Feather and Flame

Gr 8 Up–The Emperor of China needs an heir, and there is only one person he trusts. In the years since saving China, Fa Mulan has lived a quiet life in the country training an all-female militia and hunting down bandits who threaten her village. Shang, now a general in the Imperial Army, comes to bring her back to the Imperial City, where the Emperor has asked to see her. Shortly after her ascension to Crown Princess is announced, the Emperor dies, leaving Mulan half-educated and entirely overwhelmed, surrounded by ministers who wish to take her throne for themselves. As Mulan fights a war she is entirely unprepared for, Shang is a bulwark against the political schemes hatched at court as the Huns reenter the political stage. Shang’s steadfast support and straightforward manner ground their Disney movie romance in realism and angst, as the two struggle to balance their duties to China with their own desires. Blackburne packs Mulan’s happily ever after with strong female friendships, a sweet romance, and high stakes, making this an easy hand-sell to fans of the animated movie. Filial piety and ancestor veneration are woven throughout the story, their cultural significance flawlessly introduced to Western readers. Blackburne paints lush settings with historical details, bringing ancient China to life. Characters are Chinese, with some exceptions.