This is the first time I've read retelling about Mulan. She was one of my favorite heroines among all Disney princesses, I think that's because she is a Chinese? Or perhaps there are other reasons that I don't know... What's more, she is known by every Chinese. In one chapter in our Chinese book, the poet of Mulan is what all junior high school students must learn. (Is that what it's called? Hum...something like that...) And in this retelling, a totally different version from Disney's Mulan. Well...Cameron Dokey really like mother died from giving birth...Mulan's mother was also died because of that. So, her entire childhood was through without parents. Where was her father? Due to the reason that he was the general of Emperor...he couldn't come home at all, for more than ten years. Such a great reason huh? Mulan's childhood was mostly past with the company of Li Po, her neighbor. Well...don't be exciting yet, they were not childhood sweetheart at all. Although Li Po's mother kept worrying it from happening. Then...Mulan's father came back and found that his daughter had grown into a boy... And after months, his father re-married, and his relationship with Mulan had also improved. But then, here came the Emperor's order that every family should send one man to serve the army. Mulan knew how much her father and stepmother was in love, especially they were expecting a child. So knowing her father wouldn't survive in normal soldier, she disguised in boy and joined the army. And because her perfect skilled of archery, she was noticed by the third prince, and was chosen in the archery team. And...no more spoiler!!! Hahaah! I really like this retelling of Mulan, although the end had some sadness and... but still...not all stories came with perfect ending, that's life, after all. I love how Mulan gain her father's permission to be herself and not to marry, especially in that period. (Well...unfortunately, that only happened in well-known family in China...it was impossible for normal girl to be like that.) But still, her spirit was worth cheering for. 
 This is post originally on my blog 
 Vivian's Book Pavilion 
 http://viviansbookpavilion.blogspot.com/