Despite the beauty of the cover, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about whether the story would live up to it.Strike the Zither" by Joan He is an epic YA fantasy inspired by the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms. The story follows Zephyr, a brilliant strategist working under the warlordess Xin Ren in a land fractured into three factions. While Ren's honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. Zephyr takes control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land. 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.
This book explores themes such as the rise and fall of fortunes, how closely fate is tied to individual lives and choices, and how greed and ambition are inherent human qualities. The pacing is breakneck for the first half, with lots of action, excitement, and confusion due to the massive cast. The plot drives the story, but there's plenty of space for human interaction, including very thoughtful portrayals of the many different. Zephyr is an excellent main character, bold, capable, confident, and utterly unshakeable. Crow, the opposing strategist, is a fantastic foil and potential love interest, clever, moody, and full of secrets. The writing is fast-paced and evocative, with plot twists unfurling with increasing urgency. The ending is satisfying and sets the stage for the sequel. I can’t wait for sequel.
This book explores themes such as the rise and fall of fortunes, how closely fate is tied to individual lives and choices, and how greed and ambition are inherent human qualities. The pacing is breakneck for the first half, with lots of action, excitement, and confusion due to the massive cast. The plot drives the story, but there's plenty of space for human interaction, including very thoughtful portrayals of the many different. Zephyr is an excellent main character, bold, capable, confident, and utterly unshakeable. Crow, the opposing strategist, is a fantastic foil and potential love interest, clever, moody, and full of secrets. The writing is fast-paced and evocative, with plot twists unfurling with increasing urgency. The ending is satisfying and sets the stage for the sequel. I can’t wait for sequel.