I thought this was a Mulan retelling but it did not get to the actual plot until over halfway thorough. There was essentially no romance and it was quite clean. It would be good for younger ya readers.

3 Stars

Content: fighting, death, one kiss ( )

Wild Orchid is part of the YA Romance line of books 'Once Upon a Time' from Simon & Schuster. I've been with this series since the very beginning (The Storyteller's Daughter, Cameron Dokey 2002) and so far only two books have let me down in any great way. Wild Orchid holds a special place for me because in 1998 I fell in love the Disney Animation 'Mulan', and while realizing even then that Disney liked to romanticize their movies a great deal, the story itself fascinated me. To be certain I read the english translation of the originator (Ballad of Mulan) and laughed myself silly over the changes.

I went into the book with similar expectations as that of the Disney counterpart. Its short, just over 199 pages and the first half is almost exclusively about Mulan's childhood and how she was different from other girls her own age. I got worried when the next quarter of the book dealt with her father returning home and yet there was still no mention of Mulan running off to war. Her actual time in the army was short, couldn't have been over a month (in the ballad she was in the army for 12 years!) and almost immediately she singles herself out for notice. This portion of the book--that of her army exploits and meeting Prince Jian--seemed very rushed and hurried.

We meet Jian's two older brothers--Ying the oldest and Guang the second oldest--but very little time is given to either one. We are told that Ying is a subtle thinker and less warrior then scholar. We are told and briefly shown that Guang is a manipulative person, very deep in court intrigues and secrets. I would have liked to see the two more, especially Ying since I didn't understand why his brothers respected him enough to halt their bickering.

Then also the romance between Jian and Mulan is quick and almost literally love at first sight for Mulan (then in the guise of Hua Gong-shi). Later when Jian admits he feels as if their hearts beat as one, still believing Mulan is a male foot soldier under his command, I couldn't help but wonder that he didn't seem at all worried by this. Is it so normal then for a commander and foot soldier be so attuned with each other? Over an archery match no less?

Still I enjoyed this novel. It wasn't exactly what I wanted as a retelling of of the Ballad, but it at least built up her background much better then I could have hoped for. Incidentally reports vary about Hua Mulan--her origins, when she fought etc. Some report that she was trained in warfare early on in life, as was normal for daughters of ranking military officiers. The book however makes it clear that its considered unladylike. Also some reports say that Mulan told her father outright her plans. So I wonder at what pieces Dokey took from which sources to make up the fabric of the story. ( )

I truly, deeply love Cameron's retelling of almost all tales, and this one was another beautiful rendition. I can totally see how this came about. The flowers and the beauty. I've always loved this tale. And this just made it even more so. The mother and the step-mother and her father and best friend. I spent so much of this book smiling while I read it. ( )

Read as part of [b:Once: Before Midnight / Golden / Wild Orchid|11724895|Once Before Midnight / Golden / Wild Orchid|Cameron Dokey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328160270s/11724895.jpg|16673341]. I hope the compilation is an effective way to get these wonderful tales a new audience.  I have no idea how authentic this story is to Chinese culture, but I did look up The Ballad of Mulan" and it is short, and this doesn't contradict it.  Anyway, I did enjoy this and would encourage any young girl to read any of the fairy tales by Dokey, with their smart, strong, brave, but still feminine, and relatable, heroines."

Not the most elaborate or exciting among retellings but very nice writing and rhythm. A more conventional retelling, I believe. ( )