Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword (Peasprout Chen #1)

In this auspicious and massively entertaining series opener set in an Asian-inspired fantasy world, a young woman pursues her dream of mastering wu liu, which combines figure skating and martial arts. Fourteen-year-old Peasprout Chen and her younger brother, Cricket, are sent to the Pearl Famous Academy as part of an exchange between their homeland of Shin and the city of Pearl, where they must prove themselves worthy by passing numerous challenges. Hazards abound, including rival students, sabotage, and diplomatic tensions. Peasprout attempts to protect her brother, avoid new enemies, prove her innocence when she's accused of being a spy, and excel at her studies, but her greatest challenge may be overcoming her own hubris and stubbornness. Building on a lushly described world introduced in several short stories, debut novelist Lien crafts a memorable setting and cast while delivering a fast-paced, tense plot full of surprises. The descriptions of wu liu are elegant and cinematic, and Peasprout's moves are as sharp as her tongue. Peasprout Chen is a future legend, indeed. Ages 10-14. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM Partners. (Apr.)

Gr 5-8--In this martial arts fantasy, the Empress Dowager has sent 14-year-old Peasprout Chen and her little brother Cricket to Pearl, a city constructed from a porcelainlike substance that enables its residents to rely on skating for transport. Peasprout Chen and Cricket must adjust to a new school, the Famous Academy of Skate and Sword, where they confront cliques and mean kids while studying wu liu, a form of martial arts--style figure skating. Peasprout must also combat the rumors that she is a spy--rumors fueled by a wave of sabotage that coincides with her arrival. Much of this tale mandates an enthusiastic suspension of disbelief and an appreciation of over-the-top action sequences. In one scene, Peasprout swims in her skates; in another, students fling their partners high enough into the air to engage in aerial combat over the rooftops. In a problematic scene, however, a 14-year-old girl is left fighting in only her underpants, calling to mind a long history of scantily clad female fighters introduced into film and prose to titillate rather than empower. VERDICT The topless fight scene moves this book solidly into the do-not-purchase column, which is unfortunate because it might otherwise have found a home where high-octane action and adventure tales are appreciated.--Eileen Makoff, P.S. 90 Edna Cohen School, NY

"It's Hermione Granger meets 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' meets the Ice Capades meets 'Mean Girls.'" For all its disparate ingredients, though, PEASPROUT CHEN: FUTURE LEGEND OF SKATE AND SWORD speaks in a single, strong voice, thanks to its spirited heroine." —The New York Times

"Massively entertaining...Peasprout Chen is a future legend, indeed." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"For a rewarding and well-constructed plot in an uncommon setting—plus some effective genderqueer subversion at the end—this story can't be beat." —The Horn Book

"An utter delight from start to finish... I love this book!" —New York Times-bestselling author Jonathan Auxier

"Peasprout Chen is my new favorite heroine of young people's literature." —New York Times-bestselling author Daniel José Older

"Thrilling, beautiful, fierce, and like nothing I've ever read before."—Mike Jung, author of Unidentified Suburban Object

"The fictional wu liu that flourishes there—acrobatic fighting conducted on springy ice skates—stands a good chance of elbowing aside quidditch as the next big novel-inspired sport... luring fans of martial arts, well-built worlds, and romance back for ensuing adventure."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Lien's exciting debut is a story of acceptance and bravery, friendship and hope. Peasprout dreams of becoming the best in wu liu, a mix of martial arts and figure skating...A riveting and complex read about new beginnings, family, and choices." —Booklist

"Vividly described wu liu sequences capture the exuberance and energy of the imagined sport...An ambitious debut." —Kirkus Reviews