SWORD

In the China of the Cultural Revolution, Ar Kin returns to his village after years spent in prison for speaking out against Communism, bringing with him a library of forbidden books and a head full of forbidden tales. One such is that of Miu Miu, who instead of seeing the matchmaker on her 15th birthday undertakes the task of avenging the murder of her father’s murder, a swordmaker put to death by the Emperor after making the perfect blade. Miu takes another of her father’s weapons and sets off disguised as a boy. After several adventures, she meets her betrothed, and the two plot to kill the emperor together. Miu Miu, like Ar Kin, the teller of her tale, defies tradition and the ruling powers and is punished, but survives. Ar Kin’s tale of revenge and mystical Kung Fu takes place in ancient China, and both the era and the characters come to life. Fans of Asian martial-arts movies and manga will be satisfied and eager for the second volume, due in the fall. (Fantasy. 12-16)