Jade is the most romantic and blood-drenched stone on earth. To ancient peoples all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it, wars were fought over it and fifteen cities were once offered in exchange for a piece of it. The Aztecs of Central America treasured it more than gold. The Maori in New Zealand loved it so much...
An Englishman's love affair with China's national treasure.
Andrew’s book, Jade Life, was featured in both the Guardian and the South China Morning Post. It received excellent reviews. The East Asia Book Review wrote: Jade Life is a great read – a big-hearted, highly accessible, informative, and likeable account. It will appeal to any reader interested in China, regardless of one’s interest in jade. The...
The West looted millions of priceless relics from China during the colonial era. It’s time to give them back. This book tells the story of when they were stolen, who stole them and where they are now. It also offers a way to give China back its treasures which should be acceptable to everyone. Available as a paperback, eBook and audiobook. Click...
Andrew Shaw worked as a reporter for the BBC General News Service before moving to China to learn the art of jade carving in 2008. He is now a gold medal-winning master carver. He lives with his wife in the city of Wuhan. Andrew writes best selling fiction and non fiction. He has just published the first of a critically acclaimed fantasy trilogy based on ancient Chinese mythology.
Andrew Shaw worked as a reporter for the BBC General News Service before moving to China to learn the art of jade carving in 2008. He is now a gold medal-winning master carver. He lives with his wife in the city of Wuhan. Andrew writes best selling fiction and non fiction. He has just published the first of a critically acclaimed fantasy trilogy based on ancient Chinese mythology.
As a fan of Grimdark fantasy, I am not big on the modern concept of a hero. You know the type: noble and willing to sacrifice themselves for others. I identify far more with the amoral, selfish and cowardly anti-heroes. Nevertheless, there are some heroes in fantasy it is impossible not to like, even root for. Here are some of my favourites
Everyone who does a fantasy podcast seems to do a top ten list of their favourite books. I find this too much of a challenge as so many books are part of a series and cannot stand alone. So I have compiled a list of my ten favourite authors instead. I don't expect anyone to agree with it. But perhaps it will point people towards some great books they haven't read yet.
The Library of the Dead by T L Huchu may be Young Adult Fantasy but it is so well written it can be enjoyed by anyone interested in the genre. Grimdark but with a light touch. A great read and a great introduction to a very gifted writer.
