Title: Zhànshì
Series: Sinister Fairytales Collection
Author: Anna Edwards
Genre: Dark Fairytale Retelling
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Lia has known she was different since the age of five when her father taught her the skills of her ancestors. His stories of heroic exploits have fueled her fantasies for years. Little did she know that her expertise would be called upon when two cities, two triads, go to war. Will it be a step too far to think she can hide who she really is?
Jaxon has known his career path since he was a little boy when his father promised his only son to the leader of the Yu Shi triad. Jaxon doesn't mind—it allows him to center his chaotic thoughts and fight his opponents to the death. But when he's partnered with a mysterious new recruit, he begins to question everything he knows. What is the young boy hiding from him?
Zhanzhi is a modern day retelling of the tale of Mulan for the Sinister Fairytales Collection. Warrior Lia must find her inner strength to defeat a deadly enemy, who's been left bitter by his quest for absolute power, while at the same time falling in love when she least expects it. Nothing will be as it seems in this dark triad world where a moment's hesitation can be your downfall.
REVIEW
☆☆☆
This is a dark modern retelling of the Disney movie, Mulan. It tells the story of a girl who struggles with who society wants her to be and who she wants to be. There is a fair amount of action and violence combined with passion and love. It does get gory at times and there are triggers for some. It does end in a HEA.
I struggled with this story. It started out slow and didn't pick up until about halfway through. Then toward the end, it seemed to go too fast and important parts felt rushed and glazed over. It was also confusing how it was supposed to be modern-day but seems to have a historical feel to it. It was set in California which was weird for me. It didn't seem to fit the story. I did like the characters though. Lia aka Zhan was a strong character who was fiercely loyal and badass. She fights for who and what she believes in. Jaxon was such a formidable leader but had compassion and kindness for those he commanded. His loyalty and faith were unmatched. His love for Lia was beautiful, and the story of their love was beautiful. There were also great secondary characters.
This story has a lot of potential. I just felt like some things were rushed and disjointed. I encourage you to read it and form your own opinion.
All I am a British author, from the depths of the rural countryside near London. In a previous life, I was an accountant from the age of twenty-one. I still do that on occasions, but most of my life is now spent intermingling writing while looking after my husband, two children and two cats (probably in the inverse order to the one listed!). When I have some spare time, I can also be found writing poetry, baking cakes (and eating them), or behind a camera snapping like a mad paparazzi.
I'm an avid reader who turned to writing to combat my depression and anxiety. I have a love of travelling and like to bring this to my stories to give them the air of reality.
I like my heroes hot and hunky with a dirty mouth, my heroines demure but with spunk, and my books full of dramatic suspense.
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