Strike the Zither
The Kingdom of Three Duology, Book One
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4.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, full of secrets and betrayal, Strike the Zither is an inventive and sweeping fantasy perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and Chloe Gong, “rich in intrigue and epic in scale.”
Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the realm’s most powerful strategist, serving under a leader whose cause jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed.
When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, the only strategist who has ever rivaled Zephyr’s talent. But mastermind though Crow may be, he is no match for Zephyr. She will defy the heavens to win and no one—neither human nor god—can stop her.
Featuring gorgeous map art and black-and-white portraits, Strike the Zither is the first book in Joan He's riveting Kingdom of Three duology that explores human greed and ambition in a war-torn world. Don't miss the epic conclusion in Sound the Gong!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
