From the Bookshelf of YA Saves Reading Challenge Group…

Silver Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia, #1)

Cindy Pon

Why we're reading this: This is a great book and one to read between all the "issue-oriented" stories.…more
[close] This is a great book and one to read between all the "issue-oriented" stories.

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Jan 02, 2011 Alison Ng rated it really liked it

This is actually my second time writing a review for this book. I didn’t like the way my first review came out, so here I am again attempting to put my thoughts down for you all.

Ai Ling is like other heroines in some ways, but in other she is different. She is modest, intelligent and loves food as much as I do! A lot of girls don’t like eat in front of guys or other people, but Ai Ling isn’t like most girls. She eats her heart’s desire and I actually look up to that. We girls shouldn’t be insecu This is actually my second time writing a review for this book. I didn’t like the way my first review came out, so here I am again attempting to put my thoughts down for you all.

Ai Ling is like other heroines in some ways, but in other she is different. She is modest, intelligent and loves food as much as I do! A lot of girls don’t like eat in front of guys or other people, but Ai Ling isn’t like most girls. She eats her heart’s desire and I actually look up to that. We girls shouldn’t be insecure to do things in front of others-like eating. Every person is beautiful in their own way and that’s why I love Ai Ling. People think differently of her but she doesn’t let words get to her.

The description in this book is phenomenal. I could imagine every place they traveled and smell the meals they characters were eating. It’s one thing to read a novel; it’s another thing to be immersed in it. Cindy Pon uses intricate details to build a world so magical I’m not sure it can even exist in fiction. (Yeah, it’s that enchanting).

In almost every chapter, something happens. Whether it’s dealing with dragons, spirits, or guys I want to punch, the action is continuous. For me, it didn’t feel like the story was building up to that one huge explosion of a climax. With everything happening I didn’t know if the final scene would be as amazing. Honestly, that part still had me on the edge but it still felt a little less intense then it could have been. Still, all of the action (mostly) makes up for it.

I don’t want to give too much away, but there is definitely a connection between Ail Ling and Chen Yong. And lemme tell you, Chen Yong is pretty crush-worth ^_^. But there are enough awkward moments between these two that you’ll wonder about them till the end (and after). The romance in Silver Phoenix is realistic, which is nice.

Overall, this book is a pretty nice read. It has great characters, delicious food and breathtaking moments. I’m thinking you might want to check this one out…

Rating: 4 / 5

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Aug 27, 2010 Laura (Booksforbreakfast) rated it it was amazing

I can't begin to describe how much I adored this book! It totally captured me from the beginning and I loved Cindy's style of writing. After I finished the novel, I admit that I stalked her a bit on Goodreads...

I found Ai Ling to be a really stunning character in that she was very beautiful but couldn't exactly get it right. She's flawed, but wonderfully so. I loved the imagery and the journey for the characters. The end did upset me a bit, but it didn't take away from the book as a whole.

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