I am thrilled to be on the tour for FEATHER AND FLAME by Livia Blackburne. Check out my review and stay for the giveaway below!
Livia Blackburne is a New York Times bestselling author who wrote her first novel while researching the neuroscience of reading at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sinc then, she’s switched to full time writing, which also involves getting into people’s heads but without the help of a three tesla MRI scanner. She is the author of the Midnight Thief, and Rosemarked series, as well as the picture book I Dream of Popo.
She brought honor on the battlefield. Now comes a new kind of war...
The war is over. Now a renowned hero, Mulan spends her days in her home village, training a
militia of female warriors. The peace is a welcome one, and she knows it must be protected.
When Shang arrives with an invitation to the Imperial City, Mulan’s relatively peaceful life is
upended once more. The aging emperor decrees that Mulan will be his heir to the throne. Such
unimagined power and responsibility terrifies her, but who can say no to the Emperor?
As Mulan ascends into the halls of power, it becomes clear that not everyone is on her side. Her
ministers undermine her, and the Huns sense a weakness in the throne. When hints of
treachery appear even amongst those she considers friends, Mulan has no idea whom she can
trust.
But the Queen’s Council helps Mulan uncover her true destiny. With renewed strength and the
wisdom of those that came before her, Mulan will own her power, save her country, and prove
once again that, crown or helmet, she was always meant to lead. This fierce reimagining of the
girl who became a warrior blends fairy-tale lore and real history with a Disney twist.
Now, THIS is how you write a Disney spin-off novel! Blackburne's writing paired with an exciting premise really brings Mulan to life.
Mulan is such a fierce character, but faced with the responsibility of becoming empress, she begins to tear at the seams. She never wanted that power, but she faces it to the best of her abilities. Her journey is a testament to her loyalty and outlook on her life. The theme of believing in yourself despite difficulties is very strong in this novel.
This series of novels celebrate feminism and tells the "after the ever after," to perfection. It is so nice to see the princesses come to life and face life after their battles. It's also superb that you don't have to have read any of the books in the series to understand them individually. If you only like Mulan, you can read this book only and it will act as its own stand-alone.
What I loved most about this was that the author kept Mulan in character (this was a big issue for me with the previous book in the series) and the forbidden romance is a plus. Overall, I liked this book A LOT d would recommend it to anyone looking for a blend of Chinese folklore, magic, and romance.
1 winner will win a finished copy of FEATHER AND FLAME, US Only.
Comments