Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia

OMG

I thought this book looked nice, but to my surprise the story was excellent. I love this book! Can't wait to read the second book.

I'm torn.

I'm not sure if this book is a 2.5 or a 3.

It's a 3 because it flowed well. Even though it was full of DETAILS.what they ate (every item) , the color of this or that (especially vermillion), but it's get questionable when I felt like there were items added just to be included. Like the author wanted to make sure all her idea were in the book regardless of if they're needed.

This point may be considered spoilers but I'll try to be vague: (why it's a 2.5 )
So, Ai Ling & Chen Yong accidentally journey to different "lands". why? Seemed more like filler. Why was the land of Women & the land with the three eyed people included? Why did the knife turn black when she cut out Li Rong's heart? Why did we "hear" the Silver Phoenix speak to Zhong Ye? What happened to Gui Xu? That I'd like to know. I'm wondering if when she burned the heart.on the same bed as the bed guy if that was a good idea. Plus, the bad guy died awfully easy.

If theses things are clarified in book 2 .and they're proven important it's back to a 3. Can't decide if I want to read book 2. This book ends.not quiet the "happy ending" I was hoping for, but it could just end & not necessary lead into a series.

Interesting

Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon is a fantasy in ancient China about a girl named Ai Ling. When a man tries to black-mail her into marriage, Ai Ling runs away from home in search of her missing father. Along the way, Ai Ling runs into some supposedly fictional creatures and a boy who she has a mysterious bond with. Facing death and unwanted marriages, Ai Ling must discover the secret of destroying her old enemy. An enemy that goes back to her last incarnation.
Cindy Pon has made an intriguing blend of Chinese myths and history that will pull you in and not let you go untill you finish the book. Ai Ling's story continues in Fury of the Phoenix.

Different and Exciting.

I immediately dove into the novel and was surprised by Cindy Pon's writing. It was easy to read, very descriptive and gave the reader excellent perspective. It was easy to see myself in Ai Ling's shoes, to see the world as she did was really exciting. Ai Ling, of course, was my favorite character. She was a fierce protagonist with a kick-ass attitude, a strong persona and spunk. Can a protagonist get any better? Me thinks not. Oh and we mustn't forget the action. Yes my pretties there's a lot of it. Silver Phoenix was on the edge exciting with it's mythology and creepy crawlies popping up after each and every turn. I really enjoyed it!

Romance; Silver Phoenix has it. Disappointed? Don't be! Unlike many other Young Adult novels Silver Phoenix has a slow progressing romance that isn't instantaneous and unprecedented. There's plenty of reason for it and seeing it grow was exciting and at times almost grueling. Quick romance haters will love the change of pace in Cindy Pon's debut novel.

I found Silver Phoenix to be a very enjoyable and exciting read with non stop action and development that left me pining for the sequel.

Great Debut Novel!

Silver Phoenix was entirely different than what I expected, but in a good way. I've always been intrigued by authors who manage to incorporate fantasy into history-especially when it's obvious that a lot of research has gone into making sure that history is correct.

The word that immediately comes to my mind to describe Silver Phoenix is "unique." Not only do I feel that the historical fantasy genre holds an untapped wealth of ideas, but I also think that the publishing world is in need of some fresh voices. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of GREAT books out there, but when you read as much as I do, few books really stand out after awhile.

Silver Phoenix had a lot of what I love in books-excellent writing, good plot development, and (what I found to be EXTREMELY refreshing), characters that were real. And for once, the entire book didn't revolve entirely around two teens suddenly realizing that they were desperately and irrevocably "in love" (quotes are there for a reason, guys) with each other. ***SLIGHT SPOILER*** Not to say that there wasn't romantic tension, because there definitely was. And I'm not going to say that I don't want the two main characters to get together eventually, because I definitely do. ***END SLIGHT SPOILER*** It was nice to see characters who hadn't found their "soul mates" (again, quotes) by page 75. I don't mind romance (in fact, I tend to like it quite a bit), but characters who get together so incredibly quickly tend to make me think of the relationship as cheap and superficial.

I was really impressed to find that Silver Phoenix is Cindy Pon's debut novel. Wow! Silver Phoenix ranks high on my list regardless, but to know that this is the author's first published book makes me respect the novel even more. A lot of times, I find that debut authors take a little time to find their own voice and ideas, but Pon jumped right in with a beautiful piece of work. I'm definitely excited to see what she has planned for the future! (And I heard there's a sequel in the works. Yay)!


In a Sentence

Silver Phoenix is an excellent debut novel with a unique approach, realistic characters, and a good writing style.

A Beautiful and Mythological Journey

If you want to take a journey across ancient China and through mythical Chinese lands of beauty this book will not disappoint. It is also a wonderful paranormal journey with a beautiful young woman when such things were unheard of for women. Her journey to find her father is met with mythological creatures she only read about in her father's books. She also finds an enigmatic companion who's life becomes entwined with her own. Chen Young and Ai Ling become fast friends and true allies throughout this colorful, mythical adventure.

This book is a wonderful and fun journey much like the art films recently making it's debut on the American culture scene. The main character Ai Ling is very likable and I love the fact that she was a strong character even though she had no defensive training and had lead a sequestered life which was typical within her ranking in society. Sometimes she was frustrating in her rash decisions, but she learned from those decisions as well. I loved that about her character. There was violence and some sexual references which may not be appropriate for very young kids, but I think it was well done and it was within a cultural reference. Older teens will love this book. I gave this book 5 stars and can't wait for the next installment of this series. "The Fury of the Phoenix" should be here in April, 2011.

A good read for 8th and 9th graders! (and the rest of us)

I suggest reading Ever by Gail Carson Levine and then delving straight into this one. They complement each other perfectly. I would love to read another like this from yet another culture's view.

An unusual young adult fantasy novel set in Ancient China - with a kick ass heroine!

Ai Ling is a young girl who is raised differently from most girls. Her father had been a respected member of the Emperor's court and given his daughter the best education possible. Not only can Ai Ling read and write with a beautiful hand, she is familiar with the most sacred texts. Ai Ling is still subject to society's rules and at her betrothal meeting, Ai Ling finds that she has the ability to hear people's thoughts. She hides her gift, but Ai Ling is considered an unsuitable match and is humiliated. Her bad fortune does not end there. Her father must suddenly journey to the Emperor's court. Before he leaves, he bestows on his daughter a special pendant to keep her safe. When he fails to return, Ai Ling and her mother have no one to turn to and Ai Ling undertakes a quest to find her father and bring him home safely.
During this journey, Ai Ling befriends Chen Yong, a half Xian and half Western young man who is on a quest to learn more about his parents, and Li Rong, Chen Yong's adoptive brother. Together the friends encounters mythical beasts and dangerous enemies and must face challenges that they had not imagined and could not have prepared for.
To be honest, I had been very excited about the book even before I had the chance to read it. A young adult fantasy novel set in Ancient China with a young, smart and brave Chinese heroine on a quest to save her father from an evil presence in the Emperor's Court!? Count me in, I thought! Growing up, I hadn't read that many books that were set in Asia or had strong women heroines. I had read The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, but the heroine there is worlds apart for Ai Ling.
While reading the book, I was very conscious that it had a young heroine whose family helped her develop her intellect and strength. Ai Ling was strong and had confidence in her abilities - this helps her through the trials ahead. I also got a kick out of how much the book reflected the flora, fauna, food and possibly myths of China so naturally in its references to images, scents and atmosphere. For instance, Ai Ling's betrothed was "a bamboo of a boy, the barely green type, with large almond eyes in a pale face." I'd be the first to admit that it's a bit silly to be happy that Ai Ling had dried mangoes and dried squid in her traveling pack and that she craved pork buns, hand pulled noodles, dumplings, and duck, but I was! I couldn't help but notice that even the scents and jewelry were Asian, from Ai Ling's mother's the gardenia oil and jade hairpin to the peonies that inspired Ai Ling to paint. Food and smells evoke memories and location in my mind and have appeared effectively in many of my favorite novels, so these descriptions resonated with me and was just another reason for me to chuckle while reading Silver Phoenix.
But putting aside my excitement to have an Asian heroine, I enjoyed the book for many other reasons. The writing was so clear and effective without being overdone. The characters were well established, seemed so natural and were so so simpatico that I was on their side from the start. The kingdom of Xia was unique and well developed as a whole new world inhabited by demons and fantasy creatures that were different from the usual fantasy mold. Plus, the journey was action packed - I found myself constantly waiting for the next phase in their adventure to see how Ai Ling, Chen Yong and Li Rong would respond.

Good book!

I was surprised by this book. When I first picked it up, I didn't expect it to be that great, but as I read on, the book got better and better. I highly recommend it.

Loved Silver Phoenix!

Silver Phoenix had a little of everything that I love: romance, action, adventure and the perfect mix of fantasy and history. Ai Ling is such a strong character, especially considering her culture. I love how her life and Chen Yong's life is intertwined and how it seems fate brought them together on their journyes to the Palace. Chen Yong is totally crush-worthy and I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel regarding a romance between Ai Ling and Chen Yong. Another thing I'm looking forward to is learning more about Ai Ling's powers and how and why she has them. This was a great read from a new author and I'll be recommending it to friends.

A great new author

I picked up this book because I work in the Children's department of a bookstore and the cover caught my eye. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but what I got was a nice surprise. The story is a page turner from the first page to the last. I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in one day. A great read for everyone in your family from teens to adults.

Reviewed by Cat for TeensReadToo.com

From the beginning, Ai Ling has lived life differently from most young women in Xia. Born of parents who married for love, she is a cherished only child in a society that prizes sons, educated by her scholarly father and, as she comes of age, the ability to sense the thoughts of those around her.

When her father is called to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams expecting to be away no longer than two months, he leave his daughter with two things: a green jade pendant carved with the character "spirit" and the reminder that she is special beyond the belief held by a doting father.

A woman traveling alone is a dangerous undertaking, but more than three months pass and an opportunistic merchant tries to force her into an unwanted marriage, and Ai Ling knows that she must journey to the Palace herself and bring her father home. Attack by an unknown, dark force brings rescue and a traveling companion in the form of nineteen-year-old Chen Yong, a young man also searching for his father.

It is only after another attack, the counsel of Master Tan, and a glimpse at The Book of The Dead, that Ai Ling truly begins to grasp the enormity of her power and the menace she faces. Joined by Chen Wong's brother, the outrageously flirtatious Li Rong, the three teenagers embark on a pilgrimage that will lead to the gods themselves...and eventually to a confrontation with an evil sorcerer Ai Ling has (unknowingly) faced before.

Where do I start with all the things I love about Cindy Pon's debut fantasy SILVER PHOENIX? Finally, a novel based on Chinese legends and myth rather than the same, tired rehash of Celtic and other western European folklore. I relished Ms. Pon's vividly rendered portraits of both Ai Ling's normal and paranormal "worlds," from the quiet tranquility of her family's home, to the lush splendor of the Golden Palace, or the frightening grotesqueness of The Chief and The Anatomist.

Ms. Pon exhibits a deft ability in characterization, giving us multidimensional humans, appropriately removed deities, and viciously single-minded evil entities. Even Zhong Ye boasts enough shading and nuance to become more than the stereotypical archvillain. Ai Ling is a compelling protagonist and, though some might say it's unusual for a young woman in her position to so easily overstep society's boundaries (even to save a beloved parent), Ms. Pon has already established that Ai Ling is unaccustomed to those restraints. My only complaint in this area is that while Chong Ye is clearly the odds-on favorite for Ai Ling's romantic interest, he falls flat in the presence of Li Rong's flare and charm.

And while the continued reference to characters packing and unloading their knapsacks (did knapsacks even exist in ancient China?) kept jarring me out of the story, I loved everything about SILVER PHOENIX.

This is one of those rare books that has made my "keeper" shelf.

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