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queergoth_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
This was such a fantastic book. It's gripping right from the start and for a stand alone fantasy of less than 400 pages the author does a fantastic job of shaping the world and letting the reader discover it in a very natural way.
I will say though as it was a stand alone some things werent fully explored and developed and I would love to have seen more.
I will say though as it was a stand alone some things werent fully explored and developed and I would love to have seen more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence and Slavery
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Empress of All Seasons is split between three main characters: Mari, a yōkai, Taro, the Crown Prince, and Akira, Mari's childhood friend and the half-human half-yōkai Son of Nightmares. The three will be critical to the fate of Honoku. While the Empress trials begin, a revolution is also brimming.
This book was so damn good!! I really loved the world and exploring how the Empire has treated yōkai. Mari is a yōkai, but she hasn't ever been able to call her monster form forward. So she's been trained to kill in other ways. When the Emperor begins to look for his Empress, Mari knows this is her opportunity for a new life and to prove to the other Animal Wives that she is a yōkai.
I really loved the worldbuilding of Honoku. It was elaborately done and I loved learning more about its history and culture. Really the only thing this book needed for me was some queer characters. I loved the trials Mari faced in the various Season rooms and how she succeeded. The ending was a perfect mix of bitter and sweet. Highly recommend this one.
Rep: Japanese female MC, two Japanese male MCs, all Japanese cast, there was possibly a bisexual female side character, but not certain.
CWs: Animal death, blood, death, death of parent, fire, injury/injury detail, misogyny, murder, sexism, violence.
This book was so damn good!! I really loved the world and exploring how the Empire has treated yōkai. Mari is a yōkai, but she hasn't ever been able to call her monster form forward. So she's been trained to kill in other ways. When the Emperor begins to look for his Empress, Mari knows this is her opportunity for a new life and to prove to the other Animal Wives that she is a yōkai.
I really loved the worldbuilding of Honoku. It was elaborately done and I loved learning more about its history and culture. Really the only thing this book needed for me was some queer characters. I loved the trials Mari faced in the various Season rooms and how she succeeded. The ending was a perfect mix of bitter and sweet. Highly recommend this one.
Rep: Japanese female MC, two Japanese male MCs, all Japanese cast, there was possibly a bisexual female side character, but not certain.
CWs: Animal death, blood, death, death of parent, fire, injury/injury detail, misogyny, murder, sexism, violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, and Violence
kindra_demi's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I have never read a stand alone book and wanted another story following the same characters so badly. This book perfectly wraps up the story within one book leaving no questions to the plotline itself. I actually plan on getting the book in a physical copy (I originally listened to the audiobook at work) so I can reread it and just immerse myself into the world again.
This review will not be on the accuracy of the mythology as I do not know it well enough and can't speak to that.
That being said, the entire story is a wonderful quick read for anyone to get lost into. It is just enough world building to understand the mythology. The characters are easy to love and care for. You'll be cheering and crying right alongside characters and for characters throughout the story.
The romance in this story is an insta-love, which I never mind those stories. I recognize it can be hard for some readers to believe in the insta-love, so please be warned that if you are seeing a 5.0 star review but don't like insta-love, that is the trope in this book.
The ending makes absolute sense and I absolutely love it.Yes, it is sad that Taro ends up dying, but with Mari originally going in to just take the fortune of the emperor, I really like this ending. Of course I would love to see Mari continue to have her love/husband by her side, but I do prefer story ending with her working to better the country as a whole so that there isn't the hatred/slavery as a strong independent ruler.
I already look forward to escaping into this book again in the future.
This review will not be on the accuracy of the mythology as I do not know it well enough and can't speak to that.
That being said, the entire story is a wonderful quick read for anyone to get lost into. It is just enough world building to understand the mythology. The characters are easy to love and care for. You'll be cheering and crying right alongside characters and for characters throughout the story.
The romance in this story is an insta-love, which I never mind those stories. I recognize it can be hard for some readers to believe in the insta-love, so please be warned that if you are seeing a 5.0 star review but don't like insta-love, that is the trope in this book.
The ending makes absolute sense and I absolutely love it.
I already look forward to escaping into this book again in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Slavery
mandkips's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Violence
saunteringvaguelydownward's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Death
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