Second paragraph of third chapter:

Some of Lin Chong’s techniques would have served her very well in doing so.

I’m only vaguely familiar with the Chinese classic The Water Margin, but S.L. Huang is clearly a fan, and has updated it with the best traditions of wuxia combined with gender-flipping many of the characters and some pretty clear references to Hong Kong kung fu films. There’s some rather gory violence, but also a real affection for the story and a political sensitivity to what is really going on in the magical empire. Slightly to my surprise, I loved it. You can get it here.

This was my top unread book by a non-white writer (from last year’s Hugo Packet). Next on that pile is The Coming Wave, by Mustafa Suleyman.