Strike the Zither (Kingdom of Three #1) (Hardcover)
Other Books in Series
This is book number 1 in the Kingdom of Three series.
- #2: Sound the Gong (Kingdom of Three #2) (Hardcover): $19.99
Staff Reviews
The 14th century Chinese classic The Three Kingdoms told stories of betrayal, greed, ambition, and plenty of scheming. Joan He reimagines this epic work as a young adult novel with a feminist bent, giving the role of hero to a girl named Zephyr. She’s a strategist with a wily, brilliant mind, who contrives ways to outsmart enemies with a small but loyal army led by a warlordess. From the beginning, Zephyr’s bold, somewhat arrogant voice drew me into her story, and I loved her verbal clashes with Crow, strategist to a rival army. The way the two also speak to each other through music played on a zither is absolutely charming and has all the makings of enemies-to-lovers romance. Not much in a Joan He novel is ever quite what it seems though. The plot twist this time takes the book in a direction I can only describe as equally humorous and heartbreaking, and the cliff-hanger ending has me longing for book two!
— Jenny ChouNovember/December 2022 Kids Indie Next List
“I was totally enthralled with Strike the Zither! It’s exciting and intriguing, full of fierce women who display their own brand of strength and intelligence. The twists and reveals made me gasp out loud. I can’t wait for the next volume!”
— Ann Branson, Beach Books, Seaside, OR
Description
A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, Strike the Zither is a powerful, inventive, and sweeping fantasy that reimagines the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms.
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 hope 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.
Featuring gorgeous map art by Anna Frohmann and black-and-white portraits by Tida Kietsungden, Strike the Zither is the first book in Joan He's riveting Kingdom of Three duology. Don't miss the epic conclusion in Sound the Gong!
About the Author
Joan He was born and raised in Philadelphia but still, on occasion, loses her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that stories are her favorite kind of art. She studied psychology and Chinese history at the University of Pennsylvania and now writes from Chicago. She is the bestselling author of The Kingdom of Three duology, The Ones We're Meant to Find, and Descendant of the Crane, her young adult debut novel.
joanhewrites.com | @joanhewrites
Praise For…
"A fierce reimagining of the Chinese classic... Full of twists and surprises that shock and delight, building up to the epic conclusion that left me gasping." - Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Book of Tea duology"
“A brilliant exploration of destiny and identity!” - Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow
"Rich with intrigue and epic in scale. Strike the Zither grows tall on the heroic classics it draws from, yet beats powerfully with a heart of its own." - Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the These Violet Delights Duet
"A riveting series opener." Kirkus, starred review
"Powerful, action-packed prose, quick pacing, anticipatory atmosphere, and immersive worldbuilding exemplify the origins of the source material while developing a distinct and evocative adventure." Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An intricate, expansive epic...this book is as ambitious as its scheming, ruthless cast—and just like its narrator, delivers above and beyond." - Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow series and Little Thieves
"Filled with twists and turns... A meticulously plotted, supremely satisfying story that explores identity, legacy, and loyalty in unexpected ways." - Hannah Whitten, New York Times-bestselling author of For the Wolf
"A page-turner, full of unexpected twists, with an expansive, intricate world of sisterhood and subterfuge... A standout work from a remarkable author." - Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six
"Richly layered and highly creative... A truly magnificent book." - June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace
"In this tautly plotted, vividly reimagined tale of a beloved Chinese classic, He orchestrates an epic page-turner... STRIKE THE ZITHER will keep you guessing—and gasping for more." - June CL Tan, internationally bestselling author of Jade Fire Gold
"This soaring, masterful retelling becomes an epic all of its own... Readers will get lost in this rich, gorgeous, and dangerous world." Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil
"A twisty, body-snatching, gender-flipped retelling of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Prepare to be transported." Rebecca Lim, award-winning author of Tiger Daughter
