Books Like Wild Orchid

While a lot of progress has been made when it comes to equality this has not always been the case. For many years women were considered to be unsuitable for certain jobs or incapable of doing things that were common for men. However, not all women were satisfied with accepting their fate and some decided to disguise themselves as men to get around certain restrictions. One of the most famous stories where this happens is The Ballad of Mulan, which is a folksong from China. The tale of the courageous girl who was determined to spare her aging father and bring honor to her family has been retold in books such as Wild Orchid. For more stories where women disguise themselves as men to get around societal restrictions, check out the following books like Wild Orchid. Alanna: The First Adventure By Tamora Pierce Alanna: The First Adventure is the first book in the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. The heroine, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be a knight of the realm of Tortall. Unfortunately, she lives in a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, which prompts her to switch places with her twin brother, Thorn. Disguised as a boy and calling herself Alan of Trebond, Alanna begins training as a page at the palace of King Roald. However, she soon learns that the path to knighthood is not an easy one, and must master her own temper and her own heart in addition to weapons, combat, and magic. Flame in the Mist By Renee Ahdieh Flame in the Mist is the first book in the series of the same name by Rene Ahdieh. It follows Mariko, the daughter of a prominent samurai, dealing with the fact that her future has always been out of her hands because she is not a boy. Despite being an accomplished alchemist and possessing cunning that rivals that of her brother Kenshin, her fate is to enter a political marriage that will elevate her family’s standings. Her husband is to be the son of the emperor’s favorite consort, but en route to the imperial city, Mariko is ambushed by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan. She narrowly escapes with her life and disguises herself as a peasant boy with the intention of infiltrating the Black Clan and finding out who is responsible for the target on her back. However, once she’s within her ranks, Marko experiences what it is like for the first time to be appreciated for her intellect and abilities.  Spin the Dawn By Elizabeth Lim Spin the Dawn is the first book in The Blood of Stars series by Elizabeth Lim. It is the story of Maia Tamarin, a girl who dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land. Unfortunately, this occupation is reserved for men, so the best Maia can hope for is to marry well. Her fate changes when a royal messenger summons her ailing father, who was once a tailor of renown, to court. Despite the risk to her, Maia decides to pose as a boy to take his place. However, it’s the only chance she has of achieving her dream and saving her family from ruin. Unfortunately, Maia finds herself having to compete with eleven other tailors in a cutthroat competition for the job. Her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered and along with backstabbing and lies, Maia also draws the attention of the court magician. Eon By Alison Goodman Eon is the first book of the series of the same name by Alison Goodman. Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl has been studying swordwork and magic for years while disguised as a boy named Eon. Her hope is to be chosen as an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune, but since females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic her life will be forfeit if her secret is discovered. Eon and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial Throne when her secret threatens to come to light. This plunges her into a fight against those who want to take her magic and her life.  She Who Became the Sun By Shelley Parker-Chan She Who Became the Sun is the first book in the Radiant Emperor Duology by Shelley Parker-Chan. It is set in 1345 when China was under harsh Mongol rule and greatness is something that can only be found in stories. The Zhu family lives in a famine-stricken village where their eight-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness. In contrast, the family’s clever and capable second daughter is given a fate of nothingness. Unfortunately, Zhu Chongba succumbs to despair and dies during a bandit attack that orphans the two children, which prompts his sister to take his identity. She uses it to enter a monastery as a young male novice where her burning desire to survive makes her determined to do whatever it takes. However, when her sanctuary is destroyed she decides to take a chance on her brother’s abandoned greatness.  Paladin By Sally Slater Paladin, by Sally Slater, is the story of Sam of Haywood, the most promising Paladin trainee in the kingdom of Thule. However, the brash and cocky warrior is actually Lady Samantha, the daughter of the seventeenth Duke of Haywood. She knows that if her father has his way she’ll be marrying a Paladin instead of becoming one, which is why she disguised herself as a boy and left home to fight demons alongside the kingdom’s elite warriors. However, the Paladin assigned to train her is Tristan Lyons, the hero of her childhood, who will take away her sword and send her packing if he recognizes her. To complicate matters, Sam is not the only trainee hiding secrets as there is also Braeden, a half-demon with a dark past that might be unforgivable.