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bree_h_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Genocide, Animal death, Confinement, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
mattiedancer's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
- Fans of young adult fantasy novels
- Fans of YA looking for a cute romance
Final Rating: 3.75⭐️/5
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Body horror, Classism, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Grief
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
- 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
It was a cute story, I laughed a whole lot at many moment, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. This one is a good one if you’re looking for an East Asian setting that would make for a quick easy read without an overly convoluted plot. The climax though seemed to drag one and a few twists were more on the predictable side.
Graphic: Body horror, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, War, and Homophobia
Minor: Confinement and Vomit
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.25
This is my first read by S. Jae-Jones and WOW it was great! Such beautiful and intricate world building, characters that are easy to relate to and love. We get to meet a cast of, mostly under 18 year old's, who are finding out they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Being a teen is hard enough but imagine trying to save the people you love from possession and destruction?
Fantastic read and I can't wait to see what will happen in the continuing books!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Genocide, Confinement, Transphobia, Animal death, Violence, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Ableism, and Homophobia
trips's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jae-Jones has created a lush world that wonderfully combines fairy tales & magical girls (e.g., Sailor Moon). If you're a fan of either or both, you'll almost certainly enjoy this novel. If you're a fan of the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, you'll probably enjoy this as well!
The lush style of writing really allows for her characters to really come to life and feel at home within this Asian inspired fantasy. The struggles Zhara experiences with her newfound power, her complicated relationship with her stepmother and cute boys is refreshing. The topics covered are darker but presented in a lighter way good for YA readers. The rest of the cast are all charming and loveable, great himbo (lol) and LGBT representation. Also the BTS cameo made me laugh out loud.
There are some characters I was really hoping would get a bit more development (especially after one of them receives devastating news) but sadly this doesn't occur in this book, however I hope they will return in the next books in the series!
Now, for the one thing I didn't like: there are characters who start monologuing, for like, a while, to provide Zhara with exposition she wouldn't have otherwise. While I would agree it makes sense to provide information like this sometimes, it just happened a bit too much for my liking.
Regardless, I overall really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel!!
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
kay_rose's review
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Murder