SIGN OF THE QIN

The debut of a distinctively different fantasy series, with the feel of a Hong Kong martial-arts flick. Emperor Han is horrified to see his newborn heir marked with the outlaw brand—the eponymous Qin. But in the Celestial Courts, the immortals rejoice in the birth of the Starlord destined to bring justice to an oppressed populace, and the weary warrior Tattooed Monk and the devious trickster Monkey are assigned as his guardians. Meanwhile, in the netherworld, the Lord of the Dead readies his demon army to unleash devastation; and in Moonshadow Marsh, two brothers attempt to lead their Robin Hood–like band against the looming threat. This barely hints at the convoluted storyline, constantly shifting in focus among an immense cast, interacting with mythological figures from every continent. Bass does a creditable job juggling an intricate plot without sacrificing narrative momentum, and even pulls off some dramatic set pieces that allow the villains psychological depth. Still, most characters are as flat as a fresco, albeit a shiny, brightly colored one. Action fans who enjoy the kitchen-sink approach will eagerly await the sequels; those who look for coherent development may be left with mental whiplash. (Fantasy. 12+)