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The Twelve #1
The Twelve
The Zodiac Legacy meets Spirit Animals in this epic, own-voices middle grade fantasy duology.
Usagi can hear a squirrel’s heartbeat from a mile away and soar over treetops in one giant leap. She was born in the year of the wood rabbit, and it’s given her extraordinary zodiac gifts. But ever since the mysterious, vicious Dragonlord hunted down her parents and all those with zodiac powers, Usagi has been very careful to keep hers—and those of her rambunctious little sister, Uma—a secret.
But when Uma grows too bold with her powers, she is captured by the Dragonguard. Usagi barely escapes, and does so only with the help of the mysterious Heirs of the Twelve, a mystical group of skilled warriors who once protected the land.
As new mysteries unfold, Usagi must decide who she stands with and who she trusts, as she takes on deadly foes on her path to the elusive, dangerous Dragonlord himself.
Usagi can hear a squirrel’s heartbeat from a mile away and soar over treetops in one giant leap. She was born in the year of the wood rabbit, and it’s given her extraordinary zodiac gifts. But ever since the mysterious, vicious Dragonlord hunted down her parents and all those with zodiac powers, Usagi has been very careful to keep hers—and those of her rambunctious little sister, Uma—a secret.
But when Uma grows too bold with her powers, she is captured by the Dragonguard. Usagi barely escapes, and does so only with the help of the mysterious Heirs of the Twelve, a mystical group of skilled warriors who once protected the land.
As new mysteries unfold, Usagi must decide who she stands with and who she trusts, as she takes on deadly foes on her path to the elusive, dangerous Dragonlord himself.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2019
58 people are currently reading
3811 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Lin
4 books144 followersA former journalist with degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, Cindy Lin has worked for Sony Pictures Entertainment and has written and produced many multimedia news features for children, one of which received a Peabody Award. She is the author of Creatures of the In Between as well as The Twelve and its sequel Treasures of the Twelve.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
October 6, 2019
I wanted to get July's Owlcrate Jr because they were going to have some cool Zodiac and stuff and I was right! Click on the Goodies Link below the pic to see all the things!
THE GOODIES LINK
THE GOODIES LINK
October 1, 2019
My daughter absolutely loved this book (from OwlCrate last month). “It’s the best book in the world. I love it soo much.” << You can’t get a better review, really! 😂 The cliffhanger ending (her first cliffhanger) destroyed her though. She needs the sequel NOW.
July 5, 2020
Actual rating: 3.9
Synopsis
So, The Twelve follows the story of Usagi, a 12-year-old girl who was born in the year of Wood Rabit. Her zodiac gifts allow her to hear every sound (even the tiniest one) from a mile away and soar over treetops in a giant leap. Her younger sister, whom she calls the Horse Girl, Uma, can make a fire out of nothing and run in spirit speed. Together with their best friend, Tora (who was born in the year of Tiger), the three of them try to hide their zodiac powers as those who have them will be hunted by the wicked Dragonlord and his guards.
But surely, Uma isn't one to hold back. When the guards accidentally discover the power that their friend, Jago, possesses, Uma tries to rescue him by exposing her own gift in front of them. And the next thing they know, Uma and Tora are captured, leaving the desperate Usagi alone and mad. However, when Usagi tries to locate her sister and her best friend, she's found by three mysterious younglings called Saru, Inu, and Nezu. After introducing themself as the Heirs (that represent different zodiac), they bring Usagi to Mount Jade to learn how to fight before they all go on a mission to rescue Uma and Tora from the Dragonlord's palace, which is filled with his skilled guards and strikers.
Review
Well, the plot in this book was actually intriguing, but at first, the pace was a little bit too slow, in my opinion. I'd had high hope to stumble upon a lot of actions since the first time I picked this book up, but we were only given a glimpse of it in the beginning. Good thing that we got so much more actions in the last few chapters, which turned out to be so badass and left me wanting the sequel soon. Those last parts were definitely my favorite.
However, if I had to choose one thing I loved the most about this book, I would absolutely point out the writing style. In such an adventurous way, this book was very well-written, and I really adored how Cindy Lin described every little detail beautifully. All the settings in this book (especially the wood, Mount Jade, and Dragonlord's palace) were described in a very convincing way that it made me feel like I was really there the whole time, witnessing everything firsthand alongside Usagi and The Heirs.
Yup, Usagi was actually so brave. Still a little bit childish, but brave. I personally liked the fact that she still made mistakes now and then — it made her character more believable and strong. I mean, after all, Usagi was still a kid. And she's pretty new to this. Mistakes were bound to happen, and I was happy that Usagi had a lot of good friends to help her get through each one of them. Even though I didn't see much character development in this book (Usagi included), I still adored every character in it. I even liked Horangi the Tigress, The Heirs' teacher in Mount Jade. And for your information, she was the last living Tiger Warrior.
Talking about the teacher, though, something was bugging me the entire time. Honestly, I was hoping that Horangi's first few lessons (which seemed unrelated to self-defense and attack moves) would lead Usagi to something big and unexpected. She asked Usagi to do the mind-to-mind thingy and even calligraphy. But apart from learning about patience and the way you held your brush like you did your sword, I didn't think those lessons made a very big impact on Usagi's fighting skills. I felt like Horangi's lessons could be so much more than that.
But in the end, I think it all made sense in a way. Usagi had faced a few failed attempts, either in training and real fights. And in my opinion, that was exactly how it was supposed to be (if you know what I mean. I'm sorry if it doesn't make sense to you). I mean, she spent six months living in Mount Jade, half training half doing things Horangi asked her to do. If she suddenly aced a trial, I would most likely think that it's too much. So I think in the end, learning the basics and developing her wood ability was enough for book 1. Now, I'm actually looking forward to reading more about Usagi's training in the second book. Hopefully, it will be the 'much more' I've been waiting to see this entire time.
Another bonus point: there was a pretty big twist happening in this book. It's actually a little bit predictable — I had guessed it right the first time, even though going on I wasn't very sure about it. But when it did actually happen, the twist still felt as important. I liked how complicated everything turned out to be in the end. Plus, it was action-packed and badass. I was hooked. The last 100 pages were good.
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite much. It was a fun adventure book with awesome world-building, and I'd totally recommend it to every middle-grade lover out there. Seriously can't wait to see what the second installment has in store for us.
For more reviews, visit my blog talenthusiast.blogspot.com
Synopsis
So, The Twelve follows the story of Usagi, a 12-year-old girl who was born in the year of Wood Rabit. Her zodiac gifts allow her to hear every sound (even the tiniest one) from a mile away and soar over treetops in a giant leap. Her younger sister, whom she calls the Horse Girl, Uma, can make a fire out of nothing and run in spirit speed. Together with their best friend, Tora (who was born in the year of Tiger), the three of them try to hide their zodiac powers as those who have them will be hunted by the wicked Dragonlord and his guards.
But surely, Uma isn't one to hold back. When the guards accidentally discover the power that their friend, Jago, possesses, Uma tries to rescue him by exposing her own gift in front of them. And the next thing they know, Uma and Tora are captured, leaving the desperate Usagi alone and mad. However, when Usagi tries to locate her sister and her best friend, she's found by three mysterious younglings called Saru, Inu, and Nezu. After introducing themself as the Heirs (that represent different zodiac), they bring Usagi to Mount Jade to learn how to fight before they all go on a mission to rescue Uma and Tora from the Dragonlord's palace, which is filled with his skilled guards and strikers.
Review
Well, the plot in this book was actually intriguing, but at first, the pace was a little bit too slow, in my opinion. I'd had high hope to stumble upon a lot of actions since the first time I picked this book up, but we were only given a glimpse of it in the beginning. Good thing that we got so much more actions in the last few chapters, which turned out to be so badass and left me wanting the sequel soon. Those last parts were definitely my favorite.
However, if I had to choose one thing I loved the most about this book, I would absolutely point out the writing style. In such an adventurous way, this book was very well-written, and I really adored how Cindy Lin described every little detail beautifully. All the settings in this book (especially the wood, Mount Jade, and Dragonlord's palace) were described in a very convincing way that it made me feel like I was really there the whole time, witnessing everything firsthand alongside Usagi and The Heirs.
Yup, Usagi was actually so brave. Still a little bit childish, but brave. I personally liked the fact that she still made mistakes now and then — it made her character more believable and strong. I mean, after all, Usagi was still a kid. And she's pretty new to this. Mistakes were bound to happen, and I was happy that Usagi had a lot of good friends to help her get through each one of them. Even though I didn't see much character development in this book (Usagi included), I still adored every character in it. I even liked Horangi the Tigress, The Heirs' teacher in Mount Jade. And for your information, she was the last living Tiger Warrior.
Talking about the teacher, though, something was bugging me the entire time. Honestly, I was hoping that Horangi's first few lessons (which seemed unrelated to self-defense and attack moves) would lead Usagi to something big and unexpected. She asked Usagi to do the mind-to-mind thingy and even calligraphy. But apart from learning about patience and the way you held your brush like you did your sword, I didn't think those lessons made a very big impact on Usagi's fighting skills. I felt like Horangi's lessons could be so much more than that.
But in the end, I think it all made sense in a way. Usagi had faced a few failed attempts, either in training and real fights. And in my opinion, that was exactly how it was supposed to be (if you know what I mean. I'm sorry if it doesn't make sense to you). I mean, she spent six months living in Mount Jade, half training half doing things Horangi asked her to do. If she suddenly aced a trial, I would most likely think that it's too much. So I think in the end, learning the basics and developing her wood ability was enough for book 1. Now, I'm actually looking forward to reading more about Usagi's training in the second book. Hopefully, it will be the 'much more' I've been waiting to see this entire time.
Another bonus point: there was a pretty big twist happening in this book. It's actually a little bit predictable — I had guessed it right the first time, even though going on I wasn't very sure about it. But when it did actually happen, the twist still felt as important. I liked how complicated everything turned out to be in the end. Plus, it was action-packed and badass. I was hooked. The last 100 pages were good.
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite much. It was a fun adventure book with awesome world-building, and I'd totally recommend it to every middle-grade lover out there. Seriously can't wait to see what the second installment has in store for us.
For more reviews, visit my blog talenthusiast.blogspot.com
August 11, 2019
What a ride!! This middle grade is absolutely packed with action and adventure, found family relationships, and a whole lot of heart. I loved the Zodiac element, and the ways in which it was woven into the story- I learnt so much! Usagi is a wonderful main character, and her determination is inspiring. I think middle grade readers will find a lot to take away from them book, and like me, be dying to get their hands on the next book!
October 18, 2021
"Bring out of the witch of Mount Jade! It is time for the sacrifice."
I know I can always count on a middle-grade fantasy read for a fun adventure!
Firstly, I love the concept of the book.
We follow the elements of the Chinese Zodiac. How it revolves around the magic system in the book.
The world-building was very magical. I love that Cindy was very detailed in her narrative.
The environment, the people, the culture and the aesthetic of the world was mindblowing.
I was expecting a lot of action to go on but we only really get it in the last few chapters of the book which was so good!
The slow writing of the book was really for us to get to know the characters and the understanding of how magic works.
I enjoy the realistic writing of the characters. Knowing they're all young children, their character growth was deemed realistic when they make mistakes, or they are childish and the decision they male. I just hope we get more action into the series.
"To love is to remember, Young Rabbit. And one who is not forgotten is not dead."
I know I can always count on a middle-grade fantasy read for a fun adventure!
Firstly, I love the concept of the book.
We follow the elements of the Chinese Zodiac. How it revolves around the magic system in the book.
The world-building was very magical. I love that Cindy was very detailed in her narrative.
The environment, the people, the culture and the aesthetic of the world was mindblowing.
I was expecting a lot of action to go on but we only really get it in the last few chapters of the book which was so good!
The slow writing of the book was really for us to get to know the characters and the understanding of how magic works.
I enjoy the realistic writing of the characters. Knowing they're all young children, their character growth was deemed realistic when they make mistakes, or they are childish and the decision they male. I just hope we get more action into the series.
"To love is to remember, Young Rabbit. And one who is not forgotten is not dead."
August 26, 2019
This was my son’s first OwlCrate delivery and we absolutely loved reading it together every night! What an excellent vocabulary Cindy Lin has utilized here. Other than the occasionally repeated gnarled hands we learned lots of great, new words and really enjoyed this unique and distinct world of the Zodiac Heirs.
did-not-finish
September 28, 2021DNF @ p.250
This one is a soft DNF, I might return to it if I'm in the mood in the future, and based on other reviews, the main criticisms I have do get resolved by the end, but I'm just not currently invested enough to finish it right now.
I loved the world and the worldbuilding - the magical system is based on both the Chinese zodiac and the 5-element system, which I think is such a fun combination. I don't read too many middle grade high fantasies, and the world here is so lush and beautiful, and was honestly the only reason why I read 250 pages of this book.
Where I was really disappointed here was the characters. One of my favourite things about middle grade is the characters, and feeling attached to a precious little bean is, I would argue, essential to my enjoyment of a middle grade novel. I felt like all the characters, including our main character Usagi, were incredibly underdeveloped. None of them really have a lot of personality, nor do you get a good sense of their dynamics as a group. As a result, I really just didn't care about any of them at all. There also just wasn't enough plot for me to be invested either, so despite really enjoying the writing and the worldbuilding, I just found myself not caring about the book.
Also, as a side note, I know middle grade naming conventions can be a bit lazy sometimes (and also is the kind of thing that some kids would actually find amusing), but this was bad even by that standard. All the main characters are literally just named their zodiac animal in Japanese. I don't mind that the author chose to mix a number of different East Asian cultures in the worldbuilding, but this particular element definitely made me cringe a little on the inside.
Overall, a bit of a disappointing read as I really wanted to love this one based on how stunning the cover is and the fact that the magic system/mythological influences had so much potential.
This one is a soft DNF, I might return to it if I'm in the mood in the future, and based on other reviews, the main criticisms I have do get resolved by the end, but I'm just not currently invested enough to finish it right now.
I loved the world and the worldbuilding - the magical system is based on both the Chinese zodiac and the 5-element system, which I think is such a fun combination. I don't read too many middle grade high fantasies, and the world here is so lush and beautiful, and was honestly the only reason why I read 250 pages of this book.
Where I was really disappointed here was the characters. One of my favourite things about middle grade is the characters, and feeling attached to a precious little bean is, I would argue, essential to my enjoyment of a middle grade novel. I felt like all the characters, including our main character Usagi, were incredibly underdeveloped. None of them really have a lot of personality, nor do you get a good sense of their dynamics as a group. As a result, I really just didn't care about any of them at all. There also just wasn't enough plot for me to be invested either, so despite really enjoying the writing and the worldbuilding, I just found myself not caring about the book.
Also, as a side note, I know middle grade naming conventions can be a bit lazy sometimes (and also is the kind of thing that some kids would actually find amusing), but this was bad even by that standard. All the main characters are literally just named their zodiac animal in Japanese. I don't mind that the author chose to mix a number of different East Asian cultures in the worldbuilding, but this particular element definitely made me cringe a little on the inside.
Overall, a bit of a disappointing read as I really wanted to love this one based on how stunning the cover is and the fact that the magic system/mythological influences had so much potential.
April 14, 2019
The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 stars
This is a fun middle-grade fantasy based on the Chinese zodiac system where people can be born with certain powers based on their birth year. I found the plot simplistic but quite exciting in the beginning, the characters were likable and the world building was rather unique. But I also didn't like the writing style that was too heavy for such a book, in my opinion, and the plot got out of hand by the end of the novel and I didn't like the resolution that the author presented.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story but it could've been even cooler with some editing involved.
3,5 stars
This is a fun middle-grade fantasy based on the Chinese zodiac system where people can be born with certain powers based on their birth year. I found the plot simplistic but quite exciting in the beginning, the characters were likable and the world building was rather unique. But I also didn't like the writing style that was too heavy for such a book, in my opinion, and the plot got out of hand by the end of the novel and I didn't like the resolution that the author presented.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story but it could've been even cooler with some editing involved.
August 1, 2019
Then she realized they were home—a new one.
Usagi lives with her sister and her friend in the forest after her parents were murdered and they were orphaned in the war. The blue dragon's rule is strict and every person with even the hint of zodiac power is taken away. What will Usagi do if the one thing matters the world to her is taken away?
First and foremost , if you're familiar with middle grade fantasies .. this book will be a big surprise for you.
The twelve is actually perfect and offers the tropes we've been asking for.
A teacher who's like a parent to the students and actually cares.
Proper training before jumping in and risking life
Found family
The twelve actually elevates from middle grade and serves as a bridge between young adult.
The characters were actually youngsters and behaved such.
The pacing was fast and plot kept up .
My heart. I loved the twelve.
Best for readers who love
Middle Grade
Chinese myth geeks (or any myth geek like me)
Who wants to try epic fantasy in a low level.
Usagi lives with her sister and her friend in the forest after her parents were murdered and they were orphaned in the war. The blue dragon's rule is strict and every person with even the hint of zodiac power is taken away. What will Usagi do if the one thing matters the world to her is taken away?
First and foremost , if you're familiar with middle grade fantasies .. this book will be a big surprise for you.
The twelve is actually perfect and offers the tropes we've been asking for.
A teacher who's like a parent to the students and actually cares.
Proper training before jumping in and risking life
Found family
The twelve actually elevates from middle grade and serves as a bridge between young adult.
The characters were actually youngsters and behaved such.
The pacing was fast and plot kept up .
My heart. I loved the twelve.
Best for readers who love
Middle Grade
Chinese myth geeks (or any myth geek like me)
Who wants to try epic fantasy in a low level.
April 22, 2021
Very entertaining, even for an adult. I've always been enthralled with the Asian culture and the Chinese Zodiac. For being geared towards young kids, the book still had enough action in it. I cannot wait to continue reading the series.
May 8, 2019
I won an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
Okay, so I already liked the concept of this book before I even received it. Asian-inspired fantasies seem to do better in the middle-grade genre than in YA because in middle-grade novels there's usually more action and less romance, and The Twelve totally lived up to those expectations. There is no romance featured in this book at all, and the training and fighting make up most of the book. And it was awesome training and fighting.
Just be aware that the majority of this book is somewhat of a slow build-up to the grand finale. It's pretty much worth it, though, because that's the part of the story that gets you closer to the characters, especially our main heroine, Usagi.
The ending will knock your socks off - or your sandals, if you're wearing ones like our main characters. Either way, I loved it and thought the slow-paced rising action was worth reading because of the climax.
I have just one lingering question about The Twelve - The characters are named after the member of the Chinese Zodiac that they represent... but in Japanese. Why's that?!
Okay, so I already liked the concept of this book before I even received it. Asian-inspired fantasies seem to do better in the middle-grade genre than in YA because in middle-grade novels there's usually more action and less romance, and The Twelve totally lived up to those expectations. There is no romance featured in this book at all, and the training and fighting make up most of the book. And it was awesome training and fighting.
Just be aware that the majority of this book is somewhat of a slow build-up to the grand finale. It's pretty much worth it, though, because that's the part of the story that gets you closer to the characters, especially our main heroine, Usagi.
The ending will knock your socks off - or your sandals, if you're wearing ones like our main characters. Either way, I loved it and thought the slow-paced rising action was worth reading because of the climax.
I have just one lingering question about The Twelve - The characters are named after the member of the Chinese Zodiac that they represent... but in Japanese. Why's that?!
February 14, 2021
* actual rating 3.5 stars leaning towards FOUR FULL STARS
The Twelve is definitely a good middlegrade fantasy I would recommend to anyone who wants to have a good time!
The world is rich and full of magic. It accomplishes to create an original story while combining it with traditional aspects. The idea to base everything on the Chinese zodiac is genius and has great potential for the next novel!
The characters are loveable and fun to read about. The relationships are complex. It focuses on friendships as well as family in a believable way.
The plot is good overall; although it can drag at times. I liked how Cindy Lin didn't shy away from some unexpected and surprising turns/reveals. It kept the stakes high towards the end. To be honest - I didn't expect the ending but I am glad it ended this way.
You should give it a try!
The Twelve is definitely a good middlegrade fantasy I would recommend to anyone who wants to have a good time!
The world is rich and full of magic. It accomplishes to create an original story while combining it with traditional aspects. The idea to base everything on the Chinese zodiac is genius and has great potential for the next novel!
The characters are loveable and fun to read about. The relationships are complex. It focuses on friendships as well as family in a believable way.
The plot is good overall; although it can drag at times. I liked how Cindy Lin didn't shy away from some unexpected and surprising turns/reveals. It kept the stakes high towards the end. To be honest - I didn't expect the ending but I am glad it ended this way.
You should give it a try!
February 14, 2025
Ok.
First of all, I actually didn't expect that Tupo was gonna be a villain. Most of the time I'm able to see right through who is on which side, but Cindy Lin had so many plot twists, I could hardly keep up.
Those shattering last words that Uma screamed,"I HATE YOU!", yikes! If you dont understand, try putting yourself in Usagi( great name, Cindy!)'s shoes. If that doesn't help, well, you're a lost cause. Speaking of Uma, in the end she's like if Toph (Avatar, duh!) became evil; O.P! DANGEROUS!
I think my favorite characters are Usagi and Rana.
Rana gives me evil-turned-good vibes, and I think it's cool to have someone who was evil on your team, like Zuko or Roke.
Overall, very interesting and exiting. I wouldn't say that it's a on the edge of your seat situation, but still really great.
First of all, I actually didn't expect that Tupo was gonna be a villain. Most of the time I'm able to see right through who is on which side, but Cindy Lin had so many plot twists, I could hardly keep up.
Those shattering last words that Uma screamed,"I HATE YOU!", yikes! If you dont understand, try putting yourself in Usagi( great name, Cindy!)'s shoes. If that doesn't help, well, you're a lost cause. Speaking of Uma, in the end she's like if Toph (Avatar, duh!) became evil; O.P! DANGEROUS!
I think my favorite characters are Usagi and Rana.
Rana gives me evil-turned-good vibes, and I think it's cool to have someone who was evil on your team, like Zuko or Roke.
Overall, very interesting and exiting. I wouldn't say that it's a on the edge of your seat situation, but still really great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2019
This one was okay. I liked the beginning and the ending. That's where the action and intrigue was. The middle was slow. It was training and learning. The magic and setting were interesting. The powers were based on the elements and Chinese zodiac.
October 11, 2019
Really 3.5 stars. This is quite good but I guessed a few twists. I also guessed some of the heroine’s behavior. Much of this is from Eastern traditions and beliefs and makes a really good story. I am definitely going to read the next in this series!
May 25, 2020
Some middle grade books are quick, entertaining reads and others are rich novels with complex worlds that can take longer than an adult novel. The Twelve is a middle grade novel steeped in rich folklore and beautifully written.
Read
October 8, 2021This was a great book! It took me a while to read, but it was worth it!
July 14, 2022
This is a very interesting book, if you are into Chinese zodiac, fantasy and more you will love Cindy Lin's book! She is talented in having amazing imagination of winding zodiac years into interesting detailed powers. This book is about Usagi and her sister and her best friend, Usagi's younger sister Uma, and Tora her friend is lost in battle and goes to jail. It goes up and down, through hard times and great time. Betrayal. Friendship. Happiness, this book brings it all. Read it and you will enjoy!
February 28, 2021
This book is captivating, interesting, adventurous and mysterious. A girl named Usagi was born in the year of the wood rabbit which has given her extraordinary zodiac gifts. She can hear a squirrel's heartbeat from a mile away and can jump higher than a tree’s top in one leap. Unfortunately her gifts must be kept a secret or she will be caught by Dragonlord who considers the people with zodiac gifts a big obstacle to his ultimate power. One day her sister, Uma, was captured because she used her zodiac gifts and her secret was revealed. Usagi found the heirs which also had zodiac powers for help to get her sister back. They face challenges and also try to stop the Dragonlord from killing more younglings with zodiac gifts.
My favorite part is when their teacher, Horangi, taught them how put their hand around someone's neck and keep them from moving. This is my favorite part because it was kind of funny. I also like the time when they were climbing the 1121 step staircase of patience. When she tried to skip the stairs there was a invisible barrier so she had to go step by step.
My favorite part is when their teacher, Horangi, taught them how put their hand around someone's neck and keep them from moving. This is my favorite part because it was kind of funny. I also like the time when they were climbing the 1121 step staircase of patience. When she tried to skip the stairs there was a invisible barrier so she had to go step by step.
September 29, 2021
"ᵀʰᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵖᵒʷᵉʳᶠᵘˡ ʷᵉᵃᵖᵒⁿˢ ᵃʳᵉ..."
"ᵀʰᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ," ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃˡˡ ᶜʰᵒʳᵘˢᵉᵈ.
From reading slump to spirit speed reading!
It's the hour of the rabbit and I am pleased to share this story of Usagi, born in the Year of the Wood Rabbit. Usagi, her sister Uma, and her best friend Tora have been living in hiding for years in fear of being discovered that they have zodiac powers and be imprisoned - or worse, executed, by the Dragonlord. What once was thriving with rich culture and protected by the Twelve Warriors from twelve different tribes (each representing a zodiac animal), Midaga has succumbed to the hands of the Blue Dragon - The Twelve Warriors defeated and those with zodiac powers were forced into hiding. After having been compromised and her sister and Tora were captured by Dragonstrikers, Usagi fled with three young warriors to Mount Jade and there began an epic journey.
Satisfyingly action-packed and full of heart and lessons, The Twelve by Cindy Lin is a beautiful treasure to read.
Majestic world-building, great characterization, and fast-paced gripping story. I am so glad I have picked up this book!
Zodiac hours, spirit speed, Mount Jade, Steps of Patience, the Twelve Warriors, Sun Moon Lake, Yunja, The Twelve Treasures, The Tigress, Nezu, Saru, and Inu, and Usagi.... There's a lot to love about this book!
I tried to look up which zodiac animal and element I was born under and found out that I was born in the year of the Fire Tiger! So cool! I could conjure fire and have sharp sight for miles!
This is one big ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read.
"ᵀʰᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ," ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃˡˡ ᶜʰᵒʳᵘˢᵉᵈ.
From reading slump to spirit speed reading!
It's the hour of the rabbit and I am pleased to share this story of Usagi, born in the Year of the Wood Rabbit. Usagi, her sister Uma, and her best friend Tora have been living in hiding for years in fear of being discovered that they have zodiac powers and be imprisoned - or worse, executed, by the Dragonlord. What once was thriving with rich culture and protected by the Twelve Warriors from twelve different tribes (each representing a zodiac animal), Midaga has succumbed to the hands of the Blue Dragon - The Twelve Warriors defeated and those with zodiac powers were forced into hiding. After having been compromised and her sister and Tora were captured by Dragonstrikers, Usagi fled with three young warriors to Mount Jade and there began an epic journey.
Satisfyingly action-packed and full of heart and lessons, The Twelve by Cindy Lin is a beautiful treasure to read.
Majestic world-building, great characterization, and fast-paced gripping story. I am so glad I have picked up this book!
Zodiac hours, spirit speed, Mount Jade, Steps of Patience, the Twelve Warriors, Sun Moon Lake, Yunja, The Twelve Treasures, The Tigress, Nezu, Saru, and Inu, and Usagi.... There's a lot to love about this book!
I tried to look up which zodiac animal and element I was born under and found out that I was born in the year of the Fire Tiger! So cool! I could conjure fire and have sharp sight for miles!
This is one big ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read.
November 7, 2024
This was fun!
As a loyal (if somewhat sheepish) Spirit Animals fan, this made it on my tbr list pretty quick . . . and stayed there for a while. But now I've read it! And I liked it! I would probably give it more than four stars if it weren't that four just feels right.
I like the "magic system" (if it can be called that here). It was simple, but fitting, and provided for some nice training scenes and good worldbuilding. I did think the elemental aspect was a bit over-powered, though. One thing I liked was that it required a wide range of ages in the characters--and I do love a varied cast.
My one complaint would be that I was able to predict the main plot twist pretty easily--but I don't think that made the plot twist bad.
This book was worth the read, and I'm excited to read the next book whenever I get around to it.
As a loyal (if somewhat sheepish) Spirit Animals fan, this made it on my tbr list pretty quick . . . and stayed there for a while. But now I've read it! And I liked it! I would probably give it more than four stars if it weren't that four just feels right.
I like the "magic system" (if it can be called that here). It was simple, but fitting, and provided for some nice training scenes and good worldbuilding. I did think the elemental aspect was a bit over-powered, though. One thing I liked was that it required a wide range of ages in the characters--and I do love a varied cast.
My one complaint would be that I was able to predict the main plot twist pretty easily--but I don't think that made the plot twist bad.
This book was worth the read, and I'm excited to read the next book whenever I get around to it.
August 6, 2019
You can read all of my reviews on my blog -> Cover2CoverMom Blog
*3.75 Stars*
I received this book after winning a Goodreads giveaway for the first time since joining Goodreads in 2014! I did a little happy dance when I received my email that I was one of the lucky winners selected to receive an ARC of The Twelve. I am a complete sucker for any type of Asian inspired fantasy, especially within the middle grade audience.
The Twelve is about 12-year-old Usagi who must rescue her little sister after being captured by the Dragonlord. Along the journey Usagi meets a group of warriors that take her under their wing and help her in her quest to save her sister.
We see many of the same elements we see in a typical MG fantasy book, but with a few new twists & turns. The Twelve includes themes like friendship, justice, perseverance, and bravery.
What The Twelve really had going for it was that it included such a unique magic system of Zodiac powers & elemental powers. The idea behind the magic system is that select individuals are born with powers based on what year in the Chinese Zodiac calendar that are born in. For example, Usagi, our main characters, was born the year of the rabbit, thus she has enhanced hearing & leaping abilities. There are also some of these individuals that have additional abilities that revolve around the elements.
I really enjoyed watching Usagi’s growth over the course of the book. I appreciated that Usagi was very much a novice when it came to her powers at the beginning of her book. Watching Usagi train to cultivate and grow into her powers was a delight. I also appreciated the Usagi felt age appropriate for a 12-year-old. I cannot stress how big of a pet peeve it is when I read a MG book where the main character feels more like an adult.
One of the reasons I enjoy reading middle grade is the focus on friendship. Not only do we have an established friendship in Usagi and Tora, but we also get lots of new friendships between Usagi and the Heirs. Another focus in MG books tends to be on family relationships & dynamics. While Uma, Usagi’s little sister, is not present for the majority of this book, the relationship between them is a big part of the book and drives Uma forward in all of her decisions. I must say that Usagi & Uma’s relationship is definitely more complicated and complex then it originally appears. I look forward to seeing more about their relationship in the next boook.
The majority of The Twelve was a slow build up. There was lots of world building going on, which I appreciate, BUT it was a bit too slow paced for my liking. I will say that the final 100 pages where we hit the climax & resolution of the book were excellent and made up for the slow start. I was pleasantly surprised with how things panned out in the end, which diverted from the cliche path that I thought we were heading towards.
If you are looking for books to bridge the gap between middle grade books and young adult books, The Twelve would be a good fit. I would classify this book to be on the older side of the middle grade audience, probably the 9 – 12 year-old range. This isn’t because of the content, but rather the writing is a bit more dense & advanced then a MG book targeted to a younger audience.
Overall, I think The Twelve is a solid first book in a middle grade fantasy duology. Since this book was all about setting up the world & story, I have high expectations that the conclusion will be much more quick paced & action packed.
*Big thanks to Goodreads for hosting a giveaway of this book!
*3.75 Stars*
I received this book after winning a Goodreads giveaway for the first time since joining Goodreads in 2014! I did a little happy dance when I received my email that I was one of the lucky winners selected to receive an ARC of The Twelve. I am a complete sucker for any type of Asian inspired fantasy, especially within the middle grade audience.
The Twelve is about 12-year-old Usagi who must rescue her little sister after being captured by the Dragonlord. Along the journey Usagi meets a group of warriors that take her under their wing and help her in her quest to save her sister.
We see many of the same elements we see in a typical MG fantasy book, but with a few new twists & turns. The Twelve includes themes like friendship, justice, perseverance, and bravery.
What The Twelve really had going for it was that it included such a unique magic system of Zodiac powers & elemental powers. The idea behind the magic system is that select individuals are born with powers based on what year in the Chinese Zodiac calendar that are born in. For example, Usagi, our main characters, was born the year of the rabbit, thus she has enhanced hearing & leaping abilities. There are also some of these individuals that have additional abilities that revolve around the elements.
I really enjoyed watching Usagi’s growth over the course of the book. I appreciated that Usagi was very much a novice when it came to her powers at the beginning of her book. Watching Usagi train to cultivate and grow into her powers was a delight. I also appreciated the Usagi felt age appropriate for a 12-year-old. I cannot stress how big of a pet peeve it is when I read a MG book where the main character feels more like an adult.
One of the reasons I enjoy reading middle grade is the focus on friendship. Not only do we have an established friendship in Usagi and Tora, but we also get lots of new friendships between Usagi and the Heirs. Another focus in MG books tends to be on family relationships & dynamics. While Uma, Usagi’s little sister, is not present for the majority of this book, the relationship between them is a big part of the book and drives Uma forward in all of her decisions. I must say that Usagi & Uma’s relationship is definitely more complicated and complex then it originally appears. I look forward to seeing more about their relationship in the next boook.
The majority of The Twelve was a slow build up. There was lots of world building going on, which I appreciate, BUT it was a bit too slow paced for my liking. I will say that the final 100 pages where we hit the climax & resolution of the book were excellent and made up for the slow start. I was pleasantly surprised with how things panned out in the end, which diverted from the cliche path that I thought we were heading towards.
If you are looking for books to bridge the gap between middle grade books and young adult books, The Twelve would be a good fit. I would classify this book to be on the older side of the middle grade audience, probably the 9 – 12 year-old range. This isn’t because of the content, but rather the writing is a bit more dense & advanced then a MG book targeted to a younger audience.
Overall, I think The Twelve is a solid first book in a middle grade fantasy duology. Since this book was all about setting up the world & story, I have high expectations that the conclusion will be much more quick paced & action packed.
*Big thanks to Goodreads for hosting a giveaway of this book!
August 11, 2020
Usagi has been in hiding with her younger sister, Uma, and her best friend, Tora, ever since the Dragonlord’s army came to her village and hunted down all those with Zodiac powers. Usagi’s parents are gone, but she, Uma, and Tora have managed to stay away from the Dragonguard. They steal rice to sell, forage for food, and practice their own powers in the shadow of forest. One day, Uma’s overeager use of her Fire Horse powers get her noticed by the guards in town, and she and Tora are taken away. Usagi escapes with the help of three strangers who claim to be Heirs of the Twelve, training to become the next zodiac warriors who will once again protect the land. They take Usagi with them to Mount Jade, to prepare for the warrior trials and see if her own Wood Rabbit powers are strong enough to become a protector like them. Along the way, Usagi learns some incredible secrets about the Twelve and the Dragonlord, and develops her powers far more then she ever thought possible. When the time comes to rescue Uma and Tora, however, Usagi will face a terrible betrayal and have to decide, once and for all, where she stands in the endless conflict.
A very enjoyable coming-of-age fantasy, The Twelve brings some wonderful aspects of zodiac tradition together with bright, unique characters. Usagi is impetuous and impatient, but she also works hard and faces down so many fears and difficult challenges throughout the book. It’s not hard to root for her and her friends among The Twelve; I loved seeing their bonds of friendship grow even stronger as Usagi studies hard, makes mistakes, learns many useful skills, and tries to be a great new team member. Her zodiac powers of the Wood Rabbit were super fun, as were other zodiac and elemental powers in the book. I wish there had been more opportunity to explore other zodiac powers in combination with different elements- there are a lot of unique possibilities, and it would be interesting to see the variations in abilities. The Twelve also followed a rather predictable plot line, and the various enemies and betrayals were completely unsurprising. However, the story does leave off with some unfinished business and some important characters in dangerous places. The Twelve is ripe for a sequel, so I look forward to more magic, more interesting characters, and more answered questions in the next book.
A very enjoyable coming-of-age fantasy, The Twelve brings some wonderful aspects of zodiac tradition together with bright, unique characters. Usagi is impetuous and impatient, but she also works hard and faces down so many fears and difficult challenges throughout the book. It’s not hard to root for her and her friends among The Twelve; I loved seeing their bonds of friendship grow even stronger as Usagi studies hard, makes mistakes, learns many useful skills, and tries to be a great new team member. Her zodiac powers of the Wood Rabbit were super fun, as were other zodiac and elemental powers in the book. I wish there had been more opportunity to explore other zodiac powers in combination with different elements- there are a lot of unique possibilities, and it would be interesting to see the variations in abilities. The Twelve also followed a rather predictable plot line, and the various enemies and betrayals were completely unsurprising. However, the story does leave off with some unfinished business and some important characters in dangerous places. The Twelve is ripe for a sequel, so I look forward to more magic, more interesting characters, and more answered questions in the next book.
December 30, 2024
Control yourself in one moment of anger, and you will save yourself a hundred days of sorrow.
My Synopsis:
In this book, some people have powers of the Chinese zodiac. Born in the year of the wood rabbit like Usagi? She has powers like a rabbit’s hearing and leap. Born in the year of the fire horse like Uma? She runs fast and can make fire balls. But the Dragonlord wants to capture anyone with zodiac powers, so they hide. When Uma and a friend, Tora, get captured, Usagi has to find a way to save them.
My thoughts:
This was really cute! I can imagine it becoming a kid's show or movie kind of like Avatar The Last Airbender or Kung Fu Panda.
Usagi is kind of a frustrating main character to follow because she’s so impatient to prove her worth. Aside from that, I wish there was more characterization, but this was mostly a plot-heavy book. It’s fast-paced and action-packed, so it’s fun, but it’s not exactly my preference.
Around the middle of the book, I thought I wouldn’t continue with the duology, but the ending changed my mind. I am very curious about what happens and will definitely read the next book. I’m looking forward to getting to know the new characters that were added near the end. I also want to learn more about the villain.
How I found out about this:
This was a gift.
Who should read this:
Anyone who wants to read an action-packed middle grade fantasy.
Other quotes I like:
“I know basics, but to be a master, you’ll spend the rest of your life learning—and that goes for everything, not just stickfighting.”
“The mind is like this bowl… We’re not trying to make the sand stop swirling, but trying to keep still enough that the sand—or our thoughts—can settle.”
October 11, 2019
An isolated island with warriors who have powers based on the animals of the Chinese zodiac is attacked by the Dragon Lord and his armies. Years later, three orphans find themselves hunted down because of their zodiac powers, and only one manages to escape. Usagi has Rabbit powers, but she doesn't know how to use them well. She falls in with a group of other zodiac warriors and begins her journey to understanding her powers, why her world is the way it is, and then sets off to save other children with zodiac powers who have been captured.
It's a YA book, and definitely reads like one. Most stuff is going to get explained...there's a few things that is left to the reader to figure out for themselves, but as YA goes, I'd say this is aimed more at late grade school or possibly early middle school than a teen reader. There's a few things, like the fact that the Blue Dragon (or Dragon Lord) is actually blue to the silver that he's injesting, that I doubt any kid will understand, even though it is briefly explained. And if they're not familiar with how Chinese years, months, days, and even hours all work with the zodiac animals, they might be confused by how one character is a Wood Rabbit but her sister is a Fire Horse, and what that all means.
The "twist" wasn't hard for me to figure out, but I'm an adult and not really the intended audience. Although it doesn't say that it's the first of a series, it definitely ends on a cliffhanger and I assume the author intends to have a sequel.
It's a YA book, and definitely reads like one. Most stuff is going to get explained...there's a few things that is left to the reader to figure out for themselves, but as YA goes, I'd say this is aimed more at late grade school or possibly early middle school than a teen reader. There's a few things, like the fact that the Blue Dragon (or Dragon Lord) is actually blue to the silver that he's injesting, that I doubt any kid will understand, even though it is briefly explained. And if they're not familiar with how Chinese years, months, days, and even hours all work with the zodiac animals, they might be confused by how one character is a Wood Rabbit but her sister is a Fire Horse, and what that all means.
The "twist" wasn't hard for me to figure out, but I'm an adult and not really the intended audience. Although it doesn't say that it's the first of a series, it definitely ends on a cliffhanger and I assume the author intends to have a sequel.
August 5, 2019
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy read by Cindy Lin. Usagi and her sister, Uma, have special zodiac powers in a land where such things are now forbidden. When Uma is kidnapped by the Dragonlord, Usagi desperately wants to rescue her, but befriends a group of Heirs of the Twelve who are willing to train her to develop her powers before she tries to set Uma free. Usagi's decision comes at a price she is unaware she's going to have to pay.
I really like stories where characters must develop their own powers to rise up and face adversity, especially with a supportive group of friends, a mentor, and some unexpected obstacles. I appreciated Usagi developing her own skills before going to rescue her sister rather than taking off on a half-baked mission. I think it will appeal to many kids who not only like a story about a quest (as the Heirs are also trying to retrieve the 12 lost treasures) but skilled warriors with developed senses and magical abilities.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy read by Cindy Lin. Usagi and her sister, Uma, have special zodiac powers in a land where such things are now forbidden. When Uma is kidnapped by the Dragonlord, Usagi desperately wants to rescue her, but befriends a group of Heirs of the Twelve who are willing to train her to develop her powers before she tries to set Uma free. Usagi's decision comes at a price she is unaware she's going to have to pay.
I really like stories where characters must develop their own powers to rise up and face adversity, especially with a supportive group of friends, a mentor, and some unexpected obstacles. I appreciated Usagi developing her own skills before going to rescue her sister rather than taking off on a half-baked mission. I think it will appeal to many kids who not only like a story about a quest (as the Heirs are also trying to retrieve the 12 lost treasures) but skilled warriors with developed senses and magical abilities.
September 18, 2020
Aww.. 🤩🤩🤩
Jaman sekarang buku target umur middle grade itu bagus-bagus lho. Jadi tugas seleksi buku buat Owen gak kerasa berat lagi, contohnya buku Twelve ini.
Mungkin kita sudah tak awam dengan 12 Chinesse/Japanesse animal Zodiac, yang membuat tiap manusia punya kharakter khas kalau dilahirkan ditahun-tahun dalam naungan binatang pelindung zodiak. Ditambah lagi dengan elemen alam, itu akan menambah keunikan masing-masing kepribadian. Kembali ke cerita... Disini beberapa anak yang beruntung, saat beranjak balita akan dikaruniai bakat supernatural sesuai zodiak dan elemen tahun kelahirannya. Di sini kita akan mengikuti perjalanan hidup seorang yatim piatu bernama Usagi, yang dilahirkan ditahun kelinci kayu. Dia bisa melompat setinggi, pendengaran super tajam dan berbicara dengan pepohonan.
Storyline cerita termasuk sederhana ala David vs Goliath. Bagaimana Usagi dan para yatim piatu korban perang harus bangkit melawan penguasa bengis seorang dewa perang yang bergelar DragonLord.
Yang menarik disini adalah detail khas tipe buku perjalanan. Mengajarkan para bocah tentang pentingnya kerja keras, gigih dan tidak gampang menyerah. Bagaimana belajar percaya dan loyal pada teman-temanmu. Bahwa semua orang yang punya kelebihan, juga memiliki kewajiban untuk menggunakannya untuk kebaikan. Selain detail skill tiap zodiak, perburuan artifak dan plot twistnya seru banget. Solid 4 😊👍
Jaman sekarang buku target umur middle grade itu bagus-bagus lho. Jadi tugas seleksi buku buat Owen gak kerasa berat lagi, contohnya buku Twelve ini.
Mungkin kita sudah tak awam dengan 12 Chinesse/Japanesse animal Zodiac, yang membuat tiap manusia punya kharakter khas kalau dilahirkan ditahun-tahun dalam naungan binatang pelindung zodiak. Ditambah lagi dengan elemen alam, itu akan menambah keunikan masing-masing kepribadian. Kembali ke cerita... Disini beberapa anak yang beruntung, saat beranjak balita akan dikaruniai bakat supernatural sesuai zodiak dan elemen tahun kelahirannya. Di sini kita akan mengikuti perjalanan hidup seorang yatim piatu bernama Usagi, yang dilahirkan ditahun kelinci kayu. Dia bisa melompat setinggi, pendengaran super tajam dan berbicara dengan pepohonan.
Storyline cerita termasuk sederhana ala David vs Goliath. Bagaimana Usagi dan para yatim piatu korban perang harus bangkit melawan penguasa bengis seorang dewa perang yang bergelar DragonLord.
Yang menarik disini adalah detail khas tipe buku perjalanan. Mengajarkan para bocah tentang pentingnya kerja keras, gigih dan tidak gampang menyerah. Bagaimana belajar percaya dan loyal pada teman-temanmu. Bahwa semua orang yang punya kelebihan, juga memiliki kewajiban untuk menggunakannya untuk kebaikan. Selain detail skill tiap zodiak, perburuan artifak dan plot twistnya seru banget. Solid 4 😊👍
October 12, 2019
Excellent fantasy! Usagi, her sister Uma, and their friend Tora are living on their own. Their parents were killed when the Dragonlord got rid of everyone with magical zodiac powers. The three girls know they have to keep themselves and their own talents hidden. They work together to survive after most in their community are either captured or killed. Born in the year of the rabbit, Usagi has incredible hearing and leaping. Uma was born in the year of the horse and can run super fast. Tora has incredible night vision. When Tora and Uma are captured by the Dragonlord's Strikers, Usagi must make some hard decisions about using her talents and about who she can trust. Hopefully the start of a new series. Recommended for grades 4 & up.
September 11, 2020
The Twelve is an enjoyable read. It has its ups and downs; there were parts I wasn’t enthusiastic about and others that I really enjoyed. At one point I had even decided I wouldn’t be continuing on with the series, but I ended up loving the last quarter of the book and changed my mind. Those moments I enjoyed played a huge role in my rating as I was originally considering giving it a 3 or 3.5 stars.
The author has the ability to make you feel for the characters and feel the emotions you are meant to be feeling throughout this book. I was frustrated when I was meant to be and I was sad when I was meant to be. I even teared up at one point. I decided at the end that this book deserved recognition and so does the author.
The author has the ability to make you feel for the characters and feel the emotions you are meant to be feeling throughout this book. I was frustrated when I was meant to be and I was sad when I was meant to be. I even teared up at one point. I decided at the end that this book deserved recognition and so does the author.
October 30, 2022
On the island of Midaga, some people are born with supernatural abilities based on their signs in the East Asian zodiac. Usagi, a Wood Rabbit by birth, is able to hear incredibly well and jump great distances. Unfortunately, the Dragonlord has been kidnapping people with such powers, planning to make some of them serve him and sacrifice others. When Usagi's sister is captured, she teams up with the Heirs of the Twelve for training and to try to rescue the prisoners. I feel like there was a lot of the kind of stuff I'd seen before in similar fantasies, but that's probably more my fault for reading a lot of the same kind of thing than any flaw in the book itself. The idea of the zodiac powers is pretty neat, after all.
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