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maryehavens's review
3.0
"Boxers and Saints, boxers and saints, go together like brushes and paints. This is like no other, you can't have one without the other".
That might be a bit offensive but the point is: you have to read both of them. I will say that I liked this one better than Boxers (less blood shed, more salvation) but I did not care for the Epilogue. I'm not sure where Yang stands on religion (none of my business really) but to have Bao "convert" so he wouldn't be killed seemed cheap. Bao has so much conviction in Boxers, to the point of not listening to the god/emperor he summoned. So it seemed weird that he would immediately start praying to a "foreign devil God" when the chips were down. Then again, Yang may have been illustrating how some people would do anything when cornered. Who knows what you will do when you are about to be slaughtered??
Great series and I've already added my Boxer Rebellion book so that I can learn more!
That might be a bit offensive but the point is: you have to read both of them. I will say that I liked this one better than Boxers (less blood shed, more salvation) but I did not care for the Epilogue. I'm not sure where Yang stands on religion (none of my business really) but to have Bao "convert" so he wouldn't be killed seemed cheap. Bao has so much conviction in Boxers, to the point of not listening to the god/emperor he summoned. So it seemed weird that he would immediately start praying to a "foreign devil God" when the chips were down. Then again, Yang may have been illustrating how some people would do anything when cornered. Who knows what you will do when you are about to be slaughtered??
Great series and I've already added my Boxer Rebellion book so that I can learn more!
hachigold's review
4.0
“I wore it whenever I was around other people, to warn them that they were in the presence of a devil. After all, being a devil does not excuse one from common courtesy.”
Was interesting to see the other side of this story. I found it interesting that Four-Girl/Vibiana mostly became Christian for not religious reasons. I certainly sympathized with her as a character, just as I was able to sympathize with Bao. I do think that the books were also good and showing how both sides of this war were imperfect too, which creates tension.
Was interesting to see the other side of this story. I found it interesting that Four-Girl/Vibiana mostly became Christian for not religious reasons. I certainly sympathized with her as a character, just as I was able to sympathize with Bao. I do think that the books were also good and showing how both sides of this war were imperfect too, which creates tension.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review
4.0
I read this right after reading Boxers. Would definitely recommend reading them together because they fit together nicely.
rdyourbookcase's review
4.0
This was a great duo. I really enjoyed Boxers, especially. I learned so much. Seeing the other side was a fantastic touch. I've read 3 of the 5 nominations for the National Book Award, and I hope that this is what gets it. Don't get me wrong, I liked the other two. But these were special and really well done. The characters and the art were fantastic. I think I'll end up buying these two because I will definitely want to revisit them.
Give them a try, even if you're not usually a graphic novels person!
Give them a try, even if you're not usually a graphic novels person!
sqeeker's review
3.0
- These books are the same story, but told from different perspectives. It was hard to know who was good and who was bad.
- The endings are sad and depressing.
- There is quite a bit of violence, especially in Boxers. It didn't really bug me, but there is a lot of brutal things.
- There is also some talk about the female menstrual cycle. That was awkward, weird, and gross.
- I felt sad for both Bao and Vibiana. They were both fighting for something they believed to be good, but nothing really good came out of their efforts.
- I wonder how much of these stories are true. I know some Chinese had a hard time westernizing everything.
- The endings are sad and depressing.
- There is quite a bit of violence, especially in Boxers. It didn't really bug me, but there is a lot of brutal things.
- There is also some talk about the female menstrual cycle. That was awkward, weird, and gross.
- I felt sad for both Bao and Vibiana. They were both fighting for something they believed to be good, but nothing really good came out of their efforts.
- I wonder how much of these stories are true. I know some Chinese had a hard time westernizing everything.
cammschwartz's review
3.0
I didn’t like this one as much as the first book. It seemed to be more uneventful mostly because it follows the story of one girl. All in all it was nice to read because it ties in a lot with the previous book, but I just didn’t enjoy this story as much as the first.
ula_j's review
3.0
This perspective of the boxer rebellion is from a Chinese Christian woman who sees visions of Joan of Arc as she tries to find her purpose.
jestintzi's review
3.0
This one doesn't quite have the impact Boxers does, it's a bit uneven/forced feeling (the forced bit in the sort of "spiritual ghostly leader" bit, which Boxers also has). Also glad I read it second even though the books themselves don't tell you really that one should definitely be read first? I feel like this one definitely has some spoilers for Boxers. Absolutely worth reading if you liked Boxers.
jasmiinaf's review
4.0
I haven't yet read Boxers but I liked this a lot. The ending made me want to throw the book to a wall but I guessed it's great that it got a reaction out of me? I liked the art a lot and the story was told in a way that it was entertaining and serious at the same time.
barbarianlibarian's review
4.0
I liked it more than the first one because it was about a girl! and it was funny, and not as long as the other one which I think was a good thing. But also, I question, why did the girl book get the shortness shaft?!