The Secrets of Jin-Shei | ||||||||
Alma Alexander | ||||||||
HarperCollins, 496 pages | ||||||||
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A review by Donna McMahon
With so many Fantasy novels using European-derived settings and mythology, ancient China makes a refreshing
change. Alexander's landscape is tantalizingly exotic and yet familiar enough to feel very real, and she uses magic
sparingly, in ways appropriate to her society. This and the intricate detail she has put into her backdrop makes The
Secrets of Jin-Shei feel very much like historical fiction.
At the core of the story is the concept of jin shei -- a special oath of lifelong friendship and sisterhood sworn between
women. The women also share their own secret written language, Jin-ashu, which is taught and used by women in all walks of
life. These bonds create vital links between women who live in an otherwise stratified and rigidly controlled society where
women wield little direct power.
The novel centres around Tai, daughter of one of the Imperial Court's seamstresses, who exchanges a jin shei vow with Princess
Antian. When an earthquake destroys the Summer Palace, Antian's dying wish is for Tai to take care of her difficult and unpopular
younger sister, Liudan, who is now successor to the throne. Tai later swears jin shei with Liudan, drawing together a group
of young women in a web of jin shei bonds that will influence their lives and the future of the Empire.
The jin shei sisters range in rank from Khailin, daughter of the Court Chronicler, who dreads being married and drawn into
formal Court life because she will no longer be free to pursue her studies, to Xaforn, a foundling raised by the Palace
Guard, who is driven to be the youngest and best inductee into the Imperial Corps. Others include Qiaan, daughter of a
Guard captain; Nhia, a poor girl with a withered leg whose unusual wisdom and devotion begin to draw attention at Temple;
and Yuet, an apprentice healer.
Eight protagonists (plus all their associated secondary characters) is many, and even though they are all well drawn and
distinctive people, I found myself losing track from time to time. Also, the author appears to set out without a clear
direction and flounder around for a long time in search of a plot. Eventually the story gels around an evil alchemist
and his attempts to manipulate the Empire, but it does feel a little perfunctory, as if added as an afterthought.
Nonetheless, this is an absorbing and fascinating read, well written, atmospheric and with moments of wrenching
intensity. It's also a novel that because of its complexity and large cast, will probably merit several enjoyable
re-reads. And I hope that guys aren't scared off by the flowers on the cover because this is no sappy romance -- it's a
compelling tale of Palace intrigue and a ruthless quest for immortality.
Donna McMahon discovered science fiction in high school and fandom in 1977, and never recovered. Dance of Knives, her first novel, was published by Tor in May, 2001, and her book reviews won an Aurora Award the same month. She likes to review books first as a reader (Was this a Good Read? Did I get my money's worth?) and second as a writer (What makes this book succeed/fail as a genre novel?). You can visit her website at http://www.donna-mcmahon.com/. |
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