Discovering is an irregular feature TSC original feature. Discovering's goal is to spotlight books that have already come out but we might have missed.

The Fire Horse

Kay Honeyman

January 1, 2013

A fiery and romantic adventure, perfect for fans of Grace Lin, Kristen Cashore, or Lisa See!

Jade Moon is a Fire Horse—the worst sign in the Chinese zodiac for girls, said to make them stubborn, willful, and far too imaginative. But while her family despairs of marrying her off, she has a passionate heart and powerful dreams, and wants only to find a way to make them come true.

Then a young man named Sterling Promise comes to their village to offer Jade Moon and her father a chance to go to America. While Sterling Promise's smooth manners couldn't be more different from her own impulsive nature, Jade Moon falls in love with him on the long voyage. But America in 1923 doesn't want to admit many Chinese, and when they are detained at Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West", she discovers a betrayal that destroys all her dreams. To get into America, much less survive there, Jade Moon will have to use all her stubbornness and will to break a new path... one as brave and dangerous as only a Fire Horse girl can imagine.

Thoughts:

I'm such a huge fan of Asian culture, as you might have noticed. I find cultures very interesting and so I love to change it up sometimes and read about something different. This is the kind of story I'm always on the look out for.

This book also incorporates history! Double win. I'm sensing a headtax-ish history. I'm not very familiar with American history but I know that was the case in Canada. Either way, I can't wait to learn more.

Also, last but not least, I love the cover. It features two Asian models, great colours and I love the costumes; the contrast is stunning.

What Do You Think?

-MARI

Discovering is a loosely named new feature that is going to be posted on TSC every now and then. At its heart, this is another sort of post that features and promotes books just like Spotlights. Except, Discovering features books that I've discovered recently and am really excited to read. They may have released a long time ago and I never noticed or they may be more recent. The point is to talk about books we're excited about reading. Now let's move on to the fun stuff.

The first book to be featured is actually the book that inspired the idea.

The Boy on the Bride

Natalie Standiford

July 30, 2013

A new breathtaking novel from Natalie Standiford about love and trust during the Cold War.

Laura Reid goes to Leningrad for a semester abroad as Cold War paranoia is peaking in 1982. She meets a young Russian artist named Alexei and soon, with Alexei as her guide, Laura immerses herself in the real Russia--a crazy world of wild parties, black-market books and music, and smuggled letters to dissidents. She must keep the relationship secret; associating with Americans is dangerous for Alexei, and if caught, Laura could be sent home and Alexei put under surveillance or worse. At the same time, she's been warned that Soviets often latch onto Americans in hopes of marrying them and thus escaping to the United States. But she knows Alexei loves her. Right?

As June approaches--when Laura must return to the United States--Alexei asks Laura to marry him. She's only nineteen and doesn't think she's ready to settle down. But what if Alexei is the love of her life? How can she leave him behind? If she has a chance to change his life, to rescue him from misery, shouldn't she take it?

Thoughts:
I'm really excited about this. I adore reading books that are either set in another country or have foreign characters. Russia is one that I haven't read much of but I have always wanted to. Here Ms. Standiford has given me that oppurtunity and I'm going to reap it for all it's worth!

I also really love the concept. It's contemporary but it doesn't have the usual feeling of a contemporary; it's different. It looks so much more exciting especially with the forbidden aspect. I've never read something like this. I hear a lot about people who will marry others just to gain access to a different country but the subject doesn't get explored in YA.

I'm intrigued to see, how Standiford is going to spin this tale. I'm super excited to read about some Russian architecture and feel as though I'm walking down the streets of St.Petersburgh/Leningrad.

Yes, I think I'm overly excited!

What Do You Think?

-MARI