[ 630 ]

[katara]

A Bright Heart (A Bright Heart #1) by Kate Chenli

Genre:
Regression, Book Series, Asian Literature, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Chinese

Publication Date:
October 17, 2023 by Union Square & Co

Page Numbers:
344

Read/Finished Date:
February 18th, 2025 - February 19th, 2025

Rating:
4.8/5

Premise:

What if you could avenge your own murder? A brilliant young woman gets a second chance at life in this debut YA tale of vengeance, court intrigue, and romance, inspired by classic Chinese tropes.

Mingshin outsmarted three princes to help the man she loved become king. But she doesn’t see Ren’s betrayal coming, not until she’s lying in a pool of her own blood on the palace steps.

As she’s dying, Mingshin makes a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and give her a chance to make things right.

Mingshin wakes up two years earlier, her prayer granted, and swears two things: Ren will never become king, and she will never fall in love again.

But the timeline in this life has changed: a dignitary gifted with dark magic is threatening her kingdom’s peace, and Ren’s thirst for power runs deeper than Mingshin could have imagined.

She finds herself allying with Jieh, another contender for the throne. Mingshin knows better than anyone not to give her heart to a prince. But in the viper’s nest of the royal court, she and Jieh prove a phenomenal team. Can Mingshin avert the catastrophe of her past by once again learning to trust…and maybe even love?

Review:

If you were given a second chance to change your fate, would you do it?

Mingshin did everything for Ren that would set him on the throne as Emperor, but what she was not expecting was his betrayal. Finding herself on the path to death, Mingshin makes a wish to the Gods - allow her to change her fate. Regressed into the past, Mingshin finds her wish answered and a new path opened for her to change.

I LOVED this book. The characters, the world-building, and the sheer determination to right the wrongs she had been given in her past made Mingshin a strong and likable character. Her determination, need for revenge, and perseverance shined deep as her character grew within the pages. I am hoping that she gives hell to all of those who deserve it.

When this book came out, I had no idea there would be a second novel. Now that I know, I am going to pick it up and see how things go from there.

Similar Books:

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (Gods Beyond the Skies #1) by Molly X. Chang
Of Jade and Dragons (Fall of the Dragon #1) by Amber Chen