Picked up at a library book sale. To share.
As evocative and moving as Charles de Lint’s Newford books, with the three-dimensional protagonists and enthralling action of Mercedes Lackey’s fantasies, Nine Gates makes our world today as excitingly strange and unfamiliar as any fantasy realm . . .and transports readers to a wondrous magical world drawn from Chinese lore and legend.
Brenda Morris has barely had time to become accustomed to the idea that she has some of the powers of the Rat, a member of the Chinese Zodiac; that her elderly, former child-star “aunt,” Pearl, is the Dragon; and that the young African-American former soldier she trains beside is the Dog. Brenda has learned that our world is not the only world and that her not-quite-Chinese ancestors came from a magical place, the Lands of Smoke and Sacrifice, created thousands of years ago by the destruction of China’s books and scholars during the time of the first Emperor.
Now, generations later, the Lands are once again at war, and the magics of the Thirteen Orphans are desperately needed. A mission to capture those powers went disastrously wrong and now the Lands’ Dragon, Tiger, Snake, and Monkey are trapped on Earth unless the Orphans can build the Nine Gates. To do that, they must first save the Four Guardians of the land between, who are under magical attack. Complicating things is the fact that Brenda has fallen hard for the handsome man who is the Tiger, much to the distress of the sensual young woman who is the Snake.

Went into the otherworldly box

Choosing this book out of the Otherworldly Bookbox. Looks very interesting. This past year I read some of Charles de Lint’s writing. So, seeing as I liked his work, I may enjoy this tale by Jane Lindskold’s as well.

Interesting storyline revolving around the Thirteen Orphans that are connected to animals of the Chinese Zodiac. It started out slow but picked up the paced, later on. A lot of characters to keep track of but I eventually got them straight. When I started reading this book, I didn't realize that it was the second book of of a trilogy, however, you can read it on its own. Saving this one for the Asian Bookbox that is coming my way.

I am putting this book into AlterEgoZoe's Asian Themed Bookbox. Happy Travels!

Made a brief stop at my house. I am not much of a fan of the fantasy genre, so I'll pass it along to the next, hoping it finds its next reader. From the East Asian themed book box.

Came back home in the Far East Box. May release some where else.

When he looked up again Tas had gone. Rising to join the others, he caught sight of something small and abandoned on the floor. "Tas you forgot your pipe." He picked it up and then saw words carved into the wood he had not seen before. Find the music, find the magic.
"Did you carve this?"
Tas did not turn. "Yes," he said, reluctantly. "I have to leave it."
"But, Tas, why?"
Tas squared his shoulders as though firming some resolve. But still he did not turn. "Because the shepherd said that it could only be used once. Thats why I can't get the pipe to play that song-or any song. I've used the magic." He took a deep breath and went on. "And he said that once I found the magic I had the pass the pipe on." he paused and then he did turn, a scamp's humor in his long brown eyes. "It's going to be a long winter. I'm going to leave it here for someone else to find." "Snowsong" by Nancy Varian Berberick

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