Reviews

Wintersong is one of my favorite books in the entire world. While reading the book I was holding my breath and it was only after I reached the end that I started crying. And I cried for half an hour. At least. So, when I saw S. Jae-Jones had a new book out I was really curious. Actually I didn't really have any bookbudget left for this month, but I just couldn't wait and ordered myself a copy anyway. And once the book arrived I had to start right away too.

I was sucked into this new world right away. Luckily the author chose to just drop us and to let us figure out how everything worked without too many explanations. And despite the fact that I'm a very Western white girl I started to feel at home quite soon. Probably because all the lengthy explanations trying to explain the world weren't there. It was like I had traveled to this world and was just wandering around and learning what I had to learn on the go.

I also loved the plot of this book and the magic. I like how the author is introducing us to everything slowly. We learn about the war and what has happened to people with magic and slowly more and more magic is added until it becomes clear that this book might be about the return of magic and making the world a better place for people who are simply born with powers others might not have. But, before the happily ever after there was quite a thrilling and exciting finale.

Although this book didn't hit as hard as Wintersong (to be honest: no book ever did), I still enjoyed getting to know these characters and being on this journey with them. I've always loved Cinderella retellings and although this is only a very loose one it still gave me all the right feelings. I also liked that for a change the hero didn't combine good looks and a strong physique with a brilliant brain. Finally a guy who DIDN'T have it all. It made him strangely enough more real and more adorable.

And after the last chapter I can't wait for the next book in the series!

mariaw20's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Personally, I found this book slow paced and indeed targeted for a younger audience.

The nicknames used were funny and cringe at the same time? They detracted from scenes that needed to be serious. I love to read banter between friends but, once again, I think the banter was used in some moments that needed to have a more serious note.

On the other hand, I think the magic system and the world have a lot of potential and it was interesting.

Zhara was a nice mc but Xu and Yuli were probably my favourites.

skyhazzard's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So I totally picked this up cause I heard Sailor Moon vibes and I was like sign me up. It definitely gave me the feeling I get watching Sailor Moon but I can see how that vibe isn’t for everybody but I had a great time!

I thought the characters were so cute. Zhara was just so sweet and I liked seeing her relationship with her sister. And Han also gave me the Good Looking Giggles 🤭 He was just so cute and goofy and sweet. I liked how he fell for Zhara and it was just a cute, pure little crush. Ah and the nicknames everyone had! Adorable! I want to know more about Yuli cause we got a little bit about her more towards the end. Now everyone’s going off on their own journeys so I’m intrigued how they’ll come back together.

The magic also played out about how I expected. I’m interested to see if that changes in the next book because for the most part we were dealing with people who didn’t have magic or people who didn’t really know how to use it so I’d like to see it from the perspective of someone who understands it.

therearenobadbooks's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am that person who, when Bookstagram gives 3 stars, runs to buy the hardcover. This was super cute and to a fan of more than 30 years of anime and j/k live-action and historical fun dramas... I recommend it.

Elemental magic, a hint of Cinderella retelling, magic, possession, abominations, demons, Asian lore. Dual POV. The Prince is fun. His best friend is awesome. I, too, suffer the giggles that afflict Zhara when she is near a gorgeous person. I immediately fell in love with these characters and the vibe of their world.

I like the parallelism between the prince and Zhara's lives. They come from different ranks in society, but they feel the same towards their younger siblings and will do all they can to protect them.

Easy to follow and read. I love the author's writing style. The humor is cute. The prince has an interest in romance novels and uses them as inspiration to improve his relationship with Zhara. Light romance, like many of my favorite mangas, this historical Asian fantasy has a great magic system.
The plot is always advancing with new and pertinent information, bringing the characters' goals closer, culminating all in one team fighting evil and unveiling twists, fighting evil.

Even the predictable twists are fun to read.
A chosen one type of main character who has the strength to be a chosen one even I she didn't have a special magic.

cdmue's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars for meeting expectations of Sailor Moon/Cinderella vibes. This was written in more of a middle school novel way but I get why it was moved up to a YA for some of the dirty jokes written in. I co-read this with the audiobook, which was wonderfully narrated, and if one is not good with Asian pronunciation for names, I would say give it a go. In all this was a wonderful beginning to a longer series that could be read as a stand-alone if one ignores the last chapter and only reads to the epilogue. I, though, look forward to reading the next in the Guardians of Dawn series.

amclhr's review

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adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

sphoebe96's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

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