Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon

As a young woman of Xia, it is Ai Ling’s responsibility to marry now that she is seventeen and of age. But Ai Ling as not interested in being married off to someone she doesn’t even like or know. She’d far prefer to be like her own parents and marry for love, and not be forced into a subservient role. But in the end Ai Ling has little choice when each attempted betrothal ends in rejection. She’s far too educated and free-spirited.

One day, Ai Ling’s father is summoned to the see the Emperor. He promises to be home within a month, but when one month become three, and then six, Ai Ling and her mother are put into a difficult position as they begin to run out of money. The two do their best to get by, but when a lecherous merchant in town appears with a claims debt and offers to marry Ai Ling as payment, the young woman decides that it’s time she set off for the Palace of Fragrant Dreams and bring her father home.

The long journey is treacherous for a woman traveling alone, and before long Ai Ling is attacked on the road. Not by a person, but by a monster. One straight out of the Book of the Dead Ai Ling used to sneak out of her father’s study. In the nick of time she is saved by another young traveler, a young man named Chen Yong. Chen Yong is on a quest of his own, but it seems the two have the same destination in mind and Ai Ling’s simple task of bringing her father home is quickly changing into something much bigger.

Set in a fictional country similar to ancient China, Silver Phoenix is a satisfy debut novel. Ai Ling’s coming of age and empowerment as an independent woman in a country where women are subservient and expected to stay in their quarters and only bear children for their husband matched with the action make for an exciting read.