Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix

I loved this book. It's beautifully written and full of wonderful prosaic passages. Cindy's character, Ai Ling, is a spunky--wait a minute--she's not spunky. She's smart and a little reserved, determined, brave and grows over her journey.

If you have ever stopped by Cindy's blog, you know that she likes food.
And taking pictures of food.
Well, don't read Silver Phoenix on an empty stomach. There are wonderful Asian delicacies throughout, described with sumptuous detail. Ymmm.

As for Ai Ling herself, hers is a journey through a world she thought was only myth, in search of answers to her father's disappearance. She is joined by Chen Yong, a young man in search of answers, too.

It seems to me that the thread of Family runs throughout the book. There are moments of great beauty, pain and violence, some of it rather gruesome, but I'm all for the gruesome. Cindy handles it well and with a sure hand.

Silver Phoenix is a treat. If you don't have it, go buy it. It's a good, classic book, unaffected by trends or modern cliches.

I think it will be around a long time.

5 comments:

Tabitha said...

I read and enjoyed this too, and am looking forward to the sequel!! :)

cindy said...

what a wonderful review from a fellow writer. thank you so much. i'm happy you enjoyed--and it was such a treat to meet you in person in chicago! i had a blast!!!

Ronald L. Smith said...

Oh, you're welcome, Cindy. I really found it captivating. Like Tabitha, I can't wait to see what else you have in store.

You...you professional author, you!

Sherrie Petersen said...

I enjoyed Silver Phoenix, too. And Cindy is so nice--we met at SCBWI-LA. I can't wait to read more about Ai Ling :)

Ronald L. Smith said...

Hi Solvang Sherrie! Thanks for coming by.