Hey there,
While searching the web, I found this interesting article describing the xianxia genre: “Xianxia- The Fantasy Genre that’s Dominating Chinese Web Fiction” –
http://robynpaterson.com/?p=3823
Quote:
So, what is this mysterious Xianxia Genre?
For most of my English speaking readers, I can explain it in one hyphenated word- “leveling-up”. Taking its roots from Taoism and Buddhism, the characters in Xianxia novels (often generically referred to as Cultivators) are trying to “evolve” their souls into higher and purer forms and work their ways up to becoming immortals. However, while that might sound boring and make you think of a bunch of monks sitting around chanting and hoping to spiritually transcend this mortal coil (which is the reality version), in a Xianxia novel this has turned into an excuse to give the main characters magical superpowers they use to fight other Cultivators.
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Personally, I've quite enjoyed Coiling Dragon (now that it's over, I'll pick it back where I left) and one written by a Western author, the Gemstone Chronicles (Wiz) [EDIT: not the one one amazon.com]. I shall gladly take note of your recommendation for ISSH etc.
I would classify their target audience as teens to YA demographics. While they're not particularly bad per se, combined with the fact they're mostly translated by amateur staff (I certainly appreciate their effort, though!) I often find the vocabulary lacking and constructs sub-par. Yet, they can be deeply enthralling stories too.
I usually alternate these novels with more complex works, in style and vocabulary terms.