Their ancestors came to Earth as exiles from the Lands Born from Smoke and Sacrifice, which had been mysteriously formed from the lost lore of Imperial China. Concealing their magic in the game of mah-jong, the Thirteen Orphans vowed to protect their adopted world from the strife they left behind.Generations later, the war they thought long over has followed the Orphans to Earth. Scattered, their traditions in disarray, and with the magical abilities of some Orphans already disabled, the survivors must act quickly to defend themselves and those they love.The Thirteen Orphans represent the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac - plus the Cat. They are led by Pearl Bright, a gracious and vivacious older woman who is the avatar of the Tiger - and who has the hidden claws and steely determination of her namesake. Pearl's outward confidence masks her inner concern, for she has no idea of the number or strength of her enemies and her forces are few and mostly inexperienced: the Dog, a former soldier who knew of his ancestry but never expected to learn or use magic; the Hare, a young mother who has rarely left the shelter of her family; the Rooster, a skilled magic-worker who has never gone into battle.And college sophomore Brenda Morris, whose father is the Rat. Until a few days ago, Brenda had no idea that her father could do magic or that other worlds existed. Now, with her father's abilities stolen, Brenda and the other Orphans are stunned to discover that Brenda has some of the Rat's powers...though she has no idea, yet, what to do with them.Reminiscent of the works of Charles de Lint, Mercedes Lackey, and Alice Hoffman, Thirteen Orphans is the first volume of a brilliant new contemporary fantasy series by bestselling, critically acclaimed author Jane Lindskold. Read Less