Asian writers with Asian protagonists are a long missed area of the YA fiction world. Now, Joan He adds her own spin on traditional Chinese historical fiction with Strike the Zither. A New York Times bestseller prior to the release of this novel, He has demonstrated her inspiring style with the tales of the three kingdoms from the Xin Dynasty in 414. In this duology (titled the Kingdoms of Three).
One of the most striking details of this historical fantasy novel is the role of women. Almost all those in power are women - a wonderful shift from the typical patriarchal approach of historical novels - and all are strong female characters. The strength of these women alone is awe-inspiring as the novel unfolds, but the way they work together for the betterment of others is really quite something else.
The story is told through the eyes of Zephyr, an orphaned girl who grows to be one of the leading strategists in the war of the time. It comes down to Zephyr to take her life into her own hands and begin a process of espionage and infiltration in order to serve her lordess.
Anyone familiar to TGCF (Tian Guan Ci Fu) - a web novel for young people - will notice some of the same styles coming through in Strike The Zither, but the level of control in the prose is stepped up to wonderful heights. Overall, there is a real sense of poise to the dramatic tension created, and development of setting and character to drive the overall telling of the story.
It’s a brilliant, fast-paced page turner that kept bringing new twists and turns to the narrative and created an environment within which the reader is rooting for Zephyr to fulfil both her potential, and her destiny.
Definitely recommended for young people interested in historical action, or fantasy. There is just enough of each to not be overbearing, but enough to be really inspirational as a text. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Text Publishing