When Wang Lee, a 15-year-old peasant boy, meets Mei Lin, a strong intriguing young woman, he becomes caught up in the fervor of the Taiping Rebellion. Paterson once again proves her mastery as a writer of powerful historical fiction in a gripping novel that focuses on the internal and external struggles of two unforgettable characters living in 19th century China. She explores the obsessions possible when one gives complete allegiance to an idea, a person or a group. An action-filled, passionate picture of a relationship, a time and a culture. (Age 13 and older)