A review by thebiasedbibliophile
Sound the Gong by Joan He

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR Strike the Zither AHEAD!!!

About a year and a half ago, when I first read Strike the Zither by Joan He after finding it on BookishFirst, I had no idea that I’d just discovered a new favorite author! And reading the sequel, Sound the Gong, reaffirmed Joan’s venerated place on my list of all-time favorite authors! As readers, every now and then we’ll come across a book that is on another level when compared to other books, a book we think everyone should read, a book that changes who we are. Both the books in the Three Kingdoms duology are those kinds of books!

As if Strike the Zither wasn’t enough of a rollercoaster ride, Sound the Gong had my stomach jolting in surprise with all the twists and turns. Zephyr and Crow are two of the most morally gray characters I’ve ever read, and I really appreciate how He didn’t hold back with their morally grayness. At the same time, she juxtaposed a strong sense of justice in both of them. The contrast adds a higher level of plausibility and makes you root for them all the more.

Similarly, anyone would have a hard time convincing me that Joan He isn’t an absolute genius! You don’t have to read her books super closely to enjoy them, but if you do, your mind will be blown at all the subtle references and foreshadowing. As someone who’s just starting to explore writing, it is authors like Joan who inspire me to be a better writer. The flood of joy I’d feel whenever I found a little clue that alluded to the previous book or foreshadowed a later event was thrilling.

Additionally, Joan’s sense of humor with her writing is so memorable. I love the way she takes what could be a pretty depressing story and infuses it with lightheartedness and hilarious moments. Simultaneously, she does not shy away from addressing deep emotions. I particularly enjoyed Joan’s depiction of Zephyr working through her grief for Lotus.

As a whole, you NEED to read both Strike the Zither and Sound the Gong if you haven’t yet! In my mind, they are masterpieces! (Also, your heart will need the bonus story “In Another Life,” after reading STG. Just to forewarn you.) :)