Thirteen Orphans
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
A Dangerous Inheritance
Brenda Morris has no idea that her father, Gaheris, has a secret life. He is the Rat: a key member of the curious cabal known as the Thirteen Orphans. When she is nineteen, Brenda learns that all the omens show that Brenda will be his heir.
Brenda may inherit her place far sooner than anyone wishes. Unseen enemies are stalking the Thirteen Orphans. If Brenda does not join Pearl Bright, the Tiger, as she gathers the surviving Orphans to stand against their enemies, soon the Orphans—and their generations-long mission—will vanish, even from memory.
Bonus material includes an expanded version of the essay, “Why Thirteen Orphans?”
“This new series launch deftly mingles the fascination of the mah-jongg tiles and the animal lore of the Chinese Zodiac with a modern tale of discovery and danger. This urban fantasy should appeal to fans of Charles de Lint and Jim Butcher.” Library Journal on Thirteen Orphans
“The millennia of culture behind this book broaden and strengthen it. I want to see the rest of the series.” Sacramento Book Review on Thirteen Orphans
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lindskold (Through Wolf's Eyes) delivers an enjoyable but unremarkable series launch. Brenda Morris, an innocent quarter-Chinese college student, is abruptly thrust into the hidden world of the Thirteen Orphans, descendants of magicians who take the forms of Chinese zodiac animals and draw magic from the game of mah-jongg. Brenda fights valiantly against otherworld elements who seek to steal the Orphans' power, but indulges in a painfully juvenile crush on a killer who attacks her father. From a fascinating premise, the narrative stalls repeatedly under the weight of awkward exposition, explanation of magic and mah-jongg and analysis of offscreen events. Stiff, unrealistic dialogue interrupts crisp, clean narrative prose. The only sparkle comes from mysterious assassins Flying Claw and Righteous Drum. After this serviceable setup, readers will mostly hope for the interesting sequel promised by the abrupt conclusion.
