Long Wu Ying knows his place in the world. As a farmer’s son, he doesn’t expect much, and he’s learned to be content with what he has. He is very aware of the inequalities that exist in life, but he also knows that the world won’t change just because he complains, so he puts his head down and does what he must. After being conscripted to the army, Wu Ying is hurt before he even sees battle. As he’s recovering, he notices a sneak attack, and despite nearly dying, he notifies the rest of the camp, saving many lives. A cultivator (sort of a magician) notices his actions and is impressed. The Elder sends him to his Sect to learn more about cultivating. If Wu Ying can prove himself, he’ll rise to a fortune he never dreamed of. But he quickly finds out that prejudice is everywhere and, as a peasant, the deck is stacked against him. His journey will be a long one, but he’s about to take The First Step in book one of Tao Wong’s A Thousand Li series.
[Note: While I am reviewing this novel independently and honestly, it should be noted that it has been provided to me by Ace for the purpose of this review. Warning: My review of The First Step contains some spoilers!]
Even in a magic world, money matters
Long Wu Ying is one of those rare people who is content with his lot in life. He is aware of unfairness, but he knows there is nothing he can do to change it, so he doesn’t let it bother him. When the army comes to take him away from his parents, even though there is no one else to help them, he doesn’t fight it. And when Yin Xue, the local lord’s son, challenges him to a fight, he agrees, even though he knows he will lose. When he is badly injured during the fight, he says nothing, just continues marching like everyone else. It’s a bad start to his journey, but he just puts one foot in front of the other and continues.
Then Wu Ying has a moment that changes his fate. He is the only one who notices the enemy sneaking up on the army camp. He’s still badly injured and can hardly move; he could just stay where he is and let the attack happen. Instead, he forces himself to get up and tell a superior what he saw. It nearly kills him, but he manages to get the warning out and saves the camp. His reward is to be sent to the Verdant Green Waters Sect to learn the art of cultivation (chi manipulation similar to Western magic). It’s an honor that is rarely given to peasants, and Wu Ying is determined to make the most of it.
Unfortunately, he quickly learns that the Sect is little better than the rest of the world when it comes to classism. Because he is a peasant, all the rich cultivators resent his presence and go out of their way to cause him problems. Even the Elders behave this way. His sponsor, the Elder who sent him to the sect, doesn’t offer him any support either, unlike other sponsors. He believes in fate; if Wu Ying is meant to succeed, he will, with or without help. Wu Ying must fight every day to survive, but if he’s honest, it’s still easier than being a poor farmer. At least at the Sect he is well-fed. He is determined to rise to the top and become the best that he can possibly be. He knows that he must work hard and plod away at it, but he also believes that if he keeps at it, he will get where he is going; after all, a journey of a thousand li starts with a single step.
A story of the tortoise and the hare that focuses on the tortoise
Most of us have heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. The two have a race and the arrogant hare takes an early lead, but then slacks off because he’s convinced of his own superiority. Meanwhile, the tortoise doesn’t worry about the hare; he just keeps doing his own thing. In the end, the tortoise’s steady determination leads him to victory. In most tellings of this story, the hare is the focus of the story even though the tortoise is the surprise hero. The moral is that slow and steady wins the race, but the focus is on how pride goeth before a fall.
The First Step is a new take on this classic story, told from the tortoise’s perspective. Wu Ying isn’t the fastest or the strongest, but he is the most determined. He grinds away every day, constantly working to improve himself and never complaining (okay, never complaining to his teachers). In this way, Wu Ying makes steady progress and overcomes every obstacle thrown his way. There is a hare in the story, Yin Xue, the son of the local lord who is irrationally jealous of Wu Ying and does everything he can to tear him down. But he isn’t the focus of the story. In fact, huge sections of the story pass without seeing him at all. But then he pops back in to cause trouble before Wu Ying’s steady forward motion bowls him over. Wu Ying is an unstoppable force that doesn’t yet know his full power. But he is determined to learn it, and that’s what matters.
A nice start to a long journey in The First Step
I quite enjoyed Tao Wong’s The First Step. Wu Ying is a very compelling character. He is extremely aware of the inequalities of the world, but he isn’t jaded by them. He’s willing to work within the system that exists, even if it’s corrupt. He acknowledges the unfairness but doesn’t let it make him bitter. In fact, he’s a very kind person who is willing to help anyone. Happily, he finds that his kindness is frequently rewarded. Things might be tough, but life’s not impossible. If this is The First Step, I can’t wait to see what comes next on Wu Ying’s journey.
Rating: 9/10
The First Step by Tao Wong is available now!
Learn more about the book on the official website for the title.
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