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Legends of Ogre Gate
Can the Demon Emperor even die?Ordinary martial arts are useless against him and his Ogre Generals. But the cultivation of Qi is a major game-changer. Sunan, from a poor fishing village, and Bao, a princess from a noble house, thirst to fight against evil. Sadly, they have no skill and no experience. Can they overcome treachery, assassination attempts, and outright warfare that will befall them as they invent their own martial arts cultivation techniques to fight back?This is the era in which martial heroes arise, and Qi cultivation enters the world. This is the era in which the common people fight back against the Demon Emperor. This is the era of Sunan and Bao.
- GenresFantasy
808 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2019
114 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Bai
36 books32 followersJeremy Bai is a translator and writer who specializes in Chinese fantasy genres such as wuxia, xianxia, and xuanhuan. Including the cult favorite I Shall Seal the Heavens, he has translated roughly 14,000,000 Chinese characters’ worth of such fiction, which works out to about 8,000,000 English words. He also runs a YouTube channel devoted to explaining the literary conventions and cultural aspects of Chinese fantasy. He lived in China from 2010-2018, and currently resides in Southern California with his wife and children. His pet peeves include bad subtitles in movies, humid weather, and witty humor inserted into About the Author sections.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 8, 2023
I think this can be a really good intro to wuxia for readers who aren't familiar with the genre, but I can also imagine true wuxia aficionados already preparing their "well, actually..." rebuttals.
The author (Bai) is pretty well known as a translator in the genre and has created/co-created a few TTRPGs in the genre. The dude knows his stuff. I think his love of the genre and his experience with it comes through in this work. It has all of the classical/traditional "must haves", but presented in a format that I think will be easier for Western readers.
I like a lot of wuxia novels, but I can't say I'm a true fan of the genre, as a lot of what I've read gets very repetitive and formulaic after the first 20% or so. This book has its own issues, and there are places where it drags, but I think where the author really succeeds is in presenting the wuxia genre and themes in a way that's more accessible in terms of format, dialogue, and so on. In other words, a lot of translated wuxia comes off as "strange" (at least to me) as it comes from a very different literary tradition; I believe this book does a good job of blending those traditions and approaches in a way that's still true to the wuxia genre while being more accessible.
As far as the story goes, it's pretty typical of the genre - I won't spoil anything, but it follows a pretty typical path of "hero(es) discover their quasi-magical martial arts abilities, fight a lot, and decide to put their talents to work against a Big Bad". Even with a lot of the cliches of the genre in play, I found the characters interesting and the story was satisfying.
The author (Bai) is pretty well known as a translator in the genre and has created/co-created a few TTRPGs in the genre. The dude knows his stuff. I think his love of the genre and his experience with it comes through in this work. It has all of the classical/traditional "must haves", but presented in a format that I think will be easier for Western readers.
I like a lot of wuxia novels, but I can't say I'm a true fan of the genre, as a lot of what I've read gets very repetitive and formulaic after the first 20% or so. This book has its own issues, and there are places where it drags, but I think where the author really succeeds is in presenting the wuxia genre and themes in a way that's more accessible in terms of format, dialogue, and so on. In other words, a lot of translated wuxia comes off as "strange" (at least to me) as it comes from a very different literary tradition; I believe this book does a good job of blending those traditions and approaches in a way that's still true to the wuxia genre while being more accessible.
As far as the story goes, it's pretty typical of the genre - I won't spoil anything, but it follows a pretty typical path of "hero(es) discover their quasi-magical martial arts abilities, fight a lot, and decide to put their talents to work against a Big Bad". Even with a lot of the cliches of the genre in play, I found the characters interesting and the story was satisfying.
September 14, 2021
This is a standalone Chinese fantasy novel written in English by the dude who, probably more than any other individual person, brought Chinese fantasy to the attention of Western readers.
It’s therefore unsurprising that this book has many of the martial arts fantasy tropes of wuxia and xianxia, though presented in a manner that’s very approachable for someone not familiar with the genres.
Most entries in the xianxia genre in particular begin in a bustling world where everyone has the power level of a Greco-Roman demigod and expect the reader to already approach the story with an understanding of multiple magic systems so complex and rooted in Chinese philosophy, religion, and traditional medicine that they’d make any non-native-Chinese person’s brain melt.
While Legends of Ogre Gate involves many of those same elements, the narrative begins at a point where very few people have studied martial arts or magic, and we follow the protagonists from their first steps along the path of martial heroes until the cataclysmic battle at the story’s climax.
As an epic-ish fantasy story which the average fantasy fan can approach (the scale is smaller than a lot of modern epic fantasy, which I appreciate), I like Legends of Ogre Gate a lot. A couple caveats which are common to epic fantasy:
First, the prologue isn’t great if you’re not already bought into the silliness of wuxia. The fighting and technique naming is over the top and very self-serious. The fighting and narration of events in the main narrative are also a little silly, but the book is aware of this, and paces the power progression well enough that by the time the really powerful techniques comes into play, it seems reasonable. I recommend skipping the prologue until the first time a mysterious, grey-robed woman is mentioned, at which point you should go back so you know who this character is.
Second, while Bai did a fantastic job presenting wuxia and xianxia elements in a way I think will be easily digestible to generic fantasy readers, some terms should have been explained better. The most prominent example actually arises from the fact Legends of Ogre Gate is an accompaniment to the Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate tabletop game: The idea of using a technique “cathartically” is described several times and is in fact a minor-ish plot point, but unless you’re familiar with the tabletop game, you have to intuit that using a technique cathartically refers to empowering it with additional energy.
I recommend this Legends of Ogre Gate to fantasy fans who want a gateway (sorry) into Chinese fantasy while, you know, also reading a good book.
It’s therefore unsurprising that this book has many of the martial arts fantasy tropes of wuxia and xianxia, though presented in a manner that’s very approachable for someone not familiar with the genres.
Most entries in the xianxia genre in particular begin in a bustling world where everyone has the power level of a Greco-Roman demigod and expect the reader to already approach the story with an understanding of multiple magic systems so complex and rooted in Chinese philosophy, religion, and traditional medicine that they’d make any non-native-Chinese person’s brain melt.
While Legends of Ogre Gate involves many of those same elements, the narrative begins at a point where very few people have studied martial arts or magic, and we follow the protagonists from their first steps along the path of martial heroes until the cataclysmic battle at the story’s climax.
As an epic-ish fantasy story which the average fantasy fan can approach (the scale is smaller than a lot of modern epic fantasy, which I appreciate), I like Legends of Ogre Gate a lot. A couple caveats which are common to epic fantasy:
First, the prologue isn’t great if you’re not already bought into the silliness of wuxia. The fighting and technique naming is over the top and very self-serious. The fighting and narration of events in the main narrative are also a little silly, but the book is aware of this, and paces the power progression well enough that by the time the really powerful techniques comes into play, it seems reasonable. I recommend skipping the prologue until the first time a mysterious, grey-robed woman is mentioned, at which point you should go back so you know who this character is.
Second, while Bai did a fantastic job presenting wuxia and xianxia elements in a way I think will be easily digestible to generic fantasy readers, some terms should have been explained better. The most prominent example actually arises from the fact Legends of Ogre Gate is an accompaniment to the Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate tabletop game: The idea of using a technique “cathartically” is described several times and is in fact a minor-ish plot point, but unless you’re familiar with the tabletop game, you have to intuit that using a technique cathartically refers to empowering it with additional energy.
I recommend this Legends of Ogre Gate to fantasy fans who want a gateway (sorry) into Chinese fantasy while, you know, also reading a good book.
June 29, 2021
Excellent Cultivation Mythos
I’m a big fan of Wuxia and Cultivation stories that take themselves somewhat seriously, but still deliver on the tropey goodness of the genre, and this certainly fits the bill. This story is epic in scale, but feels very grounded, with characters who are a joy to follow from their first fumbling steps into the martial world all the way to their heavens-shaking final destinies. The action is satisfying and frequent, but with enough breathing room to let the characters grow and plots develop. The cultivation system feels very classic, it is easy to understand, but flexible enough to allow for all sorts of fun techniques and abilities.
I will say that the one area that felt a bit thin is the development of the antagonists. The Big Bad is pretty much just a generic evil wizard, with no real depth, but this is made up for somewhat both by the slightly more interesting underlings he has working for him, and by the fact that he really just serves as a metaphor for the injustice and oppression of the world. He serves his purpose, and it’s fine, but anyone looking for a really interesting, nuanced villain, won’t find it here.
All told, this was a very fun read, and a worthy addition to the growing field of Western Wuxia/Xianxia fantasy.
I’m a big fan of Wuxia and Cultivation stories that take themselves somewhat seriously, but still deliver on the tropey goodness of the genre, and this certainly fits the bill. This story is epic in scale, but feels very grounded, with characters who are a joy to follow from their first fumbling steps into the martial world all the way to their heavens-shaking final destinies. The action is satisfying and frequent, but with enough breathing room to let the characters grow and plots develop. The cultivation system feels very classic, it is easy to understand, but flexible enough to allow for all sorts of fun techniques and abilities.
I will say that the one area that felt a bit thin is the development of the antagonists. The Big Bad is pretty much just a generic evil wizard, with no real depth, but this is made up for somewhat both by the slightly more interesting underlings he has working for him, and by the fact that he really just serves as a metaphor for the injustice and oppression of the world. He serves his purpose, and it’s fine, but anyone looking for a really interesting, nuanced villain, won’t find it here.
All told, this was a very fun read, and a worthy addition to the growing field of Western Wuxia/Xianxia fantasy.
August 8, 2019
Ever wondered about what are Chinese novels? This book is a good gateway to enter he realm of Chinese novels.
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First of all I would like to talk about the cover, OMG it's mind-blowing, artistic and magical. And the book is good thick one. I love big books😍
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I never read a Chinese novel before and I was fascinated, thoroughly enjoyed the plot and easy writing style. Main characters were realistic and developed well.
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I can undoubtedly call this book "epic", the world building was enchanting. The action was potent.
It was fast paced so the 800 pages seemed slipping through your hands.
.
I would definitely recommend you guys to pick this book up if you want to diversify your shelves .
.
First of all I would like to talk about the cover, OMG it's mind-blowing, artistic and magical. And the book is good thick one. I love big books😍
.
I never read a Chinese novel before and I was fascinated, thoroughly enjoyed the plot and easy writing style. Main characters were realistic and developed well.
.
I can undoubtedly call this book "epic", the world building was enchanting. The action was potent.
It was fast paced so the 800 pages seemed slipping through your hands.
.
I would definitely recommend you guys to pick this book up if you want to diversify your shelves .
August 10, 2021
This is what happens when a Author thinks it's acceptable to put his or her audio book on Audible with this level of terrible audio quality. No mic condenser, no proper sound booth ( yes you can hear back ground noise ) and a narrator that is reading his/her book like a dictionary with ZERO inflections, I don't think the narrator has EVER heard other narrations done for action books. This should be pulled from Audible and totally redo the audio.
July 8, 2019
A fantastic read
This was a great read. A well written novel of epic proportions. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and action. Very well done
This was a great read. A well written novel of epic proportions. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and action. Very well done
December 25, 2020
This book is incredibly fast-paced with no lulls. Recommended as a fun read for those who really don't want a book that requires any slogging.
November 7, 2024
Excellent read
Great characters and character evolution. Disappointed there isn't a second book. Super cool the sequel is a table top game though.
Great characters and character evolution. Disappointed there isn't a second book. Super cool the sequel is a table top game though.
April 26, 2020
Didn’t take to Sunan or Bao, so my interest in what they got up to waned pretty rapidly.
December 25, 2021
Stopped reading-too violent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews