Cover Crush: The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen
The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen has such a striking cover. I love the simplicity yet intricate look of this cover! The early buzz on this debut novel is palpable as well. It sounds deep yet full of adventure. I read that it is based with historical context as well as somewhat a retelling of the Turandot opera which was of course based on literature. I will admit that I have no real knowledge of this story before reading the synopsis and I have to say I am really intrigued and it sounds like if you enjoyed Renèe Ahdieh books you will enjoy this story that promises love, loss, and mystery. The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen is releasing on June 5th, so be sure to add it to your TBR in advance!
The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen
Category: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication: June 5th, 2018; Balzer & Bray
Purchase: Amazon, TBD
As a slave in the Kipchak Khanate, Jinghua has lost everything: her home, her family, her freedom … until she finds herself an unlikely conspirator in the escape of Prince Khalaf and his irascible father as they flee from their enemies across the vast Mongol Empire. On the run, with adversaries on all sides and an endless journey ahead, Jinghua hatches a scheme to use the Kipchaks’ exile to return home, a plan that becomes increasingly fraught as her feelings for Khalaf evolve into a hopeless love.
Jinghua’s already dicey prospects take a downward turn when Khalaf seeks to restore his kingdom by forging a marriage alliance with Turandokht, the daughter of the Great Khan. As beautiful as she is cunning, Turandokht requires all potential suitors to solve three impossible riddles to win her hand—and if they fail, they die.
Jinghua has kept her own counsel well, but with Khalaf’s kingdom—and his very life—on the line, she must reconcile the hard truth of her past with her love for a boy who has no idea what she’s capable of … even if it means losing him to the girl who’d sooner take his life than his heart.
THE BIRD AND THE BLADE is a lush, powerful story of life and death, battles and riddles, lies and secrets from debut author Megan Bannen.
