I forgot to post this smh

AT THE MOMENT this is a 4 star, because as part of a duology with a lot (and I do mean a lot) of moving pieces who's effects are consequential in hindsight, I am reserving the right to push this higher when those consequences come about in book 2.

Unlike Descendants of the Crane (which has an open-ish ending, letting the reader wonder how Hesina & co. get on after their...exploits) or The Ones We're Meant to Find (which is a pretty open/shut case for Cee & Kasey going forward), Strike the Zither is based around events and people within a defined timeline. This isn't a one-for-one reimagining that simply changed names, but it does take heavy inspiration from its source The Three Kingdoms.

This means, at the end of the day, fans of TTK will recognize plot elements, though not necessarily how they perceive them. I sincerely hope this also means anyone who enjoys STZ will read TTK, as its a series I enjoyed as a teen and onwards (I do not have the Moss Roberts version however, something I mean to fix).

Unfamiliar with TTK? That's fine! He doesn't spoon feed you the plot or the relationships or motivations, but she does spend time ensuring you understand the stakes for each. This is as much a romance of political intrigues as it is the story of warring nations.

And so we're clear, I was a Cao Cao fan as a teen and I am a Miasma fan now. NO I WILL NOT TAKE NOTES ABOUT MY PREFERENCES. ( )

This was a beautiful story written very well. I loved how the characters were written, they were strong characters. The story is full of twists that you will not see coming, but it will have you keep reading, I could not put this book down. It is about the Xian Dynasty, which I have been curious about so it was nice to read this book that was in that setting. This is inspired by the Chinese tale of The Three Kingdoms, it is pretty awesome to get this sneak peak into the year of 414. Zephyr is a character that was written in a way that she is unforgettable. The story is amazing, like it transported me to where everything was happening. I will definitely read more by this author. It was such an unexpected delight. I super super enjoyed reading this story, the cover was very eye catching. I can not wait to read more of this, i am happy that i got the chance to read this ( )

To start off, I love the cover on Strike the Zither by Joan He it is very lovely and fits the storyline well. Also, The cover is what pulled me in than I read the synopsis and it got me very intrested in reading the novel. I loved the color scheme of the novels cover it pulls you in. The title is intresting as well. This story is Joan He's reimagined version of the Chinese Classical Tale of the three kingdoms. This story takes place in 414 during the reign of the Xin Dynasty. I loved reading the novel it's well thought out and has a great storyline. The storyline was exciting and kept me pulled into it. I did not want to put it down and wanted more. I have never read the classical tale of the three kingdoms but this book has gotten me interested in it. ( )

Strike the Zither is a magical, transporting and fast-paced epic fantasy inspired by the Chinese classic, the Three Kingdoms. In a fractured, war-torn land, three Lordesses fight for control. Zephyr is a brilliant strategist dedicated to protecting and advancing the Lordess Xin Ren. Zephyr is forced to make the risky choice to infiltrate the enemy's ranks to destroy them from within. The plot drives the story; however, every key character is complex and layered. Zephyr is a stunning main character, bold, confident, brilliant, loyal and unshakeable. The clever, moody Crow is a fantastic foil. I loved that so many of the powerful characters are women and that the themes of sisterhood and found family are explored. The writing is immersive, evocative and vivid. The story is nuanced and filled with military strategy, intrigue and shocking twists. I appreciated the beautiful character art, map and notes offering insight into the original Three Kingdoms. Highly anticipating the sequel! Thanks to BookishFirst for a copy to reviiew. ( )

Plenty of grimness, gore, and treachery here, but mixed nicely and with a real surprise halfway through. Intriguing cast of players and an ending that has me eager for more. ( )