I, Tutus: Book One: The Son of Heaven

Phillips transports his readers to ancient China, with extraordinary insights to court intrique and exotic adventures on the Silk Road. I was initially skeptical of the narration technique -- first person by a pug -- but discovered this to be an ingenious conceit. With the pug's access to all venues, and the helpfulness of such delightful characters as the droll Uncle Stupid to inform the pug and confide in her, we learn all. Phillips' obvious knowledge of the life, arts, and political intrigue of ancient China immerses the reader in that millieu. The humor and poeticism of royal eunuch Uncle Stupid and his concubine charges are particularly magical, as are the opening passages of Tutus' narration of her birth. A fascinating and utterly unique read -- strongly recommended. You'll want to move immediately from Book I to Book II of the Tutus saga.

A very fine first novel. Its author is rich in talent and promise. Readers should be intrigued by the mix of well-researched historical detail, lush Imperial Chinese court settings and equally lush language. The novel immerses the reader into a distant world of eunuchs and concubines as well as Silk Road bandits -- all from the perspective of a pug. Creative, it is. A great find!

I didn't think I would like this book but I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only is an extremely entertaining bit of unique fiction, but the characters are also well developed and the historical aspects professionally researched. A great first work by the author and I am looking forward already to the sequel. Disney ought to make a movie out of this enchanting tale!

This is a really grand tale of the adventures of a pug pup on the ancient Silk Road, starting in the Chinese Imperial Court. The extremely colorful and well-crafted background and characters, plus the wit and wisdom our puglet encounters in the course of her tail-gripping adventures, more than compensated me (I'm a fan of historical fiction and a dog lover)for my investment in this book. It's a really good read - I'm already waiting for the next one.

This book truly gave me something I was not expecting. What at first seemed to be a light-hearted, humorous adventure about a pug dog quickly turned into a captivating account of politics and intrigue in imperial China and the perils of life along the Silk Road. It is a well-researched historical novel whose canine heroine charmed me with her wit and insight. A real gem of a book!