Publishers Weekly
08/14/2023
After 18-year-old Lu Mingshin helps her fiancé Ren become king of Dazhou, he betrays her and leaves her for dead. As she’s dying, Mingshin calls upon the gods to reverse time so she may have another chance to make different choices. Suddenly waking up two years in the past, she swears vengeance on Ren, vowing that he will never wear the crown and that she will never fall in love again. But the events of the previous years do not unfold as she remembers, and the arrival of Elder Hanxin from Nan’Yü, a country of dark magic wielders, now threatens all of Dazhou. To ensure Ren’s downfall, Mingshin teams up with charismatic Prince Jieh, another contender for the throne. As Mingshin and Jieh delve deeper into a treacherous battle of political intrigue and revenge, they must also fight their growing feelings for each other. Limited worldbuilding surrounding the magic system and the warring kingdoms’ history leave some questions unanswered. Debut author Chenli nevertheless employs abundant court relations, romance elements, and a well-developed cast to present a vivid and evenly paced fantasy series starter that centers a determined heroine seeking to topple an archaic patriarchal society. Ages 14–17. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023
“The clever premise and intriguing and suspenseful plot will keep readers engaged. A fresh and compelling voice.”—Kirkus Reviews "[A] vivid and evenly paced fantasy series starter that centers a determined heroine seeking to topple an archaic patriarchal society." —Publishers Weekly “The characters are complex and well-developed and the fairytale-like romance still shows an equal partnership and a thoughtful message about looking past first impressions. This book will appeal to any reader who loves fantasy with a good mix of romance, ancient Chinese court politics, and magic.”—Booklist “Kate Chenli’s YA debut is full of romance, intrigue and vengeance . . . . [P]erfect for readers who want smart characters and gripping twists.” —Geek Girl Authority
"An incredible addition to the classic Chinese court intrigue genre. A Bright Heart is smart, subversive, and certainly swoony." —Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
Kirkus Reviews
2023-08-11
A second chance prompts a deadly game of wits.
Lu Mingshin is about to be executed. Her fiance, Prince Ren, has ordered her death after using her family’s wealth to vie for the position of crown prince from his half brothers, each of them born to one of the widower king’s Royal Ladies. If that wasn’t enough, Mingshin learns that her Uncle Yi arranged her mother’s murder, and Aylin, her two-faced noblewoman cousin, will be marrying Ren instead. On the verge of death, Mingshin desperately wishes for another chance—only to see flashes of light and wake up two years in the past. With her memories of the future intact, Mingshin intends to not become a victim again, training in combat and vowing to endear herself to King Reifeng to secure her family’s safety. Strange dreams reveal the source of the magic that allowed her to jump back in time. A powerful mage is also on Mingshin’s tail, along with the ruthless enemies she’s already aware of. As Mingshin starts to rewrite her life’s story, new individuals come into play: a visiting Elder with questionable motives; Princess Yunle, who becomes a new best friend; and Prince Jieh, one of Ren’s rivals for the throne. Set in a fantasy world reminiscent of imperial China, this debut novel’s structure has a few oddities, but the clever premise and intriguing and suspenseful plot will keep readers engaged.
A fresh and compelling voice. (Fantasy. 14-17)
