Strike The Zither (Kingdom of Three, Book 1)

 

From the Publisher:

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

My Thoughts:

I sat on this book prior to its release in October 2022 because the cover, and the girl on the cover, did not grab me as a devour worthy tale of Asian female bad assery. However, I was looking through this blog and was reminded that He's first novel, Descendent of the Crane also did not have a cover that I liked, but her power to build worlds and plot twists in that book was phenomenal. 

Suffice it to say, I came to the Strike the Zither party unfashionably late, however, I'm glad I came. Unlike Descendent (2019) that has no sequel (which is quite maddening, I must say), Zither  is part of a duology titled (ironically) Kingdom of Three. Yes, I know there are three warlordessʻ, but it is still funny. 

This story is not helmed by any of the three warlordesses. In fact, after getting through 45% of the book according to my e-reader, and without giving anything away, something very Game of Thrones-ish happens. Gah!!!!

He's talent as an author is her ability to drop surprises and twists in her novels, and then move on from those twists in a way that does not break the flow of the story, even for the other characters. The twists are dealt with almost with a sense of stoicism or even Zen. I donʻt know how to explain it without giving too much away. If you love plot twists and Chinese classics turned into tales that imagine a world where of course women are stronger, smarter and more badass than many of the male characters, then this will strike your fancy. 

Middle grade readers or YA readers who read Asian fantasy retellings like The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh need to read this next. This book will get readers to YA fantasy authors like Elizabeth Lim and Xiran Jay Zhao. 

Publication Details:

Author: Joan He

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (October 25, 2022)

The Art of Prophecy

 

My Thoughts:

This fantasy, action, martial arts book is like a mini Game of Thrones in the backstabbing and betrayal. It is also like Game of Thrones in that you have to keep track of many characters as the chapters move the reader around until the fighting comes to a head in the "non-ending" continuation that is this book one. 

What makes this different is the irony that the young warrior, chosen because of a prophecy becomes inconsequential with the death of the great Khan.  In addition, a master wind whisperer, Taishi,  an older female warrior, long past her prime is sent to assess this young Wen Jian, the Prophesied Hero of Legend, and he is found lacking. He has potential, but first he must be broken. The funny verbal jabs between the two are really what make the two of them so endearing. 

The story consists of a complicated series of relationships and betrayals that keep readers on their toes. After all, anyone can die at any time so do not get too invested in some of the main characters. It has the potential to be that kind of book with the complicated choreography of different styles of fighting.  However, I do wish that I could have a map or genealogy. Anything to keep the characters straight would be nice. 

This book just came out in August, so this will probably be a reread in about a year when the next one drops.

From the Publisher:

So many stories begin the same way: With a prophecy. A chosen one. And the inevitable quest to slay a villain, save the kingdom, and fulfill a grand destiny.
 
But this is not that kind of story. 
 
It does begin with a prophecy: A child will rise to defeat the Eternal Khan, a cruel immortal god-king, and save the kingdom. 
 
And that prophecy did anoint a hero, Jian, raised since birth in luxury and splendor, and celebrated before he has won a single battle. 
 
But that’s when the story hits its first twist: The prophecy is wrong. 
 
What follows is a story more wondrous than any prophecy could foresee, and with many unexpected heroes: Taishi, an older woman who is the greatest grandmaster of magical martial arts in the kingdom but who thought her adventuring days were all behind her; Sali, a straitlaced warrior who learns the rules may no longer apply when the leader to whom she pledged her life is gone; and Qisami, a chaotic assassin who takes a little too much pleasure in the kill.
 
And Jian himself, who has to find a way to become what he no longer believes he can be—a hero after all.

Author: Wesley Chu

Publisher: Del Ray

Publication date: August 9, 2022

Frankly in Love (audiobook)

 

Frank Li, or Frank is corny and hilarious. Narrated by Raymond J. Lee,  Frank just comes alive in this awkward romance and comedy of first love, Korean expectations and a plan that goes awry. 

From the Publisher:

Two friends. One fake dating scheme. What could possibly go wrong?

Frank Li has two names. There's Frank Li, his American name. Then there's Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California.

Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl--which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit . . . who is white.

As Frank falls in love for the very first time, he's forced to confront the fact that while his parents sacrificed everything to raise him in the land of opportunity, their traditional expectations don't leave a lot of room for him to be a regular American teen. Desperate to be with Brit without his parents finding out, Frank turns to family friend Joy Song, who is in a similar bind. Together, they come up with a plan to help each other and keep their parents off their backs. Frank thinks he's found the solution to all his problems, but when life throws him a curveball, he's left wondering whether he ever really knew anything about love—or himself—at all.

In this moving debut novel—featuring striking blue stained edges and beautiful original endpaper art by the author—David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.

Author: David Yoon

Narrator: Raymond J. Lee

Audible release date: September 10, 2019

I Guess I Live Here Now

 

My Thoughts: 

Melody "Somi" is a sophomore going to be a junior living with her mom in New York City. For as long as she can remember, she and her mom have lived in New York while her father has lived in Korea. But as she turns 16, her mother suddenly moves them to Korea to live as a family in Seoul with her dad. Suddenly Melody is sent out on business dates by her father, she is thrust in a new international school and is even put into honors Korean even if she does not speak Korean.

Although she is a parent of Korean immigrants, Melody only knows her American identity. This K-drama type of book is about her finding out about her Korean culture, getting to know her dad and aunt better, as well as finding romance. Like the other books I have been reading, this is more about the elite, rich Asians, even if originally, Melody did now know how rich they were. She tries to hold on to the public transportation lifestyle for as long as she can, even if she has use of her fatherʻs driver. 

Claire Ahn joins the growing group of AAPI writers creating stories for YA audiences. She is in company with authors like Maureen Goo, Axie Oh and Grace Kim. 

Teacher plus: Claire Ahn talks about her book and her own cultural shock in coming to America from Korea. "It's a love letter to new friendships and discovering a little more about ourselves."

For fans of Never Have I Ever, Family Noh, XOXO

From the Publisher:

Melody always wanted to get to know the Korean side of her Korean American heritage better, but not quite like this. Thanks to a tiny transgression after school one day, she's shocked to discover that her parents have decided to move her and her mom out of New York City to join her father in Seoul—immediately! Barely having the chance to say goodbye to her best friend before she's on a plane, Melody is resentful, angry, and homesick.
 
But she soon finds herself settling into their super luxe home, meeting cool friends at school, and discovering the alluring aspects of living in Korea--trendsetting fashion, delectable food, her dad's black card, and a cute boy to hang out with. Life in Seoul is amazing...until cracks begin to form on its shiny surface. Troubling family secrets, broken friendships, and a lost passion are the prices Melody has to pay for her new life, but is it worth it? 
 
Claire Ahn's charming debut lets you taste every bite of kalbi, bathe in the glow of Seoul's neon lights, and feel every high and low of Melody's journey across the world and within her heart. 

Author: Claire Ahn

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Publication date: May 24, 2022

Unravel the Dusk

 

From the Publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes comes a fantasy filled with courtly intrigue, deceitful demons, and breathtaking gowns ... the stakes are higher than ever in this thrilling sequel to Spin the Dawn!

Maia Tamarin's journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon, and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. Edan, the boy she loves, is gone--perhaps forever--and no sooner does she set foot in the Autumn Palace than she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor's bride-to-be to keep the peace. When the emperor's rivals learn of her deception, there is hell to pay, but the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within.
 
Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing . . . glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red; losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. It's only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, and in the meantime she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.

My Thoughts:

Elizabeth Lim offers up two duologies, The Blood of Stars books starting with Spin the Dawn and ending with this book and Six Crimson Cranes books ending with The Dragon's Promise coming out in August 2022.  Although the publication order is different, the world that these four stories occupy is the same world, just that the Cranes duology happens much earlier than the Blood duology. 

Edan in the end says that he saw Shiori from Cranes but the stories are centuries apart. It is only possible because as the Enchanter, he is very old.  What the two sets of stories  have in common, though is the demon Bandura. He is still a major psychological kill joy.

These two sets are definitely girl power fantasies. They may also be listed as romances, but this is no Disney romance as I feel like no one really gets the happy ending. Perhaps I need to be more Asian stoic. Either way, all of Ms. Lim's books are fast reads for reluctant readers who want fast action and divine intervention.

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Publisher:  Ember

Publication date: June 1, 2021

Radha and Jai's Recipe for Romance

 

My Thoughts:

Based on the cover, it is about two east Indian American teens who love to dance and cook. It's a romance. Nice! Not every book has to be academic or discussed using literary lenses. Sometimes, YA readers want something uncomplicated and transparent. This is a romance. How do I know? It says it in the title.  Sometimes, I need things as uncomplicated as that. This is not an emotional roller coaster, but you want to root for Radha and Jai. These kids are loved by their families and their friends. They have instant chemistry even if they are very poor communicators. Most importantly, they are lovely characters who will capture young readers of romance. 

I like this book because it is a two day read and then I can move on with my grading. 4 stars for sure. Also, because like Bollywood, there is no sex, this can also be read by middle grades despite the characters being seniors in high school. 

As far as ladders to and from this book, or what I am calling centrifugal books that spin out and around each other,  this book can be given to students who like other devour worthy YA romance books that are on the cute side versus the broken romance side:

• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
• Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
• Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi
• When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
• A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
• Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

From the Publisher:

Radha is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest kathak dancers in the world . . . until a family betrayal costs her the biggest competition of her life. Now she has left her Chicago home behind to follow her stage mom to New Jersey. At the Princeton Academy of the Arts, Radha is determined to leave performing in her past and reinvent herself from scratch.

Jai is captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team, ranked first in his class, and is an overachiever with no college plans. Tight family funds means medical school is a pipe dream, which is why he wants to make the most out of high school. When Radha enters his life, he realizes she's the exact ingredient he needs for a show-stopping senior year.

With careful choreography, both Radha and Jai will need to face their fears (and their families) if they want a taste of a happily ever after.

Publication date: July 13, 2021

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Author: Nisha Sharma

Once Upon a K-Prom

 

Publication date: May 17, 2022 by Kat Cho

My Thoughts:

If students enjoyed any of the following rom com teen novels, this is the next great read on the ladder:

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

Somewhere Only We Know by Maureen Goo

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

This is a story of childhood friend Elena Soo and Robbie Choi. When they were 10, they separated as Robbieʻs family moved back to Korea but they did make a promise that he would take her to prom. Well it is prom time and Elena seems to be overshadowed by her more popular twin brother and the high school expectations set forth by her high achieving sisters. Elena finds herself ostracized and labeled as the prom hating weirdo because she wants everyone to spend less on prom and donate money to keep her community center alive.

Robbie in the meantime has hit it huge, BTS style in the K-Pop world and although he is highly managed as part of the most popular boy band, he wants to fulfill his promise to take Elena "Lani" to prom even if the two have not spoken in seven years. 

Miscommunication, cluelessness, secrets, misunderstandings and enough heart warming side stories to keep readers invested in multiple characters helps to round out this story and make it a devour worthy pick for a long weekend.

I read this over Valentines weekend, but it does not come out until May so put this on your TBR list for memorial day or the 4th of July.

From the Publisher:

What would you do if the world's biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged.

So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.

Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?

Iron Widow

 

My Thoughts:

This novel has a polyamorous love triangle, a strong-willed girl who wants to change the gender inequity in her society, a  superstar Chrysalis pilot who kills his concubine pilots without remorse, aliens, mechanical sci fi machines, Chinese historical characters, and an Emperor pilot that has been asleep for two hundred years under  the enemy hive. Add to that Game of Thrones style killings and you have an exciting ride with Zetian, historically the only female Emperor of China, now set on avenging her sister and destroying the misogyny in Huaxia.  I am beyond thrilled at all of the minority-led sci fi and fantasy coming out. Send more!

Spoiler alert - this book is a wild ride that will end with no conclusion as well as no set date for book #2. If that is a game changer, then wait on starting this book until the next book comes out. Instead read other strong willed female sci fi/dystopia like Divergent,  or Hunger Games. At least readers can devour and conclude the series. 

From the Publisher:

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.
 
When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​
 
To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.