The Secrets of Jin-shei FROM THE PUBLISHER
About the Author
Alma Alexander is the author of three acclaimed novels that have been published exclusively in Australia and New Zealand. She was born in Yugoslavia, grew up in Africa, and now lives in the state of Washington. The Secrets of Jin-shei will also be published in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Set in a mythical ancient Chinese kingdom, this evocative novel is sure to be popular with fans of Amy Tan, Gail Tsukiyama, and even Marion Zimmer Bradley. In her first U.S. publication, Alexander (whose previous books were published in Britain and New Zealand) offers a perfect genre-buster: romance, political intrigue, adventure, horror, magic, suspense-and enough anthropological detail to create a believable alternate history. Bound by the inviolable loyalty pledge of jin-shei, eight women, all vastly different and deftly portrayed, move together in a complicated play for power, love, and acceptance. There is dangerous, self-centered Empress Liudan, who begins a quest for immortality; poet Tai, who first commits her heart to a dying princess; fierce warrior Xaforn; master healer Yuet; wise counselor Nhia; scholar Khaelin, who learns alchemy to her own peril; Tammary, a gypsy with a secret lineage; and Qiaan, whose very existence is a danger to them all. Their fabulous world comes alive in their stories: through jin-ashu, the secret women's language; in Lihui, the evil Ninth Sage who steals souls to strengthen his own power yet inspires love; and in the intricate secrets of a dynasty that will prosper or fall by the will of the gods and of its angry empress. Highly recommended.-Jennifer Baker, Seattle P.L. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
In a mythical Chinese kingdom, members of an ancient sisterhood fight, die, and practice sorcery for one another as they struggle to survive. In the semifeminist kingdom of Syai, young girls, whether heirs to the throne or daughters of seamstresses, vow eternal loyalty to those of their peers whom they find compatible. The oath of jin-shei that they take imposes numerous obligations and transcends all other loyalties. Like a gang of blood brothers, these superheroines try to save not only their sisters but the empire itself in a richly imagined but rather wooden narrative that begins and ends with Tai, the daughter of an accomplished seamstress. While visiting the palace with her mother, Tai becomes the sister of the teenager Little Empress Antian, heir to the throne. Tai's loyalty is soon tested, however, when the Summer Palace is destroyed by earthquake and all the Imperial family are killed except Liudan, third in line of succession. When the dying Antian asks Tai to look after her sister Liudan, Tai agrees and is soon sister to the new Empress. This relationship will make her life and those of her six other sisters increasingly difficult and dangerous. In separate chapters, those other six are introduced: Xaforn, an orphan raised by the Imperial Guard to be a soldier; crippled Nhia, known for her wisdom; Qiaan, who has a strong social conscience and a secret in her past; Khailin, an alchemist; Tamary, who is descended from royalty and gypsies; and Yuet , a healer. As Liudan consolidates her imperial power, her siblings become increasingly involved in preserving her kingdom, which is soon threatened by powerful enemies led by the evil sorcerer Lihui, who raped Nhia and forced Khailinto marry him. All the sisters are soon caught up in struggle that will take many of their lives. Full indeed, and yet, even so, more episodic than epic.
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