"Cutting edge historical fantasy"
During the Tang Dynasty in the city of Bao Fang, a young
girl loses her father and brothers in an accident at sea
forcing the female survivors (she, her sisters and her
mother), to live with their Aunt Wang Tie Tie. In an age
when women are subordinate to men, Wang Tie Tie is an
independent person who runs her own household and
businesses. She sends her niece Xiao Yen to school to
learn to be a PAPER MAGE, one who folds paper into shapes
and bring them to life. Xiao Yen promises her aunt that she will do daring deeds
to attract the attention of the god Zhang so he will give
her a peach to give to her an aunt so she too will become
immortal. On her very first job, guiding two men to a
predetermined destination, she slays a dragon, frees a
goddess from a tyrant's spell, and kills an evil
dictator. Slaying someone forces Xiao Yen to decide
whether she wants to be a traditional Middle Kingdom woman
or an independent person. It is very obvious that the author researched Ancient
Chinese culture and history during the time of Charlemagne
in Europe so that readers obtain a very visual picture of
the country. The heroine is an interesting mix of
independence and dependency on her family. When she grows
into being a mage, she does so knowing what many of the
ramifications will be. Leah R. Cutter has written a
cutting edge historical fantasy balanced between plenty of
action, strong visualization of Ancient China, and deep
introspective pondering on the part of a delightful
protagonist. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted February 21, 2004
|
