YA@Books Inc. proudly welcomes the Fierce Reads tour to the San Francisco Bay Area, featuring authors Judy I. Lin, Goldy Moldavsky, Joan He and moderated by local author Katy Rose Pool. (Ages 14+)
A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin
The enthralling conclusion to Judy I. Lin's Book of Tea duology--#1 New York Times bestseller A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet--is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.
A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust.
Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi--a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making--has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess' loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning's newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen's rightful throne.
But the golden serpent still haunts Ning's nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world...
Praise for A Venom Dark and Sweet:
Thrilling ... An immensely satisfying conclusion to this duology. ... Teens will be clamoring for more. -- School Library Journal
Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A 2022 PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of Summer
A Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2022
A USA Today Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
An ABA Indies Next Pick
A breathtaking tale with a stunning magic system rooted deep in Chinese mythology and tea-making traditions. Lin's originality truly blew my mind. Love and magic overflows past the brim in this work of beauty. --Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow
Ning's unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. ... Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner. -- Booklist, starred review
Lush, descriptive prose sells the well-built magic system of this world, and every plot twist surprises and delights, making this a rich fantasy page-turner. As much a political thriller as a fantasy, this is a quieter, excellent companion to Xiran Jay Zhao's Iron Widow and Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights. The ending will have readers begging for the sequel. -- School Library Journal
Vivid descriptions of foods and scents of tea delight the senses, while cinematic prose captures the beauty of the landscapes ... The magic system is unique, and the tea competition, with its well-established importance to the protagonist, adds tension. ... This sophisticated fantasy is as refreshing as a freshly brewed pot of tea, and readers will eagerly await the sequel. -- The Bulletin
Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Book of Tea duology ( A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet), was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist and still spends her nights dreaming up imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughters.
Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky
Rafi Francisco needs something really special to put her true crime podcast on the map.
She sets her sights on River Stone, the hearthrob musician who rose to stardom after the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend. Rafi lands herself a ticket to the exclusive Fly Fest, where River will be the headliner. But when Rafi arrives on the Caribbean island location of Fly Fest with hundreds of other influencers and (very minor) celebrities, they quickly discover that the dream trip is more of a nightmare. And it's not just confronting beauty gurus-gone-wild and spotty WiFi. Soon, Rafi goes from fighting for an interview to fighting for her life. And, as she gets closer to River, she discovers that he might be hiding even darker secrets than she suspected . . .
A hilarious, page-turning take on influencers and true-crime fandom. -- Kirkus Reviews
While the central mystery is intriguing, it's the outlandish influencer cast and their Lord of the Flies-inspired antics that buoy this swiftly paced, darkly funny indictment of internet culture. -- Publishers Weekly
Goldy Moldavsky was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she lives with her family. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of Kill the Boy Band and No Good Deed. Some of her influences include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the esteemed works of John Irving, and the Mexican telenovelas she grew up watching with her mother.
Strike the Zither by Joan He
A dazzling new fantasy from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, Strike the Zither is a powerful, inventive, and sweeping fantasy that reimagines the Chinese classic tale of the Three Kingdoms.
The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves.
But Zephyr knows it's no contest.
Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren, a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged--while Ren's honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren's followers from being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies than one--and not all of them are human.
"Military stratagems, qi-infused zither duets, and divine interference come together in this tightly crafted reimagining of the Chinese classic Three Kingdoms. . . A riveting series opener." --Kirkus, starred review
"A fierce reimagining of the Chinese classic... This riveting read is full of twists and surprises that shock and delight, building up to the epic conclusion that left me gasping." -- Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Book of Tea duology
"Joan He takes no prisoners, and STRIKE THE ZITHER is her latest triumph. An intricate, expansive epic that poses difficult questions and eschews easy answers, this book is as ambitious as its scheming, ruthless cast--and just like its narrator, delivers above and beyond." -- Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow series and Little Thieves
"Filled with twists and turns, STRIKE THE ZITHER is a meticulously plotted, supremely satisfying story that explores identity, legacy, and loyalty in unexpected ways. This is Joan He's best yet." -- Hannah Whitten, New York Times-bestselling author of FOR THE WOLF
"Strike the Zither is a page-turner, full of unexpected twists, with an expansive, intricate world of sisterhood and subterfuge. He's smooth, economical style is the perfect vehicle for this gripping political fantasy, marrying cat-and-mouse intrigue with a tenderness and emotional depth that heightens the stakes of every new reveal. A standout work from a remarkable author." -- Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six
"Rich with intrigue and epic in scale. Strike the Zither grows tall on the heroic classics it draws from, yet beats powerfully with a heart of its own." -- Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the These Violet Delights Duet
"Richly layered and highly creative, STRIKE THE ZITHER offers a world brimming with war, love, and unforgettable characters. A truly magnificent book." -- June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace
"In this tautly plotted, vividly reimagined tale of a beloved Chinese classic, He orchestrates an epic page-turner... STRIKE THE ZITHER will keep you guessing--and gasping for more." -- June CL Tan, internationally bestselling author of Jade Fire Gold
"Strike the Zither reimagines the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms in a way never seen before, with intense twists and turns that pay homage to its inspiration while being refreshingly different. A brilliant exploration of destiny and identity!" -- Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow
"This soaring, masterful retelling becomes an epic all of its own... Readers will get lost in this rich, gorgeous, and dangerous world." -- Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil
"A twisty, body-snatching, gender-flipped retelling of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Prepare to be transported." -- Rebecca Lim, award-winning author of Tiger Daughter
Joan He was born and raised in Philadelphia but still, on occasion, loses her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that stories were her favorite kind of art. She studied psychology and Chinese history at the University of Pennsylvania, and now splits her time between Philly and Chicago. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find and Descendant of the Crane, her young adult debut novel
Moderated by Katy Rose Pool
Katy Rose Pool, author of the Age of Darkness trilogy, was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA before graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in history. Currently, she resides in Oakland, CA, where she can be found dreaming up spells and prophecies, rooting for the Golden State Warriors, and reading books that set her on fire.
