The Sworn Sisters Duology

by Kay Bratt

Genres: Kay Bratt; China; Asian American; Lisa See; Chinatown; San Francisco; History of Chinatown

Synopsis

A WELCOME MISFORTUNE

The Sworn Sisters Book One

From the bestselling author of The Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters comes a historical fiction family saga that begins with a newborn Asian girl, unwanted but not forgotten, and those who come together in a tumultuous journey to give her a better life. 

In 1867 an infant girl called Luli is born into a middle-class Chinese family on the mainland. Her fate is altered when instead of being put to the breast of her mother, her father declares her a misfortune and she is left at the famous Chaozhou wall where many parents and grandparents abandon their unwanted girls. But the child's mother is desperate to save her and beseeches one of her sons to step in and deliver the baby to safety.

At the same time in the affluent house of a scholar on the island of Hong Kong, house slaves Sun Ling and Jing Fei are sworn sisters, bound by their shared struggles. When the hardship and abuse become too much too bear, the girls escape and make a run for freedom, then find themselves on a ship bound for the western coast of the Americas. 

 When the paths of these three forgotten girls of China meet, the ocean journey is treacherous and not for the faint-hearted. In the midst of monumental difficulties, their lives converge, and they traverse many obstacles, but will do anything for one another in their oath to stay together and fulfill their hope for a better future in Chinatown, on the shores of San Francisco.

TO MOVE THE WORLD

The Sworn Sisters Book Two

Inspired by real events, To Move the World weaves a story of family loyalty and love. A historical fiction piece set during a time when Chinese Americans faced persecution. They had to overcome many obstacles to establish an identity in a new land, and claim their piece of the early American Dream.  

In the second book of the Sworn Sisters duology, it's ten years later and San Francisco's Chinatown is growing in leaps and bounds, much to the disappointment of the white citizens in its surrounding communities. Jing Fei has found love and acceptance in her tiny family, and purpose in her efforts to help others. Sun Ling is relieved to be reunited with the father who loves her. Mature women now, both Jing Wei and Sun Ling have pledged themselves as rescuers to girls and women in distress. 

At night Sun Ling moves quietly, finding and releasing the oppressed from their captors to place them temporarily with Jing Fei and set them on a better path. In the day, Sun Ling works beside John Lane, Esquire. With his help, she advocates for Chinese and Asian American's rights, translating and guiding individuals through the mire of legalities heaped upon them by white citizens hell bent on driving the Chinese out. Its treacherous work even under the best circumstances and one particular venture into Truckee County will prove to be more deadly than either Sun Ling or her proclaimed protector can predict. 

Meanwhile Jing Fei's peace and happiness is put in jeopardy when Luli's gift as a soothsayer comes to light, then smallpox begins its rampage across the Chinese quarter. Soon, all that Jing Fei has worked to build will be threatened. On the other side of town, Sun Ling is focused on her work, never allowing herself to believe that she can find love. Will she be able to put aside her obsession of rescuing the downtrodden in order to forge her own path of happiness? 

Release date: February 26, 2021

Print pages: 701