While not everything in here is literally true (like, the warriors didn't actually turn into gods, I'm certain), this humanizes the Boxer Rebellion. In this volume, we see the Chinese who are trying to defend their country's culture from the "foreign devils" bringing Christianity; in the companion, we see the Rebellion from the POV of the Christians. Yang tells both stories in such a way that the reader's sympathies are with everybody--nobody is completely wrong or right, but everyone is in a terrible situation and wants what's best. 
 A happier ending to both volumes would have been satisfying, but then also unfaithful to the story being told.