What if you could avenge your own murder? A brilliant young woman gets a second chance at life in this debut YA tale of vengeance, court intrigue, and romance, inspired by classic Chinese tropes.
Mingshin outsmarted three princes to help the man she loved become king. But she doesn’t see Ren’s betrayal coming, not until she’s lying in a pool of her own blood on the palace steps.
As she’s dying, Mingshin makes a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and give her a chance to make things right.
Mingshin wakes up two years earlier, her prayer granted, and swears two things: Ren will never become king, and she will never fall in love again.
But the timeline in this life has changed: a dignitary gifted with dark magic is threatening her kingdom’s peace, and Ren’s thirst for power runs deeper than Mingshin could have imagined.
She finds herself allying with Jieh, another contender for the throne. Mingshin knows better than anyone not to give her heart to a prince. But in the viper’s nest of the royal court, she and Jieh prove a phenomenal team. Can Mingshin avert the catastrophe of her past by once again learning to trust…and maybe even love?
Master storyteller Kate Chenli introduces a singular YA heroine in this vividly rendered and utterly original new fantasy series.
My Review:
The cover caught my attention as I love Asian based fantasy.
I waver between a 3 and a 4 star on this one, but by the end, I really loved this book.
Mingshin wasn’t that likable in the beginning. Yes, she’d been wronged. And she had good character growth. By the end, she was both likeable and admirable. (And I really really want to read the next book.) And I was rooting for Jeih from their first meeting.
Things to be aware of:
First is the minor foul language. (The a and b words.) There was only a few usages, thankfully. Does not really support the setting or feel of the story, but you understand why.
Secondly, too many lines went into what could have been epic kisses. Less is more.
This story does hint at a lesbian romance between Yunle and Fei, but it is both respectfully and tastefully handled.
Now, I think the next book will be an epic conclusion. If it’s anything like current C-dramas, and with the talent this author has for storytelling, I expect it even. (Don’t let me down!)
Mossy Cha has only ever wanted one thing: more control over her own life. With high school graduation approaching, she is excited to attend her dream college and experience freedom for the first time. But life takes an unexpected turn when this modern girl learns she is the chosen bride of a powerful Hmong shaman. The last thing she needs is destiny telling her what to do!
Touso Khang comes from a line of shamans that once exiled a great evil from the world. As the demon Du Yong returns to seek revenge, Touso’s only chance to destroy him for good is with the help of his chosen bride. Can he convince Mossy to accept her place by his side before evil forces prevail?
My Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book has soo much going for it. I don’t think the blurb does it justice. And this review will probably contain spoilers.
First up, lets get the negative out of the way first. This book has swear words. If you don’t like the f bomb, proceed with caution. There is also some kissing and reference to sex/intimacy, but no sex occurs on page in this book. (This is different for book 2, which has more adult language and more adult situations.)
Mossy is graduation from high school, but she is 18. This book captures the heart of an 18 year old well. Especially one with a strong family behind her with traditional values. On top of that, this book is my introduction to all things Hmong. And it does this introduction well. It’s also an urban fantasy.
The evil in this book is Du Yong. He’s based on Ndu Nyong, a demon god who eats human souls. (Hmongs believe a person has 1-20 souls. You can learn more here.) As written in this book, he’s a great antagonist. And he is particular interested in shaman souls. He also wants what he can’t have–a body.
Going back to Mossy. She wants to spread her wings and fly after school. She is known to put her friends first, and has two very close friends (Eva and Cindy) and a boyfriend (Dylan) she hasn’t told her family about. Her mother tells her that a good Hmong girl stays home. Mossy doesn’t want to stay home. Prom is coming up and well, let’s just say Mossy’s plans don’t go the way she planned and she finds out she’s meant to be with Touso. (For those who like Asian dramas, you’ll totally get the multiple life times forever love trope here. It is a romantic notion.) And that love bond quickly unites them, much to Dylan’s chagrin.
Now more on Dylan. He’s a great character. He loves Mossy. For him, she just might be the one. In fact, it’s one of those things that proves to be vital to Mossy’s survival. (And for Kai.)
Kai is Touso’s older brother. His story will play out more in book 2. He’s important.
I enjoyed this book and it’s world that I went on to read book 2 right away.
Synopsis:
He’s fighting for his life, but for her, he’d sacrifice his soul.
Touso Khang is a shaman with the face of a heavenly prince . . . he’s also cursed.
Driven by the loss of his brother and saving the other shamans in his lineage, he’ll risk everything . . . but now it’s becoming clear that it may cost him his bride.
Mossy Cha wasn’t sure she could ever accept her place as the bride and guardian of a cursed shaman, or anyone for that matter! She just wants to be a normal person with ordinary adventures! But she can’t help feeling certain things when she looks at Touso Khang . . .
Their love was destined, and they have always found each other in every new lifetime—but it doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. With evil spirits and demons coming for them, they must find a way to end the curse for good or risk losing each other forever.
My Review:
The world building continues to be fabulous. The Hmong cultural details really add to this. In this book, we deal more heavily with the “bad shamans” or necromancers. We also see more of Du Yong, who is orchestrating his plan. He’s kidnapping chosen brides.
Kai plays a bigger role in this book. You see, Du Yong is using him. Kai died in an attempt to save his family. Now, he is being used by Du Yong to try to keep Mossy away from Touso. Not to mention, Kai’s refusal to accept a chosen bride has had dire consequences. On this back drop, we also have a very emotional moment for Mossy when one of her friends dies. And that’s just the tip of what roller coaster of a ride this story will take you on.
The necromancers also play a bigger role.
We learn more about Hmong wedding. Mossy graduates high school.
Now, book one had some adult language in it. This book has a lot more. (If the first book had as much as this one, I might not have continued reading.) This book also has adult situations, which includes an on page sex scene. Now, it may be tame compared to a lot of books and I appreciate that we are spared the dirty details, it was still more than I was expecting from a YA book. (Suitable for 16 and up, if your teen reader is comfortable with the f bombs, the mf bombs and sexual content.) While the romance between Kai and Nia (Kai as a ghost inhabiting Dylan’s body) made me of the movie Ghost, I was a bit uncomfortable with the fade to black scenes with them together. It’s not Kai’s body and it felt akin to cheating. It was also tragic in a way, because Nia and Kai had been married and loved each other. Who wouldn’t want one more chance to love their spouse?
By this time, I was invested in this story and in this world. I also want to know what happens next, and while I do hope the books remain suitable for a teen audience, I’d also be happy if the author released a clean version for those of who prefer less sex and foul language in our books.
“Food and clothing is so plentiful, it grows on trees.”
“You will be able to go to school.”
Of the three lies the matchmaker told Willow before she left home as a picture bride in 1918, the third hurt the most. Never one to be deterred, Willow does all that she can to make the best of her unexpected circumstance. But it isn’t long before her dreams for this new life are shattered, first by a husband who never wanted to marry her in the first place, and then by the escalation of the Korean independence movements, unified in goal, but divergent in action, which threaten to split the Hawaiian Korean community and divide Willow’s family and friends.
Braving the rough waters of these tumultuous years, Willow forges ahead, creating new dreams through her own blood, sweat, and tears; working tirelessly toward a better life for her family and loved ones.
My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I have a lot of feelings after reading this book. This slice of life is an emotionally gripping tale about Korean Picture Brides. If you are like me, you’ve heard about Chinese Paper Brides. This is the story about three Korean women who became picture brides. It’s not an easy story, but one of bravery, determination, and family.
I do wish the translator had made some different choices. The biggest one being on what to call Korea and Koreans. This story takes place after Japan has invaded and is occupying the country. It is no longer Joseon (Chosun), but the people would surely have still called it that. Referring to it as Korea may have been simpler, but I do wish it has been Joseon.
I did spend some time checking out the real people (Rhee and Park) to get some context about the division in the community, so I appreciated how that was shown.
The ending was a little strange feeling, switching to first person for Pearl. Yet, I feel it sets the stage for the next chapter in the life of the pictures brides, while also bringing closure to this story.
Roxbury Books 