Zephyr is a strategist serving under Xin Ren, helping her play the battlefield in outsmarting their enemies. Maiasma is the prime ministress and acting empress, is known for her ruthlessness. She's their biggest foe and also has her own strategist, Master Crow. Zephyr takes things into her own hands and goes rogue without telling Ren, risking her own life to make sure that Ren comes out on top. Zephyr truly is a force to be reckoned with. I love that zithers are used to express and open up one self. Zephyr is also a skilled zither player and a lot can be told about a person through the art and music of playing the zither.
The world building is wonderful and fantastical. I enjoyed the story and didn't realize it's a retelling. I'm not familiar with the original retelling, but after reading this, I'm interested in finding out more. The cover is stunning and I can't wait for the next book!
The world building is wonderful and fantastical. I enjoyed the story and didn't realize it's a retelling. I'm not familiar with the original retelling, but after reading this, I'm interested in finding out more. The cover is stunning and I can't wait for the next book!