Book Review: Strike the Zither by Joan He

 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