EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Sacrifice
(Serpentine Book 2)
(Serpentine Book 2)
by Cindy Pon
Sacrifice is the second book in the Serpentine series by Cindy Pon. Also available: Serpentine.
Sacrifice is currently on tour with Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Sacrifice, the sequel to Serpentine, plunges Skybright into the terrifying underworld where demons are bred and whisks her up to the magnificent Mountain of Heavenly Peace where the gods dwell.
Stone is stripped of his immortal status and told to close hell's breach, which mysteriously remains open, threatening mortals.
Zhen Ni, Skybright's former mistress and friend, has been wed to the strange and brutish Master Bei, and finds herself trapped in an opulent but empty manor. When she discovers half-eaten corpses beneath the estate, she realizes that Master Bei is not all that he seems.
As Skybright works to free Zhen Ni with the aid of Kai Sen and Stone, they begin to understand that what is at risk is more far-reaching then they could ever have fathomed.
Excerpt
Dressed in a black sleeveless tunic, he seemed taller than she remembered and definitely bigger. Kai Sen had been all wiry muscle when they had traveled together but thin, still boyish in some ways. His time in the monastery since had filled his frame, as if he’d finally grown into his adult physique. He had looked strong before; now he looked powerful. She watched while the flickering flame danced across his face. Kai Sen’s dark eyebrows were knitted together as his alert eyes swept the large bedchamber. Zhen Ni could see why Skybright had been drawn to him—he was handsome. He exuded masculinity. Assuming a girl appreciated that sort of thing: rough hands and deep voice, the odd metallic tang of sweat. She knew from their travels together that he even smelled different.
Zhen Ni wasn’t attracted to these things.
For a brief moment, she remembered the soft curve of Lan’s neck bent over her embroidery, smelled the rose perfume she used to dab at the hollow of Lan’s throat, the scent sweet and mellow when she would kiss the same spot hours later … Zhen Ni blinked the memories away and whispered, “What are you doing here?”
Praise for the Book
"Vivid sensory descriptions make the Chinese-inflected fantasy kingdom of Xia an immersive world. The mortal realm, the heavens, and the underworld are at once enchanting and terrifying, and at the story’s core are dynamic characters who resist confinement to archetypes ... A brilliant second act ... " ~ Kirkus Reviews
" ... a solid, entertaining story that draws you in. This duology’s a fine one to add to your collection." ~ John Green, NCGBT
"I was sad at the end (because of some things… you’ll see!). But I was glad to tag along on this adventure with Skybright. I think I liked this one more than book one, but I definitely enjoyed this duology." ~ Samantha @ Where's My Bookmark?
"A lovely, unique adventure to provide a satisfying conclusion to this series. [...] There are terrific and wildly imaginative images and creators and lots of unexpected twists which keep the story moving. A perfect bit of escapism into a very colorful and different world." ~ Cambear
"So flipping good!!!!! I can't wait for everyone to read this!!" ~ Jaime (Two Chick on Books)
About the Author
Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Serpentine (Month9Books, 2015), is a Junior Library Guild Selection and received starred reviews from School Library Journal and VOYA. The sequel, Sacrifice, released this September. WANT, a near-future thriller set in Taipei, will be published by Simon Pulse in summer 2017. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a Scrabble tile book cover charm (US only) or one of five ebook copies of Serpentine and Sacrifice by Cindy Pon (international).
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