Fire Between Two Skies

By R F. Whong

Description:

Across centuries—power and peril—one fire endures.

Two eras. One relentless quest for truth amid desires and temptation. Across the centuries, two men are bound by parallel destinies that echo through time. Book 3 of this dual-time odyssey delves deep into the passions and struggles that connect their worlds.

In 2022 Hong Kong, Jason Guan, after losing his job as an assistant supervisor for wetland conservation, joins his uncle’s real-estate business. A chance meeting with his high school classmate, Vivian Jiang, draws him into a web of secrecy, seduction, and moral compromise. Amid the chaos, he and his wife, Debra, read an unpublished manuscript by her father, a celebrated writer, about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851–1864) and a man’s futile pursuit of justice and peace on earth.

In nineteenth-century China, Zhang Xin, an orphan saved from the streets by Missionary Issachar Jacox Roberts, is swept into the fiery rebellion of the Taiping movement. Torn between the dream of a just kingdom, his forbidden love for Miao Lan, and his loyalty to his ruthless brother, Xin reckons with doubt, conscience, and the cost of faith.

When greed and exploitation eclipse justice, both men must navigate their respective perils. Will they prevail or be consumed?

At once a political thriller and a historical epic, this novel tracks the embers that survive every age.

Book Takeaway:

How does temptation shape men’s destinies? The novel touches upon rebellion—political, spiritual, and personal.

Awards:

Why the author wrote this book:

Since I was young, I’ve often explored the Cheung Po-Tsai Cave on Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong. Of course, I didn’t stumble upon any pirate treasure. Yet the tale of the pirate king Cheung Po-Tsai and his wife has captivated my imagination and inspired me to write this Dual-time Odyssey series. This is Book 3.
The period of Chinese history in Book 3 is complex and challenging to portray. At times, I wondered if I’d taken on more than I could handle. I tried not to focus on the details of the rise and fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Instead, I explored the common human trait of seeking purpose and justice, regardless of our era or circumstances.
I wrote the book using two distinct voices. This is my third attempt at such an endeavor. Readers will notice different writing styles for the past and present timelines.
Note:
The writing in the chapters about the 1800s sounds European and not Asian. My challenge lies in the fact that, despite having studied numerous ancient Chinese texts, I’ve not encountered any books from nineteenth-century China penned in English. I have, however, become well acquainted with nineteenth-century English literature, particularly through the works of Jane Austen, my favorite author.