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matcha_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book starts off strong, dropping us right into the middle of high stakes political negotiations between the countries Bình Hải and Ephteria. There's political court drama, the beginning threats of colonialism, and a secret sapphic romance unfolding in the span of 100ish pages. It's a lot to cover and unfortunately this book needed more pages to do it justice.
The ending felt rushed and choppy compared to the first half of the book. The author builds this incredible world with tumultuous relationships only for it to sizzle out.Personally, I felt icked out that Giang and Thanh's sisterly relationship turns romantic. I ship them - but maybe don't have them call each other big and little sis as a term of endearment?
The ending felt rushed and choppy compared to the first half of the book. The author builds this incredible world with tumultuous relationships only for it to sizzle out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content
clairesfullshelves's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Very captivating story between two royals town between kingdoms. The main princess torn between the needs of her kingdom, a spicy romantic love interest, and standing true to her own self. The ending takes an intruder twist, but ultimately is a perfect ending for this type of story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
A fine book for young teenagers through adult ages to read.strange_little_ranger's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, War, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
sidofherran's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
this had a promising start, but the development of the themes and premises fell short for me, probably bc of the short novella format. i really liked the vietnamese matriarchal queendom court politics setting, and the main character's tense relationship with her emotionally abusive controlling mother.
the idea of anall-women love triangle was also enticing, yet both relationships were not well-developed. i hope that eldris was not meant to be a genuine love interest, as she seemed to not truly love thanh and instead merely feel entitled to her, while thanh seemed to mostly like eldris as eldris was the first person who acted like she had worth and made her feel desired, especially in the context of thanh's mother treating thanh like thanh is worthless. i found myself shocked that thanh agreed to marry a girl she was merely fwbs with for 6 months 8 years ago - that did not look like healthy love to me, and eldris gave me sus vibes.
i was enjoying the beginning of thanh's romance with giang, how they refer to each other with the intimate names "big sis" "lil sis", but it turned out to not be developed enough and their attraction/feelings for each other was sudden. if this book novella longer, it might be an interesting relationship.
the resolution of the political plots also did not make enough sense to me and did not feel satisfatory, which again is another aspect of the novella that suffered due to how short it is.
all in all, i think this had potential and great premise - vietnamese fantasy setting, political/court intrigue, anti colonialism/imperialism theme, exploring the effects ofhaving an abusive, controlling mother, a lesbian love triangle, a fire elemental that takes the shape of a tiger - but these were not developed and fell short of the initial premise's promise. if these themes were explored in a full length novel, it would have been more enjoyable.
the idea of an
i was enjoying the beginning of thanh's romance with giang, how they refer to each other with the intimate names "big sis" "lil sis", but it turned out to not be developed enough and their attraction/feelings for each other was sudden. if this book novella longer, it might be an interesting relationship.
the resolution of the political plots also did not make enough sense to me and did not feel satisfatory, which again is another aspect of the novella that suffered due to how short it is.
all in all, i think this had potential and great premise - vietnamese fantasy setting, political/court intrigue, anti colonialism/imperialism theme, exploring the effects of
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, War, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
tinyjude's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really liked the writing style, the concept and the world presented, however it felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped, mostly with regards to the romance. I feel like with maybe 50 pages more it would have worked for me better, as the characters and relationships felt too surface-level for me to care. Still, a very enjoyable read of filial obedience and defiance, toxic love, manipulation, political intrigues and emotional strength.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Outing, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, and Racism
aconfundityofcrows's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Outing, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Infidelity, and Religious bigotry
mirireads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Princess Thanh is trying to reconcile what she wants as the youngest royal child in a small country being pressured by a larger one. She has a strained relationship with her mother, a past romance with one of the royal foreigners, and a strange connection with a girl made of fire. Short and good, this blends interpersonal and political drama as Thanh figures out what she wants and whom she loves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Colonisation, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
memoriast's review
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Abandonment, Colonisation, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
misterwisp's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel like the author is very emotionally intelligent. It comes through in this work. There is a theme about love and being seen and mattering to someone. Reading it felt like I was being given insights. It made me think about past experiences of my own with more perspective.
Even aside from all that, it's well written. The characters feel real and the main character is easy to empathize with. It ends in a satisfying way and is just well written overall. It's another one that delivers a lot even though it's quite short in length. It's always great to see love and trauma and such things managed in a compelling nuanced way. I'm curious to try more Aliette de Bodard now.
Even aside from all that, it's well written. The characters feel real and the main character is easy to empathize with. It ends in a satisfying way and is just well written overall. It's another one that delivers a lot even though it's quite short in length. It's always great to see love and trauma and such things managed in a compelling nuanced way. I'm curious to try more Aliette de Bodard now.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content