“You can look away from the horrors of the world but that doesn’t erase their existence.”
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods—Molly X. Chang’s debut novel—offers a compelling narrative set in a fantastical world where magic clashes with science and the struggle against colonisation is at the forefront. The story revolves around Ruying, a girl blessed with the power of Death, navigating the complexities of her world under the oppressive rule of a futuristic Roman empire.
Chang intricately weaves together themes of power, duty, and the blurred lines between enemies and lovers in a tale that challenges traditional YA fantasy tropes. Ruying’s journey is one of moral ambiguity as she wrestles with her role in the empire’s machinations while striving to protect her family and her people. Chang’s prose is lyrical and evocative with vivid imaginary and, despite at times having repetitive monologues, the narrative feels engaging and immersive, keeping the readers invested in the character’s journey.
Although slow and not very strong, there’s some character development throughout the book, particularly Ruying’s transformation from complacency to conflicted agency. Her relationship with Antony, the prince of Rome, adds layers of tension and introspection as they navigate their intertwined fates amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and personal turmoil.
However, this hint towards a romance between Ruying and Antony may be polarising due to its complex dynamics which explore themes of manipulation, trauma, and the allure of power between the coloniser (the prince) and the colonised (Ruying). The slow burn nature of their relationship does allow for a deeper exploration of their emotional and psychological entanglement, making their interactions both captivating and thought-provoking but it still feels conflicting and morally wrong.
Beyond Ruying and Antony, we don’t really get to know the supporting cast that well but it’s clear that each of them have their own motivations and struggles: from Ruying’s childhood friend who to her eyes became a traitor of their own nation to her addiction-ravaged sister. Hopefully in the following books these characters will have a stronger development and a more prominent role.
Even though the novel has a lot of infodumping, the world-building is rich and captivating drawing inspiration from Chinese mythology and culture to create a vibrant and distinct setting. Chang brings the fantasy realm of Pangu to life, a world where Xianlings are people who possess diverse and unique abilities. This realm is currently colonised by Rome, a nation that is heavily focused on technological advancements and who use (or kill) these Xianlings to their own advantage.
At its core, this novel is one that explores themes of colonialism and its impact on both sides. Through Ruying’s perspective, readers are confronted with the realities imperialism: cultural erasure, exploitation, and resistance. It also has a strong theme of identity and belonging with Ruying being torn between the allegiance to her people and her (forced) allegiance with Antony. Moreover, the novel also serves as a platform for social commentary as Chang’s narrative invites readers to reflect on real-world issues: environmental degradation, patriarchal structures, and societal inequality.
Overall, To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods offers a dark and engaging tale that challenges conventions and delves into the complexities of morality, power, and love in the face of oppression. While not without its flaws, the novel succeeds in delivering a captivating story with mostly compelling characters and thought-provoking themes. Hopefully, in the next two installments the issues with this first book will be resolved and characters will continue to grow and achieve a bigger development.
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Synopsis | Goodreads
She has power over death. He has power over her. When two enemies strike a dangerous bargain, will they end a war . . . or ignite one?
Heroes die, cowards live. Daughter of a conquered world, Ruying hates the invaders who descended from the heavens long before she was born and defeated the magic of her people with technologies unlike anything her world had ever seen.
Blessed by Death, born with the ability to pull the life right out of mortal bodies, Ruying shouldn’t have to fear these foreign invaders, but she does. Especially because she wants to keep herself and her family safe.
When Ruying’s Gift is discovered by an enemy prince, he offers her an impossible deal: If she becomes his private assassin and eliminates his political rivals—whose deaths he swears would be for the good of both their worlds and would protect her people from further brutalization—her family will never starve or suffer harm again. But to accept this bargain, she must use the powers she has always feared, powers that will shave years off her own existence.
Can Ruying trust this prince, whose promises of a better world make her heart ache and whose smiles make her pulse beat faster? Are the evils of this agreement really in the service of a much greater good? Or will she betray her entire nation by protecting those she loves the most?
