Orphan siblings Peasprout and Cricket travel from Shin to the city of Pearl to study wu liu, the "beautiful and deadly art of martial skating." When rumors and acts of sabotage at the academy lead to suspicion that Peasprout is a foreign spy, only two students take her side. The narrative dazzles readers with its descriptions of the unfamiliar, while the ongoing mystery and intrigue will keep them guessing.

A 14-year-old girl intends to become a legend of wu liu, the "beautiful and deadly art of martial skating!"As an emissary in a goodwill exchange and the first Shinian student to attend Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword, Peasprout knows the stakes are high. All she has to do is outrank all of her peers, protect her little brother, Cricket, and prove that she's not behind the mysterious attacks on campus buildings. She should be up to the task ("I'm the smartest, most capable person I know"), but all is not quite as it seems. Lien fills this Asian-inspired fantasy world with such richly layered histories and landscapes that readers may feel lost at points; some may find themselves searching for supporting materials to contextualize the political intrigue, though they will be grateful for the academy map. The narrative's swift pace and suspense should help keep utter confusion at bay, though, and vividly described wu liu sequences capture the exuberance and energy of the imagined sport. Although most characters, including Peasprout, evolve unevenly but predictably, reticent classmate Doi strikes out on her own, overturning several tropes. In this children's novel where all of the characters are presumably Asian or some fantasy equivalent, relationships portrayed are both refreshing and essential.An ambitious debut that may leave some readers scrambling to keep pace. (Fantasy. 10-14)

In this auspicious and massively entertaining series opener set in an Asian-inspired fantasy world, a young woman pursues her dream of mastering wu liu, which combines figure skating and martial arts. Fourteen-year-old Peasprout Chen and her younger brother, Cricket, are sent to the Pearl Famous Academy as part of an exchange between their homeland of Shin and the city of Pearl, where they must prove themselves worthy by passing numerous challenges. Hazards abound, including rival students, sabotage, and diplomatic tensions. Peasprout attempts to protect her brother, avoid new enemies, prove her innocence when she-s accused of being a spy, and excel at her studies, but her greatest challenge may be overcoming her own hubris and stubbornness. Building on a lushly described world introduced in several short stories, debut novelist Lien crafts a memorable setting and cast while delivering a fast-paced, tense plot full of surprises. The descriptions of wu liu are elegant and cinematic, and Peasprout-s moves are as sharp as her tongue. Peasprout Chen is a future legend, indeed. Ages 10-14. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM Partners. (Apr.)