"Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia" by Cindy Pon
Synopsis:
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 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.
Review:
Rating-***** (stars)
I just finished this book today and after I finished it I just sat there trying to figure out what happened. This ending leaves you wanting more adventure, which I'm sure the sequel will have plenty of. I first picked up this book because of the beautiful artwork on the cover. The cover art is exactly as I picture Ai Ling. Cindy Pon's use of imagery throughout the story is breathtaking. When she is describing the gardens of the Golden Palace I feel like I'm really there gazing upon the landscape and the majestic creatures with Ai Ling. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy novels, you won't be disappointed.
