"Blame me, or blame the heavens for placing us on different sides of this war. May we meet in another life."

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for an advance copy.

it has the perfect amount of war politics, found family, and action. i can say this is my favorite book of joan he, maybe one of my favorite book at all. if you enjoy the poppy war series, strike the zither it's the perfect book for you.

i enjoyed every twist and turn here, many of which I did not see coming at all, and I am so impressed by He’s storytelling power. I know this is one I’ll be obsessed with for years to come.

This book just might not be for me. I found the discussions of war strategy and battle scenes to be boring - but I am also the person that ended up just reading the Peace sections of War & Peace. However, the twist in the middle was just bizarre and Zephyr's actions after that were confusing. I am not familiar with the source material.

When I finished Strike the Zither, I actually said “WHAT?” out loud. What a cliffhanger!!! I must have the sequel now! I absolutely devoured this book. The story is just as clever as the main character, renowned strategist Rising Zephyr. Her lordess, Xin Ren, is fighting to free empress Xin Bao from the clutches of Prime Ministress Miasma, who in turn professes to be the protector of the empress and calls Ren a traitor to the empire. Ren and her swornsisters, Cloud and Lotus, are loved by peasants and other common folk, but they are without land or riches. It’s up to Zephyr to strengthen their chances as Ren’s strategist, but victory is not easy with an army lacking in resources. When their troops get trapped by Miasma’s forces, Rising Zephyr decides to use one of her strategems: Hide a Knife Behind a Smile. She pretends to defect to infiltrate the enemy and work from within, help her lordess succeed and win glory for the both of them, but she finally meets another strategist who might just be able to see right through her and to the truth, the enigmatic Crow.

“‘Legend has it that all the ancient zithers are blessed by them. They can make the qì of the player visible to the naked eye. But even if you don’t believe, a zither is so much more than a piece of wood. It’s a way for the like-minded to communicate.’ His voice lowers a notch, and I shiver at the reverence in it. ‘A way to hear another’s truth.’”

Not only was I already hooked from the beginning, with the binding friendships, enemies to lovers, strong female characters, clever ripostes, and witty banter, but the MAJOR PLOT TWIST midway through bowled me over! I was absolutely caught off guard and this very rarely happens when I’m reading. I went into the story blind, having no background in Chinese history or knowledge of “The Three Kingdoms,” the novel Strike the Zither was based on, so I was amazed at every major reveal. If you are already familiar with the story, you might have a different perspective and experience, but I believe you will still enjoy the read. The novel was very well-executed

This was a very interesting story and I always love a main character that loves scheming. So many twists and betrayals and complex relationships that made this books a great read.
You’ll fall in love with the main character and I can even say you won’t really really dislike the bad ones.
If you love atrofies that shows growth and the humans flaws and beauty of it all, you should pick this one up

So, I got an ARC of this while at New York Comic Con last fall, around the same time that I was approved for the digital ARC on NetGalley. And I did start reading it around then. But then I set it aside and got busy with work and all the travel and everything. I didn’t end up picking it up again until recently.

I don’t blame the book. I thought it was interesting, and Zephyr certainly was an interesting character. Again, this was another hazard of my long reading slump struggles. I think I’m coming out of it, which is nice, but I still feel bad when it takes me months to finish a book. Because if I hadn’t set this aside, I know I would have finished it in just a few hours.

I liked all the strategy and intrigue and tactics in this book. Although I will say that at times it felt like Zephyr was a bit full of herself and arrogant. She would go on about how she was so amazingly smart and talented and such a great planner and strategist…….and most of the time I didn’t feel like that was true. Sure, she was smart, but some of her plans didn’t seem fully plotted, and she was outmaneuvered a few times.

This was a complex story, which was pretty interesting. Also, I have no prior knowledge of the tale this book is based on, The Three Kingdoms historical tale from China, but I think I will have to look into it so I can broaden my knowledge-base and cultural horizons.

But still, I was intrigued by the story, and I was definitely interested in Crow, which was what made me finally get around to picking this book up again, after I had abandoned it halfway through. Although, perhaps if I went back and re-read the first half, I might up my rating from a 4 to a 4.5. Most likely I will do a full book re-read before the conclusion comes out this fall.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Roaring Books Press for the e-arc of Strike the Zither by Joan He in exchange for an honest review.


One of my favorite parts of this book (and trust me there are many) is that this isn’t a book where the main character learns to believe in herself. Our main character, Zephyr believed in herself from he get go. It was an exciting change from the norm and I loved getting to see how her confidence impacted the story.

The fast pace writing the author chose for this book works so well with the story and plot. And the twists! Each time I thought the stakes couldn’t be raised any higher, they were. It kept me wanting to read more every time I was forced to put down the book and go back into ‘real life’.

I loved Joan He’s debut novel, Descendent of the Crane and was so excited to jump back into her writing and the world she created.

5/5 Stars

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press for this eARC to review!

4.25/5 stars!

This book was so beautifully complex! Although I am behind to review (my fall approvals were absolutely BONKERS), this book was another refreshing surprise! This was a nice change in pace/writing style and theme compared to most YA books that I'm currently reading and have recently read. While there was still witty banter and intricate relationship dynamics, the overall tone and plotline were much more serious in nature and stayed that way through most of the book. I listened to this book on audio through my Audible subscription, and I definitely feel like it brought certain scenes to life that may not have impacted me the same way had I only read them!
Zephyr was a very intense, severe, and internalized character. Seeing a female character get to be so brilliant, thoughtful, and scheming while still being able to (mostly) be themselves was one of my favorite aspects of her story. She was brave and fearless without being numb to what she was willfully putting herself through for her country and warlordess, and I was not expecting the midpoint plot twist in any way. Zephyr actually being one of the Gods that was sent down to the human realm for punishment added so much more depth to the war plot and scheming between parties. Although I do wish we got much more interaction with the enemy love interest, fellow Strategist Crow, I loved the mystery he added to the story and how she reluctantly gave in to her feelings for him. There was SO much going on in this book, admittedly for someone with ADHD it was hard to keep up with at times. But that may more so be due to my own abilities rather than the book itself. I also didn't see Cricket and November's betrayal at all after their alliance was formed, but after the reveal it was clear that Cricket wanted to take everyone out in any way possible. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC of this title. I enjoyed reading this title. Would recommend for my library.

"Strike the Zither" was an engaging first book in what will, hopefully, be a fantastic series. It starts off a bit slow and was difficult for me to get into, but persistence won out and the last half of the book picked up the pace. The ending was abrupt, so I'd recommend reading with that knowledge that you might be waiting to get closure.

This retelling of a Chinese classic is a really compelling tale of loyalty and strategy in way. Zephyr is the trusted strategist of a underdog warlordess, willing to go to any lengths--including being seen as a traitor--to serve her lordess. But secrets from her past come to light and change everything when she's struck down in an ambush. My only complaint is the abrupt ending, but as it's clearly a series I'm still on board for more.

Twists and turns galore! The character art at the beginning is stunning and I wish more books did that. I can't wait for book 2!

I love this book, it was a really vivid fantasy that struck well. The plot was great, I loved the main character and I liked the Chinese-mythology/magical elements incorporated within. Overall, a 4.5 stars!

Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*

In a war stricken land, three warlordesses are fighting for control of the continent. Zephyr is the strategist for Xin Ren, the weakest of the three with no land to her name. When Zephyr realizes the Ren is in danger, she infiltrates the enemy camp to destroy it from within.

I thought this was an okay story, but at times I was very bored... which is weird for a book so packed with action. This is a retelling of Three Kingdoms, which I am not familiar with.. .so maybe that's why. But, I didn't care for the majority of the characters, and they all felt too similar to tell them apart anyway. The only characters that were distinguishable to me were Zephyr, Crow, Miasma and Xin Ren - which makes sense as they are the main four of the story. I also found it a bit confusing in regard to some character's actions and how easily they believed others when they're told something (I'm looking a you Miasma...). I mean if my enemy's strategist randomly came over and said they were now loyal to me, I think I would be a bit more hesitant inviting them into my camp...

I did love how almost every person in power was a woman though! I also enjoyed the many plot twists, especially the one that people seem to dislike the most. I hadn't seen it coming, so I was curious where the story would go from there.

I think that He has a unique approach to plot development that neither works nor does not work for me. The initial plot feels like typical YA fantasy in this sub-genre but things in the plot started to approach a climax with more than half of the book left, confusing me even before a drastic plot shift no doubt meant to daze and confuse. I spent most of the middle portion wondering what on earth I was reading. Then things came together with the political machinations in such a way that I want to read the sequel to figure out the intrigue.

joan he could do so much better though.... after her first two books, i had high expectations for this one, but i was sadly let down. still a good read though.

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.

I enjoyed this book. The audio took a bit to get used to as Zither's tone is very flat. Zither is the perfect strategist who is absolutely loyal to her lordess. I enjoyed watching her mind twist and turn setting all the different plans. This book has several surprise twists I definitely was not expecting. I am ready for the next book.

From the Publisher:

The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves.

But Zephyr knows it’s no contest.

Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren, a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged—while Ren’s honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren’s followers from being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies than one—and not all of them are human

My Thoughts:

I sat on this book prior to its release in October 2022 because the cover, and the girl on the cover, did not grab me as a devour worthy tale of Asian female bad assery. However, I was looking through this blog and was reminded that He's first novel, Descendent of the Crane also did not have a cover that I liked, but her power to build worlds and plot twists in that book was phenomenal.

Suffice it to say, I came to the Strike the Zither party unfashionably late, however, I'm glad I came. Unlike Descendent (2019) that has no sequel (which is quite maddening, I must say), Zither is part of a duology titled (ironically) Kingdom of Three. Yes, I know there are three warlordessʻ, but it is still funny.

This story is not helmed by any of the three warlordesses. In fact, after getting through 45% of the book according to my e-reader, and without giving anything away, something very Game of Thrones-ish happens. Gah!!!!

He's talent as an author is her ability to drop surprises and twists in her novels, and then move on from those twists in a way that does not break the flow of the story, even for the other characters. The twists are dealt with almost with a sense of stoicism or even Zen. I donʻt know how to explain it without giving too much away. If you love plot twists and Chinese classics turned into tales that imagine a world where of course women are stronger, smarter and more badass than many of the male characters, then this will strike your fancy.

Middle grade readers or YA readers who read Asian fantasy retellings like The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh need to read this next. This book will get readers to YA fantasy authors like Elizabeth Lim and Xiran Jay Zhao.

Publication Details:
Author: Joan He
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (October 25, 2022

“But as long as I breathe, I will scheme.”

/

Joan He’s THE ONES WE’RE MEANT TO FIND was one of my favorite reads of 2021 so when her new fantasy series was announced I just knew I had to get my hands on it. Thank you to the publishers for sending a copy my way! STRIKE THE ZITHER is a completely different beast but it’s thoroughly enjoyable and I can’t wait for the next book.

I loved the main character Zephyr so much! She’s smart, arrogant, loyal, and just a tad bit unhinged. I feel like we don’t see a lot of characters like her in YA so she feels entirely unique and compelling. I could read about her scheming all day!!

I’m not familiar with the original story (the Chinese classic Three Kingdoms) that He has put her own spin on, but I love how many interesting and nuanced female characters she has created. The book has a compelling combo of historical flavor with a fantasy backbone.

The second half of the book takes a rather surprising turn due to plot developments I won’t spoil. Needless to say, I think even diehard fans of the Three Kingdoms won’t see this one coming and I’m still thinking about it!

Joan He is an incredibly talented author. I loved the word in Zither. It’s incredibly fast paced. There are a lot of plot twists and the characters are likable.