This story follows the life of a young girl into adulthood and then to old age. It is placed in ancient China and is about the strict traditions and rituals of those times. Lilly is born into an average family in a small village, but due to her natural beauty and a friendship she soon makes, she rises to be one of the most powerful women in a large village. Her latong, or life-long friend, comes from a large village and a powerful family, but that doesn’t hold the girls back from becoming the best of friends. This story is not only about traditions, but it follows the lives of these two girls and about their fortunes and falls, and how friendships can change everything. It is a hard read with mature content, but comes from the heart and is very interesting to read. The chapters are long and the characters range from all ages. There are marriages, and cold winters, and heart breaks, and touching moments, and love, and regret. This book will not fail to captivate you. Ages 14 and up!! I fell in love with the character. She was a smart woman, who was constantly trying to please others before herself. She was fun, and loving, and almost always did the right thing. She was put up against some really hard tests for a woman of her stature, but she never gave up and also kept on pushing along her friend. Except for one or two mistakes here and there she is really a person to admire.
Recommended by L. Berman, Age 16
