Reviews

A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

moonlit_dewdrops's review against another edition

4.0

This book was so so good!!

I love a good revenge plot book and strong female characters who refuse to get pushed around and are able to stand up on their own!

Mingshen is intelligent and awesome, using what she went through in her past life to help herself weave through the court politics and to outsmart her enemies. Though honestly I feel like it might have been a little too easy for her to have predicted her enemies’ moves. There should always be consequences when messing with time travel

Her friendship with the princess Yunle was so wholesome and sweet. Ngl, I was skeptical of her at first because I was wary of characters who might act super nice but were evil in disguise but I’m so happy that wasn’t the case. She turned out to be a true friend and ally. I loved how the book showed platonic relationships/soulmates as well as the romance stuff.

The romance between Jieh and Mingshen got me kicking my feet at times. The slow buildup of trust and love was so so good. Ofc it was understandable that Mingshen was wary and suspicious of Jieh at first considering what she went through in her last life but she was able to see how sincere he was and how far he was willing to go to protect her, even doing stuff behind his father’s back.

I also really like Yunle X Fei, even if it was just in the background! Representation is so important!!

The book ends on a foreboding note despite the happy ending. Eagerly waiting the sequel and I can't wait to see more of Jieah and Mingshen and hopefully will also see more of Yunle and Fei

norgey's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

This book took me by surprise. It was like a villainess reincarnation manwha but as a Chinese drama novel. The tropes weren’t groundbreaking, but it was an entertaining and fast read for me. Very typical Chinese period drama politics combined with a second chance reincarnation. 
There is going to be a sequel and I can see what they were building up to, but it felt rushed at the end. Like in the last 5 pages suddenly there was enough to spur a sequel?
I’ll still read it, it sounds like it will be mostly action, but the romance between the two MCs feel fully developed and official. Idk how much more the second book will include that isn’t just action.

smallesttrashcan's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

axelle's review

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

shanndelier's review

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

staticmemories's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

dcnarvaez's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

gs_stars's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

lyssadsmith's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is so exciting! Court intrigue and drama? Check. Murderous magic? Check. Found family? Check. True love? Check. Fulfilling your destiny after dying and receiving a second chance at life? MAYBE.  I need everything Kate Chenli writes from here on out!!

notmindy's review

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0