I loved this book! Joan He creates a beautiful world of gods and warriors. At first, it seemed like a typical story but the twist in the middle of the book changed everything. This unexpected but wonderful twist leads the story down a wonderful path. The second half is where the story truly shines. Seeing our favorite characters in a new light adds to the layers the author has written and makes you second guess other characters. The story is exciting and thrilling. I really look forward to the next book. I can not wait to see what the characters do as well as seeing more of the literary world they live in. Now I know anything can happen; as a reader, I need to stay on my toes. Strike the Zither is one of my favorite books about the oriental cultures and the mysticism they practiced. I am not excited about the wait for the second book in the series.