A Bright Heart

August 14, 2023
After 18-year-old Lu Mingshin helps her fiancé Ren become king of Dazhou, he betrays her and leaves her for dead. As she’s dying, Mingshin calls upon the gods to reverse time so she may have another chance to make different choices. Suddenly waking up two years in the past, she swears vengeance on Ren, vowing that he will never wear the crown and that she will never fall in love again. But the events of the previous years do not unfold as she remembers, and the arrival of Elder Hanxin from Nan’Yü, a country of dark magic wielders, now threatens all of Dazhou. To ensure Ren’s downfall, Mingshin teams up with charismatic Prince Jieh, another contender for the throne. As Mingshin and Jieh delve deeper into a treacherous battle of political intrigue and revenge, they must also fight their growing feelings for each other. Limited worldbuilding surrounding the magic system and the warring kingdoms’ history leave some questions unanswered. Debut author Chenli nevertheless employs abundant court relations, romance elements, and a well-developed cast to present a vivid and evenly paced fantasy series starter that centers a determined heroine seeking to topple an archaic patriarchal society. Ages 14–17.

September 1, 2023
A second chance prompts a deadly game of wits. Lu Mingshin is about to be executed. Her fiance, Prince Ren, has ordered her death after using her family's wealth to vie for the position of crown prince from his half brothers, each of them born to one of the widower king's Royal Ladies. If that wasn't enough, Mingshin learns that her Uncle Yi arranged her mother's murder, and Aylin, her two-faced noblewoman cousin, will be marrying Ren instead. On the verge of death, Mingshin desperately wishes for another chance--only to see flashes of light and wake up two years in the past. With her memories of the future intact, Mingshin intends to not become a victim again, training in combat and vowing to endear herself to King Reifeng to secure her family's safety. Strange dreams reveal the source of the magic that allowed her to jump back in time. A powerful mage is also on Mingshin's tail, along with the ruthless enemies she's already aware of. As Mingshin starts to rewrite her life's story, new individuals come into play: a visiting Elder with questionable motives; Princess Yunle, who becomes a new best friend; and Prince Jieh, one of Ren's rivals for the throne. Set in a fantasy world reminiscent of imperial China, this debut novel's structure has a few oddities, but the clever premise and intriguing and suspenseful plot will keep readers engaged. A fresh and compelling voice. (Fantasy. 14-17)

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October 15, 2023
Grades 9-12 In Chenli's Chinese-inspired fantasy debut, a girl on the brink of death gets a second chance at life. Mingshin fell in love with Prince Ren and helped him to become king, but he betrayed her. As she is dying, her prayers are answered, and she is sent back two years into the past. Mingshin is determined not to make the same mistakes: she will prevent the two-faced Prince Ren from becoming king and avert the tragedy that befell her and her family. But her revenge plan is complicated by the fact that, in this life, Prince Ren is involved in forbidden magic. Mingshin also unexpectedly begins to fall for another contender for the throne, Prince Jieh, whom she wrote off as arrogant and haughty in her past life. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the fairy tale-like romance still shows an equal partnership and a thoughtful message about looking past first impressions. This book will appeal to any reader who loves fantasy with a good mix of romance, ancient Chinese court politics, and magic.

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