70 reviews for:

Before the sword

Grace Lin

4.07 AVERAGE

zoes_human's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous

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I confess to some reluctance upon seeing the word "Disney" on the cover. I'm not particularly a fan of the brand, and they've put out some terrible books. I am, however, a BIG fan of Grace Lin, so I grabbed it anyway.

Mulan: Before the Sword takes place in some undetermined time in China's past, back when Hua Mulan was just a girl with no idea of what adventures would find her as a woman. All she knows right now is that she can't seem to behave as is expected of her and that her far more graceful sister is in mortal peril, so she sets out to find a cure for her because nothing matters more than her family. This middle-grade novel is a thrilling fantasy quest written in the same style as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Featuring stories within stories, Chinese folklore, and bold young girl on a big adventure, it is full of excitement and beautiful imagery. It is suitable for ages 8 to 12, but an absolute delight for fantasy fans beyond those years.

leannj's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This was a fun take on what the story of a young Mulan would be like. Apparently the character of the

Red Fox

is the backstory of the witch character of the live adaptation but you don't need to have watched that to enjoy the book. 

knitstock's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

chloehanstra's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

josie_addison's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

pancakeducks's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

etherealaide's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous inspiring

penly4522's review against another edition

3.0

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I really like Grace Lin's writing but this was a little bit too long for me. I kept stopping and wondering if I was going to get through it. I'm glad I did though.

enb00004's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

thegigglingwillow's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous