School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 9 Up-This series opener is told in alternating points of viewPrincess Lu, called the Girl King, her overlooked younger sister Min, and Lu's childhood friend, Nok, now an apothecary's apprentice. Events from years earlier weigh heavily on the characters, including the disappearance of the Yunians, godlike beings, and the near extermination of Nok's brethren, nicknamed slipskins for their ability to transform into animals. Headstrong Lu knows she is destined to be the first Empress of the somewhat-new Hu dynasty and looks forward to her father naming her as his successor. Instead, he announces her rival cousin Set will become Emperor and she will be his wife. Min begins to struggle with her feelings as she is ignored by her father, and praised by her mother. She fluctuates between wanting to be unnoticed and to be as strong a presence as Lu. This is a masterful blend of Asian history with a touch of fantasy. The characters are compelled to confront how they think of themselves with how they actually are, and must make decisions that could affect the fate of their country. Yu crafts a rich tale filled with detailed world-building that draws readers in. This mainly female-led ambitious adventure will appeal to fans of Graceling by Kristin Cashore and The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi. VERDICT An epic tale of fate, desire, family and love, highly recommended for purchase. Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, FL

ALA Booklist

Princess Lu has trained since birth to become empress after her father's passing, but he names her cousin his successor instead. When she challenges Lord Set to a contest to determine the rightful heir, she is ambushed and flees north to find an army to reclaim her kingdom. Instead she finds Nokhai, one of the few remaining shapeshifters in the empire and a former friend from her childhood, and although Lu was the reason for some of Nok's scars, they journey north together. Meanwhile, Set marries Lu's younger, submissive sister, Min, who has hidden magical abilities, and the four are on a collision course that could destroy everything they hold dear. First-time author Yu has ably crafted a fast-paced, seamless fantasy adventure full of action, mysticism, and female empowerment. Indeed, the women in the story are, with one exception, much more interesting than the men. Give this to fans of Cinda Williams Chima's Shattered Realms series, Lauren DeStefano's The Glass Spare? (2017), or Susan Dennard's Witchlands series.

Kirkus Reviews

Two sisters—and the fate of an empire between them.Lu eagerly anticipates being appointed the next empress of the Hu dynasty. She has been training her body for battle since the age of 7 and at 16 is planning her first decree. Also known as the Small Princess, Minyi admires and resents her hotheaded sister. Lu's plans go awry when the ailing emperor betroths her to Lord Set, naming him the successor. Plotting, scheming, and assassination attempts drive the sisters in different directions. Lu seeks to raise her own army with the help of the surviving Gifted Kith, shape-shifters, and the Yunians, magic users. Meanwhile, caught between the manipulations of Set, a monk, and her mother, Min awakens to a power she struggles to understand and the mean pleasure she derives from using it. Neither Min nor Lu are particularly likable characters: Lu's arrogance is clearly displayed, while Minyi is emotionally self-flagellating at every opportunity. They are relatable, however, in terms of living in a sibling's shadow and redefining the person you wish to be. The worldbuilding in this Asian-inspired setting is strong as the author slowly uncovers the empire's origins, and the characters transform in surprising ways. Other than the gray eyes of the Hana family, most characters have dark brown eyes, black hair, and brown or tawny skin.Recommended for readers who enjoy imperfect characters and complex plots. (Fantasy. 14-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The struggle for succession in a powerful empire pits two sisters against each other after their father, the emperor, shocks everyone by announcing the girls- cousin as his heir. Princess Lu always assumed she-d become the Empire of the First Flame-s first female ruler, and she has no desire to be betrothed to her degenerate cousin, Set. When her challenge for dominance fails and Set attempts to assassinate her, she-s forced to flee north, seeking new allies among the empire-s subjugated populations, including the residents of the secretive city of Yunis, long thought to be destroyed. Meanwhile, Lu-s younger sister, Min, forges her own alliance with Set while exploring her newfound magical abilities, which might reshape the empire. With the sisters on a collision course, their separate tales seem destined to end in tragedy. It-s easy to get lost in the multiple narrative threads with so much going on in this tale, and Lu-s journey feels more developed and nuanced than Min-s. But with its Asia-inspired worldbuilding, lush descriptions, and a weighty sense of history, this sprawling fantasy is still a strong debut for Yu. Ages 14-up. Agent: Beth Phelan, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Jan.)