Butterfly Swords

Tang Dynasty #1

by Jeannie Lin

During China's infamous Tang Dynasty, a time awash with luxury yet littered with deadly intrigues and fallen royalty, betrayed Princess Ai Li flees before her wedding.

Miles from home, with only her delicate butterfly swords for defense, she enlists the reluctant protection of a blue-eyed warrior….

Battle-scarred, embittered Ryam has always held his own life at cheap value. Ai Li's innocent trust in him and honorable, stubborn nature make him desperate to protect her—which means not seducing the first woman he has ever truly wanted….

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, China, Adult

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author Jeannie Lin grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy and Eastern martial arts adventures. When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school, the stage was set. Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart Award–winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal with The Dragon and the Pearl listed among Library Journal's Best Romances of 2011.

Titles by Jeannie Lin:
Gunpowder Alchemy (Gunpowder Chronicles #1)
The Jade Temptress (The Lotus Palace #2)
The Lotus Palace
Butterfly Swords
The Dragon and the Pearl
My Fair Concubine
The Sword Dancer

For updates, sign up for her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/42oZL
Find out more about Jeannie Lin online at http://www.jeannielin.com

Reviews

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Jeannie Lin book (and first Asian historical romance) and it won’t be my last!

[Jaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping for this to be more "historical". My bad, of course and most of it was...

[Joanna Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried to read this sometime last year, but my head was in the wrong place and I couldn’t get started. This time I was hooked after a few pages in. Overall, it was a fun read that soothed my desire for geographical and cultural diverse HRs. No Dukes here!

Ailey was a wonderful fierce heroine. Brave, confident and believed in her and her family’s honor. Ryam was an interesting hero, a skilled fighter, though he was a “barbarian” from land far away. I did not feel like I got a great picture of his background. He was a nomad from far western lands. I liked him, but he did have a tendency to feel sorry for himself and to drown his problems in drink.

The writing was engaging and world building well done. I liked the romance. It had sweet moments and the connection was believable. Looking forward to more in the series!

[Jeannie Lin]

I read this one like 11 or 12 years ago....and it definitely influenced me as an author.

Just kidding -- who has two thumbs and made an awesome list and spent two days cowering in fear but now has decided to plaster big fat stickers saying "I wrote this!" all over? This girl!

I am so uncool.

But this is pretty cool. Butterfly Swords mentioned among some giant titles of romance in this article.

https://bookriot.com/most-influential...

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (I am not used to listening to audio – I am finding it harder to judge the length this way)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, just a bit

(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )

Basic plot
Princess Ai Li disguises herself as a man and runs from her wedding, knowing her husband has hurt her family for his own political gain. Ryam is an outside in Ai Li’s land, seen as a barbarian. He helps Ai Li when her hired guards try to drug her, and they journey together to bring Ai Li safety back to her family.

Give this a try if you want:
- 758 time period in China – this story takes place during the Tang Dynasty
- Road trip romance trope – these two are on the run for much of the book
- Plenty of action and battle scenes mixed with your romance
- Medium steam
- Forbidden love/class difference trope/secret identity – heroine is a princess and hero is a mercenary
- I’m not sure how much of an age gap are between the two – Ai Li is 19, Ryam has so much life experience I feel like he’s older but I’m not sure how much.

My thoughts:
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I really enjoyed it. It was narrated by Sarah Lam and I thought she did a great job. I think I liked this story more listening to the audiobook than I would have reading it.

This was a wonderful change from the almost non stop Regency I seem to pick up. I loved the backdrop of China and really felt the emotional pull of family, political duties, and longing of her own that Ai Li felt.

The character depth was okay. I wish I had been in Ryams head more and learned more of his history. I still don’t feel like I know him that well. The focus is on Ai Li and her family struggles.

I did like the way the longing and wanting of the characters was written. I thought there was a lot of sweetness in that. Ai Li’s curiosity about Ryam and his longing for her.

The ending had a lot of action and craziness in it, and I just wish that it had been wrapped up a bit less abruptly.

I would definitely try more from her.

Content Warnings:

Scenes of battle – violence
Remembering the loss of a brother
Society judgments of outsides (hero is a Turk, light skinned, blond haired and blue eyed)

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – I listened to the audiobook so it could vary a bit from a written book:

10% - kiss
22% - kiss
41% - kiss
56% 🔥 - kisses, touches, fingering for her, oral for her
60% - brief kiss
64% 🔥 - missionary, virginity loss for her
72% 🔥 - kisses, oral, her on top sex

[K.J. Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total romp. Kick-ass (within reason) sword-wielding Emperor's daughter and white barbarian mercenary on a cross-China flight from a warlord. Tangle politics, interesting culture clash, fabulous detail, sexy romance. Hugely enjoyable, highly recommended, and this was her first book as well. Looking forward to reading more.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read romances, but when I caught the words "Tang dynasty, butterfly swords, and woman warrior," I decided to give this a go. And thankfully, there were no damsels in distress in this one. Well, the damsel has distress, but nothing she can't handle with her butterfly swords and just a little bit of help of a blonde barbarian.

Ai Li (aka Ailey)is on her way to marry Li Tao when she discovers that her fiance is planning an uprising against her own father. She runs away with hired bandits to escape her upcoming nupitals and report her newfound information to her father. However, Li Tao is not giving her up without a fight and Ai Li finds herself running for her life with a blonde barbarian sidekick. The blonde barbarian, Ryam, is running himself, from his own inner demons.

Despite being chased down constantly by Li Tao's army and sword battling anyone in their path (and even fighting each other), the two fall in love. But Ai Li is an important part of the Tang dynasty. Her virtue must remain intact or she will shame her ancestors and her family. She must choose between love and honor.

Upon reaching her home base, things do not go as Ai Li hope. Her father is no longer than the man she thought he was. Once again, she faces marriage to Li Tao and once again, her and her blonde barbarian are running. Can Ai Li deal with the loss of her family tho? Can love really conquer all? She is now in a situation in which her butterfly swords may not be much help.

A good read, very entertaining. The only reason it doesn't get a five is well... Ryam is too horny to be believable. From the very first moment he realizes Ai Li is a woman under her robes, he has urges. Come on, she can't be THAT sexy all the time!

[Katie(babs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Butterfly Swords is set during a unique time period in the Tang Dynasty in 758 AD China. Ai Li, the daughter of an emperor, is betrothed to marry, Li Tao, a warlord. This is an arranged marriage and one that Ai Li doesn't want because she has found out that her husband-to-be has plotted against her family and may have killed one of her brothers. Ai Li has always been the dutiful daughter, but in this case she will defy her parents' wishes and return to them and tell them what she knows, regardless if she will be disgraced in their eyes. As she’s returning home, she’s set upon by thugs, pretending to be bandits, thanks to one of her father's lieutenants who wants to help her. She runs off with this group of men, uncertain of her future. She trusts no one and will disguise herself as a boy using her trusty butterfly swords to protect her seeing as she has been trained in the art of sword fighting.

Things become even more complicated when Ai Li is almost drugged at a tavern. She is saved from a blue-eyed barbarian called Ryam, who is cruelly nicknamed the White Demon. Ryam is also skilled with a sword, but has become an outcast since he’s not a native of Ai Li’s country. He arrived in this land five years ago through the silk trade and has outlasted his welcome. Even though Ai Li is grateful for his aid, she is wary of him because he could be working for Li Tao. But because Ai Li is a woman all alone, she throws caution to the wind, and asks Ryam for protection, to be her bodyguard of sorts. Ryam thinks Ai Li is very beautiful, as well as deceitful. He doesn't believe her when she says she comes from a family of tea merchants. But against his better judgment, Ryam will escort Ai Li home, who he nicknames Ailey.

Ai Li and Ryam are surrounded by danger everywhere they turn. And even though they’re both skilled with their swords, they must constantly be on their toes. As they hurry on their travels, they begin to know one another better, and soon their attraction for one another grows into an explosive passion they know will not end well. And when Ryam finally figures out who Ai Li is, and who she's running from, he’s backed into a corner. Ai Li is in a worse position, whose parents are dismayed over her behavior and refuse to listen to her pleas. The only people she can turn to are her grandmother and youngest brother, who are not powerful enough to stop Li Tao who is on his way to claim her. Ai Li may have no choice but to exile herself away from all those she loves, although Ryam is more than willing to love and cherish her despite all the odds against them.

Butterfly Swords is a very unique story. Jeannie Lin has written a rich tale and one amazing heroine in that of Ai Li, who because of her strong nature, will sacrifice so much because of the deep love she has for her family. Not only does Ai Li have incredible fighting skills that put some of her male counterparts to shame, but she refuses to sit back and do what's expected of her regardless of how wrong it may be. Ai Li is a heroine with "balls." She stands up for herself and those around her knowing the outcome may end badly.

As for Ryam, I found him to be a very weak character with no spirit and only his fighting skills to recommend for him. I was very disappointed in his portrayal. I was very excited about the idea of an interracial romance, but Ryam has no real depth or dimension. He’s the type of hero you can plunk down in any romance during any time period. He’s more of a wallpaper type character if anything. Whereas Ai Li is amazingly written, Ryam held no appeal or substance for me. He seemed so out of place, and I don't mean because he’s a stranger in a strange land. He’s adequate in his role, but not much more than that. And when I reached the point where I wanted the main focus to remain Ai Li and her interactions with her family, rather than with Ryam, that became a big problem for me as a reader.

I also found Ai Li and Ryam's proclamations of love all too fast. When Ai Li first meets Ryam, she keeps her distance, and rightly so, because she doesn’t know what Ryam's motivations are. But then as the walk, talk… walk and talk some more on their travels, she suddenly has this epiphany that she wants Ryam above all else. And this necessarily doesn't have anything to do with her physical attraction to him. I just couldn’t get a good sense on why she wants Ryam so much.

The ending is too pat and the conclusion of Ai Li and Ryam’s HEA didn’t work for me. I shook my head a few times during what is the final fighting scene.

The love scenes are well written and I very much enjoyed Ai Li’s family and the setting, But, with the lack of chemistry between Ai Li and Ryam, as well as Ryam not having enough dimension, I would say Butterfly Swords had merit, but overall it missed the high points I had been anticipating.

[MBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ Stars for this breathtaking historical

With only two historical novels published to her name, Jeannie Lin has shot into my list of favorite authors after being totally and utterly captivated by the tale of love, Tang Dynasty politics and the beautiful sensuality that she wields in her stories. I picked up Butterfly Swords right after I was done with The Taming of Mei Ling which was just a teaser into Jeannie Lin's capability in keeping readers enthralled by the magic that she creates with the words - because simply put, it was just utter and sheer magic that leaped out from each and every one of these pages as I read along.

Set in 758 AD, Tang Dynasty China, this is the story of the sixth child and only girl of the Emperor of China during the time. Ai Li is on her way to meet her husband to be, Li Tao, a military governor in one of the provinces when she learns that her sense of honor would not let herself marry a traitor to the Emperor. Though she knows that the consequences of fleeing from Li Tao would be catastrophic, with a sense of inborn courage, Ai Li is all set to travel back to Changan, the Imperial Capital when she comes across the foreigner more commonly known as barbarian amongst the Chinese then who calls himself Ryam.

19 year old Ai Li has always had a sort of sixth sense when it comes to judging people. And although her culture, society and decorum demands that she shun the warrior with blond hair and blue eyes, her sense of honor and respect for a man who willingly put his life on the line to come to her rescue has her requesting his help in returning to the Imperial city.

Ryam is a man who has got the wandering swordsman thing down to a pat. Following in his father's footsteps who had imbibed in drinking and foolhardy fighting after the loss of his beloved wife had been Ryam's way of life until he is recruited by Adrian, a prince by his own rights who admires Ryam's mighty skill with the sword. A mission that goes horribly wrong which had nearly killed Ryam in the process has left him with a terrible sense of guilt that clouds all his senses until the beautiful and enchanting Ai Li enlists his help and Ryam agrees against his better judgement.

For the first time in Ai Li's life, she gets to spend time with a man who listens to her, values her opinions and has a way of making her feel things that she shouldn't feel for someone like Ryam and keeps messing with her head. Ryam who has all the worldly experience under his belt when it comes to seduction and women finds himself for the first time smitten with a virgin who has no idea what she does to him just by existing.

Though their attraction and the awareness that springs forth between them is an immediate one, the sexual tension of the sizzling variety is a long drawn one which keeps the reader on tenterhooks, awaiting that moment when Ai Li and Ryam would surrender and give themselves to each other. Every single touch and look exchanged stokes the fire that burns between them, making this a read worth savoring and sinking into just for the web of sensuality that surrounds the reader from the beginning.

Ai Li and Ryam's journey towards happily ever after is not an easy one. The intricate details of the politics and the responsibilities that one shoulders in holding a position such as being the Emperor of a country as China comes to light as the story unfolds making this one of the most interesting historical romances that I have read to date. It's always refreshing to read a historical that is not based in the UK involving the ton and the patriarch British society and Jeannie Lin has carved a place for herself as one of the unique voices in the historical romance genre.

There were numerous things I loved about this story. Both Ai Li and Ryam's characters reel you in from the first encounter itself, making you root for their happily ever after all throughout. Ai Li has such a sense of honor ingrained into her that she is willing to forgo everything that she holds dear just so that no shame would come to her family. Ryam who is the exact opposite to Ai Li in each and every way just turns out to be the man who complements her in every way. Though I would have loved to know more about Ryam's past and where he came from, nevertheless he makes for a pretty well rounded character whom I loved for his undeniable need for Ai Li and her touch that continues to sooth and arouse him at the same time. And loved those sword fights between Ai Li and Ryam. I didn't know that fighting could end up being so erotic!

The secondary characters that we meet along the journey are all interesting ones that do not distract us from the actual main story. I found my interest piqued to find out more about Adrian and his wife Miya who gave up the throne to become his wife. And towards the end, I found myself oddly intrigued and a little bit helplessly fascinated with Li Tao who comes out as a villain at the beginning and left me with mixed feelings towards the end. I am hoping he would get his own story and that I would love seeing his cold and controlled self brought to his knees by a woman who is his match made in heaven. Oh yes, I am an evil, evil woman who gets her fix from seeing heroes crumble to dust at the feet of the women they love!

Since I loved this story so much, I couldn't help but feel cheated out of an epilogue which would have done wonders for the story. Though the ending as it is is not a bad one, I would have loved seeing Ai Li and Ryam actually live through their happily ever after, maybe have a couple of babies and experience all that comes along with finding your soul mate to share your life with you forever.

I end my review with some of the scenes that just leapt out of the pages at me whilst I was reading, that I just can't help but want to share with all of you.

One moment she made him swear not to touch her and the next she was kissing him into madness. If she made a single move towards him, made a single sweet sound he'd take hold of her, lower her to the ground and make her his right now with the fierce throb of combat and their wild escape still in his veins.
Some part of her must have known it. That was why she stayed petrified, her only movement the rise and fall of her breasts, as she struggled to breathe.
"Tell me what it is you want from me and it's yours," he promised dangerously.

She clutched at the front of his tunic and sank against him, closing her eyes when his mouth captured hers. It was always like this. Possessive, devastating. He knew how to make her melt into him, how to steal her breath and fold himself around her until she couldn't think of anything but him.

Through the slick heat and the unbelievable tightness gripping him, Ailey was there. When he shut his eyes, he saw her face.
Mine, he thought as the blood rushed through his skull. For as long as she would have him. To the ends of the earth if she needed him there.
He was a fool.


Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin cannot be recommended highly enough. This is a historical romance any lover of the genre MUST read.

[Literary Lusts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've had mixed luck with Jeannie Lin's writing. I either highly enjoy it or can't get into it at all. This wasn't terrible but it couldn't keep my attention either. I would still recommend her as an author but I would suggest some of her other works first.

[Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong Historical Romance (but light on history)

I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ryem and Ailey as they are thrown into their shared journey together. There is something about the culture clash between East and West that I find very attractive, and it is always heartening to see two people overcome their differences and find love. Perhaps it’s because it is something I have experienced myself.

For a Historical Romance, however, I felt that the history was just a little too thin. I’ve recently developed an interest in Chinese history, which is far broader and more intricate than I had imagined. In this book, I had hoped for a romance set against a richly detailed cultural and historical backdrop. What I got was a strong, unlikely romance, but only a partial glimpse into the traditions and atmosphere of the time.

The storytelling was good but not without flaws. While the prose itself is fine, certain sections, especially when the romance isn’t at the forefront, felt a touch flat. There were also minor technical issues, such as incorrectly split words (“talk ing” instead of “talking”, “hon our” instead of “honor”), which didn’t hinder my understanding but were noticeable. The ending, too, felt rushed and a bit too easily gifted; I would have preferred a greater sense of struggle before resolution and perhaps some element of compromise. It was a bit too “have your cake and eat it too” for me. I think the story would have probably benefitted from another hundred and fifty pages or so. It’s a shame, because I loved the journey but found myself yearning for that catharsis at the denouement.

I’ve written before about the difference between male- and female-targeted romance: the former often features external conflict the couple overcomes together, while the latter tends to focus on internal tension within the relationship. This book fits firmly into the latter camp. That’s not a criticism, and certainly shouldn’t be taken to mean that I didn’t enjoy it! As I said when I began my review, I loved the dynamics between the two leads and their growing relationship had me hooked. However, there were points where I was frustrated where it was clear that the primary hurdle to their happily-ever-after was miscommunication.

On the whole, I did enjoy this story and I would recommend it if you’re looking for a romance-heavy narrative with lighter historical detail set against a backdrop of the Tang Dynasty era.

4 out of 5

[Krystle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love the cover for this. It’s just so sexy. I mean, how often do you see a full frontal picture of an Asian woman doing an action instead of just merely giving off some blank, vacant expression in the background, or looking pretty for some “exotic” value? Not much I can tell you.

The world building/historical facts of her time felt genuine. The author put in some amount of effort and it paid off – although don’t take my words as gospel because I am really not that familiar with Chinese history/culture as I’m more knowledgeable about Japan’s one. Nothing jarringly stood out to me and the characters all behaved appropriately for people of their position and their time period.

I’m not too big of a fan of the Asian falling in love with a white person, because usually what happens is that it promotes the idea of the Mighty Whitey and sort of paints the original Asian background as something not of an equivalent worth or merit. The white figure would describe the Asian-character, female or male, as some otherworldly beauty playing into the whole “exotic” factor. This occurs in this book as Ryam views her as a one of a kind beauty that he throws away his wandering, free-spirited, bachelor life for. I kind of rolled my eyes at this but it wasn’t overbearing.

Their romance started with a good healthy dose of infatuation and lust. They definitely had their eyes on each other from the beginning and things moved swiftly from there. I have to applaud that while their relationship moved at a more rapid pace, the author did hold off and prolong the actual sex scenes so as to build up our appetite for it. Gave it a nice amount of draw and hook, because if she had put those scenes in a lot earlier I would have been satisfied and wouldn’t have continued reading the book. The sex scenes were serviceable and did their thing though I thought some of them were a bit too short. I’ve read hotter sex scenes in other books. Maybe I’m just picky.

The plot was pretty light and linear, not much on depth (to me) but then again romance novels are written with different goals in mind. The ending is very run of the mill but I guess it was pretty sweet so I bumped my rating for it up a notch. The couple is a bit too sugary sweet for me but I’m sure people would enjoy this stuff.

Not bad. Certainly not terrible. Good read for those who want to try something other than historical romances set in Victorian/Regency England.

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Тански Китай отново е отличен фон за бунтовна императорска щерка под прикритие и странстващ наемник от варварски по китайските стандарти произход. Много сладка, почти приказна история, където лошият е главният герой на следващата книга в поредицата. И двамата герои са страшно мили същества.

Някак твърде лесно се случиха нещата, а свободомислието и щедрите жестове на татко-император са абсолютно невъзможни за 8 век в поднебесната империя, но пък има мечове, романт��ка и китайско средновековие, а авторката си е сладкодумна, и в нейната компания е много приятно.

3,5⭐️

[Renae]

Stopped reading at 28%.

I suspect, though I am not 100% certain, that a lot of my problems with this book come from the fact that the author had to smoosh all her material within the constraints of a category-length romance. I really felt like a lot of context was missing, particularly when dealing with the historical period. In the same way I don't like it when a book says "This is the Regency!" and expects me to feel that's enough, I don't like the way Butterfly Swords says "This is Tang Dynasty China!" and no more. I like historical fiction for the opportunity to explore history, but that wasn't happening here.

On a more plot-level, I also feel that the book drops readers right into a very complex situation without giving them time or space to orient themselves. Lin gives us info in pieces as things progress, but this piecemeal style of exposition is frustrating and kept me feeling in the dark and confused. It's hard to root for an outcome when you're not yet sure what the stakes are.

📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this until the last 50 pages where some of the hero's/heroine's decisions started not to make much sense for me. Still, a very nice book and so much different from other romances.

There is another book that deals with the relationship between a Chinese and a foreigner, that's not pure romance but is SO much more realistic, especially with how a foreigner would be treated in Medieval China:
. Compared to this, I found Ryam's easy acceptance as unrealistic to say the least, especially compared to his looks.

[Elisabeth Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, Ai Li and Ryam are precious, but I really loved getting Li Tao's backstory. 😂

[Jody Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah Li is fleeing a marriage to the warlord Li Tao, she knows him to be a traitor to her father the emperor. She runs across renegade soldier and outsider Ryam and they quickly join forces to get her back to the capitol to warn her family. Of course they fall in love (or at least lust) along the way.

Lin is a strikingly visual writer, I could picture the action, the sword fight between them, the reunion at the top of a staircase, the "soldiers poured out onto the square like a swarm of black ants." Unfortunately for me, the cinematic scene I pictured was the book taking place in was the animated version of Mulan. This did somewhat make it hard for me to buy into the romance. I bet money the animators of that movie had this book on their vision boards (unless the movie came out first, I'm not looking it up, just go with it).

The setting is amazing, and Lin does a fantastic job of making the reader sink right in. For those of us with a less-than-complete knowledge of China in the Tang dynasty. we are fully immersed. And, as setting mirrors character here, Ah Li goes from the capitol, where she feels she and her entire family are not authentic to who they are, to her childhood home, where she can be her true self and absolutely belongs. Along the way she is in a liminal space of the journey, where she can discover who she is with Ryam. Likewise, Ryam starts the book thinking of himself as a failure and near-traitor for a mistake made in command, and during the journey tries on different personas, the protector, the lover, a man being in love for the first time ("I don't want to say anything to you that I've ever said to another woman." IS swooningly romantic). His journey nearly ends with him being back where he began, a soldier living alone, until his last minute conversion into the man be was becoming with Ah Li, one who belongs and is at Home in this world.

For me, ultimately the writing style didn't work completely. Ah Li speaks in the formal style of court when she's talking to anyone but Ryam, in the third person and very stilted. At one point Ryam is talking to the emperor and he just flat out doesn't understand him because his way of speaking is so formal and convoluted, which, yes.

The other thing that kept this working for me as a romance was Ah Li's complete faith in honor and family name over her own wants and needs, and her relationship with Ryam. "There was no way to remain loyal to her family, yet still be true to her heart. The two parts of her battled with one another. She could have honour or love, but not both." She picks honor and her family again and again, even as she acts to damage both, and even as she gets disillusioned with family honor and swings hard the other way, it doesn't stick. "Part of her wished that she could be revelling in her grand adventure surrounded by these exotic people, but all she could think of was her family." The author asserted their connection and love, but with Ah Li putting it down the list, and Ryam running off to get real drunk about it more than once, I just didn't feel it.

It's possible that a lot of what didn't work for me stems from this being a category written 15 years ago; it's conflict conflict conflict HEA and boom done. At least no one can say that the main characters could have been together earlier, the external forces really have us believing it will be impossible for these two to find a way until the end. Three and a half stars, down to three because it I was bored and out of the reading experience much of the time, even as I recognized the work and craft being done.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has taken me WAY too long to read a book by Jeannie Lin. I believe this was her debut, and (if I'm not mistaken) what a fucking fantastic first book. It's set during the Tang Dynasty (of which I admittedly know very little) and she brought the setting to life so vividly that I didn't want to put the book down.

Princess Ai Li meets Ryam as she's escaping from an arranged marriage; he saves her from bandits, and she convinces him to accompany her back to her father, the Emperor, so she can warn him about her betrothed. Ryam has no idea who she is; although he knows her father must be someone important, he doesn't imagine it's the Emperor himself.

The good first chunk of this book is a road romance. Even after Ai Li returns to her father, events unfold and we get, well, more road romance. Which I love! Both protagonists are absolutely wonderful--I especially love Ai Li, who is a warrior in her own right and whom Ryam not only lusts after but really respects due to her agility with the butterfly swords and due to her loyalty to her family and her sense of honor and duty. He respects it even when he doesn't completely understand it. Ryam remains a bit of an enigma even by the end, but he still felt like a character with feelings and agency.

There were some pacing issues, especially later in the book, that had me knock off the rating just a tad, but I have already bought more books in this series and I cannot wait to delve back into this richly imagined period. I wish I had read Lin sooner, but the good news is that I don't have to wait for books to be published because they're all waiting for me already!

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Butterfly Swords is set during China’s Tang Dynasty and follows Ai Li, a princess who escapes an arranged marriage. Along the way, she meets Ryam, a blue-eyed barbarian warrior. Their romance is unlikely in the extreme, considering their different cultures, but if reading romance has taught me anything, it’s that love conquers all. Also, how can you turn down a strong heroine skilled with swords?

[CS · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The writing was good, but it took me a while to get through this book. I normally love historical politics but here it was a bit repetitive, confusing, and not very high stakes so I found my attention drifting. As a Tang dynasty fan there were also a few historical inaccuracies I found it hard to ignore.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, I picked up My Fair Concubine which is book three in the Tang Dynasty series. I fell in love with this colorful and culturally rich Asian historical romance. I went on to read each new release from the author, but never went back for the earlier books in the series. Until now...

Butterfly Swords is the debut book in the series and maybe for the author as a whole, but it didn't read like an early effort. It was as tight and lavish with setting, historical backdrop, characters, and plotting as any of the later ones. The Tang Dynasty is a series that can be enjoyed in any order though there are faint trails of connection from book to book.

This story opens with a young princess who was all set to do her duty by family and the empire in going into an arranged marriage with a powerful political rival of her father's to secure him as an ally. All that ends abruptly when she learns that he was involved in the death of one of her brothers and he's an enemy of her father for the Chinese imperial throne. She has to warn her family of this betrayal so skips out on her wedding journey. Right when she's about to be captured by bandits, she is rescued by none other than a blue-eyed barbarian from outside the kingdom with his own issues. The unlikely pair team up and have harrowing adventures and forge a connection on their journey to return her to her family.

Ai Li is a highborn Chinese Imperial princess in a time when any foreigner is considered an uncouth barbarian and lower than their lowest class. After the betrayal of her fiance', she doesn't know who to trust so keeps secret about her status from Ryam, the barbarian, even if she comes to trust him with her life. Meanwhile, Ryam is from the Lost Legion who were given a place on the border near the Great Desert to guard the Jade Gate into the Empire. He got mixed up in a betrayal that has him down on himself for being a poor leader that got good men killed and made him an enemy of the empire. He really shouldn't be headed to the heart of said empire and was on his way back to his leader and the relative safety of the Lost Legion headquarters when he can't help, but rescue and keep a beautiful young aristocratic woman (no matter how much she tries to disguise herself, otherwise) safe.

There is action when Ai Li and Ryam get busy with their swords and calm moments when this pair learn to understand and appreciate each other's ways a little more and develop an attraction, respect, friendship, and an agonizing want for more though they know its not possible. There is exciting political intrigue swirling around them as rivals for the control of the empire since the last Emperor's demise left a power void that has the wolves circling. China may be torn apart if General Chen who steps in as Emperor can't hold it together. It was fascinating reading about this tumultuous time in Chinese history on a grand scale, but also the detailed cultural and social differences for the people themselves.

The romance was conflicted for many reasons, but I did enjoy this pair as individuals and together. They brought out the best in each other. They didn't jump on their building attraction because of their class differences, the cultural norms, but also because she is an innocent and he respects her while she is suspicious of someone with that much experience. Yes, there was some humor moments mixed into it all. But, they do eventually tumble into bed and there are some nice spicy scenes there.

In summary, this was a treasure of a read for those who enjoy historicals set in Asia, class difference romances and lots of adventure and intrigue tossed in for good measure. I will definitely be finishing up with the series backlist sooner rather than later and can heartily recommend this series and any others the author has penned.

[~Megan~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book with this particular setting, but when it was chosen for a Pick-it-for-me Challenge, I was intrigued by it. First by the beautiful cover, and second by the description of the book.

I am so glad I decided to read it. What a beautiful story! It's one of those forbidden love stories...she's daughter to the Emperor on the run from an arranged marriage, and he's a barbarian Turk trying to reunite with his band of warriors. They are an unlikely pair, but the love that grows between them is beautiful to watch. It's not instantaneous like so many novels, but it builds slowly until you have no doubt the depth of feeling between the two.

It can't be easy being a woman in this time period, much less the daughter of the Emperor subject to his political machinations, but Ai Li resolves not to take any of it lying down. She is being forced to wed a man whom she has discovered may have had a hand in her brother's death and is plotting against the empire. She runs away and eventually teams up with Ryam, the barbarian. He is such a wonderful character with so much honor, but always doubting that he has any. He doesn't know she is the Princess until much later in the book and well after they're in love, but he still knows he's not worthy of her.

They had several swordfights with each other that were super hot. The chemistry between them was boiling from the start.

The ending was perfect, and probably unbelievable for the reality of that time period, but hey, we want our happy ending and the author delivered. I just really enjoyed the whole thing, as well as the author's writing style.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look! A historical romance! That's NOT set in England! Or America! It's not a Regency, or a Georgian, or a Medieval! It's set in CHINA!!!

I guess you can tell I've been really excited about this book.

The heroine is the daughter of a warrior who's family has been assigned for generations to guard the frontier of the Chinese empire. This story takes place in what were the Dark Ages in Europe, and the era of a lot of turmoil in China. When the story opens, she escapes from the sedan chair carrying her to her wedding. Then it shifts to a hungry barbarian foreigner trying to walk out of China. He spots that she's female, though she's dressing as a man and accompanied by soldiers. She gives him her food-and after he eats it, he realizes it was drugged, but since he's so much larger than she, it doesn't affect him as it would have her. He goes after her to rescue her-she was nice to him after all--and that's the beginning of the adventure. There are sword fights--her grandmother taught her to use the titular butterfly swords--and issues of honor, and secrets exposed, and duty and love and running away and rescues--it's a rip-roaring adventure and a great romance.

I personally would have liked a little more grounding in the historical era, but I'm a history geek. I have a whole college degree in history. I'll just go off and read actual research books. Others will probably be grateful Lin didn't spend too much time on the "reality." Good stuff, this.

[Anne Boleyn's Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this. And I ain’t too proud to beg for more sword-wielding heroines in historical romance...



I'll say it again: I adored the story of Ai Li, the Emperor's daughter fleeing an arranged marriage and intent on foiling a plot against her family, and Ryam, the white foreign warrior haunted by his past and aimless - until Ai Li takes aim at his heart. I adored the clash, the banter, the longing between Ai Li and Ryam. I adored the cross-country adventure. I adored the sword fighting. I adored the interplay between political intrigue and familial duty and notions of honor and loyalty and true strength. I adored how the humorous moments balanced the more serious ones.

And while I didn’t adore everything – the point-of-view changes occasionally felt jarring, and some of the emotional conflict felt repetitive, and Ryam could have been developed better – I was nevertheless impressed that this was Lin's first novel. Not to mention I always appreciate reading historical romances not set in 1817 England. Not to diss historical romances set in 1817 England, but you know...

I very much enjoyed Butterfly Swords, and I very much look forward to reading more from Jeannie Lin.

Read for SBTB Best Picture Quarterly Challenge: A romance with a royal character.

[Liz Mc2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, well-paced first half with the warrior (secret) princess and “barbarian” mercenary on the road and falling for each other. They are complementary but I love how they respect each other’s skill in sword fighting. They feel equally matched. I have no idea if the Tang Dynasty setting is accurate, but it feels plausible and vividly realized.

The second half is more uneven, with the politics not fully worked out and the “how can they ever be together?” kind of dragged out and a bit too melodramatic for me. The end is just too magical and implausible—it’s Lin’s debut and it seemed like she didn’t quite know how to write the characters out of the terrible bind she created for them, something that I think is better done in the later books of hers I have read. What a strong debut; can’t believe it took me so long to get around to reading it.

[Laura Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Book Riot! They had an article with a list of 10 Excellent historical romance series. This was the first one in the list. The list was heavy on the regency romances, however there were some gems like this on the list as well.

Book Riot article 10 Excellent Historical Romance Series


I loved the fact that it took place in 8th Century China and featured an interracial romance. Plus, Ai Li is BADASS! No damsel in distress this one. Just a fun good read.

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh how I wanted to love this story, but I didn't. To be honest this was all I wanted to type for my review, and really there is nothing else that needs to be said. However, I will list what is becoming the very usual and oh so common issues with romance books I have been reading lately. (Someone get quality control stat!!!)
At the beginning of the story I felt really thrust into it, felt like I was playing catch up in the first couple chapters. While the backstory was interesting it took too long to for the author to get to important details. Then it started to feel like backstory details were being dragged out for too long because the info wasn't really crucial to the characters. By the time I am more than halfway through the book I should know why the characters are acting they way they are, otherwise I don't think people can really connect to them.
I could never picture what Ryam and Ai Li the lead characters looked like, which is so strange! Yes, Ryam was blonde and blued eyed and Ai Li had almond eyes and dark hair but the author didn't give them any depth and I always felt like I was reading through a veil. I couldn't get a grasp on the characters and because of this I never connected with them. The reader never gets to spend much time in their heads or reading their private thoughts so maybe this was the problem.
Onto a common complaint: Strong feelings for each other very fast. I never understood why Ryam was willing to give his life for Ai Li or why she was willing to go against her family, mind you when all she talks about it honoring your family, for Ryam. Love so fast when no reasoning was shown or given (not even the ole reliable lust at first sight!).
I don't want to ruffle any feathers but I feel like maybe this book could have been better if it wasn't a Harlequin series. I'm not usually a fan of their books. It seems to me they always kind of sorta dumb down and condense their books. The writing quality from the author seems to be there but maybe she was just handcuffed by Harlequin?
Anyway, there was a lot of walking from Ai Li and Ryam as they either were trying to get to her father or away. Then a little bit of "I could never be good enough for you" and a is he or isn't he violent/crazy honorable/strong villain. I was incredibly excited when I read about this book coming out. It seemed like a fresh story about a land and time period grossly ignored. But really it could have just been another duke/shy miss regency for all the enjoyment I got out of reading it.
The story was slow and frankly wasn't satisfactory. I could never even picture the hero and heroine which is so important. The C+ rating is due to the promise and quality I see in the author's writing and the freshness of the basis of the story. Like I said at the beginning I really wanted to like this book but my final words on it are lack of depth of character, slow, and disappointing.


Oh and I think the author needs to write a prequel to this involving Adrian and Miya's story. Their story sounds fascinating!

C-

[Malina Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stirring and evocative historical adventure! 4.5 stars.

I love the opening. Ai Li is already in the palanquin on the way to get married and the author does not waste any time on getting straight into the action.

Lin does not wait too long for the sensual scenes to begin either but does well at building up the anticipation between the two protagonists. There is a lot of excitement as they are pursued by soldiers, spar with swords and send sparks flying.

The plot is exciting, with enough turns to keep it interesting. She did well with the fight scenes: they are well-spaced with strong descriptive language. There is not too much fighting but the right amount to drive the story forward, and I enjoyed Ai Li's fighting style with the butterfly swords, a great contrast to Ryam's heavy sword-wielding.
The strongest parts of the book are the sensual encounters and at these Lin excels. You can feel the tension as it smolders between the protagonists and she invokes the senses well.

The details of the settings were light but did not feel lacking, with an interesting variety of locations. The plot never sagged and the story was never boring.
I would have liked to have had more description of the rooms inside the houses and the compound and gardens at the end of the book, but otherwise the descriptions were enough to feel immersed in Tang Dynasty China, an era I have also researched and written about.

Over the course of the book, the protagonists emerged as well-rounded figures and though sometimes their actions were a little frustrating, I grew to know and like them. Ai Li is strong yet delicate and though she is rebellious, her loyalty to her family runs deep. Ryam is a wandering swordsman, mysterious but honourable. I like how his connection to his father comes back at the end to complete his character arc. I would have liked the resolution to go on a bit longer but both characters change in a satisfying way.

Here are a few quotes to tantalise you:

"His stubble grazed against her skin, the rasp of it exciting her. She was floating in a warm bath, her skin tingling with a drowsy hum that filled the hollows of her spirit."

"His hands moved restlessly to grasp her hips, but then he tore himself away from her so abruptly she made a startled sound. He gritted his teeth and turned away, his hands clenched into fists."

"There was something different about her. A restless energy simmered beneath her calm demeanour. It was anger, he realised. The slow, quiet kind. She had lost her sheen of innocence to replace it with defiant purpose."



If you like fast-paced historical fiction, romance and adventure, I highly recommend Butterfly Swords!

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given that this was published by Harlequin, I wasn't really holding out very much hope of it being a good book. Still, when it was mentioned during the discussions of the cover of Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix, I decided I'd give it a try when it was out, and have finally got round to it. It does have an Asian woman on the cover, and she is indeed holding a butterfly sword (though she should have two, I'm told). So it's winning there, at least.

From her author bio on Goodreads, though:

"After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart Award–winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon."

At the very least, she deserves better than a publishing house associated -- among the people I know, anyway -- with dreck and exoticisation. I don't know much about the historical setting, really, and since I don't read much in the romance genre, I have little to compare it to in terms of exoticisation. There wasn't anything that made me deeply uncomfortable, at least, but how much that is worth from a white reader...

In any case, the main character, Ai Li, is a strong woman. Not "feisty", but fierce, honourable, great-hearted, willing to do whatever it is she has to do. She's naive, too trusting, but she never simply expects Ryam to look after her. She is willing to take care of herself, and to some extent capable of doing so, without being a superwoman.

Ultimately, some of the episodes seem to have little point -- the interlude with Lady Ling, for example -- and the characters aren't going to stay with me. I have truly no idea how plausible it all is. But it's a reasonably enjoyable read, I wasn't bored, the sex scenes were reasonably well-written, the story didn't feel like just a vehicle for the sex scenes... As an undemanding read to relax with on a Saturday afternoon, it was good fun.

08/02/2011 -- Thinking about it later, after reading a critique of another Asian fantasy, I sort of think that this was more problematic in terms of gender roles than my review suggests. The big strong barbarian, always telling Ai Li what to do, and Ai Li foolishly trusting and relying on him... Does her rebellion ever really take her anywhere? Isn't she carefully put back into her place in the patriarchy, with her father and her lover talking about her and not to her?

The details are already fading from my mind, less than a month later, too -- not the strongest book in the world, clearly.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high expectations and it did not quite reach what I anticipated. I think my main issue was the frequently alternating POV, and I also did not fully buy into the immediate attraction between the two MCs. It was refreshing to read a historical taking place somewhere other than England. A+ sword fighting.