While there are plenty of great novels out there, and quite a few on this site alone, I would call this one special. I don't know if the current quality will continue but I'm looking forward to finding out. Here's what's so attractive about Commanding Wind and Cloud:
1. Characters. Despite having some generic tropes, the quality of the characters is a step above similar novels. It's not because they don't fit the usual archetypes (archetypes are used for a reason, they work), but there is more to them than the defining personality trait. Simply put, there's depth. Without spoiling anything with specifics, the characters evoke emotion, intrigue, and find a place in a novel that could ignore them for the sake of letting the protagonist power up and move on to brighter horizons.
2. The main character grows powerful at a rapid pace, but as I said above it doesn't rush the story. In fact, it gives him the appropriate weight one should have when you've grown quickly, and helps push him towards his goal, driving the story as opposed to muddling it.
3. Story driven. As I mentioned above the novel is very story driven. The main character has a method that helps him grow quickly (minor spoiler or absolute genre certainty?), but it doesn't become so central to the story that it becomes the story. In fact, it's done tastefully, giving its own flavor without ruining the world building and character development needed in this type of novel.
I could continue to talk, mention good points (and bad, let's face it every novel has some negative attributes) but it's not necessary. I'll simply say this is a novel with balance, and if you like the genre you will appreciate the elements you've come to love and appreciate the focus that went in to keeping everything on track and presenting this story well. At least as of now, though hopefully, it thrives throughout.
