Silver Phoenix
Beyond the Kingdom of Xia
By Cindy Pon
(Greenwillow Books, Hardcover, 9780061730214, 352pp.)
Publication Date: April 9, 2009
Categories: Girls & Women, People & Places - Asia, Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
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No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.
But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.
Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.
It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.
Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She began writing stories before she was officially declared English proficient. She received her bachelor's from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a master's from New York University. The author is a student of Chinese brush painting, and her love for the art is reflected in her storytelling. Cindy Pon lives with her husband and two small children in San Diego, California.
"A sweeping saga . . . Pon's writing, both fluid and exhilarating, shines whether she's describing a dinner delicacy or what it feels like to stab an evil spirit in the gut."
-Booklist (starred review)
"This fantasy heroine, who shows her spunk with quiet self-determination instead of swordfights, headlines an appealing magical adventure set in a refreshingly non-Western milieu."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Brilliantly conceived . . . strong characters and lyrical writing make this story compelling for young adults."
-Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (Starred Review)
"Vivid and fascinating."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
This book is on these lists:
Aja's YA recs by bookshipperThebrainlair's Wish List by thebrainlair
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