Peasprout Chen: Battle of Champions (Book 2)

(Paperback)

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Description

Now in her Second Year at Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword, Peasprout Chen expects the world to be at her toe pick. But with the new year comes new competition, and Peasprout's dreams are thwarted by an impressive transfer student. Yingmei is the heir to the Shinian throne and has fled her country for Pearl. As the new girl excels both academically and socially, Peasprout's jealousy turns into suspicion. When the Empress of Shin declares an invasion on the city of Pearl, Peasprout knows time is running out. To keep her enemy close, Peasprout joins Yingmei's "battleband," a team that executes elaborate skating configurations that are part spectacle, part defensive attack. Once again, Peasprout must rely on her wits and wu liu skills to save her beloved new home.

Reviews

"An exciting adventure that highlights themes of teamwork and leadership." --Booklist

"Features the sprightly physics-defying skate flips and jumps found in the previous volume, along with creative new applications of science and music that add even more rocket-fueled energy... [Fans] will enjoy watching the protagonist's leadership style develop as she wrestles with trust, kindness, and her responsibilities to her battleband and to Pearl itself." --Horn Book

Praise for Henry Lien's PEASPROUT CHEN, FUTURE LEGEND OF SKATE AND SWORD:

"It's Hermione Granger meets 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' meets the Ice Capades meets 'Mean Girls.'" For all its disparate ingredients, though, PEASPROUT CHEN: FUTURE LEGEND OF SKATE AND SWORD speaks in a single, strong voice, thanks to its spirited heroine." --The New York Times

"Takes on weighty and relevant questions of gender, ability, leadership, immigration... with intelligence, deftness and precision." --Kirkus, Starred Review

"Massively entertaining...Peasprout Chen is a future legend, indeed." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"For a rewarding and well-constructed plot in an uncommon setting--plus some effective genderqueer subversion at the end--this story can't be beat." --The Horn Book

"An utter delight from start to finish... I love this book!" --New York Times-bestselling author Jonathan Auxier

"Peasprout Chen is my new favorite heroine of young people's literature." --New York Times-bestselling author Daniel Jos Older

"Thrilling, beautiful, fierce, and like nothing I've ever read before."--Mike Jung, author of Unidentified Suburban Object

"The fictional wu liu that flourishes there--acrobatic fighting conducted on springy ice skates--stands a good chance of elbowing aside quidditch as the next big novel-inspired sport... luring fans of martial arts, well-built worlds, and romance back for ensuing adventure."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Lien's exciting debut is a story of acceptance and bravery, friendship and hope. Peasprout dreams of becoming the best in wu liu, a mix of martial arts and figure skating...A riveting and complex read about new beginnings, family, and choices." --Booklist

"Vividly described wu liu sequences capture the exuberance and energy of the imagined sport...An ambitious debut." --Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Henry Lien is a 2012 graduate of Clarion West, and his short fiction has appeared in publications like Asimov's, earning multiple Nebula Award nominations. Born in Taiwan, Henry currently lives in Hollywood, California. He is the author of Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword. henrylien.com