1. Mulan
In Imperial China, Hua Mulan is an adventurous and active girl. One day, as a young woman, Mulan is forced to meet with a matchmaker to prepare to find a groom, but she interrupts the matchmaker and ruins the meeting because of a spider. Once they get outside, they hear an important announcement that the Emperor of China is demanding every family to contribute one man to fight because a Northen outpost is invaded by Rouran warriors, under the leadership of Böri Khan and assisted by the witch Xianniang. Mulan’s elderly and frail father, Hua Zhou, is forced to pledge his service as he has no sons. Realizing that her father has no chance of survival, Mulan steals his armor, sword, and horse, and rides off towards the camp. Alongside other inexperienced recruits, she becomes a trained soldier under his tutelage without exposing her true identity. The Khan's army continues to advance, forcing Tung to early send his battalion to fight. Mulan chases some troops on her own, but is confronted by Xianniang, who mocks her for pretending to be a man. During the fight, Mulan’s armor is damaged and she eventually removes her male disguise, then returns to the battle. Unable to hide her true gender any longer, she is expelled from the army. On her way home, she is confronted by Xianniang who reveals how they are similar and both have very strong qi. She also reveals that Khan's true plan is to capture and execute the Emperor for having his father killed. Risking execution, Mulan returns to her battalion to warn them. Tung believes her and allows her to lead a unit to the Emperor's palace. Mulan's unit distracts the Rourans while Mulan goes to save the Emperor. Khan tries to snipe her with an arrow, but Xianniang swiftly sacrifices herself by intercepting the arrow. Mulan kills Khan and frees the Emperor, but not before he disarms her and destroys her father's sword. After her arrival to her village, Tung comes to present Mulan a new sword that reads “loyal”, “brave”, “true”, and “family” while making a personal request that she join the army.
2. Glass Sword
Glass Sword as Victoria Aveyard’s second novel in the Red Queen series tells the story about Mare Barrow. It’s about her, a Red Blood but has the power to control lightning, trying to escape and kill Prince Maven, a Silver and her ex fiancé who had betrayed her. Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver, called Newbloods, fighters to join in the struggle against their oppressors. The book ends as Mare publicly kneels at Maven’s feet with a golden collar and leash around her neck, and he promises that she will be put on display just like she did to his mother’s body.
