This novel focuses on the warriors and legendary Trung sisters in Vietnam. I didn't know this aspect of history and found the author, Phong Nguyen, included a lot of rich and interesting details that kept me entertained. The sisters are part of the woman-centered culture, in which they have lovers but do not marry and rule the family. The Hans invade and take over, enforcing marriage and a patriarchy. Nguyen is able to capture the voice and place the reader inside the heads of the characters. There is detailed character development of the Trung sisters and others. I highly recommend this book describing the Trung sisters' fight back against the newly imposed system.

I received an ARC of Bronze Drum from NetGalley.

Being Viet-American, I was so excited to see an upcoming novel on the Trung Sisters, a story I've long wanted to see in more published works (hello, two sisters fighting imperial forces? give me all the stories around it!)

Nguyen's early tone sets the stage for the grand stakes at play early on, as well as the the historical context at play (the reader is immediately drawn into the moment of increasing Chinese domination and tension of shifting tides). The pivotal moment that triggers the quick evolution of the story is absolutely heart wrenching, infuriating, and initiates such a diversity in character responses. I was screaming into my book and so frustrated, but I think that's the best response. Each of the reactions perfectly illustrates the characterization of each individual sister, and their reactions set the stage for the subsequent evolution of the plot. Overall, my adrenaline was rushing after this turning point and I was deeply invested in the story unfolding. Pacing, I think, is the strong suit of this novel.

Now for some caveats. If you are someone who requires 'deep POV' from your novels, this one does have a good deal of narrative distance from the reader and the characters of the story. I didn't find this two bothersome, and it heightened the sense of me as a reader witnessing a historical moment. But something to consider in regard to personal taste, since I spoke to some other readers who did take issue with the writing style and the distance from characters.

I do also think there might be some nuance with gender dynamics lost in the text. Overall, Nguyen does a great job. Each sister is distinct, and clearly reacting against the patriarchal system being forced upon them by empire in different ways. However, some dialogue or reactions (particularly as reactions to gender norms, expectations, class, or reckoning on their own role as women within the story) sometimes felt just a bit off to me. These were relatively minor, but because of my own role as a Viet-American woman and the somewhat 'personal' nature of the narrative for me, I couldn't help but notice them.

If you are a fan of epic historical novels, and flawed heroines, then Bronze Drum will be a book you'll want to check out.

BRONZE DRUM by Phong Nguyen is a vivid retelling of the legendary Trung sisters, who led an army of Viet women in a fight for independence against the Han Chinese in 40 CE. Part history and part myth, Nguyen’s imaginative account involves sibling rivalry, lovers, uncooperative (male) governors, and a hefty dose of feminist girl power.

While it took a while to get into the story due to the slow buildup, once I was halfway in, I was riveted by the saga of the Viet resistance against Han Chinese rule. I loved learning about this piece of history, and found the comparisons between Viet and Han culture illuminating. The all-women army was inspiring, and learning about the role of bronze drums in directing military formations as well as in broader cultural use was fascinating.

I do wish the Trung sisters had been given slightly more interesting back stories with complex subplots besides that of their romances. I struggled at times with the pacing and writing, but it didn’t keep me from devouring the book anyway. The scenes were cinematic - I could easily picture the different settings in my imagination, and could see this being turned into an epic movie!

Despite the uneven reading experience, this is a story that will stick with me. I’d recommend it for readers of KAIKEYI or other feminist retellings of ancient history / myths. It was a intriguing look into ancient Vietnamese history - a subject that I know little about. So glad to have read this!

Based on the true story of two sisters who trained for war their whole lives, and then raised an army to defend Vietnam from the Han.

Overall 4
Spice 1

Slow & Atmospheric
Attention to Detail
Vietnamese History and Culture
Tragic Ending
Similar to The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Feminist
Strong Female MMCs
History Textbook Meets Fiction
Exploration of Sisterhood

Thank you to NetGalley and to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with ARC of Bronze Drum by Phong Nguyen

Diversity and representation in the historical fiction space, particularly the ancient stories are hard to come by which is why I was so excited for the book and would describe it as similar in vein to The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec. However, I feel like this piece leans heavily on historical context and the way it is written in 3rd person (almost removed emotionally) gives it a slight textbook flavor rather than a fictional rendering of a historical narrative. The blurb also didn’t capture the tragic nature of the story (which I think does the reader a slight disservice. I hate sad endings.) So be prepared for that. Overall I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 because as a fictionalized historical text it is spot-on as historical fiction it is lacking

This was a very creative story, not sure if it will blow up, but definitely a great addition to collections where Beasts of a Little Land was a strong circulater

This book is a great option for people interested in historical fiction that takes place in ancient times and stories with strong female protagonists. It is awesome to learn about ancient Vietnamese legends and warrior women!

Set in ancient Vietnam, Bronze Drum tells the legend of two sisters who led a rebellion against the Han Chinese rulers in their land. Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị are daughters of a lord and raised as ladies. But Lord Trưng knows that they may one day have to protect themselves from the Han and so he does everything he can to have them trained in the art of fighting and in leadership. As tragedies grip their family, Trắc and Nhị are driven to revenge, raising an army of eighty thousand women to defeat the Han.

I was very excited to read this story. As a child of Vietnamese immigrants, I am always thirsting for stories that involve Vietnamese history and culture. I had never heard of the legend of the Trưng warrior sisters before but I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis.

The first third of the book was a bit of a slow start for me. I struggled a bit to get into the story because I wasn't used to the writing style that was so different from what I usually read (which is mostly contemporary romance). After I got used to the prose of this book, I was able to fly through it. Phong Nguyen spent that first third of the book depicting the cushy lifestyle that the sisters lived. Once that peace was smashed and Nhị decided to do something about it, I couldn't stop turning the pages. There was a lot going on in the story and I was engrossed in every bit of the drama.

Trac and Nhi's relationship was as complicated as any sister relationship. They had very different personalities - Trac was more reserved and calculating whereas Nhi was more impulsive and wild. They resented each other for their differences yet they had a fierce love for one another at the same time. When it came time for them to lead the others, they were able to work well together (mostly) in their common cause.

Trắc and Nhị were fierce warriors who the impossible of raising and leading an army of women to victory over the Han. They were driven not only by revenge for their loved ones, but also for love of their country, people, and ancestors. When Trắc declared herself as the "She-King", I pumped my fist in the air to celebrate her badassery.

Pick up this historical fiction novel for an engrossing and inspiring story about two sisters leading the charge in a revolution.

⚠️: death of a loved one, cruel punishment, murder, war, suicide

War, love, and sisterhood. Based on the true story of two warrior sisters who raised an army of women to overthrow the Han Chinese and rule as kings over the united people from ancient Vietnam. The story follows the two daughters of a Vietnamese lord in 40 CE in the Au Lac region of Ancient Vietnam. The Lord has trained them all their lives to fight, study, and stay true to the Vietnamese traditions. Older sister Trung Trac is disciplined and wise, always excelling at her duty while younger sister Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned about spending her time doing as she pleases and with lovers. These sisters lives will be forever changed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They will be forced to either accept this new rule or rebel and when their father is executed they find that there is only one path left for them, vengeance and rebellion. With no man to save them these girls will come together and unite the women of Vietnam into an army and fight for their freedom and independence.This was a lyrical story filled with culture and adventure. I had a great time reading about this learning more about Vietnamese stories. As a Vietnamese person myself it was fascinating to learn something new about my own culture and to read this story that celebrates real women of legends with a story about love, loss, and resilience and the strength that we have to great our greatest obstacles

*Thanks Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*