Girls of paper and fire

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
JIMMY Patterson Books, Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date
2018.
Language
English

Description

Uncover a riveting story of palace intrigue set in a sumptuous Asian-inspired fantasy world in the breakout YA novel that Publisher's Weekly calls "elegant and adrenaline-soaked." In this richly developed fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most persecuted class of people in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards for an unknown fate still haunts her. Now, the guards are back and this time it's Lei they're after -- the girl with the golden eyes whose rumored beauty has piqued the king's interest. Over weeks of training in the opulent but oppressive palace, Lei and eight other girls learns the skills and charm that befit a king's consort. There, she does the unthinkable: she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens her world's entire way of life. Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.

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ISBN
9780316452205
9780316561365

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Also in this Series

  • Girls of paper and fire (Girls of paper and fire series Volume 1) Cover
  • Girls of storm and shadow (Girls of paper and fire series Volume 2) Cover
  • Girls of fate and fury (Girls of paper and fire series Volume 3) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These fast-paced fantasy series both star teen girls who, initially part of the lowest caste of their societies, find themselves in a position to lead the charge for change. Girls is a bit darker and more disturbing than Red Queen. -- Stephen Ashley
Though Girls of Paper and Fire is more disturbing than Folk of the Air, both of these complex dark fantasy series follow young women who navigate shifting alliances and cruel rulers as they fight for power and freedom. -- Stephen Ashley
These series have the appeal factors world-building and intricately plotted, and they have the themes "court intrigue" and "women of steel"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "teenage girls," "magic," and "imaginary kingdoms"; include the identities "lesbian" and "lgbtqia+"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue" and "women of steel"; the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers," "teenage girls," and "magic."
These series have the appeal factors disturbing, bleak, and world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue," "women of steel," and "rightful heir"; the genres "dark fantasy" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers" and "imaginary kingdoms."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue," "women of steel," and "for the resistance"; the genre "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers," "social classes," and "resistance to government."
These series have the themes "court intrigue," "women of steel," and "for the resistance"; the genre "dark fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers," "resistance to government," and "imaginary kingdoms."
These series have the themes "asian-influenced fantasy," "court intrigue," and "women of steel"; the subjects "resistance to government," "imaginary kingdoms," and "insurgency"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These series have the appeal factors romantic and world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue," "women of steel," and "forbidden love"; the genre "dark fantasy"; and the subjects "revenge," "rulers," and "imaginary kingdoms."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue" and "women of steel"; and the subjects "revenge," "rulers," and "social classes."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue," "women of steel," and "for the resistance"; and the subjects "rulers," "social classes," and "imaginary kingdoms."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
NoveList recommends "Folk of the air" for fans of "Girls of paper and fire series". Check out the first book in the series.
Though Sharp is dystopian science fiction and Paper is Asian-influenced fantasy, both of these compelling stories follow girls who, after being forced into subservience to men, begin to fight back. -- Stephen Ashley
Though the girls in these multi-layered dystopian fantasies have little choice but to become companions to influential men, they face tough decisions when it comes to politics, survival, and love. Distinct real-world cultural influences distinguish the fantasy settings in each. -- Rebecca Honeycutt
The Cerulean - Ewing, Amy
These suspenseful fantasies with intricate world building explore feminism and highlight LGBTQIA diverse characters. Both Sera (Cerulean) and Lei (Paper) fight for survival in spite of difficult situations. -- Stephen Ashley
NoveList recommends "Red queen (Victoria Aveyard)" for fans of "Girls of paper and fire series". Check out the first book in the series.
Part of the lower castes in their societies, both Violet (Jewel) and Lei (Paper and Fire) are teenage girls picked to serve royalty in unspeakable ways. These fast-paced young adult novels feature strong heroines and disturbing overtones. -- Jennie Stevens
Unexpected love draws heroines away from their fated roles in royal courts in these fantasy series. Each strong lesbian woman must decide how far she will follow her heart. -- Jennie Stevens
Feminism, gender identity, and rape culture play a big role in these fantasies with intricate world building. Girls is faster paced than the more thoughtful Tess. -- Stephen Ashley
These books have the appeal factors disturbing, bleak, and world-building, and they have the themes "court intrigue," "women of steel," and "rightful heir"; the genres "dark fantasy" and "epic fantasy"; and the subject "rulers."
Silver phoenix: beyond the Kingdom of Xia - Pon, Cindy
Both Phoenix's Ai Ling and Girls' Lei confront predatory men in their quest for freedom. These Asian-influenced fantasies are fast-paced and compelling and feature strong female protagonists fighting for justice. -- Stephen Ashley
Both of these fast-paced, culturally diverse fantasy stories with intricate world building follow strong female protagonists who throw themselves into dangerous situations to execute revenge plots against kings who commit violence against women. -- Stephen Ashley
Though Huntress is less disturbing than Girls, which includes themes violence against women, both of these Asian-influcenced feminist fantasies include fast-paced action, intricate world building, and a lesbian romance storyline. -- Stephen Ashley

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the subjects "revenge," "social classes," and "rape."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "dystopian fiction"; the subjects "teenage girls," "resistance to government," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the genre "dark fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers," "resistance to government," and "imaginary kingdoms."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "teenage girls," "magic," and "imaginary kingdoms"; include the identities "lesbian" and "lgbtqia+"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, bleak, and world-building, and they have the subjects "teenage girls," "lesbians," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and include the identities "lesbian" and "lgbtqia+."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genre "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "social classes," "imaginary kingdoms," and "revolutions."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genre "dark fantasy"; and the subjects "resistance to government," "imaginary kingdoms," and "imaginary empires."
These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, menacing, and world-building, and they have the genres "dark fantasy" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers," "resistance to government," and "imaginary kingdoms."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "rulers," "social classes," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and include the identities "lesbian" and "lgbtqia+."
These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, world-building, and multiple perspectives, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "revenge," "teenage girls," and "magic"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors action-packed and own voices, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "teenage girls," "magic," and "imaginary kingdoms."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genre "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "rulers," "social classes," and "resistance to government."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

In Ikhara, there are three castes: the chimera-like, demonic Moon; the part-human, part-demon Steel; and the fully human Paper. Paper Lei's otherworldly golden eyes draw unwanted attention, and when she is picked to become a Paper Girl a member of the Demon King's human harem she cannot say no. Lei trains with other Paper Girls, learning exactly how few freedoms she is allowed, and dreading the day the king summons her. As she navigates this new world of social graces and subterfuge, she grows close to Wren, a Paper Girl with a mysterious past. Loving a fellow Paper Girl is dangerous enough, but Wren is involved with deadlier plots, and Lei learns just how far she's willing to follow her heart. This glittering commercial romance has real stakes, and the lavish, intriguingly conceptualized world will capture readers. This is a story about violence against women and difficult choices, and it's rarely easy to read. Love stories between women are still disappointingly few in fantasy, and romance and action fans alike will find much to savor here.--Maggie Reagan Copyright 2018 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

In this rich fantasy from Ngan (The Memory Keepers), the citizens of Ikhara comprise three castes: the oppressed, fully human "Paper" class; "Steel," a human-animal mash-up; and the reigning "Moon" caste, made up of anthropomorphic animals called demons. Every year, the Moon caste's king claims eight "Paper Girls" as concubines. It's an alleged honor, but when the military collects golden-eyed, 17-year-old Lei from her family's herbal medicine shop, she's devastated. Her father will suffer if she resists, however, and she wonders about finding her mother, also taken, so Lei relocates to the ruler's Hidden Palace. Although she dreads being summoned to the brutal king's bedroom, Lei finds comfort in the friendship of her fellow courtesans-particularly the secretive Wren, with whom she falls in love. Ngan's plot is tense and tight, her action sequences are elegant and adrenaline-soaked, and her story's stakes increase exponentially through the pulse-pounding conclusion. She champions self-empowerment while condemning classism, homophobia, and the commod-i-fication of women. What most distinguishes this book, though, is how incisively and intoxicatingly Ngan writes about love. Ages 15-up. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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School Library Journal Review

Gr 10 Up-Seventeen-year-old Lei is kidnapped and forced into sexual servitude by the vicious Demon King who rules her country. Her land has three castes: the low-status Paper caste who are fully human, high-status Moon caste or demons who are half animal in form, and middle-status Steel caste who have some animal features. Lei and her fellow Paper Girls live in a special section of the magical Hidden Palace where they are subjected to forced medical examinations, abused by their trainer, and raped by the bestial ruler. While Lei's fear and disgust at her impending assault are thoroughly depicted, her mental state afterward is less well described. Her enslavement becomes more bearable when she falls in love with Wren, a Paper Girl on a mission to kill the king, and their tender relationship provides some of the happier moments in this brutal story. Ngan grew up in Malaysia, and the setting shows the influence of several Asian cultures: the Hidden Palace resembles China's Forbidden Palace, the king forces the girls to drink sake, characters wear Malaysian kebayas and Chinese cheongsams. Lei's fate echoes those of the imperial concubines held by several Chinese emperors, as well as the "comfort women" forced to service World War II Japanese troops in Malaysia and other countries. Lei and her allies have backstories and motivations that make their situation all the more disturbing. VERDICT A deeply unsettling look at forced prostitution for mature readers of fantasy. Consider for purchase where Ellen Hopkins's Tricks and Traffick are popular.-Beth Wright Redford, Richmond Elementary School Library, VT © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

In a society ruled by animal-human demons, fully human Lei is of the lowly Paper caste. She is stolen from her village to be one of the Paper Girls, concubines of the cruel Bull King (depictions of rape included). Lei reluctantly settles into court life but finds herself entranced by another young woman who shares her fate. A captivating tale with swoony forbidden romance and a rich, Southeast Asianinspired fantastical world. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

Thrust into the beauty and horror of the Hidden Palace, will this Paper Girl survive?Ngan (The Memory Keepers, 2014, etc.) offers an amalgamation of Asian cultures set in a fantasy world reminiscent of imperial China. Individuals are separated into three castes: Moon, the ruling class that is wholly demon; Steel, who are human-demon hybrids; and Paper, the oppressed population that is entirely human. Seventeen-year-old Lei is dragged from her small village to become a Paper Girl, or concubine. Besides her long, raven hair, her only striking features are her unusual gold eyes. She reluctantly submits in the slim hope of finding her mother, who was abducted. While in the Palace, Lei lives as best she can, developing friendships and finding forbidden love in the arms of Wren, another Paper Girl, who possesses a feline elegance and is hiding secrets of her own. Lei's natural clumsiness and the requirements of learning court manners keep her out of the King's bed for a while, but sexual violence and the threat of it, though not graphically depicted, are prevalent throughout the story. Lei can be painfully nave at times and, unfortunately, does not have fire superpowers as the title might suggest. The setup and worldbuilding are strong, but many supporting characters are unfortunately more interesting than Lei.Setting up a strong foundation for a hoped-for sequel, this is ideal for those seeking diverse LGBTQ fantasy stories. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

In Ikhara, there are three castes: the chimera-like, demonic Moon; the part-human, part-demon Steel; and the fully human Paper. Paper Lei's otherworldly golden eyes draw unwanted attention, and when she is picked to become a Paper Girl—a member of the Demon King's human harem—she cannot say no. Lei trains with other Paper Girls, learning exactly how few freedoms she is allowed, and dreading the day the king summons her. As she navigates this new world of social graces and subterfuge, she grows close to Wren, a Paper Girl with a mysterious past. Loving a fellow Paper Girl is dangerous enough, but Wren is involved with deadlier plots, and Lei learns just how far she's willing to follow her heart. This glittering commercial romance has real stakes, and the lavish, intriguingly conceptualized world will capture readers. This is a story about violence against women and difficult choices, and it's rarely easy to read. Love stories between women are still disappointingly few in fantasy, and romance and action fans alike will find much to savor here. Grades 10-12. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

In this rich fantasy from Ngan (The Memory Keepers), the citizens ofIkhara comprise three castes: the oppressed, fully human "Paper" class; "Steel," a human-animal mash-up; and the reigning "Moon" caste, made up of anthropomorphic animals called demons. Every year, the Moon caste's king claims eight "Paper Girls" as concubines. It's an alleged honor, but when the military collects golden-eyed, 17-year-old Lei from her family's herbal medicine shop, she's devastated. Her father will suffer if she resists, however, and she wonders about finding her mother, also taken, so Lei relocates to the ruler's Hidden Palace. Although she dreads being summoned to the brutal king's bedroom, Lei finds comfort in the friendship of her fellow courtesans—particularly the secretive Wren, with whom she falls in love. Ngan's plot is tense and tight, her action sequences are elegant and adrenaline-soaked, and her story's stakes increase exponentially through the pulse-pounding conclusion. She champions self-empowerment while condemning classism, homophobia, and the commod­i­fication of women. What most distinguishes this book, though, is how incisively and intoxicatingly Ngan writes about love. Ages 15–up. (Oct.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.
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School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 10 Up—Seventeen-year-old Lei is kidnapped and forced into sexual servitude by the vicious Demon King who rules her country. Her land has three castes: the low-status Paper caste who are fully human, high-status Moon caste or demons who are half animal in form, and middle-status Steel caste who have some animal features. Lei and her fellow Paper Girls live in a special section of the magical Hidden Palace where they are subjected to forced medical examinations, abused by their trainer, and raped by the bestial ruler. While Lei's fear and disgust at her impending assault are thoroughly depicted, her mental state afterward is less well described. Her enslavement becomes more bearable when she falls in love with Wren, a Paper Girl on a mission to kill the king, and their tender relationship provides some of the happier moments in this brutal story. Ngan grew up in Malaysia, and the setting shows the influence of several Asian cultures: the Hidden Palace resembles China's Forbidden Palace, the king forces the girls to drink sake, characters wear Malaysian kebayas and Chinese cheongsams. Lei's fate echoes those of the imperial concubines held by several Chinese emperors, as well as the "comfort women" forced to service World War II Japanese troops in Malaysia and other countries. Lei and her allies have backstories and motivations that make their situation all the more disturbing. VERDICT A deeply unsettling look at forced prostitution for mature readers of fantasy. Consider for purchase where Ellen Hopkins's Tricks and Traffick are popular.—Beth Wright Redford, Richmond Elementary School Library, VT

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal.

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal.
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