested. The way it almost too neatly wraps up would be slightly disconcerting if I didn't chalk it up to being a product of trying to imitate the Chinese genre. But is definitely worth the read.

[Bridgett Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveway, in exchange for a honest review.

The story picks up 17 years after the death of one of the greatest warriors, Mubai, as he defended the legendary sword, The Green Destiny. Shulien, who loved Mubai, must now come out of her self-imposed exile when The Green Destiny is once again vulnerable to falling into the hands of the evil warlord, Hades Dai. Two young warriors, Snow Vase and Wei-fang, also find their destiny intertwined with Shulien and the famed sword.
This was a great read, having loved the 1st movie, I wasn't sure about this book because it is a translated work, the book hasn’t lost its essence. I think this was a great effort from the author.

[James Tomasino · Rating 4 out of 5]

There novel worked well to carry on the feeling of the first film. I can't speak to its place related to the original pentology and something in me is a little torn on a book of a movie of a book. Still, it may not have had Ang Lee's level of depth and layering, and it relies too heavily on the combat, but it felt a part of the whole. If this were unconnected from anything I imagine one less star would be above.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the advanced copy with uncorrected pages that is titled The Green Legend and it's quite good for a direct screenplay adaptation. Easy to read and well-paced. Not super deep in character development but not shallow either. Being a script adaptation, it's naturally more plot centered. Good stuff. Now that I've read it, I can watch the movie.

[Nabilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Sufficient amount of twists in the plot. Bittersweet ending.

[Ranette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard working people must defend the :Iron Way, and not give up the green sword.

[Juli Rahel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of my favourite foreign films and was what made me fall in love with Chinese martial arts films, as well as Ang Lee. So when I heard there was not only a sequel but a novelisation of said sequel I was very excited! And I'm glad I had a chance to read it and that I am today's blog tour stop! Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What I have always loved about Chinese martial arts films is the crucial role women play to the plot. In Hollywood action films they're too often relegated to the sidelines, made to fight in high heels or are killed to provide a tragic backstory for the male hero. In the last year we've seen some change come into that with films like Mad Max: Fury Road and The Force Awakens, but it's something that I've always found in films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero. Shu-Lien was one of my favourite characters in the original and she continues to be so in Sword of Destiny, where she undoubtedly becomes the main star. The novel also fares best when dealing with her and her story, calming down a little bit and going into depth on the ideas of honour and duty which were also strong in the original film.

Overall I did enjoy reading Sword of Destiny. Hill writes a beautiful story which isn't always equally engaging but has heart to it. Shu-lien remains an amazing character and Hill writes her well. Above all, this novel has made me very excited to see the film. I'd recommend this to fans of martial arts films and China-inspired literature.

For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk...

[Devyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny is a screenplay!? I did not realize this until reading the comments.
This book being a screenplay answered my question on why it was written so methodically and emotionless. I indulged my imagination and pictured a robot who had a degree in Human Studies writing this book without really understanding the concept of the subject. The robot did a good job, but it forgot to add heart behind the words.
My comparison to the robot is really all I have to say on this book. With it soon to be a film I don't want to add any spoilers. I had had high hopes for this book because of my love of Martial Arts so I'm pretty bummed.
An enjoyable enough read that unfortunately fell flat.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Men say that a scholar's name will last five years, an artist's for ten, and a swordsman's for twenty years of men."

This book was more like 3.5 stars for me. It reads less like a book and more like a screenplay. It would translate well to screen and is paced like a movie. Things happen quickly, the entrances are thematic and the dialogue reads like a script.

It's in interesting read picking up the same vein of the original crouching tiger, hidden dragon and is full of adventure. It's got a reliable story arch that leads to a satisfying ending.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite it being a translated work, the book hasn’t lost its essence. (Even though I have a little bit of an issue with some of the word choice.) All in all, it’s fast-paced and entertaining. The ending was both predictable… and unpredictable.

Full review on Priscilla and her Books

[Koozebane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a print ARC for the #paperbacksummer challenge.

The film hasn't been released as of this review, and I haven't read the original Wang Dulu stories on which this novelization is based. However, this is a picturesque and engaging story in its own right.

[Tikri /Letitia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway (go to Browse, then Giveaways), enjoyed reading it, and am looking forward to keeping it in hand as I watch the Netflix movie.

[Marcia Scurfield]

This arrived today along with a beautiful Weinstein book bag!

[Birgitte Bach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Underholdende, men jeg skulle nok have set filmen først...