Strike the Zither

Starred review from August 29, 2022
A skilled strategist infiltrates an enemy camp in service to a warlord in this expansive fantasy series opener from He (The Ones We’re Meant to Find). Eighteen-year-old Zephyr believes she’s the best strategist in the Xin Dynasty, which is ruled by “prepubescent sovereign” Xin Bao and her merciless regent, Miasma. Zephyr loyally serves Xin Ren, one of three warlords vying for continental reign and, as a member of the Xin family, the only one with a legitimate claim to the throne. When Zephyr is trapped in the empire’s capitol, she falsely defects to protect her cover and meets enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who suspects her motives. Amid shifting political agendas, she must survive perilous encounters with Crow, a long-lost family member, and nonhuman beings in this striking gender-swapped reimagining of the Chinese classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The protagonist’s clever narration and boundless ambition, coupled with He’s powerful, action-packed prose, quick pacing, anticipatory atmosphere, and immersive worldbuilding, exemplify the origins of the source material while developing a distinct and evocative adventure. An author’s note delves into the original work’s influence. Ages 12–17. Agent: John Cusick, Folio Literary Management.

September 23, 2022
Grades 8-12 This unforgettable reimagining of the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms pays homage to the original while adding fresh elements, ultimately building off of its foundation to craft an exciting epic fantasy where no one--neither human nor god--is to be trusted. Set during year 414 of the Xin Dynasty, the book follows Zephyr, an orphan warlordess set on becoming the most powerful of her kind. The lands are divided into three realms, under three separate warlordesses, themselves all under the ambivalent eye of a puppet empress, and Zephyr must strive to win above all else. It soon becomes clear that loyalties are skewed, trust is hard to find, and chaos rules the land. Zephyr must test her loyalties and that of friends and foes alike in this adventure that fuses classical literature, high-stakes military moments, and the fantastical reminder that humans are not the only ones vying for kingdoms; there's much more at stake than meets the eye.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2022

Gr 8 Up-In a warring country, strategist Rising Zephyr must help her lordess Ren reclaim the throne and save the empress from her aptly named evil prime ministress, Miasma. Ren's forces are the underdog from the beginning, fleeing the much larger forces of the empire and surviving through luck, grit, and Zephyr's stratagems. To save one of Ren's swornswisters, Zephyr must do the unthinkable and pretend to betray her lordess, switching to Miasma's side as a double agent. But she gets more than she bargained for when she meets Miasma's strategist Crow, who is just as sly as she is. Now Zephyr must outsmart Crow to get back to her lordess, but even she does not know the full story. Before she can make it back to Ren, she is killed by what seems like an Empire ambush, although not without Zephyr wiping out a significant portion of the Empire's forces. The book is filled with incredible twists and turns. Readers will be swept along in this epic, sprawling tale that reimagines the historic Chinese tale of the "Three Kingdoms." The author deftly weaves a realistic fantasy world worthy of George R.R. Martin with incredible heart. Although some plotlines feel unfinished, the sequel will surely be hotly anticipated. Perfect for fans of Heidi Heilig's "Shadow Players" trilogy. VERDICT An entrancing fantasy entry that will leave readers waiting breathlessly for the sequel.-Stacey Shapiro

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 15, 2022
An ambitious young strategist risks death in a bid to turn the tides of war in an alternate historical China. The odds are against the honorable warlordess Xin Ren, who seeks to liberate the child empress Xin Bao from her ruthless regent, Miasma. Ren's warriors, led by her swornsisters, Cloud and Lotus, are no match for the size and resources of the imperial force. They rely instead on the clever tactics of 18-year-old Rising Zephyr, Ren's strategist, to outmaneuver their opponents while they gather support. Few dare to directly challenge Miasma, however, and Zephyr is forced to make a gamble. She presents herself to Miasma as a defector, hoping that Miasma's rumored greed to acquire talent and Zephyr's own brilliant reputation will not only preserve her life, but give her the opportunity to secure for Ren a much-needed alliance with the Southlands and Cicada, its new warlordess. Zephyr's narration, colored by dry wit and a powerful sense of self-assurance, takes readers with her deep into the imperial camp, where her allegiance is questioned by Miasma's enigmatic strategist, Crow, and to Cicada's court, where Zephyr makes a shocking discovery. Military stratagems, qi-infused zither duets, and divine interference come together in this tightly crafted reimagining of the Chinese classic Three Kingdoms. Themes of fate and identity appear throughout, tightening around Zephyr, who must weigh duty against heart as the stakes continue to rise. A riveting series opener. (major figures, character illustrations, map, author's note) (Fantasy. 13-adult)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.