The Earthly Blaze
Sword Maiden from the Moon, Book 2
by Alice Poon
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 9 Apr 2024 | Archive Date 8 Aug 2024
Talking about this book? Use #TheEarthlyBlaze #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
In this propulsive sequel to The Heavenly Sword, the heroine Sai’er is beset with grim challenges as she leads the White Lotus Sect to oppose Emperor Zhu Di. When the Green Dragon threatens to kill villagers to punish Sai’er for wounding Zhu Di, she is forced to fight the demon in an undersea battle.
Aided by her immortal friends, Sai'er engages in violent clashes with the enemy camp. All the while, she yearns to start a new life with her lover Sanbao, but is haunted by the prospect of a final showdown with Zhu Di.
The Earthly Blaze is the second and concluding part of Alice Poon’s magnificent duology combining Chinese mythical folklore and speculative history into a sweeping tale of family love, fellowship loyalty, loss, sacrifice and kung fu rivalry.
Advance Praise
The Earthly Blaze is adventurous, action-packed, fast-paced, dynamic, with witty/cheeky banter between characters of an expansive cast, including legendary icons, historical figures, martial artists, dragons, deities, among other mythical beings that can be found in Chinese history and folklore. The story explores connecting and reconnecting with family—blood-bound, found, chosen, given, loyalty and betrayal as well as complex political intrigue. Alice Poon has crafted a nostalgic and magical world that is reminiscent of renowned wuxia and xianxia classics.
~ Ai Jiang, Nebula Award Winner/Author of Linghun & Author of I Am Ai
Packed with adventure, martial arts, and romance, the book stars Ming heroine Tang Sai’er, who is revealed to be moon goddess Chang’e incarnate. Poon writes cinematically --- it’s easy to “see” the action as it unfolds. While fun and exciting, The Earthly Blaze also contains serious underlying themes regarding the oppression of women, the poor, and the politically disenfranchised. Highly recommended.
~ Judika Illes, author of the Encyclopedia of Spirits
Alice Poon’s The Earthly Blaze is a spectacular sequel to The Heavenly Sword, and delivers a gut-punching, rollicking, fast-paced plotline of wuxia fantasia, neigong calisthenics and epic battle scenes. All of her characters are well-imagined with complex backstories, but it’s her protagonist warrior and Chang-e incarnate Tang Sai’er that steals your heart. Whether you’re a wuxia newbie or a diehard fangirl, you couldn’t be in better hands than Poon’s. Her insights into Chinese history, knowledge of Chinese martial arts, and delicate weaving of Chinese mythology are nonpareil. I was so enraptured by this duology I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
~ Elaine Chiew, author of The Heartsick Diaspora
This action-packed book was rich in Chinese culture and mythology. It felt like I was immersed and part of the action. The worldbuilding overall is excellent, and I also really loved the politics in this. The legends, politics, and epic martial arts sequences mix together for an explosive adventure. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves kung fu, Chinese mythology, or just a rip-roaring, action-packed story.
~ Kristen McQuinn, Her Grace’s Library
Marketing Plan
- ARC Mailing List
- Host book launch at Richmond Public Library's Writers' Festival
- Contribute an article to online magazine The Hong Konger on Jin Yong and the Wuxia Genre
- Attend an interview with Laszlo Montgomery, the China History Podcast host, to talk about Jin Yong and the history of the Wuxia Genre
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9789888843688 |
| PRICE | US$26.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 396 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1346045
I loved the first book and love this one even more. It was so lovely to return and give answers to some of my questions. Alice is a phenomenal writer and this book really didn't miss it's mark!
Róisín M, Reviewer
Fitting conclusion to this lovely duology! Earthly Blaze is fast paced and action packed with beautiful imagery throughout. I have loved seeing Sai’er grow and develop as a leader and adored her romance being woven so naturally.
It was a real treat to return to this world and I felt the dialogue significantly improved from the first book. I do think the author could fall into the trap of over writing in some areas, but the writing style felt true to the world Alice is creating and is a wonderful portrayal of wuxia/xianxia fiction.
Overall, the Sword Maiden of the Moon duology is an enjoyable read and would definitely recommend it to fans of Chinese mythology and folklore!
