Read All About It: Dragon Sisters

Joyce Chng’s novel is an intriguing historical fantasy set in Qing China that covers all the bases of a traditional young adult fantasy and runs with them. Impossible events, mythical creatures, tight family bonds, and treachery walk hand-in-hand in a sweet narrative with a headstrong girl at its helm.

Xiao Xiao is the daughter of an imperial courtesan, and when her mother adopts a child found in a field, her life becomes a swirl of green pearls, dragons, and dangerous assassins. She must contend with a rebellious dragon princess who refuses to go back home. She must look after her new sister. She must grow up, have fun during festivals, please her family, look forward to her father’s return after every departure. Xiao Xiao is a strong girl who grows into a stronger woman because of her interesting friendship and union with a dragon.

The story is an intriguing mix of sisterly affection and tense action, and I enjoyed it immensely. Xiao Xiao is a very interesting protagonist, and her point of view had me immersed in her world with very little break in the spell.

Chng’s style may be rough at points, but it doesn’t take away from the narrative, and her voice is always clear in meaning and in the depth of her descriptions.. Xiao Xiao’s journey is one of self-realization and growth, and her twin journey with Ming Zhu is a thing of beauty. This is a great coming-of-age story, and deals with all the trials and tribulations held within such a turmoil-filled period of life.

Chng writes beautiful traditions, excellent food, and impressive descriptions. The transitions between girl and dragon and between seasons are beautifully done, startling in their immediacy and well written. I could really sink into the book, and let the seasons wash by as I followed Xiao Xiao and her journey. The setting was always vivid, and the food she described made my mouth water.

There are several recipes sprinkled throughout the novel. Each one guides you through the steps of creating various delicious recipes that made my mouth water while I was reading them. Just a bonus point in an already great work, and I’ll definitely be trying out some of these recipes.

I might be slightly biased because I work with Joyce over on The Skiffy and Fanty Show, but she’s a great friend and has done great things for the SFF community. She is known for her writings on the Skiffy and Fanty website, known as SEA Quest, where she explores Southeast Asian influences in SFF. She also writes urban fantasy under the pen name J Damask. Check out her website here!

Until we return, keep an eye out for small children in fields, holding green pearls and dragons in their hands.