Butterfly Swords (Tang Dynasty, #1)

Sep 13, 2010 Tara Chevrestt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chinese-history-culture, netgalley, kindle, historical-fiction, 2010-release

I rarely read romances, but when I caught the words "Tang dynasty, butterfly swords, and woman warrior," I decided to give this a go. And thankfully, there were no damsels in distress in this one. Well, the damsel has distress, but nothing she can't handle with her butterfly swords and just a little bit of help of a blonde barbarian.

Ai Li (aka Ailey)is on her way to marry Li Tao when she discovers that her fiance is planning an uprising against her own father. She runs away with hired bandits t...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Tori [Book Faery] marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: arc, netgalley, reviewed, read-in-2010

DNF - Please note that I skimmed the latter half, and thus, feel wrong giving this book a rating.

I wanted to love the world and the characters in BUTTERFLY SWORDS. Because of the setting, I believed the story had a lot of potential to be rich and the adventure exciting. Instead, the story fell flat; the writing did not fully draw me in -- which I think was one of the primary problems for me -- and the hero was not all that impressive.

Usually with adventure stories, they're either full of excitem...more DNF - Please note that I skimmed the latter half, and thus, feel wrong giving this book a rating.

I wanted to love the world and the characters in BUTTERFLY SWORDS. Because of the setting, I believed the story had a lot of potential to be rich and the adventure exciting. Instead, the story fell flat; the writing did not fully draw me in -- which I think was one of the primary problems for me -- and the hero was not all that impressive.

Usually with adventure stories, they're either full of excitement/beautifully written, or they soon grow repetitive and tiresome to read about. I thought BUTTERFLY SWORDS fell into the latter category. This is, interestingly enough, primarily where the writing disappointed me. I did not feel invested when Ai Li and Ryam were sneaking around, attempting to avoid the guards searching for them. I simply kept on reading (apathetic the entire time) and neither felt any sense of relief when the two managed to escape, nor any connection to their environment. You know how some stories seem to have the characters living in their own little world, disconnected to their surroundings? For some reason, I felt like it was like that instead of having the environment almost as its own character. That was the first sign of "trouble" when reading this story.

Ryam, our pale-skinned barbarian, fell flat for me, too. Like the environment, I felt no connection with his character at all, which is probably one of the most disappointing aspects of this book for me. He was not fully developed as a character and was not an interesting love interest. So, because I found our hero uninteresting, I never felt fully invested with this romance (which is a problem, considering what the genre is). What I cannot understand is why Ryam would not be developed further. We don't even learn (unless I missed it while skimming) where he comes from. Why include a foreigner then if he brings no real uniqueness to the overall story?

I think the only redeeming quality about this book was how kick ass Ai Li was, especially with her butterfly swords. The fight scenes in this book were my favorite parts. I loved that the author created an independent character who was strong enough to disobey the rules to protect her family. Too bad her love interest lessened the story for me.... and that Ai Li was reduced to the same virginal sissy that we encounter in numerous historicals.

I do give Jeannie Lin props, though, for thinking outside the box and exploring a different time period and writing an interracial romance. While I did not enjoy this story, I will be interested in checking out her future titles, since she does bring a breath of fresh air to the historical romance genre.(less)

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Feb 08, 2011 Nikki rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction-alternatehistory

Given that this was published by Harlequin, I wasn't really holding out very much hope of it being a good book. Still, when it was mentioned during the discussions of the cover of Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix, I decided I'd give it a try when it was out, and have finally got round to it. It does have an Asian woman on the cover, and she is indeed holding a butterfly sword (though she should have two, I'm told). So it's winning there, at least.

From her author bio on Goodreads, though:

"After four ye...more Given that this was published by Harlequin, I wasn't really holding out very much hope of it being a good book. Still, when it was mentioned during the discussions of the cover of Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix, I decided I'd give it a try when it was out, and have finally got round to it. It does have an Asian woman on the cover, and she is indeed holding a butterfly sword (though she should have two, I'm told). So it's winning there, at least.

From her author bio on Goodreads, though:

"After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart Award–winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon."

At the very least, she deserves better than a publishing house associated -- among the people I know, anyway -- with dreck and exoticisation. I don't know much about the historical setting, really, and since I don't read much in the romance genre, I have little to compare it to in terms of exoticisation. There wasn't anything that made me deeply uncomfortable, at least, but how much that is worth from a white reader...

In any case, the main character, Ai Li, is a strong woman. Not "feisty", but fierce, honourable, great-hearted, willing to do whatever it is she has to do. She's naive, too trusting, but she never simply expects Ryam to look after her. She is willing to take care of herself, and to some extent capable of doing so, without being a superwoman.

Ultimately, some of the episodes seem to have little point -- the interlude with Lady Ling, for example -- and the characters aren't going to stay with me. I have truly no idea how plausible it all is. But it's a reasonably enjoyable read, I wasn't bored, the sex scenes were reasonably well-written, the story didn't feel like just a vehicle for the sex scenes... As an undemanding read to relax with on a Saturday afternoon, it was good fun.

08/02/2011 -- Thinking about it later, after reading a critique of another Asian fantasy, I sort of think that this was more problematic in terms of gender roles than my review suggests. The big strong barbarian, always telling Ai Li what to do, and Ai Li foolishly trusting and relying on him... Does her rebellion ever really take her anywhere? Isn't she carefully put back into her place in the patriarchy, with her father and her lover talking about her and not to her?

The details are already fading from my mind, less than a month later, too -- not the strongest book in the world, clearly.(less)

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Sep 29, 2010 Dhympna du Maurier rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-rom, historical-fiction, netgalley

I have been trying to write this review for days. This book is one of those books that I really wanted to like--I mean really, really wanted to fall in love with...but (ah, but there is the but) the truth is that it just fell flat. I struggled to get a third into the book and ended up skimming the rest. I hesitate to call that "reading the book" and thus will label it as a DNF.

The Good:

It is set in a different setting/country. The premise is very interesting--girl going against her station to tr...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Brenda Audiobooks Only rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-i-ve-listened-to, 2-audible-com-books, historical-romance

Narrated by Sarah Lamb - Narration 3*

Reviewed for AAR's Speaking of Audiobooks 6/11/12 http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=8353

Butterfly Swords by has been on my TBR list since its DIK review here at AAR so when it was released in audio I snapped it up. Now that I’ve finished listening, I’m calling it a real mixed bag.

That being said I’m going to reach my hand in and start grabbing things out. Let’s start with the story itself – it’s not a DIK for me but with a setting in 758 AD during the Tang dy...more Narrated by Sarah Lamb - Narration 3*

Reviewed for AAR's Speaking of Audiobooks 6/11/12 http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=8353

Butterfly Swords by has been on my TBR list since its DIK review here at AAR so when it was released in audio I snapped it up. Now that I’ve finished listening, I’m calling it a real mixed bag.

That being said I’m going to reach my hand in and start grabbing things out. Let’s start with the story itself – it’s not a DIK for me but with a setting in 758 AD during the Tang dynasty, it gets serious props for a uniqueness that peaked my interest enough to do more than one internet search. Narrator Sarah Lamb gets those same props for her command of the Chinese phrases and her skill with the genuine sounding accents and definition for each of the many Chinese characters involved and our heroine princess, Ailey, was a genuine pleasure to hear.

Now I have to pull out pacing and tone from my bag. The tone was a whisper, which I thought deliberate at first as Ailey was trying to quietly sneak away from her wedding procession. So, why did it remain throughout? And the pacing was sloooow. Ms. Lamb did pick up speed by the end but still, a Harlequin Historical with 288 pages translating into an audio 10 hours and 43 minutes in length? By comparison – Linda Howard’s Open Season is 368 pages with an audio that is 8 hours and 52 minutes – nuff said.

How about our hero Ryam? We’re never told exactly where the barbarian who rescues our princess is from but my guess from researching his name (if that was to be a hint) and his blond hair and blue eyes is Saxon. The general narration of the book is performed with a pretty British accent, but Ryam is an odd mixture. Ms. Lamb’s performance of his character fluctuates from awful to good when it comes to his tone and from no accent to British and then a random Chinese accent that grew steadier by the end. Regardless, you can‘t help but love him.

There are many extended fight scenes that had me thinking I’d switched to Urban Fiction from time to time but those scenes do exhibit Ailey’s training, practice, and skill with her butterfly swords. It is a true art form I found interesting. The pacing of the narration lessens the tension of these scenes and passes straight over the humor in the quips back and forth. But I always caught the smile or laugh in a written voice queue – as I said, a real mixed bag.

Jeannie Lin’s writing skill will hold your attention if you can block the negatives in audio (I used the “fast” setting on my iPod for much of the first half) and concentrate on the positives. The narration does enhance on some levels with an intensity of individually spoken words and the beautifully performed Chinese accents. I see signs of real promise in Sarah Lamb and hope to see her progress – especially with more Jeanine Lin books!(less)

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Oct 03, 2012 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction

3.5 stars. Having thoroughly enjoyed My Fair Concubine, I went back to the beginning of the series for more glimpses of Jeannie Lin's wonderfully vivid Tang Dynasty, and I'm glad I did. It's a shame there aren't more authors exploring settings outside of Britain or Europe, because this is an excellent example of how well it could work. As a Chinese reader, it was particularly fun seeing conventional social etiquette in action and the intricate way numerous old traditions were woven into the stor...more 3.5 stars. Having thoroughly enjoyed My Fair Concubine, I went back to the beginning of the series for more glimpses of Jeannie Lin's wonderfully vivid Tang Dynasty, and I'm glad I did. It's a shame there aren't more authors exploring settings outside of Britain or Europe, because this is an excellent example of how well it could work. As a Chinese reader, it was particularly fun seeing conventional social etiquette in action and the intricate way numerous old traditions were woven into the story. It's pure mastery.

Jeannie Lin also has a way of writing strong, intelligent heroines. Some readers might not like Ai Li's naivette, but I find it true to her upbringing. Noble girls were incredibly sheltered back then, and Ai Li was an imperial princess - it stands to reason that she would not have the worldly experience to match her tough character and principles. Ai Li's skills with her butterfly swords weren't wasted, either, and I loved it whenever she had a chance to show it off. So often authors are busy telling us that the heroine is a tough fighter but fail to show us that in action. Not here! Ai Li and Ryam fights their way out of trouble together.

The character of Ryam, unfortunately, was not as well crafted as Ai Li or even Fei Long, the swoony hero of My Fair Concubine. I never really got a sense of what made him who he was. He seems to have a bee in his bonnet about his father and he's eternally guilty that he failed in his first command (presumably getting his men killed), both of which combine to make him mopey and morose until he met Ai Li. I don't think we ever really find out what happened with his father and the "failed command" problem was smoothed over remarkably quickly at the end, which was disappointing. His "love" for Ai Li I also found dubious - he claims to love her, but his thoughts are forever about her physical attributes. Furthermore, I think we're supposed to be reminded about his foreignness (and hence the way he thinks in a different "language" in his head) through the different spelling of Ai Li as "Ailey," but what was originally restricted to his POV became increasingly mixed into the rest of the writing and it drove me up the wall.

Speaking of the ending, it's really the main problem I had with this book. I enjoyed the complications that kept Ai Li and Ryam apart as well as Ai Li's disappointment at her father and family. The tension built steadily, up until the climax, and then woosh! Everything resolved, very pat. It simply wasn't convincing, and I was left with a million questions that weren't really answered. We had our HEA, but (view spoiler) I did like the epic sword battle between Ryam and Li Tao, though, and I'm looking forward to finding out more about Li Tao.

My gripes about the abruptness of the ending and Ryam aside, I enjoyed Butterfly Swords and it would be unfair to pick on it further; it is, after all, the author's first book (and really a very good one, despite the flaws). I can't wait to pick up The Dragon and the Pearl! What I've seen of Li Tao and Ling Suyin in this book has been truly intriguing.(less)

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Jun 21, 2012 Síafra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Warning: This book should fall under the category of erotic.

I'd forgotten how exhilarating it is to finish a book in one day, whether or not it was good or bad.

It was intriguing to see another author write a Chinese story. I've only read Lisa See and Pearl of China, but both were amazing. This book didn't stand a chance against them. The whole book revolved around an impending love story. I'm still not sure whether or not Wu was a liar or he was telling the truth. The "villain" Li Tao, wasn't ev...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

While Butterfly Swords is marketed as a romance, it has a strong plotline full of politics, swordfights, and family dynamics that give the book a wider audience than the standard romance. The worldbuilding is beautiful, with the sort of details that enrich the world and make it memorable without bogging the story down. The attention to the swordplay and fighting scenes makes them a particularly important element of the story, and Lin reveals a lot about their characters simply by the way they fi...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Jasmyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, netgalley, romance, harlequin, harlequin-historical, china

45. Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
Genre: Romance
Pages: 288
Acquired: 5/20/2011
Book of Your Shelf? No
Why I have it: NetGalley
Series: Harlequin Historical

Princess Ai Li is doing the unthinkable. She is running away from the mam she is supposed to marry. A marriage that was arranged by her father, her actions could bring shame to her entire family. But she has good reason for doing so. She has discovered that her future husband played a part in the slaying of one of her brothers. Thankful that she...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Donna Alward rated it 4 of 5 stars

Maybe it was my frame of mind when I started reading but I wasn't quite as gripped as I expected. I think I felt that there was a certain amount of set up and action going on, but it didn't take long for that to change. You know what sticks out for me with this book? Pacing. The pacing was really well done. There was a lot of traveling - really this was one big old road trip for Ai Li and Rayam - but because of the changing situation and locations it didn't feel monotonous. In fact, each leg of...more Maybe it was my frame of mind when I started reading but I wasn't quite as gripped as I expected. I think I felt that there was a certain amount of set up and action going on, but it didn't take long for that to change. You know what sticks out for me with this book? Pacing. The pacing was really well done. There was a lot of traveling - really this was one big old road trip for Ai Li and Rayam - but because of the changing situation and locations it didn't feel monotonous. In fact, each leg of the trip worked like a road map to the emotional conflict and romantic development as well as advancing the stakes in the plot - really great crafting IMO. And even though we reach a point where Ai Li and Rayam know they love each other, a happy ending is still very far away and I'm reading along trying to figure out how it's all going to work out and I HAVEN'T A CLUE.

You know what else was well paced? The sensuality and sexual relationship. And her descriptions were beautiful. Even in hard battle scenes or the heat of sex, Lin's writing is graceful. If you look at the components of the story, they seem very typically plotted. But the writing is individual and fresh and smooth so that you don't mind at all. I liked that.

I did have a few thoughts about the ending. It felt a little rushed. I would have liked to have understood exactly why her father acted as he did, and more about why he suddenly seemed to change his mind. And I would have liked for her to have had her swords at the end. They play such a pivotal role throughout. In Rayam's final battle, when he realizes how he should be fighting, I really wanted a mention of the touch reflex thing. The scene in the beginning where she blindfolds him to demonstrate touch reflex in battle is beautiful. Then it's repeated when they first make love - a lovely way to explain their reactions to each other that stood out as particularly well crafted. It was nearly there in the ending and just needed more of an overt reference.

There are moments of levity, too, and my favourite humorous part was when Ryam and Ai Li's brother Huang are drinking. Huang says "She chose you. You can't be so bad. Do you know there is a tradition of lucky devils in our family? Our grandfather won himself the most beautiful bride in the province. And he was nearly as ugly as you are." I laughed out loud! There is some wonderful word play between the characters and an awareness in the differences of language without it being awkward or clunky. There were so many things that Jeannie did well in the construction of this book! And the true test - the more I think about it, the more I like it. It's a book with resonance.

This is a lovely story in an unusual setting with a fantastic balance of suspense, action, and romance. If you haven't read it, you should!

(less)

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Dec 27, 2010 K. Bird rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ryam, a mercenary barbarian returning from a failed mission in Tang Dynasty China, jumps into the fray when he sees Ai Li (dressed as a boy, but Ryam knows she's a girl) being attacked by her bodyguards.

Together they run from her intended bridgroom, Li Tao, and his army as they race to reach the capital, Changan, and safety before Ai Li is recaptured.

Butterfly Swords is a historical Harlequin romance between a Western mercenary and a Han Princess set in Tang Dynasty China. Ai Li and Ryam both ar...more Ryam, a mercenary barbarian returning from a failed mission in Tang Dynasty China, jumps into the fray when he sees Ai Li (dressed as a boy, but Ryam knows she's a girl) being attacked by her bodyguards.

Together they run from her intended bridgroom, Li Tao, and his army as they race to reach the capital, Changan, and safety before Ai Li is recaptured.

Butterfly Swords is a historical Harlequin romance between a Western mercenary and a Han Princess set in Tang Dynasty China. Ai Li and Ryam both are strong warriors. They both have something to teach eachother in the sword-fighting and culture department.

The setting is great, with lush descriptions of the land and period details that set the tone of the times withe believable authenticity. The sword action was right to my taste, enough description to make it come alive on the page without too-long technical descriptions that break up the prose.

The romance was fairly typical. It was in fact, a bit strange for me to read the usual romance tropes of a man-never-in-love-before falling for a woman under these circumstances. All the breathless yearnings you'd find in any bodice ripper were written beautifully into these characters.

And that may be why I couldn't quite give this book all 5 starts, although I wanted to love this book (yay for non-Western settings in romances!) I think that one of the difficulties inherent in using a non-Western setting and characters is the race and culture issue.

Granted, Ryam had lived in China for 6 years before he met Ai Li, but I would still think both he and Ai Li would have to deal with the strangeness of eachother's features, smells, bodies, and cultures, as characters of those times.

While there is some "teaching" of Ryam, I didn't think this issue was addressed well enough to make me believe in the full-force instant attraction that is believable when the characters don't have these issues to overcome.

I also think that race/culture was kind of thrown by the wayside for the happy ending. Without going into detail about how Ryam and Ai Li end up, the reality of how Ryam must have been seen by Ai Li's family was kind of glossed over, and the difficulty Ryam would face politically and financially completely taken away in a way I didn't find believable considering the attitudes towards "barabarians" of that time.

Anyhow, despite my reservations regarding the race issue, this was a very enjoyable historical romance.

This Book's Food Designation Rating: Stir-fried beef and broccoli for the wonderful setting and flavor of the times with a base of extremely familiar ingredients.(less)

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Nov 18, 2010 Liz Talley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very nicely done. The heroine was easy to fall in love with, and I easily identified with her predicament. The opening was fast-paced and I thought her generosity to the hero (who was obviously nearly starving) very endearing. The fight scenes were well-paced and the ones between the hero and heroine were both sensual and flirty. I think I enjoyed the sweeping scenery the best. I felt as if I were right beside them as they traveled the roads and rivers of China. Ms. Lin certainly knows how to bu...more

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Nov 15, 2010 Joanna Terrero rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Erotic romance adventure set in Ancient China.

During the journey to her arranged marriage ceremony, Ai Li learns outrageous secrets about her betrothed, Li Tao. A powerful governor and war hero. A man she has never seen, but to who she belongs now. Unable to become the wife of a warlord, who is plotting against her father and probably murdered one of her brothers. Ai Li needs to inform her father about Li Tao's betrayal. She escapes, breaking up with tradition. Disobeying her parents for the fi...more Erotic romance adventure set in Ancient China.

During the journey to her arranged marriage ceremony, Ai Li learns outrageous secrets about her betrothed, Li Tao. A powerful governor and war hero. A man she has never seen, but to who she belongs now. Unable to become the wife of a warlord, who is plotting against her father and probably murdered one of her brothers. Ai Li needs to inform her father about Li Tao's betrayal. She escapes, breaking up with tradition. Disobeying her parents for the first time, Ai Li risks dishonouring her family name. Being the only daughter in a family of warriors, she doesn't hesitate to face the intrigues and dangers of imperial politics. In her returning path, she is closely pursued or attacked. Ryam, a barbarian warrior, rescues her.

Ai Li and Ryam, the most dissimilar beings, converge under surprising circumstances. Unbeknown to both, their fates are sealed on sight of one another. When he looks at Ai Li for the first time, Ryam sees a bright light in the middle of his darkness. Her kindness and beauty strike him and it's the start of a breathtaking adventure. After the initial mistrust, Ai Li and Ryam ally. She needs to safely return to the imperial city. And Ryam feels the need to protect her, even from himself. Being a foreigner, he is unlikely to be involved with her enemies.

Ryam is confused by an unhoped love and has many flaws, unusual for a hero. Historical romances are full of arrogant heroes, rich and powerful. Ryam is none of that. When they meet, he's starving. His only treasure is his sword and his own ability as a swordsman. Skill he doubts constantly. Ryam flutters between alpha and beta. His own fears break Ai Li's heart at one point, putting many in danger. However, there is something very touching in Ryam's devotion for Ai Li, hence his self-doubts are forgiven. Ryam finds a way to redeem himself, while learning about what being honorable really means.

The sensualism of the love scenes is beautifully conveyed by Jeannie Lin. Ryam is a passionate and tender lover. Hesitant at first, later eagerly introducing Ai Li to the pleasures of the flesh. They immerse in a torrid affair between sword fights. This is an engaging story with believable secondary characters, and one of the most painful black moments ever. There are a few elements in the plot that could have been improved, but in all, Butterfly Swords is extraordinary. I love this book. And I recommend it as a fast and entertaining read.

(less)

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Oct 13, 2010 Pamela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jeannie Lin has written a historical romance set in 758 CE China during the Tang Dynasty. Shen Ai Li, daughter of the Emperor, has been betrothed to Li Tao to seal an alliance between the Emperor and his rival. Before she can be married, however, she learns that Li Tao was responsible for the death of one of her brothers and that he is amassing a large army to usurp the throne from Ai Li’s father.

Ai Li is determined to warn her father of Li Tao’s perfidy. First, though, she must travel across co...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Sela rated it 5 of 5 stars

I actually bought this at the beginning of the month, but haven’t had much time to read until last night, when I plopped myself in my reading chair after dinner and told my family that I wasn’t moving until I’d finished the book.

OMG. Who needs to move? What could possibly be more interesting than watching a princess and a barbarian fall in love in Tang dynasty China?!?

I had to sort through a couple of things as I read.

First, Jeannie’s a friend of mine. Was that coloring how I perceived her book?...more I actually bought this at the beginning of the month, but haven’t had much time to read until last night, when I plopped myself in my reading chair after dinner and told my family that I wasn’t moving until I’d finished the book.

OMG. Who needs to move? What could possibly be more interesting than watching a princess and a barbarian fall in love in Tang dynasty China?!?

I had to sort through a couple of things as I read.

First, Jeannie’s a friend of mine. Was that coloring how I perceived her book? I think it was definitely a reason for me to pick it up, but once I started reading, I didn’t care. It was just a great book.

Second, the setting is so interesting, is the uniqueness hiding any flaws in the book? I can categorically (look, I made a Harlequin pun!) state that this book has so few flaws to begin with, the setting is just this massive bonus.

And the setting so completely and totally rocked. I’ve read probably more than my fair share of Regencies and medievals and they’re…comfortable. You get to know the rules of the world they inhabit and you know what’s expected. There’s no familiarity in ancient China, so everything I read is new and exciting.

Also, the sword work was brilliant. I’ve been following along with Jeannie’s series of Warrior Women blogs, so when I read the fight scenes, I was amazed at how well she was able to put such a complex series of actions into words — and make them exciting and emotional and accessible.

This has all been about the setting, but the characters are also beautifully drawn. They’re complex and unexpected and perfect for each other, despite the differences. But they can’t operate in a vacuum and the secondary characters are all equally compelling and deeply drawn. They’re not just cardboard props for the H/h to bounce off of — they all have their own layers.

When this story ended, I totally did that Big Happy Sigh that only comes at the end of truly great books. This one is going on the keeper shelf.(less)

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Sep 21, 2010 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-tang-dynasty-chinese

BUTTERFLY SWORDS by Jeannie Lin is a historical romance set in 758 AD China- Tang Dynasty. It is well written with depth, details, fast paced and a page turner. It has sensuality, honor, betrayal, tradition, sword play, family, a princess, barbarians, adventure and a true love story. The hero, Ryam, is a barbarian, powerful swordsman, noble, trustworthy, stubborn and honorable. The heroine, Ai Lin, is a princess, daughter of an emperor, betrothed to Li Tao, the sixth child, stubborn, honorable,...more

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Sep 09, 2010 Jane Litte rated it 4 of 5 stars

Excellent prose carries this Tang Dynasty historical romance featuring a female warrior trying to avenge the death of her brother while coping with the family's devotion to honor, face and duty. A barbarian from another land comes to her aid and together they make a journey to the capital for Al Li to carry back news of her betrothed's betrayal of her family.

Ryam believes he has no honor and Al Li is weighted down by it thus they balance. Ryam is not without honor, he just perceives it to be tr...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Maldivianbookreviewer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of historical romances in unusual settings.

Recommended to Maldivianbookreviewer by: None

Shelves: jeannie-lin, historical-romance, bad-boy-hero, blacksheep-hero, brooding-hero, commitment-phobic-hero, dangerous-hero, emotional-wrangler, endearing-hero, endearing-heroine, exotic-locations, family-drama, favorites, forbidden-romance, explosive-passion, good-girl-heroine, harlequin-romances, haunted-by-the-past-hero, hero-from-the-wrong-side-of-town, hottest-first-kiss, hottest-sex-scenes-ever, kick-ass-heroine, larger-than-life-hero, loner-hero, not-your-average-heroine, on-the-run-for-their-lives, opposites-attract, roughing-it-theme, some-violence, sizzling-sexual-tension, sweet-reads, virgin-heroine

5+ Stars for this breathtaking historical

With only two historical novels published to her name, Jeannie Lin has shot into my list of favorite authors after being totally and utterly captivated by the tale of love, Tang Dynasty politics and the beautiful sensuality that she wields in her stories. I picked up Butterfly Swords right after I was done with The Taming of Mei Ling which was just a teaser into Jeannie Lin's capability in keeping readers enthralled by the magic that she creates with th...more

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Nov 06, 2010 Ning rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, romance, historical

ต้องยอมรับว่า หนังสือเล่มนี้น่าสนใจที่ปก เนื่องจากว่ามันเป็น รูปผู้หญิงเอเชีย
ซึ่งเท่าที่อ่านนิยายโรแม้นซ์ฝรั่งมา ยังไม่เคยพบตัวละครที่เป็นเอเชียเลย
แม้แต่ตัวประกอบก็ตาม แต่เล่มนี้เล่นเอาเอเชียมาเป็นนางเอกเลยทีเดียว
ก็ต้องลองซะหน่อย ..

ครั้งแรก ก็ยังคิดว่าสงสัยจะดำเนินเรื่องในดินแดนยุโรปอีกล่ะมั้ง
ประมาณนางเอกเดินโซซัดโซเซ ข้ามน้ำข้ามทะเลมา
แต่ที่ไหนได้ .. กลับกลายเป็นเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นที่เมืองจีน ในสมัยราชวงค์ถัง
แล้วนางเอกเป็นถึง ลูกฮ่องเต้ ส่วนพระเอก เป็นแค่คนต่างแดน ป่าเถื่อน นอกรีต (Barbarian อ่ะ)...more ต้องยอมรับว่า หนังสือเล่มนี้น่าสนใจที่ปก เนื่องจากว่ามันเป็น รูปผู้หญิงเอเชีย
ซึ่งเท่าที่อ่านนิยายโรแม้นซ์ฝรั่งมา ยังไม่เคยพบตัวละครที่เป็นเอเชียเลย
แม้แต่ตัวประกอบก็ตาม แต่เล่มนี้เล่นเอาเอเชียมาเป็นนางเอกเลยทีเดียว
ก็ต้องลองซะหน่อย ..

ครั้งแรก ก็ยังคิดว่าสงสัยจะดำเนินเรื่องในดินแดนยุโรปอีกล่ะมั้ง
ประมาณนางเอกเดินโซซัดโซเซ ข้ามน้ำข้ามทะเลมา
แต่ที่ไหนได้ .. กลับกลายเป็นเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นที่เมืองจีน ในสมัยราชวงค์ถัง
แล้วนางเอกเป็นถึง ลูกฮ่องเต้ ส่วนพระเอก เป็นแค่คนต่างแดน ป่าเถื่อน นอกรีต (Barbarian อ่ะ) น่าตาประหลาด (เป็นฝรั่งนั่นเอง)

หลังจากอ่านจบก็คิดว่าเป็นหนังสือที่อ่านได้เรื่อย ๆ นะ
แต่แอบรำคาญ การดำเนินเรื่องเล็กน้อย
เพราะเนื่่องจาก พระ-นาง ต้องหนีทหารที่พยายามมาจับตัว
ก็นะ .. เรื่องเลยค่อนข้างวนไปวนมาเล็กน้อย
ประมาณ ทหารโผล่ -> สู้กัน -> หนีได้ -> กุ๊กกิ๊กเล็กน้อย -> ทหารโผล่มาอีกละ แล้วก็สู้กันอีก อยู่อย่างนี้ล่ะ

แต่ก็สรุปว่าเป็นหนังสือแหวกตลาดโรแม้นซ์ได้ดี
แต่ถ้าเป็นตัวละครฝรั่ง หนีไปมาในลอนดอนไรงี้นะ
คงเหลือ 3 ดาวแน่นอน
ให้คะแนนความแปลกใหม่ กับปกสวยละกัน อีก 1 ดาว
(less)

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Aug 16, 2010 Juli rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! It's wonderful to have a historical romance set in China. The setting is rich and the story and characters are imbued with its essence of honor, loyalty and tradition. Family is important, and so is love, and reconciling the conflict between those seems almost impossible at times. I was almost in tears by the end.

I especially appreciate the strong women in this book. Not just the heroine, although certainly a sword-wielding heroine is wonderful, but the strength of the other wom...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Judy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, adult, fantasy

Fairly enjoyable and smooth read. I question the authenticity of Jeannie Lin's Tang China, but I didn't really have high expectations of historical accuracies when it comes to these sorts of stories.

Although the story was predicable, I liked the fast pace of the action scenes. The attraction between Ai Li and Ryam sent sparks flying off the page, and there were a few scenes where I had to fan myself from the sheer intensity of their passion.

Ryam as a hero and in general their romance was ok, b...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Kate L rated it 3 of 5 stars

There were quite a few changes made to the romance formula which made me love the book. First off, the girl is a Chinese Princess quite proficient in ripping a man to shreds with her Butterfly Swords. The man is a blond hair blued eyed former soldier, current wanderer from a vague "somewhere over there" in Europe. This interracial couple makes for an especially interesting story when you add in the fact that the story happened about a thousand years ago and the girl is engaged to the second most...more

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Sep 02, 2010 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, historical-romance, fiction

Butterfly Swords is set during the Tang Dynasty, but the protagonists and set-up should be familiar to anyone who's read a few romance novels before. Innocent Ai Li is on the run following her resistance of a treacherous arranged marriage, and "barbarian" Ryam is the angsty-backstory-ridden outsider/foreigner who comes to her aid and finds himself shocked at how attached he becomes. At the book's beginning, it was the action (sword fights!) that appealed to me: the romance seemed a bit too strai...more Butterfly Swords is set during the Tang Dynasty, but the protagonists and set-up should be familiar to anyone who's read a few romance novels before. Innocent Ai Li is on the run following her resistance of a treacherous arranged marriage, and "barbarian" Ryam is the angsty-backstory-ridden outsider/foreigner who comes to her aid and finds himself shocked at how attached he becomes. At the book's beginning, it was the action (sword fights!) that appealed to me: the romance seemed a bit too straight-forward and predictable at the outset, so I was reading to enjoy the combined badassery of Ai Li & Ryam and their adventures on the run. The external plot (two reluctant, temporary allies trying to escape from the bad guys at all costs) and its resulting action sequences made me think of the fight sequences in urban fantasy novels; the action in Butterfly Swords, if not as frequent or as graphic as in urban fantasy novels, was high-quality and enjoyable.

One thing that made me pull out and wave the "Yay! Awesome!" flag was that Ai Li's competence with her swords (the titular butterfly swords) is earned; throughout the book, she practices. She practices! Again and again, she demonstrates a physical and theoretical knowledge of what she's doing! I believed in her skills fully and whole-heartedly. So often in books, a protagonist's fighting competence is taken for granted, and we never even hear about them continuing to practice, and we don't see any consequences of their expertise (how it makes them think and act in non-physical conflict situations, for example) outside of the fight scenes themselves. Absolutely NOT the case in Butterfly Swords, and this attention to realistic detail made me believe in (and adore) Ai Li all the more.

And I did adore Ai Li. She's strong and she feels and acts authentically, and she has a backbone and values that matter to her, but she's still a somewhat-sheltered nineteen-year-old who makes mistakes. Ryam's point of view was strong as well, but I could never quite piece together the entirety of his backstory, or where he was from (a made-up kingdom? I'm still not sure), and while I believed in his eventual love for Ai Li, I didn't feel quite as attached to him as I did to Ai Li.

The issues of honor and loyalty are a preoccupation of both Ai Li and Ryam (not to mention the extended cast of characters), and I was pleased that this book made me both think and feel deeply about how honor and loyalty and, well, pragmatism, come into conflict. I really believed that the characters in this book were entrenched in the culture and the history of this place and this time period. China during the Tang Dynasty wasn't just a backdrop for an interchangeable historical romance: it was just as dynamic and as important as the characters themselves.

Note: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.(less)

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Oct 12, 2010 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-reviews

Ai Li is the number six child of the family Chang during the Tang Dynasty. Trained in the ancient art of butterfly swords by her grandmother, she is no meek woman, she is a warrior. As with most women of the time she is sent off to be married to Li Tao, to help cement relations between their lands. Ai Li learns of her intendeds duplicity as well as his involvement in the death of her brother and realizes that he is a traitor. She takes the advice of an old lieutenant, Wu, dresses as a young lad...more Ai Li is the number six child of the family Chang during the Tang Dynasty. Trained in the ancient art of butterfly swords by her grandmother, she is no meek woman, she is a warrior. As with most women of the time she is sent off to be married to Li Tao, to help cement relations between their lands. Ai Li learns of her intendeds duplicity as well as his involvement in the death of her brother and realizes that he is a traitor. She takes the advice of an old lieutenant, Wu, dresses as a young lad and escapes her promised husband in order to warn her father of his treachery.

Ai Li is a strong and independent woman, but is also very respectful of her parents and their traditions. While she does not want to marry a man she does not know, she follows her family’s wishes.

When she escapes, she knowingly breaks tradition, but feels that her family would understand when they learn of Li Taos part in the death of her number four brother. It is during this juncture that she meets Ryam a barbarian from another country. She is kind to a stranger when she could just ignore him; she does not treat him as most foreigners are treated. She is a mix of strength and femininity with a very good heart.

Ryam is trying to forget his part in the death of his comrades. He is in a strange land with nothing but his sword and his wits to protect him. When he first spots Ai Li, she is dressed as a young man. He sees through her disguise immediately and is amused that she seems to be pulling it off. He gets involved when Ai Li is being attacked, where he then becomes her one man rescue. Not that she is not capable and very deadly with her butterfly swords as he sees for himself. He is fascinated by the contrast between the purity of her womanliness and the strength of her skills with the swords.

As Ryam agrees to stay with her till she gets home to Changan, they run into many serious satiations where each is required to draw on their deepest internal spirit to get them through. They are being pursued by Ai Li’s bridegroom, Li Taos, who will not allow himself to lose face by her desertion. As a consequence of them traveling together, they begin to learn about each other as well as develop a trust based of mutual respect. What neither of them anticipates is the attraction, which is there right from the beginning. On Ryam’s part this attraction is visceral and raw; he is hard put to keep himself away from her. The glances cause heat and you can feel his tension and his urgency. Since he has made himself her protector, he continues to try to protect her against himself. Ai Li also feels the attraction but is very aware of the situation she is in. She is still betrothed to another man, and while she at least hopes her family will understand why she has left and possibly caused them embarrassment, she is also even more aware of his foreignness and how it will be accepted by her family. Every touch, every look, between the two of them has you yearning for more. There must be a way for them to be together, as their tension strains at the very bond that holds them together.

This is a wonderful story of family and how they come together; it is about learning to trust yourself as well as those around you. Jeannie Lin brings the time and place together in such an amazing way, almost as though you were watching it through the words. This is a brutal time and place in history but also a time of the most famous of love stories, the most beautiful poetry and the most exquisite fashion . She has brought us to a place in history and brought it to life; she has allowed us to see what many have never had a glimpse of. The story was well told, the romance bold but sweet, and the characters were exactly what was needed to bring it all together. There were a few times in the story where it bogged down a bit, causing it to lose momentum, but over all, it was a wonderful read.

Summary

Ai Li has escaped her intended husband in order to inform her father of his treachery as well as his involvement in the death of her brother. She has not gotten very far before her would be rescuers decide to become her captors. Ryam is unwittingly drawn into this by the kindness that she has shown him. When he saves her, only to be saved by her in return, they become traveling companions as she races to reach her father.

They are pursued by her intended Li Tao, and run into danger and excitement at every turn. Ai Li is well trained in the ancient art of Butterfly Swords by her Grandmother, unbeknownst by her mother. This is not what well bread young women do. They are obedient and follow their father’s wishes.

Ai Li is a mixture of amazing strength as well as a source of innocence. Ryam is a barbarian in a land of refinement. They are meant to be together, but they may be in the wrong time and the wrong place. Butterfly Swords is a fast paced and energetic book with wonderful characters. Will they be able to break the bonds of obedience, and what will happen to their forbidden love?

This book is a free ARC ebook received from Net Galley. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material. (less)

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Aug 21, 2010 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: advanced-review-copy, historical-romance

The setting is China during the Tang dynasty. When noblewoman Chang Ai Li (Ailey) discovers on her wedding journey that her betrothed is responsible for killing her brother in an attempt to gain political power, she escapes and flees toward Changam (Xi’an) to warn her family of his betrayal. Before she makes it very far, she finds herself attacked by bandits and rescued by Ryam, a down-on-his-luck barbarian mercenary from somewhere in Europe.

I thought the use of historical elements was nicely d...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: antiquity, culture, east-asian, ebooks, historical-fiction, romance-love

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 28, 2013 A. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: that-s-amore

I LOVE THIS BOOK! Okay. Sorry. That kind of exploded out of me. But it's true. I first read it waaaaay back when it had just come out, on the recommendation of a friend, and so Butterfly Swords is actually the book that more or less got me back into reading straight-up romance novels! I'm v happy for that. Thanks, Butterfly Swords! [finger guns like a charmer]

So anyway my affection for this book is powerful -- like, are there better romance novels out there? Yeah, for sure, and there's def stuff...more I LOVE THIS BOOK! Okay. Sorry. That kind of exploded out of me. But it's true. I first read it waaaaay back when it had just come out, on the recommendation of a friend, and so Butterfly Swords is actually the book that more or less got me back into reading straight-up romance novels! I'm v happy for that. Thanks, Butterfly Swords! [finger guns like a charmer]

So anyway my affection for this book is powerful -- like, are there better romance novels out there? Yeah, for sure, and there's def stuff in this book that makes me kind of :/ (mostly the whole "Ryam must duel Li Tao for Ai Li's hand!!!" thing and like, it makes sense why that has to go down but also ehhhhh, well, you get me), but I just love this book a whole lot!

Jeannie Lin is very careful to avoid a lot of the pitfalls common to White Guy/Woman of Color romances, and particularly those common to romances involving a white person in another culture, as so: Ryam is never presented as being Inherently Superior in either thought, culture, appearance, or battle, and indeed his character arc is centered around Ryam respecting Ai Li's culture and her cultural expectations/needs (such as Ryam honoring her ancestors with his intentions) and striving to overcome his prejudices, such as they are. Ryam is not more "enlightened" than Li Tao or Ai Li's father when it comes to, say, women and women's rights, and in fact, Ai Li garners a great deal of her agency within Butterfly Swords from her culture and from her relationships with and respect for the women in her life (e.g. her mother, her grandmother, Lady Ling, Miya, even the many minor servant women).

While obvs Ryam's struggle with his own worthiness as a human being (dude is messed UP) is a major part of this book, it is Ai Li's own conflicts -- between what she desires and what is expected of her, between her family, her culture, and her wants, and how she is to reach a compromise that respects all -- that drive the narrative from the first to the last. Ryam's character arc is ultimately centered upon his relationship with Ai Li, while Ai Li's character arc is centered upon her relationship with herself. To an extent I suppose that's what could make the resolution disappointing, as it involves parties outside of Ai Li herself putting to an end various conflicts, but I would argue that Ai Li's final decision, to honor and stay true to her word regardless of her own desires, is itself the resolution her character arc drove towards; perhaps this, then, is why it's necessary for Ryam, who has fled from making his commitment and feelings for Ai Li known within the context of her culture, to challenge Li Tao in the way that he does? IDK, man, I'm just typing words.

ANYWAY! The central romance itself is very sweet and I think difficult to turn away from; every time I read Butterfly Swords I wind up pouring through it until at last Ryam and Ai Li are making out (and Ryam is going downtown, WINK WINK) at which point I can sigh and sink back luxuriously onto my pillows etc. But the action sequences are also very impressively executed, with every motion clearly conveyed and done so in a way that matches the frenetic pace and adrenaline of battle. The unique capabilities of different weapons and different characters are neatly expressed, and no physical conflict is bland or too sparse. Similarly, the political conflicts and circumstances are precisely sketched, so that though our attention is focused on Ai Li and Ryam's romance and its place in this world, that world can be inferred and understood from what is given. Or: Butterfly Swords feels expansive and fleshed out in a way many historical romances do not.

I think I'm finally ready to move on to The Dragon and the Pearl, the sequel focused on Lady Ling and Li Tao -- Li Tao's place as villain of Butterfly Sword always got in my way, but this read through I made a point of focusing on Li Tao as a more sympathetic character. I'm still not sure how much I like him, if at all, but I am at last PREPARED. (Also I loved Lady Ling a LOT so I'm for sure reading it for her!!!!!) OK, ANNA OUT(less)

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Mar 09, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: earcs

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. It's not really only three stars--I'd give it 3 1/2 if I could. I loved the historical detail and the setting, coming from an Asian background myself. I didn't love how the main character, however competent she is with her swords, basically was just a naive virgin who willingly submits to the first man who isn't plotting against her family. Given that it is a Harlequin book, I knew I would be getting some fairly graphic sex scenes, and that's fin...more

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Oct 17, 2012 T.L. Morganfield rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved, loved, loved this book. I loved Lin's My Fair Concubine, but this one blew that one away on so many levels. The heroine has to be one of my favorite of everything I read so far, self-sufficient and tough and yet still feminine and relate-able. I also really loved the hero, which I wasn't expecting, given that he's a Westerner, but the whole cross-cultural theme worked very well for me. It's woven quite flawlessly throughout the story. I loved the fact that the story was an action/adventur...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Butterfly Swords is set during a unique time period in the Tang Dynasty in 758 AD China. Ai Li, the daughter of an emperor, is betrothed to marry, Li Tao, a warlord. This is an arranged marriage and one that Ai Li doesn't want because she has found out that her husband-to-be has plotted against her family and may have killed one of her brothers. Ai Li has always been the dutiful daughter, but in this case she will defy her parents' wishes and return to them and tell them what she knows, regardle...more Butterfly Swords is set during a unique time period in the Tang Dynasty in 758 AD China. Ai Li, the daughter of an emperor, is betrothed to marry, Li Tao, a warlord. This is an arranged marriage and one that Ai Li doesn't want because she has found out that her husband-to-be has plotted against her family and may have killed one of her brothers. Ai Li has always been the dutiful daughter, but in this case she will defy her parents' wishes and return to them and tell them what she knows, regardless if she will be disgraced in their eyes. As she’s returning home, she’s set upon by thugs, pretending to be bandits, thanks to one of her father's lieutenants who wants to help her. She runs off with this group of men, uncertain of her future. She trusts no one and will disguise herself as a boy using her trusty butterfly swords to protect her seeing as she has been trained in the art of sword fighting.

Things become even more complicated when Ai Li is almost drugged at a tavern. She is saved from a blue-eyed barbarian called Ryam, who is cruelly nicknamed the White Demon. Ryam is also skilled with a sword, but has become an outcast since he’s not a native of Ai Li’s country. He arrived in this land five years ago through the silk trade and has outlasted his welcome. Even though Ai Li is grateful for his aid, she is wary of him because he could be working for Li Tao. But because Ai Li is a woman all alone, she throws caution to the wind, and asks Ryam for protection, to be her bodyguard of sorts. Ryam thinks Ai Li is very beautiful, as well as deceitful. He doesn't believe her when she says she comes from a family of tea merchants. But against his better judgment, Ryam will escort Ai Li home, who he nicknames Ailey.

Ai Li and Ryam are surrounded by danger everywhere they turn. And even though they’re both skilled with their swords, they must constantly be on their toes. As they hurry on their travels, they begin to know one another better, and soon their attraction for one another grows into an explosive passion they know will not end well. And when Ryam finally figures out who Ai Li is, and who she's running from, he’s backed into a corner. Ai Li is in a worse position, whose parents are dismayed over her behavior and refuse to listen to her pleas. The only people she can turn to are her grandmother and youngest brother, who are not powerful enough to stop Li Tao who is on his way to claim her. Ai Li may have no choice but to exile herself away from all those she loves, although Ryam is more than willing to love and cherish her despite all the odds against them.

Butterfly Swords is a very unique story. Jeannie Lin has written a rich tale and one amazing heroine in that of Ai Li, who because of her strong nature, will sacrifice so much because of the deep love she has for her family. Not only does Ai Li have incredible fighting skills that put some of her male counterparts to shame, but she refuses to sit back and do what's expected of her regardless of how wrong it may be. Ai Li is a heroine with "balls." She stands up for herself and those around her knowing the outcome may end badly.

As for Ryam, I found him to be a very weak character with no spirit and only his fighting skills to recommend for him. I was very disappointed in his portrayal. I was very excited about the idea of an interracial romance, but Ryam has no real depth or dimension. He’s the type of hero you can plunk down in any romance during any time period. He’s more of a wallpaper type character if anything. Whereas Ai Li is amazingly written, Ryam held no appeal or substance for me. He seemed so out of place, and I don't mean because he’s a stranger in a strange land. He’s adequate in his role, but not much more than that. And when I reached the point where I wanted the main focus to remain Ai Li and her interactions with her family, rather than with Ryam, that became a big problem for me as a reader.

I also found Ai Li and Ryam's proclamations of love all too fast. When Ai Li first meets Ryam, she keeps her distance, and rightly so, because she doesn’t know what Ryam's motivations are. But then as the walk, talk… walk and talk some more on their travels, she suddenly has this epiphany that she wants Ryam above all else. And this necessarily doesn't have anything to do with her physical attraction to him. I just couldn’t get a good sense on why she wants Ryam so much.

The ending is too pat and the conclusion of Ai Li and Ryam’s HEA didn’t work for me. I shook my head a few times during what is the final fighting scene.

The love scenes are well written and I very much enjoyed Ai Li’s family and the setting, But, with the lack of chemistry between Ai Li and Ryam, as well as Ryam not having enough dimension, I would say Butterfly Swords had merit, but overall it missed the high points I had been anticipating.(less)

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Butterfly Swords (Tang Dynasty #1)

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