Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha lee

I would like to thank Hana from Rebellion for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review

Publisher – Solaris

Published – Out Now

Piece - £16.99 hardcover £5.99 kindle eBook

Gyen Jebi isn't a fighter or a subversive. They just want to paint. 

One day they're jobless and desperate; the next, Jebi finds themself recruited by the Ministry of Armor to paint the mystical sigils that animate the occupying government's automaton soldiers. 

But when Jebi discovers the depths of the Razanei government's horrifying crimes and the awful source of the magical pigments they use they find they can no longer stay out of politics. 

What they can do is steal Arazi, the ministry's mighty dragon automaton, and find a way to fight. 

Revolutions are a key part of fantasy. The often-evil establishment must be overthrown but I think only more recently has fantasy started to ask what is afterwards. When Dark Lord is overthrown for absolute monarch/chosen one does it all go well? History says its never over and let’s not forget the definition of revolution can also be going around something in an endless circle. In the thoughtful Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee we see a land where the old order was turned over; a dragon, culture and asks is there ever an easy answer on what to do next?

Hwaguk had been conquered by the large Razan Empire six years ago. Its control is total, and, on the streets, their magical automaton army guards can be seen on many streets watching the inhabitants. Some hunger for the next revolution but many just want to try and live their lives and in Gyen Jebi we meet someone who really just wants to create art. Hence they have taken a Razanei name Tesseroa Tsennan, taken a large unofficial loan to cover the costs of the new certificate they are skilled and is carefully avoiding anything that could be seen as political and so they’re very confident on getting hired by the new Ministry of Art– they are not hired. The one job that does come through for them to avert potential leg breaks is at the Ministry of Armour working for the division responsible for creating the automata and other weapons that further the course of the empire. There Jebi finds Arazi the latest invention a giant powerful dragon automaton that isn’t working as planned; they discover the secret of Razan magic and meet the deadliest duellist in the Ministry Vei. The agenda of the Ministry’s Boss is more power and destruction to which Arazi is key and so Jebi plans their escape only to find other powers want Arazi for their own agendas.

In terms of story this tale is innovative and yet delivers the kind of tale many fantasy fans explore. A highlight is this Asian-inspired fantasy world. A world on the cusp of technology and where automata are powered by magical glyphs rather than our own technology. We get to explore culture and politics here and then we get a giant talking dragon. Arazi is a delight as we get to know their personality and curiosity about humans – when finally let loose impressive especially as Arazi gets involved with the opposition. For those who love magic systems there is an exploration of this glyph magic and the impact it has on the earth and other devices to quiet devastating effect. I also was fascinated in having a non-binary lead character in Jebi – very quickly we get used to the they/them pronouns and we also see in the wider fantasy culture same sex or poly relationships that are all considered normal on both sides. Refreshingly modern and a reminder that fantasy should always reflect our own world.

But what I really liked was that this was Yoon Ha Lee tackles the reality of conquest. In standard fantasy its fairly easy to predict that Jebi would rebel and take don the Razan Empire. Yet Jebi is not a fighter they’re an artist and this story highlights that not everyone wants to be part of the next battle. Some just want to live and that may mean some form of compromise. Some may find love with people from the other side of the battle and here is a question on exactly how long you have to fight the last battle. But of course, that requires compromise on both sides – if one is going to grind the people down and down and down then perhaps the only answer is to rebel. Phoenix Extravagant explores the idea that constant crackdowns on those under the foot of an empire will never result in peace and always there will be bloodshed but its not glorious its going to have causalities – a better way needs exploring but may not be found easily. Plus, there may be other powers waiting in the wings to aid or destroy to suit their own agendas.

The other element I really loved was the exploration of culture and conquest. Jebi is prepared to throw their old name away to make them fit in the Empire better but we slowly see that the winning side has a lot more power. The best houses go to the elites and the art and culture will either be destroyed or felt to be perfect for selling to the interested bidder. As Jebi discovers the secret of Razanei magic they get shocked to see the choices people have taken to create the powerful paint Phoenix Extravagant that power Arazi. There is little in this novel we need to look far to see that happens in our own world and while it may not have the joy of the right side beating the bad guys it does make you think exactly how are these cycles ended without ever more pain or is that ever going to be even possible. Jebi is a great proxy for the reader in deciding well what would you do in this situation.

For those who loved Yoon Ha Lee’s awesome space opera Machineries of Empire the learning curve for understanding this world is less difficult to comprehend as it uses some more standard fantasy ideas as a baseline for the story to sit then does so much more with it; yet it does have similarities in theme. Different factions having to be navigated and also that individuals have to learn to put what is right above the state’s interest, but it is not easy. I really enjoyed this story and hope we get to explore what happens next in this world we are only just beginning to understand. One of my favourite fantasies this year and I think an important one to pick up.