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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I loved Mulan (the disney movie) as a kid, but I forgot how much until I read that book. I now remember why I loved it and now love it again.
Smart and Brave Heroine: CHECK
Mulan has literally virtue that I admire: bravery, strength, I love that she isn't afraid to be different or to be herself. She just wishes she could be herself without disgracing her family or her warrior father. She is so brave and strong. She is one of my favorite Heroines now.
Sweet and Brave Hero: CHECK
Even though he's not the romantic lead, Li Po is so much of a hero! He risks everything he has to win honor for his family and to show his true face. In the end he ends up paying the ultimate price, his life. Now on to Prince Jian, he was fantastic and brave and smart and cute and so much more!
Original Setting and Unique Plot: CHECK
Sure, the basic plot was the same, but I am more than willing to overlook that because of the amount of depth and emotion that Cameron Dokey was able to add to the story. And the characters were all fantastic.
Extraordinary Supporting Characters: CHECK
YES. YES. YES. Li Po, Zao Xing, Min Xian! I loved them all, each and every one. They all portrayed such beautiful emotion and great character.
Plot Twists and Page Turners: CHECK
Not that many plot twists, but can you really expect than from a retelling of an old story already known by most? Not really. As for page turners, the writing is what inspired me to keep reading. It was beautiful and fantastic!
All together an amazing read and recommended!
Smart and Brave Heroine: CHECK
Mulan has literally virtue that I admire: bravery, strength, I love that she isn't afraid to be different or to be herself. She just wishes she could be herself without disgracing her family or her warrior father. She is so brave and strong. She is one of my favorite Heroines now.
Sweet and Brave Hero: CHECK
Even though he's not the romantic lead, Li Po is so much of a hero! He risks everything he has to win honor for his family and to show his true face. In the end he
Original Setting and Unique Plot: CHECK
Sure, the basic plot was the same, but I am more than willing to overlook that because of the amount of depth and emotion that Cameron Dokey was able to add to the story. And the characters were all fantastic.
Extraordinary Supporting Characters: CHECK
YES. YES. YES. Li Po, Zao Xing, Min Xian! I loved them all, each and every one. They all portrayed such beautiful emotion and great character.
Plot Twists and Page Turners: CHECK
Not that many plot twists, but can you really expect than from a retelling of an old story already known by most? Not really. As for page turners, the writing is what inspired me to keep reading. It was beautiful and fantastic!
All together an amazing read and recommended!
This book is definitely one of my favourites form Dokey as it suits her style of writing very well. While other stories feel rushed due to Doey focusing on setting up character before all else, it works well with the character of Mulan because it is her personality that causes the story to happen at all. I do feel that the final act of the story feels a bit rushed, but it is an improvement on her other books and it works for the younger audience that she is aiming for.
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy and fast paced read, especially since the story is well known. I can't say much negative about it because it was well written and never dull. Though it was short, it really fit the story. So all in all, it was enjoyable.
I have not read the ballad of Mulan so can't compare this retelling with an 'original' version but this didn't feel like a retelling. It was almost exactly like I've always thought Mulan's story to be.
It is told in the first person which makes you empathise with the heroine even more.
It is told in the first person which makes you empathise with the heroine even more.
(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)
I like fairy tale retellings when they're well done, and The Wild Orchid was such a good one! The story of Mulan has always been a favorite of mine, so I was excited to stumble across this at the library. It read super fast, and I enjoyed it. The author built a believable world and culture in the short number of pages. The writing was gorgeous, which was a very pleasant surprise!
I like fairy tale retellings when they're well done, and The Wild Orchid was such a good one! The story of Mulan has always been a favorite of mine, so I was excited to stumble across this at the library. It read super fast, and I enjoyed it. The author built a believable world and culture in the short number of pages. The writing was gorgeous, which was a very pleasant surprise!
I loved the characters as I have loved Cameron Dokey's other fairy tale characters in [b:Once: Before Midnight; Golden; Wild Orchid|11724895|Once Before Midnight; Golden; Wild Orchid|Cameron Dokey|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328160270s/11724895.jpg|16673341]. Dokey's writing style reminds me of the way my thoughts merge together when I'm daydreaming, which makes her stories that much more relaxing and enjoyable.
I thought the climax was a bit anticlimactic in The Wild Orchid, the conflict was too quickly resolved, and I found myself wishing for more, a wish that was not just because of how much I enjoy Dokey's writing.
I was totally expecting Guang to cause problems when the Huns didn't pose that big of a threat, but unfortunately he didn't and the story ended a bit too soon for me.
Even so, I enjoyed The Wild Orchid.
I thought the climax was a bit anticlimactic in The Wild Orchid, the conflict was too quickly resolved, and I found myself wishing for more, a wish that was not just because of how much I enjoy Dokey's writing.
Even so, I enjoyed The Wild Orchid.