Title: The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan
Author: Sherry Thomas
First published September 10, 2019
348 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781620148044 (ISBN10: 1620148048)
Rating: 4.1
Overview
In the year 484 A.D., Mulan has been training her whole life for one thing – to win the family duel and reunite two heirloom swords. After her father is paralyzed, Mulan takes up the mantle to fight in his place.
But when the Emperor demands that each family send a soldier to fight the Rouran invaders, Mulan must disguise herself as a man to join the army. Her martial arts skills earn her a place in an elite team under the command of the princeling, the most handsome man she’s ever seen.
However, the princeling has secrets that could change everything. As they journey beyond the Great Wall to face the enemy, Mulan and the princeling must confront their past and uncover a traitor before it’s too late.
Inspired by the ballad of Mulan and martial arts dramas, this romantic and thrilling novel is perfect for fans of Renee Ahdieh, Marie Lu, or Kristin Cashore. Join Mulan on her quest for vengeance and honor in The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas.
About the Author
Sherry Thomas, a USA Today-bestselling author, has made it her life’s goal to write every type of book she enjoys reading. She has already published romance, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and three books inspired by the martial arts epics she grew up reading.
Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, such as the New York Times and National Public Radio.
Her Lady Sherlock historical mystery series, consisting of A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, and The Hollow of Fear, have all been named NPR’s best books of the year. Her 2019 release, The Magnolia Sword, is the first young adult retelling of the original Ballad of Mulan in the English language.
Sherry immigrated from China at age 13, and English is her second language.
Critics have praised her work, with New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn saying, “Sherry Thomas has done the impossible and crafted a fresh, exciting new version of Sherlock Holmes.” Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series, has also praised Thomas’s work, saying, “Thomas weaves a lush, intricate fantasy world around a gorgeous romance that kept me riveted until the very last page. What a breathtaking journey!” Finally, Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author, has called Thomas “the most powerfully original historical romance author writing today.”
Editoral Review
Sherry Thomas’s “The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan” is an exquisite retelling of the beloved Chinese legend that has been embraced by countless global audiences. Thomas has won several awards, including the RITA Award for Best Historical Romance in 2012 for “His at Night,” and has been a New York Times bestseller on multiple occasions.
Indeed, in “The Magnolia Sword,” she translates her talent and expertise to a new domain: the epic historical fiction realm. “The Magnolia Sword” is first and foremost an ode to Mulan, an iconic figure in Chinese mythology who famously masqueraded as a male soldier to save her father from being conscripted into a losing war.
Thomas’s imaginative and compassionate take on the story seduces readers into Mulan’s world, where they experience her psychology, emotions, and challenges firsthand. Thomas’s writing style is elegant, poetic, and dramatic, echoing the rich literary tradition of China while also setting the tone for the unique atmosphere of her story.
The book’s plot revolves around Mulan’s struggle to live up to her family’s values, her conflicted feelings about love and duty, and her fight to save her country from a menacing pagan army. The narrative is full of adrenaline-fueled battles, amazing feats of martial arts, and intricate morally ambiguous schemes.
Thomas’s world-building is superb, with a special emphasis on the Chinese culture of that time period. At the same time, “The Magnolia Sword” transcends the confines of traditional historical fiction by exploring themes that are relevant and pressing today.
For example, Thomas highlights the marginalization of women in Chinese society at that time, and how their worth was measured mostly by their marriageability and obedience. Mulan’s journey, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the ongoing feminist struggles in both China and the world.
Thomas also weaves issues of identity, race, and colonialism into her tapestry, challenging readers to question their preconceptions and biases. In terms of characterization, “The Magnolia Sword” boasts vibrant, dynamic, and complex characters who all add to the book’s layering and authenticity.
Mulan, in particular, emerges as a three-dimensional, believable heroine who is torn between her filial piety and her thirst for individuality. Other characters, such as the enigmatic General Cheng and the sinister Yang Cheng, leave a lasting impression and raise more questions than answers, which add to the suspense of the narrative.
If there is any criticism to be directed toward “The Magnolia Sword,” it would only be that the pacing occasionally lags, especially in the middle of the book. However, this is a minor quibble, considering that the overall structure of the novel is sound and engaging.
Moreover, Thomas’s prose, while undeniably gorgeous, can sometimes become too flowery, which might alienate readers who prefer a more straightforward style. Nevertheless, “The Magnolia Sword” is a triumph for Sherry Thomas, and an unmissable literary experience for anyone interested in Chinese culture, history, or mythology.
It is a poignant, epic, and stirring testament to the power of storytelling and the human spirit. It earns a well-deserved 5/5 rating for its stunning imagination, meticulous research, brilliant characterization, and compelling themes.
