Review: Strike the Zither by Joan He

 Book: Strike The Zither

Author: Joan He

Release Date:  Oct 25, 2022

Disclaimer: ARC via a Netgalley

 

               Joan He’s latest book, Strike the Zither, is the first in a series inspired by the Chinese epic novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms.  A gender bent Three Kingdoms, even.

               The focus of the novel is on Zephyr who is the strategies for Ren, a lordess who is fighting out of loyalty to the Empress.  Their primary opponent is Miasma and her strategist – Crow, who is also the only male character for much of the book. 

               He has a difficult job of not alienating those familiar with the inspiration while also engaging those readers unfamiliar with Romance of The Three Kingdoms.  The risk for info dumping is high in this type of situation.  He skillfully avoids such pit traps.  When her characters explain things, it comes about organically (or to be more exact seemingly organically).  There is no sense of “let me pause the story to explain”.   

               Zephyr is an interesting character.  She is brilliant but far from perfect, a nice touch that makes her a rather compelling character.   Is she a bit conceited and overly proud?  Of course because she has reason to be.  But despite her pride, Zephyr does win over the reader’s sympathy and interest.  Perhaps it is because she is loyal, or her willingness to do what needs to be done, or her human sorrow and questing.  There is a bit of wobble when the reveal comes, but that eventually makes Zephyr more human and develops her even more as character.

               The supporting characters are a  bit less well drawn.  In part this seems because they are the characters from the source material, and epic characters are rarely moved beyond types.  To be fair, this slightly changes after the reveal.  To be honest, I had slightly mixed feelings after that, but He’s writing and the development of the characters won me over.  The book also examines the questions of loyalty and ties.  What makes us support one person over another?  How do we justify or allow for betrayal? 

               And it is nice to read an epic story about sisterhood instead of simply brotherhood with women as afterthoughts.  (Yes, I am still pissed about the Song of Roland).

               And it is an epic story.