fantabulous editor virginia said it was all right
to share my first industry review. a starred review
from ALA’s booklist! i honestly was lightheaded
for twenty minutes after virginia sent this to me.
here’s to more good news in april!! eeee!
If the cover image of a fearless Chinese heroine reminds readers of such films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, that’s intentional; the story inside will, too. First-time novelist Pon has a screenwriter’s talent for producing a sweeping saga, and in this, the first of two books set in ancient China, 17-year-old Ai Ling faces demons, monsters, and gods as she tries to fulfill her destiny. Frightened after a local man tries to blackmail her into marriage, Ai Ling resolves to journey to the emperor’s palace where her missing father was last seen. Along the way, she meets the handsome Chen Yong, who is of mixed parentage and on a quest to find answers to questions about his family that have haunted him his whole life. (In the story’s prologue, readers get hints about his origins.) As in most martial-arts movies, the story sometimes takes a back seat to the action, but Pon doesn’t stint when it comes to her characters. Ai Ling is a clever and determined heroine, Chen’s younger brother is a witty teen whose girl-crazy ways transcend the centuries, and even the monsters have dimension. 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. There’s a bit of sex here, including a near rape, but it’s all integral to a saga that spins and slashes as its heroine tries to find her way home.
— Ilene Cooper
34 Comments
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WOW!
YAHOO!!!!
I am thrilled for you!
Hugs and kisses,
jill
THAT’S AMAZINGLY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Right now I am dancing on my butt on the sofa. It is frightening but that’s how happy I’m for you!
Wow, that’s fantastic. Congratulations, Cindy. I’m sure it must have been scary as you went to read it, but it must have been well worth it. Really, really, really happy for you. Here’s to many more raves. :)
So awesome!!! Congrats!! Can’t wait to buy this book!
Aaaah! That is such a lovely review! Congrats congrats congrats!
WEEEE! I was totally excited to read it, but now I’m even MORE excited. This is so great.
thank you so much everyone! things are moving at a fast pace now it seems! eeeee!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY CINDY!!!
*applauds furiously*
Yay, Cindy!! This is fabulous!
SQEEEEEE that is an awesome review my dear! Well done YOU *spins like a top*
SQEEEEEE that is an awesome review my dear! Well done YOU *spins like a top*
YAY!! I saw this on Verla’s, and just wanted to congratulate you on your blog, too. What a wonderful review!
Marybeth
(does ridiculously spastic happy dance)
(does ridiculously spastic happy dance)
/bootay shake!! =DDD
*dances with jacqui*
That is soooo cool! I’m so happy for you.
Congrats!
“… describing a dinner delicay …”
I had to laugh. I just knew, KNEW, Cindy, that you’d work in food somehow.
Congrats on the review, and good luck on the next one! :-)
“… describing a dinner delicay …”
I had to laugh. I just knew, KNEW, Cindy, that you’d work in food somehow.
Congrats on the review, and good luck on the next one! :-)
YAY! YAY! YAY!! Man, we need those little animated thingies like those on Verla’s board!!
Congrats, Cindy!
xoxox
Lesley
YAY! YAY! YAY!! Man, we need those little animated thingies like those on Verla’s board!!
Congrats, Cindy!
xoxox
Lesley
In the spirit of Jen’s delurking week, I’m commenting to say:
Yay!! That’s awesome!! Congrats doesn’t seem like enough. I’ll do a happy dance for you, how’s that??
If I didn’t want to read the book before I’d do it now! This is over the top great!
Awesome review! Congrats! I bet you’re floating on clouds today. :)
This is so awesome! And I just saw it on Moonrat’s blog too! Go you. You definitely deserve a booty shake. Or a Snoopy Dance. Or both :) I didn’t know you knew moonie, how did you meet? Congratulations again!
Wow! Just Wow! And we have to wait a month to get this? No fair!
you guys are awesome! thanks for delurking, heidi! yay!
heather, i’ve known moonie online for at least two years? she’s my favorite editor after my very own virginia.
nandini–out in 28 days. eeee!
Hi Cindy, is incredible that you commenting on the post in my blog about you book. I don’t believe, is amazing; Very thank you. I wish so so much read Silver Phoenix book and write a review in my blog for the readers in spanish but surely will be late in coming Latinamerica. And the translate and publication in spanish still more. So sad. many time. But, For now, you know that have a fan from Venezuela.
Kisses and wishes,
Fran.
P.D: I love Asian culture, is nice ;)
thanks so much for your comment fran! it’s great to have a fan in venezuela!! =D
ty–fyi, food is a subplot in the novel. haha!
Wow! You totally rock, Cindy! I feel all cool that I know you. :)
I just wish I lived in California, so that I could get an autographed copy of your book, which will probably be worth big money someday. :D
Very fabulous! Yay!
omg cindy thats AMAZING. congrats!!!
im back btw. :) safe and sound! tired. and much plumper. i ate too much.
Greetings. I admire your will and would like you in this heavy situation courage to award pet pictures of mammals ma be raw pork for dogs, Anyway, All the Best.
Nice site! It is an encouragement for someone like me to put my all into one of my passions and I just wanted to say thank you dog Nothing going on , but shrug. canine, Can better? ;)