Monday, September 9, 2019

Review: The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas

Title: Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan
Author: Sherry Thomas
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Retelling
Published By: Tu Books (September 10, 2019)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 5 Solid Stars!!


Book Description:
CHINA, 484 A.D.

A Warrior in Disguise
All her life, Mulan has trained for one purpose: to win the duel that every generation in her family must fight. If she prevails, she can reunite a pair of priceless heirloom swords separated decades earlier, and avenge her father, who was paralyzed in his own duel.

Then a messenger from the Emperor arrives, demanding that all families send one soldier to fight the Rouran invaders in the north. Mulan's father cannot go. Her brother is just a child. So she ties up her hair, takes up her sword, and joins the army as a man.

A War for a Dynasty
Thanks to her martial arts skills, Mulan is chosen for an elite team under the command of the princeling--the royal duke's son, who is also the handsomest man she's ever seen. But the princeling has secrets of his own, which explode into Mulan's life and shake up everything she knows. As they cross the Great Wall to face the enemy beyond, Mulan and the princeling must find a way to unwind their past, unmask a traitor, and uncover the plans for the Rouran invasion . . . before it's too late.


Inspired by wuxia martial-arts dramas as well as the centuries-old ballad of Mulan, The Magnolia Sword is perfect for fans of Renee Ahdieh, Marie Lu, or Kristin Cashore--a thrilling, romantic, and sharp-edged novel that lives up to its beloved heroine. 










If there was one person I knew I could trust to do a retelling of the Mulan ballad, it would be Sherry Thomas. 

I am so pleased to say that trust wasn't misplaced because not only was this an incredible read but it was captivating, entertaining and had enough of Sherry's creative imagination added to the story that it almost felt like it could stand up all on it's own and not even be a retelling, while still maintaining the integrity of the original. It short, it was breathtaking. 

So hard to put down, so beautifully done, and so completely addicting. I truly did not want this story to end and I loved every heart stopping, heart warming, heart pounding page of it.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

16 comments:

  1. Oh wow, the praise is high! I'm definitely more intrigued for this one! Great review!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. Thanks so much and it really was just so good!

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  2. I'm so glad you loved this, Ali! I loved a lot about this book too because duh, Sherry Thomas! I just felt like I wasn't smart enough for this book at times. Like a lot of the world building and plot went above my head and that's all on me. I loved the characters though! They were fantastic.

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    1. The characters were by far the best part of it. ;)

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  3. Wow fantastic review and I'm going to be googling all about the original story right now and maybe pick up the book too!

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  4. I feel like I need to try Sherry thomas at some point. Glad this was a good Mulan story!

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  5. This Mulan retelling sounds really good! I can see why you enjoyed it so much.

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    1. It really was sooo good! I loved how unexpected it was for me even though I adore this author.

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  6. While I haven't read anything by this author, I was looking forward to reading this one. I'm so glad they hype is real. :)

    Can't wait to read it!

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  7. I love Mulan, and I'm glad to hear that this retelling didn't disappoint! I haven't read this author before, but it looks like I need to check her out!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. I really hope you do, I haven't read anything bad from her yet!

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  8. I love Mulan. I'm really glad this was a well done look at her life.


    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Me too and this really was done so well and was just so much fun!

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