The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

                                                            

 Title: The Library of Legends

Author: Janie Chang

Genre: Historical fiction, Legend, Magical Realism


Synopsis: 1937, China is at war with Japan and the students and faculty at Minghua University must evacuate. In addition to saving the lives of people of those at the university, they carry with them important and historical volumes from the school's library. Lian, a second-year student with a complicated family history, and the students in her group are tasked with each carrying a book from the Library of Legends. This the only surviving portion of an ancient encyclopedia and the stories encompass the legends of Chinese Gods and immortals. In their walk to travel thousands of miles, Lian becomes close with a fourth-year student, Shaoming, who comes from a wealthy family, and his servant, Sparrow. Lian, Shao, and Sparrow travel together to save the Library of Legends and to reunite with their families, encountering danger and mystical occurrences along the way.

My Thoughts

First of all, how beautiful is the cover of this book? And you can totally judge THIS book by its cover, that is for sure.

I haven't had this much fun reading a war novel in a long time. The story does detail the difficulties, danger, and losses of those living in the affected areas of China and the refugee crisis as people evacuated their cities, but it is done so well. 

Chang brings the subjects of the Library of Legends to life through the eyes of those people with the ability and gift to see them. The patrons of the cities are leaving as they are recalled from Earth, leaving the people who pray to them unprotected. It is a beautiful metaphor for the abandonment felt by those in times of war. For Lian to become part of the story she carries, The Prince and the Willow Star, is a stroke of genius. Bringing the mystical to the novel helps to lighten a historically inspired story about a time of tragedy and loss.

This is also a story of resilience, hope, and perseverance. Carrying the Library of Legends gave the students something to focus on other than their own safety and the long and difficult journey they had to make, mostly on foot, across China. Chang shows how many privileged students evolved through this journey and how those who did not know one another before evacuation became bonded by their experience.

This novel encompasses so much I had to categorize it in several genres; there is a love story, war, mystery, history, and some fantasy aspects that make this a book that many people would enjoy reading. I was so very sad when I came to the last page, but look forward to reading more from this author! 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

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To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Love and Hate in Jamestown by David A. Price

                                                                

 Title: Love and Hate in Jamestown

Author: David A. Price

Genre: Nonfictions


Synopsis: 

This book chronicles the founding of Jamestown by the Virginia Company and the efforts (or lack thereof) of the people who lived there to build and maintain a city in the New World. 

My Thoughts

I am really intrigued by pre-American Revolution colonial America, especially in what is now the United States. It is strangely difficult to find information about this period outside the Salem Witch Trials, and the Pilgrims, that is accurate, not a textbook, or written in a SUPER boring manner. 

This book is less than 250 pages and I feel really highlights what life was like for people living in Jamestown. The use of primary sources that Price includes helps the reader to understand the perspective of the founders of Jamestown, especially John Smith. Price works to debunk the Smith/Pocahontas myth and to accurately describe the relationship between the indigenous people of Virginia and the colonists. While I think it is the author's intent to speak write from a non-biased standpoint and give the facts about the colonists and Pohatans, because the book is written about the founding of the colony and the only contemporary writings are from the colonists, it can feel like he depicts the Powhatan culture as primitive aggressors. 

The book is written in a manner that is easy to read and doesn't feel like a cumbersome list of facts. While its main focus is the Jamestown colony, the life of John Smith is followed even after his return to England. John Smith's contributions were a main component of the primary sources used in the research for this book. It also includes a brief look at the beginnings of the African slave trade on the American continent as well.

If you are looking to learn about the Jamestown colony, the Powhatan tribe, and pre-revolutionary America in under 250 pages, then this is the book for you! 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above