When the Sea Turned to Silver

Starred review from August 29, 2016
In this compelling companion to Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky, inspired by Chinese folklore, shy Pinmei, granddaughter of the revered Storyteller, sets out to rescue her grandmother from the evil emperor who has seized her. In the midst of the seemingly endless winter that has fallen over the kingdom, Pinmei and her good friend Yishan begin a dangerous journey in search of the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night to give the emperor in exchange for her grandmother. Lin’s fans will not be disappointed: she again delivers a rich interweaving of ancient tales with fast-paced adventure, fantasy, and slowly unfolding mysteries told through captivating language with beguiling similes (“uncooked rice began to fall... like beads from a broken necklace”). Like the Sea King who turns into a dragon when needed, Pinmei remembers her grandmother’s words that “when it is time for you to do something, you will do it,” and transforms into a storyteller in her own right. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

When her grandmother's kidnapped, a shy girl living in ancient China embarks on a magical journey to find her.Pinmei lives with her grandmother, Amah, a revered storyteller, and Yishan, a boy with a secret, on Never-Ending Mountain. When soldiers of the cruel Tiger Emperor abduct Amah and burn her hut, Pinmei hides in a huge vat. Learning the emperor wants a Luminous Stone, Pinmei and Yishan set out to find it to barter for Amah's release. As their quest unfolds, Pinmei tells Amah's stories, which alternate structurally with the main story. Elements and characters from these folk tales feature in Pinmei's own quest as she encounters such evocatively named figures as Nuwa's Tear, the Paper of Answers, the Starry River, the Ginseng Boy, the Red Stone, the Iron Rod, the Green Tiger, the Black Tortoise, and the Sea King. While many things are not what they seem, everything amazingly connects in the surprising finale, when Pinmei finds her voice. The meticulous craft delivers what Lin's fans have come to expect. Final illustrations were unavailable for review. This beautifully told companion to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009) and Starry River of the Sky (2012) offers lyrical storytelling, bringing "us to places we have never dreamed of." (author's note, book list) (Fantasy. 8-12) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-The Tiger Emperor is conscripting all the men of the mountain villages to build the Vast Wall surrounding the kingdom. But when they reach Pinmei's village, they also take her grandmother, the Storyteller. In order to save her, Pinmei and her friend Yishan embark on a voyage to find the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night-the only thing the Emperor will trade for a prisoner's freedom. From the top of Never-Ending Mountain to the City of Bright Moonlight to the bottom of the sea and back, their journey brings readers to familiar characters and settings as well as new ones. Combining the epic quest of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and the tight, cyclical plotting of Starry River of the Sky, this is the strongest addition yet, binding the previous volumes together even more closely. As in the earlier companion novels, stories inspired by Chinese folktales are frequently interspersed, giving astute readers critical background information and clues and letting them see the future of their favorite characters, as many stories gain additional chapters. The framing narrative is bleaker and darker, and greater emphasis is placed on the importance and role of stories and storytellers. Lin's vibrant chapter decorations and full-color, full-page paintings add to the work's beauty. VERDICT A stunning addition to a deservedly beloved set of novels; recommended for all middle grade collections.-Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

bobittybob - This is a very exciting book, and it is filled with detailed stories. Two children, Pinmei and Yishan, journey far away to a kingdom ruled by a madman emperor. They set out to save Pinmei's grandmother and save china from the immortality obsessed emperor. This book was nice because it had many things at the beginning of the story that seemed to be loose ends. But, in the end, everything in the book made sense. One of the reasons I didn't like this book was because one of the characters had a storyline that didn't complete. I didn't get a clear picture of what happened to her, just little pieces. Overall, this book was really good, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who is interested in Chinese mythology, or thrilling stories.

Starred review from August 1, 2016
Grades 3-5 *Starred Review* Lin's third book in her fantasy cycle set in ancient China once again takes traditional folklore and beautifully reimagines it for a new audience. Pinmei lives with her wise, storytelling grandmother, Amah, up on a mountain where her nearest neighbor is the mischievous orphan Yishan. Timid Pinmei must reach deep inside herself when her grandmother is taken by the emperor and his soldiers. After learning that the emperor might trade Amah for the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night, Pinmei and Yishan set off on a perilous journey, periodically interspersed with fantastical stories that cleverly capture human nature as the girl assumes Amah's mantle of the Storyteller. The book jumps between Pinmei and Yishan's adventures, Amah's stay in a prison, and the distress of the Black Tortoise of Winter, who has been captured for nefarious purposes. Each of these plotlines weave with the folktales Pinmei and Amah are telling, each containing bright threads that embroider the final, fuller picture. At times it's hard to keep characters and plot points straight, but concentration is not really the goal. Lin's evocative language sweeps readers away, and the stories within the story are juicy and delicious. To be illustrated with Lin's lovely full-color paintings, this is a worthy companion to her Newbery Honor Book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009) and Starry River of the Sky (2012).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)