Follow the students of Minghau as they protect: The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

 

Title: Library of Legends

Author: Janie Chang

Genre: Fantasy

Source: Physical Book

Rating: 5 paws up

It's 1937, Japanese bombs are dropping on the city of Nanking China, in order the ensure the safety of their students Minghua University order Hu Lian and her classmates to flee.  Lian and a convoy of other students, faculty and staff must walk miles to find safety in one of China's Western provinces.  A trek that is riddled with threat of enemy attacks.  While the students stive to find safety, they must also protect a priceless treasure: a collection of myths and folkore that is 500 years old: the Library of Legends.  This journey creates bonds among the students and staff.  While Lian form new friendships, she also forms an unlikely romance with the handsome and wealthy Liu Shaoming.  But their trials do not come in the form of enemy attach alone.  One classmate is arrested and another is murdered, and betryal swims through the group.  Lian realizes she must escape for her family's past secret puts her in more danger.  Lian, Shao and his madiservant, Sparrow (who has a secret of her own) make their way to Shanghai in hopes of find refuge and family. During the journey, Lian learns of the connection between her two companions and a tale from the Library of Legends, The Willow Star and the Prince. This revelation comes with profound consequences, for as the ancient books travel across China, they awaken immortals and guardian spirits who embark on an exodus of their own, one that will change the country’s fate forever. 

This was probably one of my favorite books so far this year.  I have come to love the lyrical and poetic way that Janie Change tells her stories.  She is just a gifted and talented atmospheric storyteller, that I haven't seen the likes of in a long time.  I may, dare I say, like her novels more than Lisa See.  *GASP* I know!  I was in a reading slump before I picked up this one from my shelf and it brought my reading mojo back.

This novel is filled with myth and folklore, romance, betrayal, family relationships, and so much more.  Chang provides readers with accurate historical details and weaves it perfectly with legends showing their spiritual importance and meaning.  I so want to find a copy of the Willow Star and The Prince because it seems like a beautiful story.  I enjoyed all the characters, though I kind of wanted more of Sparrow and the legends beyond their own exodus, or more on that.  I do also like that the romance wasn't the 100% focus of this story.  Chang's spent a lot of time showing readers the historical significance of her tale, as well as the spiritual.  The story is set during an event that gets overshadowed by other historical events surrounding WW2 that other historical novels focus on. It was a relief to read something that didn't focus on the typical events that we generally see in this genre.

 If you enjoy books like The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, then you would enjoy this book.  It has so much to offer.  Janie Chang will quickly become a favorite.