The Examination

The Examination, written by Malcolm Bosse, is a gripping adventure novel with two main characters, brothers, with two different ambitions. The story is set in the Ming Dynasty, sometime after the rule of the great emperor of Yangle, but "his successors had grown weak, until now the whole country was again facing disaster"(Bosse 89). Lao Hong, 15, the younger brother, is "born under the sign of the Tiger...People declared that... Read Full Review

I love reading well researched historical fiction which gives a lot of detail and flavor of daily life. I am impressed by the author's ability to get us inside the minds of characters from another century and another culture (I am not Chinese). I found it fascinating, and have read it twice. It inspired me to read more fiction set in this same time period.

Okay, so I'm only 11. So what? I have a high reading level, and can read about anything. I am also very picky about books, LOL, so this book will hold you attention. Its about two brothers, each with their own personality. One, who is Chen, is a high-classed scholar, and the other, who is Hong, is a spy for a group called the White Lotus. The brothers face many difficulties, such as starvation and river pirates. At the end,... Read Full Review

Bosse doesn't always say in his book exactly how his characters are feeling. At first, this gives the novel, although entertaining, a slightly historical feel. However, as you travel with the brothers, (I felt like I'd been all over China at the close of the book!), you come to really see inside of them, and the contrasts, similarities, and interaction between the two brothers really pulls you in. You come to care for each... Read Full Review

In the story, the author seemed have researched a lot about Chinese history. China has its own complicated history, but he described Chinese from a particular point of view. fight for survive. It is interesting that how two brothers went through every kinds of defence to find their dream.