Strike the Zither: 1 (Kingdom of Three)

Product Information

this is JHs best book so far! and, honestly, i know nothing about the original tale of the three kingdoms, but this retelling is canon as far as im concerned. so glad its going to be a series!

Kingdom of Three Series by Joan He - Goodreads

Tourmaline nods. “Exactly ten li, a mountain, and a river away from Miasma’s forces. The rain came just as you said it would. It’ll take them at least a day to clear a path, four to go around.” The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured and three warlordesses each hopes to claim the continent for herself. Miasma may still yet, at this rate, but there’s no arguing with our warlordess Xin Ren’s benevolence. Most strategists wouldn’t be able to cope with it. It should be noted that this is, of course, a subjective experience; those who are familiar with and have a deeper understanding of the (oftentimes convoluted) intricacies of Chinese TV dramas will find Strike the Zither to be a wonderful homage to Chinese history and culture. It is epic, and the author herself writes in a statement on Goodreads that the book will not appeal to everyone, especially if readers don’t understand the references. He’s writing style is refined and effective — a formidable force that is suited for such a reimagining. If not the gifted writer He, then who else would take on this challenge? The whole story is essentially about Zephyr, a strategist for the warlordess Xin Ren, attempting to help Xin Ren achieve influence and power through plotting. That seems to be the gist of the novel, and it’s difficult to summarize anything else that happens just because there’s so much going on. He does her best, though; the descriptions of the setting are absolutely transfixing with how He has incorporated Chinese drama-like elements into the world. The zither is a nice touch and bears symbolic meaning throughout the book, which adds a cultural weight.update: after 15 minutes of intense deliberation, i have come to the conclusion that i did not like this. inform the press. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, Strike the Zither is a powerful, inventive, and sweeping fantasy that reimagines the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms.

Strike the Zither | Joan He | 9781911231417 | NetGalley Strike the Zither | Joan He | 9781911231417 | NetGalley

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.Another compelling aspect of STZ were the dynamic relationships between a full cast of unforgettable and complex characters. There are depictions of both found family and blood family and the similarity and differences between the two are a major driving force for both the characters and the plot. In conjunction with the major plot twists, characters’ struggles with family and connections gives an added layer of complexity to the plot and gives major actions of war, violence, and betrayal a believable and compelling motivation. In year 414 of the Xin dynasty, the realm is split into three warring factions. Pan Qilin, known as Zephyr, is the strategist for the honorable warlordess Xin Ren. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp, she sabotages them and secretly works to gain allies for Ren, all while trying to outmaneuver the enemy strategist, Crow. Then she begins to learn more about her own mysterious past. This book by Joan He was published in October 2022, and takes inspiration from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I reached you seconds before the wheels of a wagon did,” Tourmaline continues, stoic. I could have done without the image, but if anyone had to find me on the ground, better it be Tourmaline than Lotus or Cloud. Those two would have squawked about it to everyone and their mothers. On the subject of everyone— Wouldn’t help us. It’s not just Miasma we’re up against: Our own numbers are bogging us down. We must evacuate everyone, Ren said sternly when I suggested it was time we flee our current town for the next. Miasma will slaughter the commonfolk just for harboring us. Strike the Zither was full of mind reeling plot twists, a distinct narrator, and unforgettable characters with complex relationships.