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Blades of the Guardians Volume 1

Brief Description
Romance of the Three Kingdoms meets True Grit! A thrilling mixture of adrenaline-packed spaghetti Western and Game of Thrones-type kingdom drama as extraordinary swordsman and bounty hunter Dao Ma and his three-year-old son, Xiao Qi, take a larger-than-life journey through battles fated to uproot a brutal... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Romance of the Three Kingdoms meets True Grit! A thrilling mixture of adrenaline-packed spaghetti Western and Game of Thrones-type kingdom drama as extraordinary swordsman and bounty hunter Dao Ma and his three-year-old son, Xiao Qi, take a larger-than-life journey through battles fated to uproot a brutal ancient Chinese empire.

It is the third year of Daye (607 CE). The people of the Sui Dynasty are living in poverty under the brutal rule of Emperor Yang Guang. In the desert fringes of this empire is a travelling swordsman named Dao Ma. He’s a skilled bounty hunter who hopes to pay off his debt to his foster godfather while looking after his three-year-old son, Xiao Qi.

When Dao Ma takes on an escort mission to bodyguard an enigmatic fugitive to the imperial capital Chang’an, he treats it as a simple high-paying job. Little does he know that this client is a dangerous mystic twirling strings that could uproot the empire from its foundations.

One of the top bestselling manhua titles in China, Blades of the Guardians features dramatic, brutal illustrations and a tight, intricate plot that will leave readers at the edge of their seats. It is perfect for fans of seinen manga like Vagabond, wuxias like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and world-shaking adventures like The Lord of the Rings.

Series: Blades of the Guardians

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419784996

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 March 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Kana

Illustration: Black-and-white illustrations throughout; 6-page full-color insert

Contributors:

  • Translated by Nube Consulting

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 191.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 278

About the Author

Xianzhe Xu is a manhua author-illustrator known for the bestselling series Blades of the Guardians and Assassin’s Creed Dynasty. A powerful new voice in manhua, his works showcase a masterful hand at intertwining threads of prophecy, ancient history, and human compassion. Bold action and deep anguish intersperse in sharp harmony, in a style reminiscent of calligraphy. Xu is a popular author with a cult following.

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