Alison McBain- The New Empire
Genre: Alternate History/Coming of Age
5 Stars
Brilliant writing, and definitely enticing!
Alison McBain writes an alternate historical coming of age tale with The New Empire. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. Alison was also a guest on our podcast, The After Show with McKensie Stewart & Amy Shannon, and we were honored with her reading an excerpt to the book. For The New Empire, the reader is introduced to Jiangxi, a very interesting and powerfully raw character. I recommend reading the book from the title page all the way to the end. There is important information that the reader should know before diving into the story. May times the Prologue gives insight and some foreshadowing for what is to come. Jiangxi's story shows a tragic and tormented childhood, being a branded slave, only to survive a journey that most of the children around him, did not. One of the things the reader will most see during the reading of the story, is that the story is written in Mutsun Language, which makes some words have spaces, such as Th e. I found this added a realism to the story and shows how much the author took the time for research. He lived as a slave to the Onas, and had interaction with neighbors, but they rarely spoke to him. He was fortunate that sometimes, he had time to himself, which he "would run through the woods as he had on that day when he had seen the kuksui’s mask and fled in fear. But instead of fear, he tasted anticipation—his speed had purpose..." It was a very remarkable and inspiring story, and Jiangxi was one of a Chinese slave, but a slave, nonetheless. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and pulls you in. Breathtaking! Compelling! This journey was very unpredictable. What an inspirational title. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. The New Empire is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
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