Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Title: Boxers
Author: Gene Luen Yang
Series: Boxers & Saints
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

China, 1898. Bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers roam the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants.Little Bao has had enough. Harnessing the powers of ancient Chinese gods, he recruits an army of Boxers--commoners trained in kung fu--who fight to free China from "foreign devils."Against all odds, this grass-roots rebellion is violently successful. But nothing is simple. Little Bao is fighting for the glory of China, but at what cost? So many are dying, including thousands of "secondary devils"--Chinese citizens who have converted to Christianity.

 Title: Saints

Author: Gene Luen Yang

Series: Boxers & Saints

Publisher: First Second

Publication Date: September 10, 2013

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

China, 1898. An unwanted and unwelcome fourth daughter, Four-Girl isn't even given a proper name by her family when she's born. She finds friendship--and a name, Vibiana--in the most unlikely of places: Christianity. But China is a dangerous place for Christians. The Boxer Rebellion is in full swing, and bands of young men roam the countryside, murdering Westerners and Chinese Christians alike. Torn between her nation and her Christian friends, Vibiana will have to decide where her true loyalties lie...and whether she is willing to die for her faith.

Boxers & Saints was an extraordinary way to introduce readers to a horrific time period in Chinese history. The two volumes display the two opposing sides of the Boxer Rebellion. I loved being able to see this time in history told through two different view points. Unlike most other graphic novels I have read this was very thought provoking. It is a story of revenge and intolerance where there are no winners; only losers. 

5 Stars