In Janie Chang’s The Library of Legends, history and mysticism are perfectly entwined. When a group of Chinese students flee their university in advance of the Japanese invasion in 1937, they carry with them the priceless 500 year old collection of myths and folklore called “The Library of Legends”.

Running through this gripping tale like silver thread through a rich tapestry is another exodus — the gods are leaving earth. I found myself sighing with pleasure over Chang’s exquisite descriptions of these Immortals, who appear in their true form only to certain humans.

The students face all of the expected dangers of their pilgrimage, but another threat comes from within: there has been an infiltration of political spies determined to stamp out the spread of communism among China’s youth.

An enchanting, compelling work of historical fiction, The Library of Legends is an absolute treasure.