Title:   The Queen’s Council #2: Feather and Flame
Author:   Livia Blackburne
Genre:   YA
Rating:  4.5 out of 5

The war is over. Now a renowned hero, Mulan spends her days in her home village, training a militia of female warriors. The peace is a welcome one, and she knows it must be protected.

 When Shang arrives with an invitation to the Imperil City, Mulan’s relatively peaceful life is upended once more. The aging emperor decrees that Mulan will be his heir to the throne. Such unimagined power and responsibility terrifies her, but who can say no to the Emperor?

 As Mulan ascends into the halls of power, it becomes clear that not everyone is on her side. Her ministers undermine her, and the Huns sense a weakness in the throne. When hints of treachery appear even amongst those she considers friends, Mulan has no idea whom she can trust.

 But the Queen’s Council helps Mulan uncover her true destiny. With renewed strength and the wisdom of those that came before her, Mulan will own her power, save her country, and prove once again that, crown or helmet, she was always meant to lead.

I really enjoyed this! The Disney Mulan cartoon is my absolute favorite, and I kept seeing those characters in my mind throughout the entire book. I loved how Mulan’s confidence developed, showcasing her strength. She wasn’t afraid to find help from unexpected sources, and she wasn’t so committed to what she thinks is correct that she ignores anything that doesn’t agree with it. I loved the mix of action and romance, and found this a compelling story.

Livia Blackburne is a bestselling author. Feather and Flame is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Disney in exchange for an honest review.)

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