Coming soon to library shelves is a new YA fantasy by Joan He that reimagines the classic Chinese epic of the Three Kingdoms.
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Strike the Zither by Joan He
The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves.
But Zephyr knows it’s no contest.
Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren, a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged—while Ren’s honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren’s followers from being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies than one—and not all of them are human.
What’s New This Month
The new short story collections
Whiteout and
Scattered Showers are on the way, both packed with contributions by excellent YA authors. Also incoming are buzzworthy debuts by Maya Prasad and Ann Liang, the sequel to Tracy Deonn’s
Legendborn, and new books from authors like Marissa Meyer, Nafiza Azad, Neal Shusterman, Eric Gansworth, S.K. Ali, Kristin Cashore, and more.
What We’re Reading
Here are some quotes from library staff about the books in the newest list of recommended picks.
Sadie by Courtney Summers: “The novel alternates between her POV and a reporter, who makes a podcast of what he pieces together. It's so good!”
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton: “This book is a pink fluffy cupcake with cyanide filling. *Glorious.*”
For more lists of recommended reads from the book world and beyond: