Daughter of Xanadu

Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang 2011

Delacorte/Random House

Rating: 4/5

IQ "Courage is not an attribute some people have and others do not. It comes when you fear losing something valuable. I wondered about the other Mongol soldiers around me, and about other soldiers in history. How many of them had been brave in battle simply to defend themselves or comrades they loved? No storyteller would relate this side of valor." Emmajin pg.. 179

Emmajin is the sixteen-year oldest granddaughter of Khublai Khan and she wants to be a solider in his army. These are exciting times, the Mongols have conquered much of the Eastern world. Northern China, parts of Central Asia, Russia, Poland, and Hungary. In the book the Mongols hoped to invade India and Christendom (Western Europe such as Italy) as well. The storytellers spin tales of victory and laud the soldiers who achieve glory on the battlefield, Emmajin wants to know that feeling, she wants to win the respect of the men. Marriage doesn't interest her neither does love until she meets the handsome foreigner, Marco Polo. Marco is a merchant from Venecia and he's different not just in looks, but in personality from the Mongols. He isn't very well versed in the 'manly' skills of archery, horse racing and wrestling. Yet, he has a gift for storytelling and charms the Khan with his tales. At first, Emmajin is assigned to get to know Marco so she spends a summer at Xanadu learning about Venecia, Marco and all of Christendom. Eventually the Khan entrusts Marco with a secret mission and he travels with Emmajin across China. while on the journey, Emmajin sees a different side of Marco, he holds his own. Unfortunately that doesn't make it any easier for her to stay away from this middle class foreign merchant.

Sorry for the long summary, I went a bit overboard on the historical details. This book is worth it though, this was a great read, but I'm especially happy because I haven't read any historical fiction this year so I needed a good fix (plus in my Comparative Government class we were studying China so it was perfect). Fortunately, Daughter of Xanadu delivered. I think this book will inevitably draw comparisons to Mulan, but the only similarity is that they both feature strong Asian female main characters. Mulan is Chinese, Emmajin is Mongolian. There is a difference. Also the ending of Mulan is happy, the ending in this book is left rather open, it could go either way. It is rather happy but I felt that there's enough story left to create another book but it's wrapped up semi-neatly to satisfy readers (or at least to satisfy me). I adored the historical details in this novel. Emmajin must teach Marco about Mongolian culture, through their dialogue I learned a ton of information about life for the Mongols at that time as well as life in Western Europe. The conversations between Emmajin and Marco were natural, they never felt forced as if the author needed to bring in historical information so she gave them dialogue. Instead their conversations naturally flow from a bit of shy flirtation to discussing whether or not the Pope will acquiesce to Mongol rule.

The romance is quite well done. It's not a mutual dislike relationship nor is it head-over-heels. There's a sense of mutual distrust or at least, a sense of wariness between Emmajin and Marco. The romance might develop too slowly for some, but for me, it was at the perfect pace. Seeing Marco through Emmajin's eyes was fascinating and somewhat amusing. Marco Polo has always been this distant historical figure, but now I feel as though I know a bit more about him and can (somewhat) imagine what he would have been like. A polite, charming young guy who loved adventures. I almost wish the story had been told in alternating perspectives though because I didn't feel that I got to learn as much about Marco Polo as I would have liked. Emmajin spends a lot of time with her cousin, Suren (who like Emmajin is fictional) but I don't feel that his character significantly developed. *SPOILER: Highlight to READ* And maybe it's Mongol culture but I found it a bit unsettling that the soldiers were relatively unaffected by Suren's death? He's the heir out of all the Khan's grandchildren, so shouldn't his death be slightly traumatic to others besides Emmajin? *End of Spoiler* I also really appreciated that the author made a conscious effort to talk about revered Mongolian women. Chinggis (known to us as Genghis) Khan and Khubilai (aka Kublai) Khan are pretty well known (well most of us at least remembering hearing their names), but how many know about their wives? They had many wives but Khubilai's wife, the Empress Chabi sounds fascinating and I was engrossed by the story of Ai-Jaruk.

Daughter of Xanadu is a luring tale that is impeccably well-researched, chockful of historical details that never overwhelmed me. The story is all about strong women but Emmajin never seems to be historically inaccurate in her fierceness. The ending being so open-ended is probably one of the few things that was fairly unlikely to happen historically, but since Emmajin is fictional, I don't think it's that big a deal. It would be if a sequel is made (which I hope there is!). Emmajin goes on a mesmerizing journey of self-discovery, the change is very visible, slow and genuine. She gradually begins to see her culture through the eyes of Marco and she's both shocked and pleased at how he views the Mongols. He forces her to question all that she holds dear, including joining the army. Ironically, it is the Khan whose army she wants to join that gives her some valuable advice "All enemies are people, like Marco. Every man, you kill in battle has a father, an uncle, a homeland, some skill, perhaps a sense of humor. everyone who joins the army must learn that." (pg. 131). War is hard and while Emmajin doesn't think it's glamorous, she isn't prepared for the chaotic battlefield. A small detail that pleased me: I had no idea what the dragons really were! I won't say more for fear of spoilers but once I found out what they were, it made total sense. A must-read for lovers of Mongolia, China, historical fiction/historical romance and those looking to travel via book.

Disclosure: Won from Rebecca's Book Blog. Thank you Rebecca & Random House!

PS Coincidence? After I finished this book, the very next day in my English class we read Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" (we are studying the Romantics and I'm not a fan but this poem was funny because the analysis was basically that Coleridge was on something [opium I think] when he wrote this. It's vague and random, basically he has this dream that he wants to share with us but he can't remember it and I don't understand the connection to Khublai Khan outside of the opening lines). It's pretty neat when what I'm studying in school connects to YA.

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Rating: 4.5/5

Ida Mae Jones dreams of flight. Her daddy was a pilot and being black didn’t stop him from fulfilling his dreams. But her daddy’s gone now, and being a woman, and being black, are two strikes against her. When America enters the war with Germany and Japan, the Army creates the WASP, the Women Airforce Service Pilots—and Ida suddenly sees a way to fly as well as do something significant to help her brother stationed in the Pacific. But even the WASP won’t accept her as a black woman, forcing Ida Mae to make a difficult choice of “passing,” of pretending to be white to be accepted into the program. Hiding one’s racial heritage, denying one’s family, denying one’s self is a heavy burden. And while Ida Mae chases her dream, she must also decide who it is she really wants to be.

I.Q. "Isn't it funny ladies, how there's always a man at the bottom of everything we do?" Audrey

First of all, I want to make something clear. Flygirl is only slightly similar to Mare's War. This is good for both books as they are both unique and wonderful in their own way. I'm glad I read Flygirl soon after Mare's War because I was still in the WWII mindset, but you certainly don't need to read them one after the other. Sherri Smith's writing is so descriptive, I really liked how she took us into the mindset people had about the WAC (Women's Army Corps) and the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). They viewed them as either "funny" (lesbian) or man hungry. They had no respect for them and didn't think the WASP could fly planes. Also the discrimination that women, especially black women faced (while I knew it existed and was really bad) was frustrating, the author made it seem so real, that you got all wrapped up in it. Also, while I had heard of the WASP, I didn't know that black women weren't allowed to be in the WASP. I don't understand why they weren't allowed since they had black women in the WAC (segregated but still there).

The WASP were used to fly test planes that men were too scared to fly to prove that if a woman could do it so could a man, but they weren't allowed to actually fly them off base. The WASP weren't allowed to fly planes across the Atlantic. Neither the WASPs or the WAC were allowed to be in combat. The WACs were radio operators or secretaries. The WASP were ferrying pilots (they ferried new planes from factories to the coast where they were shipped overseas to help in WWII), flew on weather-checking missions, or they towed targets for artillery practice. This book really made you admire the courage and perseverance of the WASP. Anyway enough of the history lesson (the history lover in me came out).

The plot was really good and original. Ida Mae Jones decides to pass as white to pursue her dreams of becoming a pilot in the WASP. The hardship she went through, the struggle to maintain her black identity while pretending to be white and remember who she is were described wonderfully (when her mother visits Ida at the WASP base it reminded me of a scene from Imitation of Life). This book really made me wonder, if I lived in that time would I have passed (if I could) for white in order to follow my dreams no matter the cost (denying my people, not getting to openly acknowledge my family)? Ida Mae was always on edge, afraid of slipping up and saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. She was constantly wary and unable to really trust anyone. I admire her (and all the other black women who passed as white to follow their dreams, although there is no record that any black woman ever did that in the WASP).

Flygirl made me want to go out and learn how to fly an airplane (or at least fly in one so that I can sit in the front and observe the pilot). The way the characters describe their love of flying makes you want to try it. The humor of the WASP was great, they tried to see the best in a situation and prove themselves to the men and they were always joking around and singing.

My favorite character was Patsy "Cakewalk" Kake. She was so nice, fun, accepting, funny and daring. She stuck up for her friends and she didn't take any nonsense from the male instructors, officers, pilots or soldiers. One of my favorite quotes of hers is "Saddle up girls. It's time to stick it to them, right in the relief tube." (A relief tube is tube on a plane made for men to relieve themselves while they fly, for obvious reasons it didn't work so well for women). I especially love how she was a wing walker (someone who flies a plane and makes the wings move, does handstands and other tricks) and put this skill to good use (one of the best scenes in the book is when she wing walks, but I can't say anymore!). She teaches Ida about worry knots (which is when you tie a knot in your handkerchief to push it aside and you untie it when you're done worrying), which is a nice idea, although it wouldn't really work today since few people carry around handkerchiefs! She's an all around awesome character.

I didn't really like the ending. It made it seem like a sequel may be forthcoming (although I don't think there is). I felt it was a bit of a cliffhanger, there are some unresolved issues that need to be cleared up.

All in all I thought this book was excellent. A good read for anyone even if you don't like history. 8th grade and up.

Check out this link here, Kimberly Anyadike is believed to be the youngest African American girl to fly across the country. Congrats to her!

Random

On another totally different note, author Celise Downs is looking for beta readers to read and critique her newest book A Royale Pain: The Draven Atreides Teenage Informant Series. For more information or to sign up go here

PS I'm going to have my first contest soon! *grins* I have been babysitting like crazy trying to save up some money and now I have a sum to pay for the book and postage! Stay tuned. It'll probably be a 2 or 3 book giveaway. I want to get 50 followers before I began the contest though (this may change since I'm just so excited about it)

S
peaking of contests. Tashi is having an awesome one! I read and really liked Jason & Kyra, Played not so much.

Oh my gosh! I almost forgot. I'm participating in the August Color Me Brown Challenge hosted by Susan. I'm thinking everyone should enter (*hint hint* contest. You can win a prize from Susan and maybe me!). I certainly am.

I Should Call My Grandmother. You Should Too: Mare's War

Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis

Rating: 4/5

Meet Mare, a grandmother with flair and a fascinating past." Octavia and Tali are dreading the road trip their parents are forcing them to take with their grandmother over the summer. After all, Mare isn't your typical grandmother. She drives a red sports car, wears stiletto shoes, flippy wigs, and push-up bras, and insists that she's too young to be called Grandma. But somewhere on the road, Octavia and Tali discover there's more to Mare than what you see. She was once a willful teenager who escaped her less-than-perfect life in the deep South and lied about her age to join the African American battalion of the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Told in alternating chapters, half of which follow Mare through her experiences as a WAC member and half of which follow Mare and her granddaughters on the road in the present day.

I really enjoyed this book! The character were totally relatable and Mare is the coolest grandmother ever (don't call her that though!) The title of this blog post/review is kinda random, but reading this book made me think of my grandmother and how I haven't talked to her in forever. So I'm going to call her today! The title is a reminder that grandparents need love so call 'em up or hang out with them! They may actually have some cool/funny/interesting stories to share. That's one thing I learned from this book. You presume your grandparents haven't really lived life, they're just old. But they have stories too and while they may not be as interesting as Mare's (or may be even more interesting!), you never know unless you ask. So call/them or hang out and ask away!

First, Mare. I wish my grandmother was like her. It would be so cool to have a grandmother who wears stilettos, drives fast, has an interesting past, is sassy and stubborn. She sounds like quite a character and a lot of fun to be around. She's very laid-back, go with the flow which I think is nice. Although I wouldn't be thrilled if my grandmothers wore push-up bras and smoked. She was my favorite character in the whole book (although I wished she would have danced and hung out with more guys!). She was so brave and hardworking! Which leads me to the next thing...

The historical aspect of the book was really enlightening. Before reading this book, I knew absolutely nothing about the role of African American men and women in WWII (except from what I'd seen in Miracle of St. Anna which was more fiction than fact). The information was really interesting and I admired the black men and women who fought for the U.S. even though, the U.S. wasn't very appreciative. It would have been really hard for me to go to Paris, help fight to protect the U.S., see how kind and non-discriminatory the French people were and then go home. I probably would have stayed in Paris. The work of the WAC (Women's Army Corps) is something I intend on reading more about. Also, I'm going to find some WWII movies about black soldiers (I think Denzel was in one :D).

I also liked both sisters; Tali and Octavia. They were both a little annoying sometimes. Octavia because she was so timid, Tali because she was so rude and whiny. But I sympathized with Octavia's struggle with driving (I'm learning to drive too. And it's scary fun!). And I would be mad like Tali if I couldn't listen to my music. I also like how Tali was stubborn and didn't take no mess from anybody, like Mare.

The book was well written and held your attention. I couldn't put it down. I especially like how it alternated from WWII to the present day. Although sometimes I was so absorbed in the WWII stories, that I wanted to just skip the now chapters (but don't cuz those are good chapters too!)

If you like historical or realistic fiction, this is a must read! Actually I think everyone should read this, because we African American teens need to know all aspects of our history. I would say high schoolers and middle schoolers could and should read this book.