I love how calm and matter-of-fact Zephyr is, and juxtaposed with Lotus's energy makes Zephyr a type of character I don't see often in YA. They aren't bombastic or arrogant; their level, pragmatic attitude makes more sense considering their role in the story as a tactician. I trust in Joan He's storytelling ability to retell the famous 3 Kingdoms, and this sample is enough for me to say that I'd buy this and all subsequent novels she writes for this world.