Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 7:33 AM
“None of us deserves the things we have been given. We can only spend the rest of our days earning them.”
During the journey to her arranged marriage ceremony, Ai Li learns shocking secrets about her betrothed, Li Tao, a powerful governor and war hero whom she has never seen. She discovers that he is plotting against her father and may have been involved in the murder of one of her brothers. Unable to become the wife of a warlord with malicious intentions, Ai Li decides to break tradition and escape to inform her father about Li Tao's betrayal. This decision puts her at odds with her family's expectations and risks dishonoring their name. As the only daughter in a family of warriors, Ai Li is determined to face the dangers and intrigues of imperial politics. On her way back, she encounters pursuit and attacks but is eventually rescued by Ryam, a barbarian warrior.
Ai Li and Ryam, two very different individuals, come together under unexpected circumstances. Unbeknownst to both of them, their destinies become intertwined the moment they lay eyes on each other. When Ryam first sees Ai Li, he is captivated by the brightness she brings into his dark world. Her kindness and beauty deeply affect him, marking the beginning of an extraordinary adventure. Despite initial mistrust, Ai Li and Ryam ally. Ai Li needs to return safely to the imperial city, and Ryam feels compelled to protect her, even from himself. As a foreigner, he is unlikely to be associated with her enemies.
There are a few plot elements that could have been improved, but overall, Butterfly Swords is extraordinary.
