Speaker

The Rider Trilogy #2

by Joyce Chng

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Li-Fang has to prove her innocence or face wrongful imprisonment... and put her beloved Hunter in jeopardy. Set in the magnificent landscape of the desert planet Jin, Speaker sees the continuing adventures of Li-Fang and
Meng as they confront an illegal poaching and smuggling syndicate that breaks the trust forged between human and the pterosaur-like Watchers. Will Li-Fang succeed?

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Joyce Chng (also spelled Ch’ng) lives in Singapore. They write science fiction and fantasy as well as YA and MG. Their short stories have appeared in The Apex Book of World SF II, The Future Fire and Multispecies Cities. Dragon Dancer (Lantana Publishing) is Joyce’s first picture book, celebrating dragon dancing and Lunar New Year; it was followed by Oyster Girl (Pepper Dog Press), a tribute to their grandmother and the hawker heritage in Singapore. For YA readers, Fire Heart is a fantasy book about swords and coming-of-age. They also write books for adults as J. Chng and urban fantasy as J. Damask. You can find Joyce at their website, or on X and Bluesky at @jolantru.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad timing to be published in the year when Ender's Game the movie came out and then have the title "Speaker" echoing in one's head. "Speaker of the Dead', anyone?

Why oh why publish this as a standalone novel (it's less than 70 pages!)

Why not combine it with the previous first novel and make it one proper novel instead?

And yes the flaws/problems in the debut novel is in this one as well - stop 'asianising' it with rice dumplings and whatever chinese food - it's just not organic to the plot at all. Really. It doesn't ground the context at all.

Focus on finding that author/character voice you have - she veers from being a snarky teenager to a rude adult and all over in-between. More care to dialogue and the turn of phrases would really help.

And yes, this really deserve that one star from me which the first novel didn't.

I dread to see what mishap/mischief the 3rd novel (oh yes, there will be a 3rd book) will unleash on its readers.

[Sara Sams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some lush language and an interesting character/setting, but the plot is choppy and the prose too-often a bit careless.

I did start the series with (big whoops) the wrong book, so take that into consideration, please! I'm not captivated enough by the story or the writing to go back to the first book or to continue the trilogy, but I will be on the look out for future (and hopefully more developed) work by Chng.

I'm also very taken with Math Paper Press's mission and design.