Hi everyone!
Today I bring you another Asian Fantasy book rec - I'm really
getting into this trend!
Strike the Zither
Book #1 in the Kingdom of Three series
Goodreads / Amazon / Instagram
My rating: between 4 - 4.5 stars
About the book:
The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet
empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three
factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for
themselves.
But Zephyr knows it’s no contest.
Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by
becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren,
a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged—while
Ren’s honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their
survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr
is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren’s followers from
being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing
strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies
than one—and not all of them are human.
An epic YA fantasy about found family, rivals, and identity,
from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, inspired
by Three Kingdoms, one of the Four Classics of Chinese
Literature.
Asian Fantasy books never fail to amaze me. I was drawn by the
art and the author, I didn't know much about the inspiring story so
I was a bit skeptical, but oh, did it deliver! It's fast-paced, the
heroine is smart and strong for a change and there is one big twist
I wouldn't have guessed in a million years! I felt kind of
disconnected emotionally (you know that feeling, like something is
missing), but as far as characters, plot and world building were
concerned, it was stunning.
So first off, I have to say I'm amazed by the amount of
detail, research and work
that went into this novel (there's also character art, maps
and author notes in the book, which helped a lot). It's absolutely
brilliant and everything is so cleverly done! Even if I didn't read
the author's note and stalk her on social media (which I totally am
heh) it would all be evident from every page and every word.
Second, I have to admit sometimes I was confused it was a bit
challenging to get all the concepts and connect with the characters
or the writing style.
But I feel like this is one of those books that you have to
read to fully grasp it, the description doesn't make it justice.
It's more to Zephyr than just a strategist, more to the world than
an empire at war, no friend or enemy is truly what they seem and
are they enemies to lovers or?...
It's intricate, suspenseful, action-packed and so rich in
mythology, it really packs a beautiful package.
Zephyr has this sassy, sarcastic voice that makes it fun to
follow her through her adventures. And her strategies... ugh, so,
SO smart! ? Brutal, heartbreaking at times, but effective in the
end.
Speaking of the end, you will not see it coming. My heart! The
next book can't come out soon enough!
*Review copy provided by the publisher Macmillan Children's
Books through Edelweiss, thank you so much!
Now I'm waiting to see the finished copy in stores, that
art!
xoxo
Deea
