Publishers Weekly
★ 01/22/2024
Seventeen-year-old Guxue has spent her life as an apprentice qin player at one of the most esteemed entertainment houses in the fantasy Kingdom of Qi. Though a talented musician, Xue has few prospects outside of her contract; her family was executed, and her only remaining uncle can’t support them both as a traveling poet. Then Xue finds a patron in the enigmatic Duke Meng Jinglang, who buys out her contract after the pair team up to fend off a horrifying monster during a private performance. Upon arriving at his isolated mountain estate, Xue discovers that the handsome yet awkward Jinglang is the Duke of Dreams, an immortal ruler of the Celestial Realm. Initially overwhelmed by the Celestials’ potentially deadly political maneuvering, Xue pushes her abilities—channeled through her qin—to their limits to help Jinglang unlock hidden memories of his deceased mentor, who was on the verge of uncovering a conspiracy that could shake the foundations of the ethereal realms. Lin (A Venom Dark and Sweet) weaves together poetry, music, and Chinese folklore to compose a gorgeously written, captivating story of love, grief, and family that’s anchored in a vibrant world of danger and intrigue. Ages 13–up. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Song of the Six Realms:
A New York Times Bestseller
An ABA Indies Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
"Lin (A Venom Dark and Sweet) weaves together poetry, music, and Chinese folklore to compose a gorgeously written, captivating story of love, grief, and family that’s anchored in a vibrant world of danger and intrigue." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Lin’s uncommonly beautiful prose ("I was no longer a girl orphaned . . . I was the song, spiraling upwards. A water spirit, dancing in the light") transports readers to a world rich with descriptive details and an intricately layered plot full of mystery and intrigue. Xue’s narration imparts intimacy to this otherwise epic tale; the xianxia fantasy with Gothic elements is an inspired pairing, and Lin’s choices in style and narration are the perfect complement to this C-drama-worthy tearjerker. Fantasy readers will be delighted with this standalone follow-up to Lin’s bestselling Book of Tea duology." —BCCB, starred review
"A love letter to the power of music and a heady tour through a setting inspired by Chinese mythology and legend. ... Refreshing ... With a smart, steadfast heroine, a charming love interest and compelling side characters, Song of the Six Realms is a dazzling, dreamlike escape into a world of powerful poetry, godly magic and humble heroism." —BookPage, starred review
"A sweeping, breathtaking epic. Song of the Six Realms is the flawless meld of romantic gothic atmosphere with vivid storytelling spun from Chinese mythology." —Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of These Violent Delights
"A beautiful, mesmerizing tale by one of my favorite storytellers. Song of the Six Realms is filled with mystery, wonder, and a slow burning romance that left me breathless." —Axie Oh, New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
"Enchanting and beautiful, Song of the Six Realms will sweep readers into a glittering yet perilous world of gods and demons, captivating them with its magic, mystery and slow-burn romance." —Sue Lynn Tan, USA Today-bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess
"Judy I. Lin basically put a spell on all of us with A Magic Steeped in Poison and now she's taking it one step further with her brand new standalone novel that combines magic, music, and romance. And yes, it will totally fill that hole in your heart after having to say goodbye to The Book of Tea duology that [we] so sadly had to say goodbye to in 2022. Trust us though, this book was certainly worth the wait." —Cosmopolitan
"Ephemeral, beautiful language lends a fairy-tale feel to a narrative with intrigue, nightmares, and twists around every corner; there is a strong Chinese cultural infusion, and the heady romance is slow-burning." —Booklist
"Full of magic, mystery, music, poetry, and intrigue. The detailed and impressive worldbuilding incorporates Chinese culture, food, lore, and poetry. ... A beautiful, engaging fantasy." —Kirkus Reviews
"Inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, Lin builds a fantastical gothic story immersed in Chinese mythology and folktales. ... Xue’s musicianship is shown through poetic tales woven into the text, aided by lush scenic descriptions that reveal the tone and mood of each song. ... A beautifully detailed Gothic fantasy that explores how ignorance and deceit can crumble a community." —School Library Journal
"The latest novel from the author of A Magic Steeped in Poison once again deftly mixes Chinese folklore with music and romance in a delicately rendered fantasy world." —Paste
"YA fantasy readers will adore this beautifully written standalone based on Chinese mythology." —IGN
"This absorbing fantasy combines elements of Chinese mythology and folklore with a compelling mystery to keep the pages turning. Author Judy I. Lin skillfully builds a sweeping world with colorful, easy-to-root-for characters which creates an epic backdrop for exploring grief, love, destiny, choice, and much more." —Common Sense Media
Praise for A Venom Dark and Sweet:
A New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
"Thrilling ... An immensely satisfying conclusion to this duology. ... Teens will be clamoring for more." —School Library Journal
Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A 2022 PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of Summer
A Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2022
A USA Today Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
An ABA Indies Next Pick
"Beautifully written, from the setting to the magic system, A Magic Steeped in Poison is sure to enchant both fantasy lovers and cdrama aficionados. I’ll be inhaling whatever Judy I. Lin brews up next." —Joan He, New York Times-bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find
"Blend threads of Chinese and Taiwanese mythology with a generous pinch of courage, a hint of romance, and a underlying note of mystery, then steep in a pot of court intrigue and serve in a bowl of evocative storytelling … Who could resist a fantasy about the magic of tea? In her remarkable debut novel, Judy I. Lin creates a world rich in folkloric magic, in which a young woman must stand up against the machinations of the powerful, centuries of protocol, and her own feelings of guilt in order to save a loved one." —Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters series
"A breathtaking tale with a stunning magic system rooted deep in Chinese mythology and tea-making traditions. Lin's originality truly blew my mind. Love and magic overflows past the brim in this work of beauty." —Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow
"Ning’s unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. ... Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner." —Booklist, starred review
"Lush, descriptive prose sells the well-built magic system of this world, and every plot twist surprises and delights, making this a rich fantasy page-turner. As much a political thriller as a fantasy, this is a quieter, excellent companion to Xiran Jay Zhao’s Iron Widow and Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights. The ending will have readers begging for the sequel." —School Library Journal
"Vivid descriptions of foods and scents of tea delight the senses, while cinematic prose captures the beauty of the landscapes ... The magic system is unique, and the tea competition, with its well-established importance to the protagonist, adds tension. ... This sophisticated fantasy is as refreshing as a freshly brewed pot of tea, and readers will eagerly await the sequel." —The Bulletin
School Library Journal
04/01/2024
Gr 9 Up—Xue's an orphaned yuè-hù, one of the lowest societal ranks in the Kingdom of Qi. Five years ago, her uncle left her at the House of Flowing Water, where playing the qín for patrons is Xue's only chance at a future. But Xue jumps at the opportunity to leave when the mysterious Duke Meng offers to pay out her contract in exchange for her performing at his reclusive estate for a year. When monstrous attacks force the Duke to reveal he's one of the divine rulers of the unstable Celestial Realm, Xue offers to help him stop the Six Realms from falling into collapse; that is, if she can manage to stay alive. Inspired by Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, Lin builds a fantastical gothic story immersed in Chinese mythology and folktales. The first three verses of Xue's tale slowly build character connections and the world they inhabit. However, the fourth and final verse packs plenty of revelations and action, drawing readers in, as the characters fight the power hungry who crave absolute authority above the welfare of others. The romantic tension between Xue and the Duke does not develop as strongly as anticipated, but still satisfies. Xue's musicianship is shown through poetic tales woven into the text, aided by lush scenic descriptions that reveal the tone and mood of each song. The author's note provides historical context. Glossary included. VERDICT A beautifully detailed Gothic fantasy that explores how ignorance and deceit can crumble a community.—Emily Walker
Kirkus Reviews
2024-02-17
A young woman must use her musical talents to uncover lost memories and Celestial secrets to save the Six Realms.
With her loving uncle away traveling, orphaned Xue joined an entertainment house to hone her musical talents in playing the qín. Now, following years of service and learning, the 17-year-old has become an apprentice, and her uncle gifts her a new qín. Shortly after, he’s killed by bandits, leaving her lonelier than ever. Throwing herself into her music, Xue captures the attention of handsome young nobleman Meng Jinglang, who offers to pay off her indenture contract in return for her playing music at his manor for one year. The offer grows more enticing when he reveals that he knew her uncle and needs her help completing an unfinished task of his. But as she spends time with Jinglang at Meng Manor, she uncovers many secrets. It turns out that Jinglang is the Celestial Realm’s Duke of Dreams, and that the Six Realms are on the verge of ruin. Together, they must figure out the answers, which are somehow connected to her qín. Although this fantastical hero’s journey has a slow start, it’s full of magic, mystery, music, poetry, and intrigue. The detailed and impressive worldbuilding incorporates Chinese culture, food, lore, and poetry. A breakdown of the structure and order of the Six Realms, an author’s note, and a glossary of Chinese characters, pronunciation, and definitions offer helpful context and background.
A beautiful, engaging fantasy. (Fantasy. 13-18)
