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onegalonelife27's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Zhara is a good fantasy story. It has the classic-magic is forbidden due to previous disasters and thus persecuted and put to death by lawy-trope in play so thus the main heroine must hide her magic while trying to support her family. However, when magicians start to become abominations, Zhara finds herself embracing her magic to save those afflicted and find out the source. There's a strong cast of characters, some good world building, solid magic combat scenes. I'd say Guardians of Dawn is off to a good start!
And onto one of my favorite aspects-the male lead in this book! Han is the BEST! He's awkward, he's tries so hard to impress and help the heroine in combat-he often fails, but tries with all he's got. He's also there for the heroine when she needs emotional support. I'd certainly put him on the himbo scale, because man all the history and innuendos that fly over this guy's head. I've forgotten what a joy it is to have such a dork of hero! We need more dorky, sweet men in fiction and this world!
I do feel like some scenes were rushed, like I knew a scene should happen but I didn't expect it to happen when it did, without much foreshadowing to it was happening now.
Either way, I think this is a strong start to a new fantasy series and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this world!
And onto one of my favorite aspects-the male lead in this book! Han is the BEST! He's awkward, he's tries so hard to impress and help the heroine in combat-he often fails, but tries with all he's got. He's also there for the heroine when she needs emotional support. I'd certainly put him on the himbo scale, because man all the history and innuendos that fly over this guy's head. I've forgotten what a joy it is to have such a dork of hero! We need more dorky, sweet men in fiction and this world!
I do feel like some scenes were rushed, like I knew a scene should happen but I didn't expect it to happen when it did, without much foreshadowing to it was happening now.
Either way, I think this is a strong start to a new fantasy series and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and War
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
If you love a Cinderella retelling crossed with Sailor Moon, with almost an anime-esque storyline, this is the one for you. Bonus for queer side characters and a himbo male love interest.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, War, and Homophobia
Minor: Confinement and Vomit
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
I wasn't sure about this at first because it has a very young vibe and worried I was too old to enjoy it, but I was pleased to be incorrect. It is very silly and charming in a way that makes it enjoyable for all ages. It has mythology, fairytales, queer characters, shapeshifting cats, and good looking giggles, what's more to want? I liked the characters and relationships, especially Zhara and her sister. I will definitely be tuning in for Yulana's book and this Beast character's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: War, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Death of parent, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings: body horror, gore, death, child abuse, ableism, confinement, homophobia, transphobia, animal cruelty, death of parents, and genocide.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Genocide, Confinement, Transphobia, Animal death, Violence, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Ableism, and Homophobia
ezwolf's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
I feel like I've hit a bit of a wall with enjoying the books I've read recently, but this book was a fun and fast paced read.
The way the author used English to mimic how characters would have spoke in other languages was so interesting and gave it a unique quality. The magic system, while similar to others I've read about, still felt different than what I've read before.
I loved that both Zhara and Han had younger siblings that they were fighting to protect. And Xu! I loved Xu, they are probably my favorite character with Yuli coming in close second. Even though there was a romantic subplot with Zhara and Han, the friendship between them and Xu and Jiyi and eventually Yuli felt genuine and just as important as the romance. And the inclusion of queer characters was a delightful surprise.
The writing was a bit repetitive at times, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
The way the author used English to mimic how characters would have spoke in other languages was so interesting and gave it a unique quality. The magic system, while similar to others I've read about, still felt different than what I've read before.
I loved that both Zhara and Han had younger siblings that they were fighting to protect. And Xu! I loved Xu, they are probably my favorite character with Yuli coming in close second. Even though there was a romantic subplot with Zhara and Han, the friendship between them and Xu and Jiyi and eventually Yuli felt genuine and just as important as the romance. And the inclusion of queer characters was a delightful surprise.
The writing was a bit repetitive at times, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Body horror, Alcohol, Grief, Kidnapping, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Animal death
chaptersofmads's review against another edition
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Homophobia
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