It is said that the River Dragon resides in the dark waters of the river Dailanjaing. Anlei has grown on the legend that the village was blessed with this great dragon's favor and he bestowed upon the village an enchanted pearl. However, in recent times, the village of Dailan has suffered at the hands of the illusive Ligui. They are shadowy creatures made of myths and nightmares that attack under the cover of night and disappear at will.
Under these dire circumstances, a viceroy appears with the promise to protect the village under the conditions that the enchanted pearl is turned over to his possession and he is to marry a village girl of his choosing. In order to protect her sister, mother, and fellow villagers, Anlei must put aside her mounting horror in the sake of duty.
Until a thief steals the River Pearl.
As her future diverges like the mighty river beside her village, Anlei must channel her inner warrior spirit to become stronger than a bronze dragon.
Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon's plot was full of twists that seemed to coil around a dragon's tail. Mary Fan was able to incorporate folklore, steampunk, and fantasy elements into a scintillating read that will delight readers. I particularly enjoyed Anlei's character growth and her resolute spirit that allows her to tackle the fiercest of monsters-including her own quest for revenge. Overall, Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon was full of Mary Fan's authentic world building that made for an empowering read!
Favorite Quotes
"My new title might be Lady, but even after they scrub me clean, paint my face, and clothe me in silk, I’ll still be little more than a slave."
"Nothing can truly be fixed. Once broken, nothing will ever be as it was."
"One's soul is bound to one's heart-surely you knew that?"
"Thinking of him steels my determination...The thing that will save him is within reach."
"From now on, only I define my destiny."
BOOK INFORMATION
Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon
by Mary Fan
Publisher: Page Street Kids Release Date: June 11th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Synopsis:
When a powerful viceroy arrives with a fleet of mechanical dragons and stops an attack on Anlei’s village, the villagers see him as a godsend. They agree to give him their sacred, enchanted River Pearl in exchange for permanent protection—if he’ll marry one of the village girls to solidify the alliance. Anlei is appalled when the viceroy selects her as a bride, but with the fate of her people at stake, she sees no choice but to consent. Anlei’s noble plans are sent into a tailspin, however, when a young thief steals the River Pearl for himself.
Knowing the viceroy won’t protect her village without the jewel, she takes matters into her own hands. But once she catches the thief, she discovers he needs the pearl just as much as she does. The two embark on an epic quest across the land and into the Courts of Hell, taking Anlei on a journey that reveals more is at stake than she could have ever imagined.
With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.
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AUTHOR INFORMATION
Mary Fan is a hopeless dreamer, whose mind insists on spinning tales of “what if.” As a music major in college, she told those stories through compositions. Now, she tells them through books—a habit she began as soon as she could pick up a pencil.
Mary lives in New Jersey and has a B.A. from Princeton University. When she’s not scheming to create new worlds, she enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and blogging about everything having to do with books.
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GIVEAWAY
Prize: Win a copy of STRONGER THAN A BRONZE DRAGON by Mary Fan (US Only)
Stars: 11th June 2019
Ends: 25th June 2019