Order of Janie Chang Books

Janie Chang is an author of historical fiction and literary fiction novels. She draws inspiration from her own family history. Her upbringing was filled with tales of ancestors who had remarkable encounters with dragons, ghosts, and immortals, offering a glimpse into life in a small Chinese town prior to the onset of the Second World War. These enchanting stories have served as a wellspring of creativity for Janie. Having pursued her passion for writing, Janie Chang honed her skills at The Writers Studio at Simon Fraser University, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in the craft. Her diverse background includes being born in Taiwan and having lived in various countries such as the Philippines, Iran, Thailand, and New Zealand. Currently, Janie resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, which serves as her home base for crafting her imaginative and culturally rich novels.

Janie Chang made her debut as a novelist in 2013 with Three Souls. Below is a list of Janie Chang’s books in order of when they were first released:

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

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Janie Chang Synopses: Three Souls is a standalone novel by Janie Chang. In a fragmented China torn apart by social and political transformations, the Song family estate stands as a sanctuary shielding Leiyin, an indulged and idealistic teenager, from the chaos that surrounds her. Unaware of the sweeping changes, she lives a sheltered existence. However, everything changes when she crosses paths with Hanchin, a captivating poet with left-wing ideals. Their encounter opens Leiyin’s eyes to a harsh reality: her father holds the power to control her destiny.

In the face of her father’s opposition, Leiyin rebels and confronts the consequences. Her act of defiance results in her banishment from the family, a forced marriage she never desired, and eventually the betrayal of her lover. Tragically, her life is cut short. As a ghost bound to the mortal realm, Leiyin must seek redemption to gain entry into the afterlife.

Yet, amidst her spiritual journey, Leiyin discovers that her young daughter faces a perilous future. Faced with an agonizing decision, she must choose between her own salvation and the well-being of her beloved child.

Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang is a standalone title. In the year 1908, a young girl named Jialing is left abandoned in the courtyard of a once-grand estate near Shanghai. At only seven years old, Jialing faces a lifetime of scorn and disdain as a zazhong—a person of mixed Eurasian heritage—rejected by both Chinese and European societies. With her mother gone, her survival hinges on the willingness of the estate’s new owners, the Yang family, to take her in.

Amidst her plight, Jialing discovers unexpected allies in Anjuin, the eldest daughter of the Yang family, and Fox, a mystical spirit residing in the haunted courtyard for countless centuries. But Jialing’s life as a servant to the Yangs takes an unexpected turn when she befriends a young English girl who mysteriously disappears.

Driven by her unwavering hope of reuniting with her long-lost mother, Jialing embarks on a journey through the tumultuous early years of the Chinese republic, guided by the wisdom of Fox and her own resilient spirit. She endeavors to distance herself from the shadows of her past. However, she becomes entangled in a murder on the fringes of political intrigue, jeopardizing her friendship with Anjuin, and engaging in a forbidden affair that places the man she loves in grave danger.

The Library of Legends is a standalone title by novelist Janie Chang. In the year 1937, during the chaos of the Japanese bombing of Nanking, nineteen-year-old Hu Lian and her fellow students at Minghua University are given orders to flee the city. Joined by a convoy of over a hundred students, faculty, and staff, they embark on a treacherous journey of a thousand miles toward the safety of China’s western provinces. Hunger, cold, and the constant threat of aerial attacks accompany them every step of the way. Amidst the perils, the students carry with them a precious treasure—the Library of Legends—a 500-year-old collection of myths and folklore.

With a wary heart due to her family’s troubled past, Lian initially hesitates to form attachments. However, the shared responsibility of protecting the Library of Legends brings unexpected connections among the students. Lian discovers friendship and a tentative romance with Liu Shaoming, a handsome and affluent fellow traveler. Yet, when one of their classmates is murdered and another is arrested, Lian realizes that she must escape the convoy to safeguard a family secret that puts her in jeopardy. Accompanied by Shao and the mysterious maidservant Sparrow, Lian embarks on a journey to Shanghai, hoping to reunite with her mother.

During their arduous trek, Lian unravels the intertwined history of her companions and a captivating tale from the Library of Legends called “The Willow Star and the Prince.” As she uncovers the true identities of Shao and Sparrow, Lian is compelled to confront her own feelings for Shao. However, the implications go beyond their personal connection. As the ancient books traverse across China, they awaken immortals and guardian spirits, setting in motion an exodus that forever alters the fate of the country.

The Porcelain Moon is a standalone novel by author Janie Chang. In the year 1918, amidst the final days of the First World War in France, a young Chinese woman named Pauline Deng finds herself in a dire situation. Fleeing from her uncle’s home in Paris, Pauline is desperate to escape an arranged marriage awaiting her in Shanghai. The key to avoiding this fate lies with her cousin, Theo, who works as a translator for the Chinese Labour Corps in the French countryside. In the town of Noyelles-sur-Mer, another woman named Camille Roussel is also plotting her escape from an abusive marriage and seeking an end to a forbidden love affair that can no longer endure. When Camille extends an offer of shelter to Pauline, an unexpected friendship blossoms between the two.

However, their newfound bond is soon tested as Pauline stumbles upon a dangerous secret that Camille has been concealing. As their precarious circumstances escalate, the women find themselves facing a grave dilemma that will forever intertwine their lives. Forced to make a heart-wrenching decision, they must choose a path that will shape their destinies and bind them together inextricably.