The tale starts in 1345 in ancient China with the second daughter of the Zhu family hunting lizards and crickets to stave off starvation. Her brother is said to have a great destiny while she has nothing. Then her father is beaten to death by bandits and her brother gives up his life. After this she takes her brother's name Zhu Chongba and flees to the nearby monastery.
As Zhu Chongba, he is obliged to hide his gender, but rises partially on his intense desire to rise. This time at the monastery when the eunuch general of the Yuan destroys it.
Zhu Chongba joins the rebellion with their Prince of Radiance and his Mandate of Heaven against the Yuan dynasty. He rises rapidly through a series of near miraculous victories and clever ruses. Eventually Zhu Chongba learns that their desire is a Mandate of Heaven as well.
This is an interesting story. The setting seems to be China at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the Mongol dynasty. The character interactions are fun and in patterns that remind me of folks I knew in Honolulu. The world building is also interesting. It draws on Taoism and Buddhism in clear ways. The prime minister of the rebels has ministers of both the left and right. Interestingly, the Mandate of Heaven is a visible sign that inheres to individuals with a great destiny rather than being tied to dynasties. These individuals can also see ghosts.
This story is well worth reading. Especially if you want stories informed by Chinese history and culture.
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