It was well written, there is no denying that. It was grammatically correct and there were no misspellings that I found, as well as the writing was anything but plain. From the prettiest to the gnarliest of moments, the description was what kept me reading this one through to the end. However, being similar to a Chinese drama means that Strike the Zither also suffers from similar problems that such dramas encounter. These problems include an inability to distinguish between different characters’ significance, transmigration into another body that reads as wildly predictable and contrived, and all in all, difficulty comprehending exactly what is going on. You.” I point my fan at Lotus. “Ride down to the bridge with a hundred of your best and employ Beget Something from Nothing.”

Strike the Zither | Joan He | 9781250258588 | NetGalley Strike the Zither | Joan He | 9781250258588 | NetGalley

Filled with twists and turns, STRIKE THE ZITHER is a meticulously plotted, supremely satisfying story that explores identity, legacy, and loyalty in unexpected ways. This is Joan He’s best yet." - Hannah Whitten, New York Times-bestselling author of FOR THE WOLF Joan He will stun readers with her latest book. Richly layered and highly creative, Strike the Zither offers a world brimming with war, love, and unforgettable characters. A truly magnificent book.’—June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace Come midway point though, I felt like the narrative train jumped off its railed and decided to start being a hovercraft instead, shooting lasers and tumbling headfast into strange directions. Pew pew!Intimidate,” she repeats under her breath. “Got it.” Then she’s galloping down the mountain on her beastly stallion and referring to herself by name in that gauche way some warriors do before riding into battle. “Lotus won’t disappoint!” He] has crafted a world immense scope, artfully tweaking history to create a story where the fate of a realm lies in the hands of unapologetically fierce women…Unique and intelligent.’

Kingdom of Three Series by Joan He - Goodreads

The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured and three warlordesses each hopes to claim the continent for herself. Watching a Chinese drama — that’s what reading Joan He’s Strike the Zither, a reimagining of the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, feels a lot like. The sheer amount of characters, the epic dynamics, and the power struggles all exemplify the essence of a Chinese television drama, complete with the historical costuming and richly evocative setting. One has to applaud He for taking such an esteemed story into her own creative hands.Joan He will stun readers with her latest book. Richly layered and highly creative, Strike the Zither offers a world brimming with war, love, and unforgettable characters. A truly magnificent book.’