Dark Heavens Book 1: White Tiger
New to our American shores, but long loved in Australia, Kylie Chan’s Dark Heavens trilogy, makes its debut this month, with the release of the first book, White Tiger. This book could be summed up as Chinese mythology meets contemporary urban fantasy. Dark Heavens is truly a breath of fresh air (and water, if you’re counting Chinese elementals) for American fans of paranormal fiction, glutted on vampires and werewolves and zombies (oh my.) Set in China (mostly), this trilogy will introduce you to the Chinese pantheon in a way you’ve probably never met them, before. Ms. Chan treats them as (mostly) everyday people, who surround themselves with truly extraordinary humans. The trilogy promises to take readers from the mortal world, to the celestial, and back, again. Centering on the story of John Chen – aka the Dark Lord of the North, from Chinese lore – and Emma Donahoe – a nanny who is called well beyond the normal expectations of education and daycare, White Tiger lays the ground work for the trilogy.
Per the book blurb:
Emma Donahoe has just started her new job as nanny to Simone, the daughter of John Chen, a very rich Hong Kong businessman.
She understands that Simone may be a target for kidnappers but she does not expect to be drawn into a world of martial arts, magic and extreme danger, where both gods and demons can exist in the mortal domain.
When John and his American bodyguard, Leo, teach Emma their particular style of martial arts, they begin to realize that Emma herself is more than she seems . . .
There is plenty of magic and mayhem in this book, although it is not as fast paced as one might expect from a paranormal urban fantasy. However, in many ways, this is the real magic of the story. Ms. Chan manages to tell a heart felt and heartwarming, old fashioned romance in the midst of a sword-wielding, spell-slinging fantasy, because she takes the time to lay it all out, from first glance, to last sword swing. This is one more way it’s a refreshing change from so many urban fantasies hitting the shelves in recent years; the romance is genuine and not based on bodice-ripping scenes in every other chapter. The myth-based fantasy and action is quite satisfying, as well. To sum it up, the book is charming, in all its meanings.
As I say, you’ll meet John Chen and Emma Donahoe; in addition, we meet the Chen household, which includes a melange of humans, half-breeds, gods and tamed demons. Most importantly, Leo and Simone; Leo is bodyguard to Simone and Mr. Chen’s most faithful retainer. Simone is Mr. Chen’s daughter, who is ever more charming than Hello Kitty or any other “cute” character exported from Oriental shores to America. Among the vast cast of characters, you’ll find some intriguing, and seriously evil “bad men”, as Simone calls the demons. Among the gods you’ll find, of particular note would be Bai Hu, the White Tiger, and Kwan Yin, the goddess of Mercy. Bai Hu is wonderfully ribald, while Kwan Yin is everything you’d hope to meet in a goddess of Mercy.
This trilogy hits bookstores in the US, only now; but Australia got it years ago, and it gained quick popularity. They even have the second trilogy, in Australia – Journey to Wudang. As of right now, Harper Voyager does not have release dates for that trilogy, or the third one, which Ms. Chan is writing, as I write this review.
On the plus side of things, book two, Red Phoenix, will be released on September 27, 2011; and Blue Dragon, the final book in the first trilogy, comes out on October 25, 2011. I will warn you that White Tiger is one of those books that…just…stops. I turned the last page, fully expecting it to keep going, especially because they include a short glossary and summary about the mythology. While it’s very handy I would’ve a) preferred to see it before I read the book; and b) not thought I had 16 or so more pages of story to read. One more reason I am very, very grateful that Red Phoenix is coming out at the end of September, and Blue Dragon just a month later. I do know the second trilogy picks up 8 years after Blue Dragon, so I have high hopes Ms. Chan will not leave us hanging, with that ending.
If you’re a fan of Devon Monk‘s Allie Beckstrom series; Jim Butcher‘s Harry Dresden Files, or Vicki Pettersson‘s Sign of the Zodiac series, I think you’ll fall in love with this series, too. There’s a lot to love in White Tiger.
Well writen review. Book doesn’t sound right for me but the reviewer makes it sound intriguing for fans of this somewhat mixed genre. I also appreciated the warnings that are included.
As an Australian reader of this series and the following one I can say that it’s one of those series that is also “easy to read”. While it does go in depth about a fair few things you never feel “bogged down in the nitty gritty” at all. So while the book is not “fast paced”, neither is it slow. You never find yourself wishing you could skip ahead a few pages to when it gets going again, or to avoid some bit of “scenery detail”. Also the locations that are used in the series are generally done so from a well researched and/or “lived there” view point. And the elements of humour are well used.
I found White Tiger to be that way, definitely – I was really sad I didn’t have Red Phoenix right on hand, to just keep right on going. I’d have happily jumped into the next book, if I could. Glad to hear I have more of the same to look forward to, from the other books. And I’m jealous that you’ve gotten to read the second trilogy. LOL I really hope it gets picked up for publishing in the US, too.
Aussie fan here, and I strongly recommend this series, although it sounds convoluted it is a fascinating and lovingly crafted series.
I have one comment on the article itself: It’s ‘Journey to Wudang.’ not Wutang.
thanks for reading & the feedback! look to our site, soo, for an interview with Kylie, too.
[...] 09/07/2011: Dark Heavens Book 1: White Tiger [...]