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Mark Henwick

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The Harvest of Lies: Asian Urban Fantasy set in nineteenth century Saigon (Bian's Tale Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Mark Henwick (Author), Lauren Sweet (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 182 ratings

Book 1 of 1: Bian's Tale

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What strength of spirit can outweigh the frailty of flesh?

Beneath the civilized facade of nineteenth century French colonial Saigon seethes a different world of demonic shape-shifting tigers, blood-thirsty vampires and powerful, predatory men.

Bian is a young Annamese girl whose father is a disgraced mandarin. The family is hounded by lies that he stole the emperor’s gold, and criminal gangs hunt them through the shanty towns and floating villages. In a desperate bid to save all their lives, Bian’s parents decide to flee the South, leaving their daughters behind and trusting in a web of lies and deceptions to protect them.

Bian’s elder sister disappears into the anonymity of domestic service as a maid. Bian is adopted by the Beauclercs, a French couple high in the administration.

For a few wonderful years, the scheme seems to work, but just as French designs for the colony change, and the Beauclercs are ordered to return, Bian learns the awful truth about what has happened to her sister; the lies within lies that have protected her at her sister’s expense. Bian will allow nothing to prevent her sister’s rescue, not even the discovery of what waits in the shadows.

Alone, betrayed, neither truly Annamese nor French, Bian must reap the harvest of lies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark was born in Africa and left out in the sun too often. An early interest in philosophy and psychology was adequately exorcised by tending bars. And while trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, he ended up taking an engineering degree which splendidly qualified him to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing. When not working, Mark gets high by the slightly less conventional means of a small microlight aircraft, or down and dirty on a mountain bike. He lives with his family in the south of England, but can often be found in the Rockies. Updates can be found on: http: //www.facebook.com/TheBiteBackSeries http: //henwick.wordpress.com/ http: //www.athanate.co

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07DBPK2B6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Marque (May 26, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2506 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 362 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #601,238 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,302 in Asian Myth & Legend
- #2,679 in Historical Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #4,770 in Historical Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 182 ratings

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Mark Henwick

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Author of the long running Urban Fantasy 'Bite Back' series and the Science Fiction series 'Among the Stars' and 'The Long Way Home'.

Mark was born in Africa and left out in the sun too often.

An early interest in philosophy and psychology was adequately exorcised by tending bars. And while trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, he ended up taking an engineering degree which splendidly qualified him to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing.

When not working, Mark gets high by the slightly less conventional means of a small microlight aircraft, or down and dirty on a mountain bike.

He lives with his family in the south of England, but can often be found in the Rockies.

(Amazon doesn't allow active links here, so the URLs below have to be copied and pasted to your browser)

Updates can be found on :

http://www.facebook.com/TheBiteBackSeries

https://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Henwick-Extraordinary-Science-Fiction/100084665841200/

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4.6 out of 5

182 global ratings

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Maine Ah

Wonderful Historical Fantasy of 19th cent Vietnam

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2021

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Rich in historical detail, complex, compelling characters and an amazing writing style that left me wanting MORE!

The first half of the book delves into vintage descriptions of the French dominated area we now call Vietnam. The story is seen through the eyes of a young Annamese girl, Bian, who grows up on a sampan with her parents and siblings who once lived a much more affluent life. After her adoption by a loving, politically important French couple I found the story surprising because I didn’t realize the scale of French “high society” there nor did I understand the intricacies of the political rivalries and expectations that caused such upheavals in that era.

Though Bian is part of this French society she still experiences hurtful racism from some narcissistic, narrow minded white people much as many Asian Americans occasionally do today, my own Vietnam born daughter included. I will never forget how appalled and angered I was when my daughter came home from fourth grade and asked me what gook meant, and that was just the beginning.

As the story matures and Bian nearly dies, life as she knows it completely changes again. Introduced to the world of the Athenate, she continues on a relentlessly demanding path that requires great courage as she faces greater challenges. I loved this book and highly recommend it. Can’t wait for the next one!

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2018

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In the interest of full disclosure I was a beta reader for this novel. My review is honest and I was in no way compensated. I did however of having the pleasure of seeing Bian's tale coming to life. And what an exciting life it has been.

For those of you that have been following The Bite Back series you all ready know what a beloved character is Bian. And for those of you that have not...once you read her story...well you will come to love her too and will want to read the entire series. It certainly is one of my all time favorites.

In this story, Mr. Henwick skillfully leads his readers through the early stages of Bian's life. Girls during that era in Vietnam didn't have the same value as boys and Bian's parents chose to sell her and her sister. Bian was led to believe that her sister Nhung was sold as a maid. Bian was luckier as she was adopted by a French couple and given a good life but she longed for her sister and felt on hole in her heart. When she reached the age of 14 she began her hunt in earnest. There were many times during the reading of this story that I needed tissues as this writer was able to create a range of emotions.

There are so many wonderful aspects of Bian's story that it hard not to sing Mr. Henwick's praises. This is his best effort yet and I would have given this 10 stars if I could. I urge readers to sit back, read and enjoy.

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Kindle Customer

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Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019

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A bit slow in the beginning like many first books, but very good read. I'm always a bit disappointed when, Asian names are used and arranged like Western names. But that doesn't distracted from the story, I burned through the Bite Back series in a week and looking forward to the next in this series!

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Kindle Customer

Incredibly entertaining addition to the Athanate universe!

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2018

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I'm a long-time fan of Mr. Henwick's work, from the Bite Back series to some of his shorts to the equally excellent A Name Among the Stars . This full-length novel takes place in the same world as the Bite Back series, and begins the origin story of one of the characters from that series, Bian. You need absolutely no prior knowledge of the character, and it presents a great alternate jumping on point (although I do of course recommend the other series, which starts with Sleight of Hand: An Amber Farrell Novel (Bite Back Book 1) )

Harvest of Lies takes place in colonial-era Vietnam, and Mark's knowledge of the history and culture shines through in every page, from the challenges faced by a woman of the time (particularly one belonging to two worlds) to the complicated social dynamics between the various factions and the French government. The book takes its time to immerse the reader in that melange, and then, as Bian's own world falls apart, it starts to reveal the deeper layers of the supernatural world she didn't know existed. Bian is a great character and you can begin to see the seeds of who she has become so many years later in the Bite Back series.

A very entertaining read in its own right, a fantastic start to a new series, and a great companion to the Bite Back series!

One person found this helpful

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Zack

Fantastic addition to the Athenate universe

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2018

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There is a lot to like about this book, and I would highly recommend it to fans of UF.

This book is the origin story of one of the major characters in the Bite Back series. I do not think having read that series is a requirement for enjoying this book. It is fully capable of standing on its own, and in many ways may be a better introduction to this world than the author's earlier books.

The author's greatest strength, in my opinion, is his ability bring to bring the world to life through character interaction. There are no jarring info dumps that distract from the story. Instead we get to ride along with Bian as she picks up bits of information along the way. If anything I was left always wanting more.

I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Jason

Just good writing and great characters!

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018

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A very interesting mix of urban fantasy and historical fiction. I can't say enough about how well this book stands on its own but it is seamless with in the authors other work. An incredibly detailed world with amazing plots and action but rich characters you want to cheer for and fight the good fight side by side with, the best thing is I always want more when done like a very fine meal you want to keep eating and drinking hoping the night won't end. But it does with hope for tomorrow's course. Well done, a toast to many more like this, cheers!

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018

I was a little reluctant to read this novel at first because I wondered if it could compare to the novels of the Bite Back series. It did! I also wondered if it would feel like a re-hash of the series; it did not.

This novel stands on its own as an excellent read. Whether or not you have read the Bite Back series this is a novel worth reading, with characters that draw you in.

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LadyD.

Bian's Tale

Reviewed in Germany on March 17, 2019

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Bian is one of my favorite Characters in the Bite Back Series. SO - even if the book not is in german and my english is near decent - I decided to read it in english. And not a single moment I did regret this. Awesome Story behind this fascinating Woman. I wait for the next one to see what the future hold for her - will she rescue her sister ? Can she kill the Tiger Demon ??? So many questions - let us not wait for to long :)

Deborah Jay

Mesmerising storytelling

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2018

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Bian’s Tale is an offshoot from Henwick’s Athanate series, with THE HARVEST OF LIES the first in a planned 5 book series. The main series is contemporary urban fantasy with a unique take on vampires – the Athanate are not the undead, but the undying, and the complex social structure of Athanate society is world building at its best.
Though not the protagonist of the main series, Bian is one of the most intriguing characters. An Asian Athanate, skilled in many martial disciplines and also languages and politics, her back story begged to be told and I was thrilled when this book appeared.
The daughter of a disgraced mandarin, in the late 1800s Bian is adopted by a highly placed French family in French ruled Saigon. She fears for her birth family’s safety as they are hunted by a legendary villain, and she realises too late that her older sister has been sold into prostitution after the woman recruiting ‘maids’ is executed for her crimes.
Bian sets out to find her sister, but politics force a change of administration and suddenly her privileged life proves to be a fragile façade that crumbles away with alarming haste.
The supernatural elements of this story do not surface until about two thirds of the way through the book. Despite that, the story is mesmerising. Henwick’s richly layered descriptions and detailed historical and geographic research deliver a fully immersive read, and you cannot help but be swept up by Bian’s unique mixture of innocence and worldliness. I am waiting impatiently for the next one.

2 people found this helpful

serendipity5

Exciting and captivating

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2018

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I can't go on enough about what a fantastic story Mark Henwick brings to paper every time he hits the publish button. Most definitely on my auto buy, never fails to disappoint list, Mark Henwick always manages to combine fascinating world building, political intrigue, relatable and familiar characters and a story that won't let you put your kindle down.

For those of us that have long been fans of the Athanate world in the Amber books, Bian will not come as a surprise. If you have not read those books do not be put off though, as this is a prequel and you can start with this offering. Bian as we know her is a strong, kick ass woman but everyone has a journey to tell and this is hers, from small vietnamese villages to sprawling exotic cities, as a young girl unaware of the world around her. She has two families, one by birth and one by adoption and they both manage to involve her in the politics and dangers of the world as it exists in the 19th century. Her story is heart breaking and tragic, the supernatural slowly weaves its web around her and before long it's too late and she will not get out.

I loved every second of this thrilling tale and would imagine that it would capture all those who like a strong character who can save herself and learn from the word around her. The supernatural is a slow build up, but once it arrives you feel as captured as Bian does! Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

Gillt bookworm 963

More please!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2021

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I am a huge fan of Mark Henwick's Bite Back series and was delighted to find that there was a companion series with the back story of one of my favourites Bian. I loved this first book and am now eagerly awaiting the next book.
I was surprised how easily I was able to get immersed in the culture of 19th Century Saigon. I don't normally read books with a historical setting usually preferring contemporary fantasy but I am happy that I took the risk.
I can highly recommend this book.

AndyH

Excellent!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2018

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I enjoyed the book in serial form and was excited to go back and read the full book as The Harvest of Lies. Bian, the main character, is also a key character in the author's Bite Back series of novels and it has been interesting reading the first part of Bian's tale and finding out a little of what makes Bian who she is later in life.
The book stands alone from Bite Back but complements it. Set in Saigon at the end of the 19th Century we learn a little of French Cochinchina and the societal restrictions placed on a young woman who spans both the local Annamese culture and the colonial ruling class. Bian gradually learns of the Athanate and eventually enters their world.
Over all, it is well worth a read. When you have, I'd recommend reading more about the Athanate in the Bite Back series.

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The Harvest of Lies: Asian Urban Fantasy set in nineteenth century Saigon (Bian's Tale Book 1) Kindle Edition

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