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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
4.25 ☆ I had fun with this read! The vibes were very different from the first book, although I did enjoy the themes and the godly characters. It was missing some of the ✨sparkle✨ and whimsy that the magic of the tea had in the first book, but I don’t regret reading it.
I do wish there was more of a resolution at the end as it all felt rushed after the start of the final “battle” tho.
I do wish there was more of a resolution at the end as it all felt rushed after the start of the final “battle” tho.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.75/5
Again with the gorgeous cover art, instant follow for the artist! Although I did think this was a great conclusion to the duology, I felt this book moved a lot slower than the first and was a little tougher to get through. I enjoyed the action and the ending, I just wish we got more character/relationship development moments and that it was a bit faster paced.
Again with the gorgeous cover art, instant follow for the artist! Although I did think this was a great conclusion to the duology, I felt this book moved a lot slower than the first and was a little tougher to get through. I enjoyed the action and the ending, I just wish we got more character/relationship development moments and that it was a bit faster paced.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the first book but unfortunately this one fell a little flat.
The art of tea making basically does not play a role anymore, even though that was what the first book was about. Everything revolves around the gods we have so far heard almost nothing of.
It felt a little rushed, so much happens, and we have much more action and less introspective. However, a lot of things happen, but they are easily and fast resolved as well. Was the author tired of the story?
While it is a nice idea to also include Kang's perspective, it seemed a bit useless and does not contribute to the story at all.
The art of tea making basically does not play a role anymore, even though that was what the first book was about. Everything revolves around the gods we have so far heard almost nothing of.
It felt a little rushed, so much happens, and we have much more action and less introspective. However, a lot of things happen, but they are easily and fast resolved as well. Was the author tired of the story?
While it is a nice idea to also include Kang's perspective, it seemed a bit useless and does not contribute to the story at all.
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:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's so unfortunate that while I enjoyed the first book and had an enjoyable time, I really struggled with this conclusion to the Duology.
One of my main points of contention with Book 1 was the lack of focus, and I think that really played a part in why I couldn't connect with this book --- because there was no solid base set up for the magic or world building in Book 1, everything in this sequel either didn't make sense or felt like it was coming out of nowhere.
The magic system in the first book was set up around tea and the ceremony involved in its brewing, but suddenly the magic could be done just as well by throwing herbs into a cold flask of water or through soup? It just felt like there was a concept for a magic system rather than something fully fleshed out and it could become rather frustrating to read.
The other main drawback I had was with the alternating point of views. In Book 1, we only had Ning's POV, but in this book we are also given Kang's POV and it was my least favourite aspect of the book. Normally, I quite enjoy multiple POVs and getting to see more of various characters and see different perspectives, however, my main draw to Kang in the first book was that you didn't know where his loyalties lay. There was a tension and mystery surrounding him and it added intrigue to the plot because you really didn't know which side he was on.
But once his POV was introduced, he came off as naive and a pushover, ruining all of the tension that had been building up through the entire first half of the duology.
The one thing I will say, is that although I was frustrated by the plot and characters, the writing itself was still beautiful. Lin truly has a way of painting pictutes with words and it is for that reason that although I unfortunately did not end up liking this series, I would not hesitate to pick up another of her books.
One of my main points of contention with Book 1 was the lack of focus, and I think that really played a part in why I couldn't connect with this book --- because there was no solid base set up for the magic or world building in Book 1, everything in this sequel either didn't make sense or felt like it was coming out of nowhere.
The magic system in the first book was set up around tea and the ceremony involved in its brewing, but suddenly the magic could be done just as well by throwing herbs into a cold flask of water or through soup? It just felt like there was a concept for a magic system rather than something fully fleshed out and it could become rather frustrating to read.
The other main drawback I had was with the alternating point of views. In Book 1, we only had Ning's POV, but in this book we are also given Kang's POV and it was my least favourite aspect of the book. Normally, I quite enjoy multiple POVs and getting to see more of various characters and see different perspectives, however, my main draw to Kang in the first book was that you didn't know where his loyalties lay. There was a tension and mystery surrounding him and it added intrigue to the plot because you really didn't know which side he was on.
But once his POV was introduced, he came off as naive and a pushover, ruining all of the tension that had been building up through the entire first half of the duology.
The one thing I will say, is that although I was frustrated by the plot and characters, the writing itself was still beautiful. Lin truly has a way of painting pictutes with words and it is for that reason that although I unfortunately did not end up liking this series, I would not hesitate to pick up another of her books.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated