The Magnolia Sword

A Ballad of Mulan

By: Sherry Thomas

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

CHINA, 484 A.D.

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.

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

This is not the Disney Mulan!

Initially, I was thinking that maybe Disney had based their Mulan on this book. But no, this is a holy original story and Sherri Thomas once again hits it out of the stadium, with in-depth character, development and understanding. Many diverse stories woven together. She surprises me in every genre, loved 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.