Tiger (Five Ancestors)
Five orphaned monks search for truth and vengeance when their temple is destroyed and their "brothers" are brutally massacred.
"The Five Ancestors" by Jeff Stone promises a 5-volume series each told from the point of view of a different warrior monk. Each of the five monks is named after the animal-style martial arts that he is trained in: Fu (tiger), Malao (monkey), Seh (snake), Hok (crane) and Long (dragon). Book 1 features stout, aggressive Fu, a 12-year-old monk already fully trained in tiger-style martial arts.
Cangzhen Temple has been destroyed, sacred scrolls have been stolen, and Grand Master has been killed by a powerful enemy. As the five surviving monks scatter and flee for their lives, Fu decides he will not run, but fight to regain the sacred scrolls and avenge his brothers and beloved master.
Fu begins his misadventures as a rash, reckless and often foolhardy young boy. Although Fu is a fully trained martial artist, he is still very much a child and his emotions cause him to make some unwise decisions. The reader will find Fu in some hilarious situations as a result of his hotheaded and often unwarranted attacks on others. As the story progresses, Fu matures as he begins to understand that there are repercussions for his actions.
Author Jeff Stone brings 17th century China to life in an exciting and fun story akin to a Bruce Lee martial arts movie. Characters engage in combat utilizing powerful "Matrix-style" moves with bullet dodging quickness and agility. Stone also throws in a generous portion of laugh-out-loud humor that readers will love.
Although "Tiger" was written with young readers in mind (8-14), it is extremely entertaining and will be appreciated by readers of all ages. The combination of Chinese history, action, drama, and some uproarious monologues between characters will keep the pages turning from beginning to end.
