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Mulan: Before the Sword

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Mulan: Before the Sword
By Grace Lin
Disney Press, 2020. 374 p.

This is the story of Mulan—before she became the famous Mulan who saved the Emperor in the 1998 Disney animated feature. In this story Mulan has a sister Xiu who is bitten by a nine-legged spider. In order to save Xiu Mulan must go on a magical journey to gather ingredients for a healing potion. All the while, a transforming demon (who can change into anything from a previously seen nine-legged spider to a fox with many tails to a beautiful woman who is slyly trying to tempt our youthful warrior) is trying to prevent Mulan and her companions from succeeding on their quest. Lin has written a story that shows readers a glimpse of Mulan and how she came to start believing in herself—the future warrior that would save all of China. Readers who love the original Mulan story will enjoy reading this. Fans of Grace Lin will be happy with another adventure tale with Chinese folklore woven throughout. And booklovers will delight in yet another grand story that will inspire them to greatness. Well done.
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