The Magnolia Sword

A Ballad of Mulan

By: Sherry Thomas

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

China, AD 484.

A warrior in disguise.

All her life, Mulan has trained for one purpose: to win the duel that every generation in her family must fight. If she prevails, she can reunite a pair of priceless heirloom swords separated decades earlier, and avenge her father, who was paralyzed in his own duel.

Then a messenger from the Emperor arrives, demanding that all families send one soldier to fight the Rouran invaders in the north. Mulan's father cannot go. Her brother is just a child. So she ties up her hair, takes up her sword, and joins the army as a man.

A war for a dynasty.

Thanks to her martial arts skills, Mulan is chosen for an elite team under the command of the princeling - the royal duke's son, who is also the handsomest man she’s ever seen. But the princeling has secrets of his own, which explode into Mulan's life and shake up everything she knows. As they cross the Great Wall to face the enemy beyond, Mulan and the princeling must find a way to unwind their past, unmask a traitor, and uncover the plans for the Rouran invasion...before it's too late.

Inspired by wuxia martial-arts dramas as well as the centuries-old ballad of Mulan, The Magnolia Sword is perfect for fans of Renee Ahdieh, Marie Lu, or Kristin Cashore - a thrilling, romantic, and sharp-edged novel that lives up to its beloved heroine.

©2019 Sherry Thomas (P)2019 Listening Library

excellent! entertaining and yet educational

I've listened to it several times now and expect to do so many times in the years to come. I not only enjoy the plot but how the author has handled character development and sketches the culture and scenery. the voice actor is exceptional

I would listen to it again

it was a great version of mulan. I really enjoyed it. it was very accurate too which I appreciate. the reading was strange when it cam to the guys voices but overall. I would recommend it for sure.

The Ballad We Wanted!

I wasn’t sure what to expect, going in, but it exceeded all expectations. The love and care that went into crafting this story is palpable, and I cannot recommend it enough.

My only “complaint” is that, unlike revisiting Thomas’s Lady Sherlock books, I can’t fall asleep to this one. I need to stay awake and present with Mulan on her journey.

One of my favorite books of all time!

This book is fantastic! The writing is beautifully done and paints a clear picture in your mind. The action sequences and sword fighting sequences are very well done. The story line is very interesting and moves along nicely. Mulan is officially my hero! Buy this book you will not regret it!

Enjoyed

The mostly monotone cadence of the narrator was very off putting, but I prevailed and the story was worth it!

Great story or honor, adventure, friendship

After watching the live action Mulan movie a few times I read through the credits and found the movie as an interpretation of the Ballad of Mulan. I was intrigued, and found this version. I kept an open mind knowing it would be a different interpretation. This story delivered to say the least. I am very happy this version by Sherry Thomas. It was rich with cultural experience. Her version provides a look into different layers of hierarchy and how honor is at the core of each layer. Friendships are formed by honor and adventures are encountered between friends. I was won over.

Enjoyable Adventure

I am honestly shocked that I really enjoyed this book, I came in with very low expectations but the story and the adventure was so enjoyable and I felt like I was watching a mini chinese drama
I liked the chemistry between Mulan and Kei and together they were a great team
If you are not familiar with the story of Mulan it's about a girl who dresses up as a boy to go to war instead of her father and there she encounters all sorts of trouble, specially when she falls in love with her commander
I liked this book and hope to read other Mulan retellings that are this good

The narration was average, but her voice had that sleepiness into it that didn't fit the war theme of the book

Great version of the legend

I have been a fan of Sherry Thomas for quite a while now, and this book is just as amazing as her other books. Written as a YA novel, it’s a worthy addition to the other versions of Hwa Mulan that are out there. I highly recommend.

Listen to the historical notes and afterward

I really like both this book and the narrator. I found that the historical notes and the afterward enriched the story. I appreciate the author’s attention to the theme of Chinese literature and themes — that I did not know about.

Compelling historical fiction

The best yet of all the Sherry Thomas books I’ve read or listened to. Her research and attention to detail of life in 5th century China in this book brings amazing depth to this version of the ancient legend of Mulan. The audible version is outstanding.