Ken Liu's The Grace of Kings is an epic fantasy inspired by the founding of China's Han Dynasty, reimagined with airships, submarines, and gods who interfere in human affairs. Two men emerge from a rebellion against tyranny: Kuni Garu, a charming trickster from humble origins, and Mata Zyndu, a noble warrior bound by honor. Their friendship drives the revolution, but their irreconcilable visions of what should follow lead to devastating conflict. Liu, who won the Hugo Award for his short fiction and translated The Three-Body Problem, brings a literary sensibility to epic fantasy. He creates a richly imagined world drawing on Chinese history while remaining accessible to Western readers. The novel's pleasures include inventive technology (battle kites, mechanical fish), a large cast of memorable characters, and gods who debate human affairs with all the pettiness and passion of the Homeric pantheon. Liu describes his approach as 'silkpunk,' combining East Asian aesthetics with the exuberance of steampunk. The Grace of Kings is the first book of the Dandelion Dynasty series. Essential reading for fantasy fans seeking alternatives to European-inspired worlds and for anyone interested in epic stories of friendship, betrayal, and the costs of power.