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WORK TITLE: The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths, Book One
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY: San Antonio
STATE: TX
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author; also worked as attorney.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Stephen M. Gray is a corporate lawyer specializing in matters relating to international construction. Much of his work was located in China, and his travels awoke in him an interest in Chinese history. “His extensive research into the teaching of Sun Tzu,” stated the contributor of a biographical blurb to the author’s page on the volume, the Mark of Wu website, “… directed him to 6th Century B.C. China.” His novel The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths is set during the regional conflicts of the era known as the “Spring and Autumn” or Eastern Zhou period. At the time China was tearing itself apart. “The Emperor has lost his grip on the feudal States, and brutal rivalries, both new and old, now rule,” wrote a reviewer for the Military Writers Society of America website. “Only two outcomes are possible – prevail or perish.”
Gray’s novel is taken from events related in an ancient Chinese historical source called Zuo Zhuan (which itself is usually considered to be a commentary on an even more ancient source called The Spring and Autumn Annals). The Mark of Wu opens with the death of General Yang Gai, the field marshal of the armies of the state of the state of Chu. The death and preparation of the body is observed by Yuan, the younger son of the principal advisor of Prince Chien, the heir of King Ping of Chu. Chien and his father have a backstory: the king had been persuaded by a hostile advisor called Fei Wuji to take his son’s fiancée for himself. Fei, afraid that he had alienated the prince, then persuaded the king to exile Chien. Yuan will go on to observe the upcoming battle with the armies of Wu—led by the general known as Sun Tzu, later identified as the author of The Art of War–known as the Battle of Chi-fu.
Critics found Gray’s first book very interesting. “This book was an adventure packed thrill ride,” declared Erik McManus on the Breakeven Books website. “I normally am not the biggest fan of history but this book turned China history lessons into intense action war scenes that made you want to know more about how and why the different clans were fighting and how they became these badass armies.” The Mark of Wu “picks up the pace and doesn’t let up,” asserted a Publishers Weekly reviewer. “History buffs, military devotees, and thrill seekers will find this an enjoyable … ride.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, February 26, 2018, review of The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths, p. 63.
ONLINE
Breakeven Books, https://breakevenbooks.com/ (March 13, 2018), Erik McManus, review of The Mark of Wu.
Mark of Wu website, http://themarkofwu.com (August 29, 2018), author profile.
Military Writers Society of America, http://www.mwsadispatches.com/ (August 29, 2018), review of The Mark of Wu.
Prior to becoming a serial novelist, Stephen M. Gray worked as a corporate attorney in complex litigation. Early in Gray’s legal career, his travels to Asia fueled a thirst to learn about China’s history. His extensive research into the teaching of Sun Tzu for application in today’s business world led to his fascination with 6th Century B.C. China. There, Gray discovered folklore about the abuse of power and privilege, and the noble effort of a few brave warriors who fought against tremendous odds for their survival. Hidden Paths is Gray’s first of five novels in The Mark of Wu series. He lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife of 26 years.
Stephen M. Gray’s career spans over 27 years as an attorney in the corporate world, representing clients’ interests on four continents. He’s a frequent speaker to construction and energy industry audiences, has written on topics germane to those business sectors and often presents on ethics, contract, risk allocation and litigation topics.
Gray’s travels to China fueled a thirst to learn about its history. His extensive research into the teaching of Sun Tzu, for application in today’s business world, directed him to 6th Century B.C. China. There, Gray discovered gems of folklore about abuse of power and privilege, altering the lives of victims, and the noble effort of a few brave individuals to overcome the destruction.
He has molded them into The Mark of Wu series, providing a rich depiction of regional customs, differences among the mosaic peoples of the area, and life in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty as the Spring and Autumn Period devolved into the Warring States. Period specific detail permeates Hidden Paths, Gray’s first novel in the five-part series of this action packed thriller.
The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths, Book One
Publishers Weekly. 265.9 (Feb. 26, 2018): p63.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths, Book One
Stephen M. Gray. Helu Press, $11.99 trade paper (383p) ISBN 978-0-9990071-0-5
Gray fills this robust first novel of the Mark of Wu series with ample treachery in the Chinese monarchy of 519 BCE and heart-stopping scenes of ancient warfare. After the initial chapters, a bit dense with background and characters (a helpful list and maps are included), Gray moves assuredly into the battle of Chi-fu, a land dispute between the states of Chu and Wu. The battle looks like a win for Chu warriors until it becomes apparent that the incompetent Chu commander Wei Yue, who was given the role instead of the highly respected leader Yuan, has been outplayed by Wu's Prince Kuang, a master strategist. Chu's King Ping rages at both the loss to Wu and at his own state's tribal disputes. He sees threats all around him, even from his son Chien, the heir apparent who was banished to a faraway state. Yuan tries to protect his family and the heir apparent; he and the heir's son begin a long, brutal escape, seeking safety away from unfriendly forces until Yuan confronts his arch enemy, Prince Kuang, in hostile Wu territory. Despite its slow start, the novel quickly picks up the pace and doesn't let up. History buffs, military devotees, and thrill seekers will find this an enjoyable roller-coaster ride. (BookLife)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths, Book One." Publishers Weekly, 26 Feb. 2018, p. 63. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A530637406/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=82aca940. Accessed 27 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A530637406
March 13, 2018 by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books
Book review: The Mark of Wu – Hidden Paths
Book Reviews
action, book review, bookblog, china, hidden paths, intense, stephen gray, strategy, the mark of wu, war
2 Comments
Another book completed and added to the library. Another review to be read 🙂
I finished The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths by Stephen M. Gray. The book was actually pretty good. Picture Mulan but the male character from that movie and instead of being G rated, it’s more of an R rating.
I will post the synopsis in case you didn’t read my book highlight post.
Synopsis: Yuan, a State of Chu warrior, stands front and center on his chariot, reins in hand, holding at bay a spirited team of horses. He is anxious for a chance to unleash his rage on the invading Wu barbarians in the battle before him. His eyes fix enviously on a fellow soldier, a halberdier who extends his hooked weapon over the shoulder of an enemy who desperately sprints away from the charging chariot. Yuan knows the result before it happens. The wicked blade rips through flesh and muscle, and sinks into the enemy’s collar bone as screams echo off the Dabie Shan Mountains.
Yuan glances toward Field Marshall Wei Yue, thirsting for the order to charge into the fray. He needs this fight to restore his family’s honor. But on the march to battle, Chu’s brilliant General Yang Gai dies, and the less capable Wei Yue snatches control. Can the newly anointed Field Marshall rise to the challenge?
The Emperor has lost his grip on the feudal States, and brutal rivalries, both new and old, now rule. Individual States constantly collide, and noblemen must rise in power to overcome the crushing will of warring factions. Only two outcomes are possible – prevail or perish.
Yuan finds himself catapulted into the throes of treacherous enemies, not only on the battlefield but also at home. This superior warrior will need all his skill and cunning to stay alive.
So this book was an adventure packed thrill ride. I normally am not the biggest fan of history but this book turned China history lessons into intense action war scenes that made you want to know more about how and why the different clans were fighting and how they became these badass armies. I will say that there are some parts that over explained instead of getting to the point but this book is still worth reading. The storyline and characters make up for the over descriptive parts.
Now the characters were all very well rounded and the author gave you just the right amount of background for each to be a relevant part of the story. Prince Kuang and Yuan were my two favorite characters. They are adversaries and both possess the talent and strategy for war tactics.
One thing I did notice it’s that this book is kind of like Game of Thrones in the sense that you can’t keep any characters near and dear to your heart. The reason being is because at any minute they could be killed off. I don’t know how many times when I was reading this book that I would say, “hmm I really like this character” and then the next chapter they would get murdered or killed in some other way. Personally, I think this adds to the book and makes it more cinematic 😛
I would recommend this book if you want an intense action book with really cool fight scenes and smart battle strategists.
You can find the book on Amazon.
Book Rating: 4/5
The Mark of Wu: Hidden Paths by Stephen M. Gray
Author's Synopsis
Ancient China, 519 B.C. Yuan, a State of Chu warrior, stands front and center on his chariot, reins in hand, holding at bay a spirited team of horses. He is anxious for a chance to unleash his rage on the invading Wu barbarians in the battle before him. His eyes fix enviously on a fellow soldier, a halberdier who extends his hooked weapon over the shoulder of an enemy who desperately sprints away from the charging chariot. Yuan knows the result before it happens. The wicked blade rips through flesh and muscle, then sinks into the enemy’s collar bone as screams echo off the Dabie Shan Mountains.
Yuan glances toward Field Marshall Wei Yue, thirsting for the order to charge into the fray. He needs this fight to restore his family’s honor. But on the march to battle, Chu’s brilliant General Yang Gai dies, and the less capable Wei Yue snatches control. Can the newly anointed Field Marshall rise to the challenge?
The Emperor has lost his grip on the feudal States, and brutal rivalries, both new and old, now rule. Individual States constantly collide, and noblemen must rise in power to overcome the crushing will of warring factions. Only two outcomes are possible - prevail or perish.
Yuan finds himself catapulted into the throes of treacherous enemies, not only on the battlefield but also at home. This superior warrior will need all his skill and cunning to stay alive.
Hidden Paths is the first book in The Mark of Wu series. It opens as the Spring and Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty devolves toward the Warring States Period.
ISBN/ASIN: ISBN: 9780999007105 / ASIN: B07B49T2JR
Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 383
Tagged: 2018 Season, Historical Fiction, MWSA Review in Progress
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