Sixteen-year-old Rilla Marseas believes she has a calling to become a healer. Her soul yearns to help people and save lives. Why else would Heaven grant her a singing voice that can heal any ailment? But if the palace discovers her power, she’ll be selected for the annual Showcase, where the most beautiful and magically gifted girls in Seracedar Kingdom compete for the chance to enter the emperor’s harem. That’s the last thing Rilla wants. To avoid such a fate, she hides her power. No matter how the other villagers ridicule her for being worthless and talentless, she suppresses the urge to reveal her powerful voice and prove them wrong. When a palace scout poisons Rilla’s auntie and coerces her into revealing her power, she’s thrown into the competition. The scout threatens to harm her family if she doesn’t win. But Rilla learns there really is no winning. The emperor and empress keep girls with magical powers as pets. In cages. With some help from a handsome, but brooding prince and his mysterious bodyguard, Rilla must outsmart the palace and escape. If she fails, she’ll spend the rest of her life as the royal couple’s puppet, using her voice to grant them eternal youth.
Under the Lavender Moon
Christina Mai Fong
(Nightingale Songs, #1)
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: February 11th 2021
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Goodreads | Amazon
I was a Bio major, pre-med in college, but I couldn’t stand the sight of blood. I used to write poems and stories in the margins of my science notebooks. Well, after a reality check, I decided to pursue a career in Food Science because I like food, and everyone needs to eat. Meanwhile, I continued to write. My absolute FAVORITE books are YA Fantasy, so it’s no surprise that I chose to write it, too.
Having been raised in Southern California, where there’s a healthy blend of cultures, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t put an Asian American spin in my stories. And having always been the “quiet, shy girl,” who often felt like a wallflower even though I wanted desperately to be the heroine, I’m so glad I now get the opportunity to make the underestimated good girls my heroines. But of course, I’m forcing them out of their comfort zones so they have to embrace their dark side and kick some villainous butt.
Author links:
https://www.christinamfong.com/
https://www.instagram.com/christinamfong/
https://twitter.com/christinamfong
https://www.facebook.com/christina.m.fong
My Review
Under the Lavender Moon is a wonderful fantasy read with action that doesn’t stop and suspense that will have you gasping at what happens. that gives the YA fans a grip to their coinpurse waiting to purchase this book. This is a first book that i’m reading from Fongs work and Im so happy this is going to be a series because I am excited to continue into the novels! Now to wait for them.
Set in oriental background we get to focus on Yasmina whom is a strong lead where she learned tai-chai but had to hide it because the Emperor representatives are looking to fill a slot in his harem. The Emperor lives at the other end of the province while it is a custom for all the small towns to rehearse for the audition which is a set of gifted young girls who are shown off for their beauty and magic.
If you end up winning the competition then there is a good chance the winner will be The Emperors favorite. Yasmine is now the age for this competition and is doing everything she can to hide her power so she is not chosen for the Emperor’s Showcase.
From Old friends to becoming enemies while staying true to yourself among such outstanding character development that will have you feeling their emotions along with having empathy for them. Between the plot and the journey within Under the Lavender Moon is one that you will not able to put down. A thoroughly enjoyed this book with how every description painted such a vivid idea that was refreshing to read.
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