The Secrets of Jin-Shei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Secrets of Jin-Shei is a novel written by Alma A. Hromic (as Alma Alexander), published by HarperCollins in May 2004 in the U.S., and also published in several other countries in a total of eleven languages.
[edit] Plot summary
A tale of bonding sisterhood, this novel is set in Syai, an imaginary Chinese kingdom. Jin-shei is a pledge given by one woman to another, and once accepted can never be broken. This declaration of loyalty transcends the social class, customs and cultures, and is kept for life. Through jin-anshu, a unique language passed on from generation to generation of women, the lives within the sisterhood continue to intertwine throughout time.
The story begins with Tai, daughter of a court seamstress, who becomes jin shei bao of the Little Empress Antian. In the empire of Syai, inheritance is through the female lineage, and Antian was the heiress to the throne. An earthquake that shakes the land of this ancient kingdom snatches the lives of the Emperor and the Empress and Antian's as well as Oylian's who was second in line to inherit the throne, leaving an obstinate Liudan as the unexpected new Empress. Antian, during her dying moments, binds Tai to look after her sister.
Tai is comforted by Yuet, an apprentice healer. A new pledge is made, and Tai finds herself with a new jin shei bao who works tirelessly to bridge between Tai and Liudan. The initial moves are tentative, for Liudan remains insecure throughout her lonely life in the imperial court.
During her time of sorrow, Tai is also consoled by her childhood friend Nhia. A club-footed young girl, Nhia grew up in the vicinity of the great temple, and has learnt much about the Way. She is a sage with a pure heart who later becomes Syai Chancellor. It is also at the temple that Nhia meets Khailin, to whom she pledged sisterhood. A restless soul, Khailin is actively seeking knowledge about the Way. However, her thirst for information leeds her down the path of darker forces. Khailin secretly marries the Ninth Sage Lihui.
Within Liudan’s court, an exceptional young Guard trainee is injured and Yuet is summoned to heal her. Xaforn is jin shei bao to Qiaan, binding their lives beyond adoptive sisterhood. Xaforn is protective by nature, while Qiaan is nurturing.
Through a series of events, the circle of sisterhood between these young ladies will set to test their loyalty, determination, courage and bravery. Liudan, in her quest for autocratic ruling of her empire, declares herself to be Dragon Empress. By every means possible, she attempts to secure her position. However, when Tammary, the late Emperor’s illegitimate daughter with a Traveller, comes to light, Liudan becomes obsessed by her need for absolute hold to her power. In order to protect Tammary, Tai pledges sisterhood and tries to act as the peacemaker. Qiaan being born from Cai, the Ivory Emperor's concubine, becomes a pawn to Lihui. Who wants to rule as Emperor and overthrow Liudan.
As the story unfolds, the plot is darkened by sinister challenges for the seat of the empire. An increasingly insecure Liudan resorts to extraction of duties of sisterhood despite mistrusting her sisters who trie fervently to bring her back to their fold, to a life with some sense of calm and peace. They fail. The failure comes with a huge price, when lives are lost. Tai sees herself losing one sister after another.
Elegantly, the story rolls forth to the days of Tai at her old age, looking back to her youth and reminiscing her life that was joyful yet marred by occasions of unhappiness, a life that was changed by a single promise - Jin-Shei.
