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heather0927'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that I'm not entirely sure why I ordered the Mulan one of this series right after finishing the sleeping beauty one. I'm not a die hard lover of Mulan, I don't know all the story details that well, I'm not half as involved with Mulan as with Aurora, but for some reason the word Underworld caught my attention and I just wanted to have it.
And I was so not disappointed. But, let's start with two negative points first, to get them over with. Firstly: For a long time it felt like just playing around in the Underworld. And I got that, because it was awesome, but still. Secondly: I really missed the small synopsis of the rest of the story before the twist begins. The last time I've seen this movie I was about 9, so my memory was not the brightest anymore. And although bits and pieces came back quite quickly, a short introduction would have been appreciated.
So, now we've been through that, on to the positive points of this book: The world building of this book is amazing. I'm not familiar with the Chinese mythology of the Underworld, but when I read it, it made so much sense and felt really fitting with those small things I do know about Chinese mythology. The world was colorful, vivid, filled with magic, tricksters and twists and turns. I might have fallen a little bit in love with this Underworld!
I also really loved Shang and Mulan in this book. Although we don't get to see that much of Shang's inner worries and sorrows, he does feel fleshed out, vivid and alive without destroying even the slightest shred of his movie personality. And Mulan, Mulan is absolutely amazing in this book! I really love her journey, her development and the message of the book in general, that's especially communicated through the very end.
And that's the biggest plus of this book: the closer we get to the ending, the clearer the true journey of Mulan becomes. It's not JUST playing around in the Underworld, it's really a beautiful story with a very clear arc and a very clear goal and I loved loved loved the final conclusion of it all!
So, I have zero regrets that this accidentally ended up in my basket!
And I was so not disappointed. But, let's start with two negative points first, to get them over with. Firstly: For a long time it felt like just playing around in the Underworld. And I got that, because it was awesome, but still. Secondly: I really missed the small synopsis of the rest of the story before the twist begins. The last time I've seen this movie I was about 9, so my memory was not the brightest anymore. And although bits and pieces came back quite quickly, a short introduction would have been appreciated.
So, now we've been through that, on to the positive points of this book: The world building of this book is amazing. I'm not familiar with the Chinese mythology of the Underworld, but when I read it, it made so much sense and felt really fitting with those small things I do know about Chinese mythology. The world was colorful, vivid, filled with magic, tricksters and twists and turns. I might have fallen a little bit in love with this Underworld!
I also really loved Shang and Mulan in this book. Although we don't get to see that much of Shang's inner worries and sorrows, he does feel fleshed out, vivid and alive without destroying even the slightest shred of his movie personality. And Mulan, Mulan is absolutely amazing in this book! I really love her journey, her development and the message of the book in general, that's especially communicated through the very end.
And that's the biggest plus of this book: the closer we get to the ending, the clearer the true journey of Mulan becomes. It's not JUST playing around in the Underworld, it's really a beautiful story with a very clear arc and a very clear goal and I loved loved loved the final conclusion of it all!
So, I have zero regrets that this accidentally ended up in my basket!
namsmommy09's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a beautiful imagining of what might have happened to save Captain Shang in the Mulan story. I loved the way you see Mulan's character development in the trials of this story. I loved the people they meet and the way the world affects them.
littlecloud5's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Magnifique! J’adore <333 Everything I hoped for and more!! I want to relive this book again and again. What interesting mythology! What an interesting underworld! I want MORE. Wow what a treat. Thank you SO much Elizabeth Lim <333
sdloomer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This is definitely for the younger end of young adult readers (which I'm not condemning! but I think I may be growing out of my YA era), as it's pretty quick-paced and more plot driven than character-focused.
I'm so glad that this series exists though, if only because I get more of the characters I grew up watching.
I'm so glad that this series exists though, if only because I get more of the characters I grew up watching.
readingdaysofautumn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
ablake135's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
This is my third twisted tale book and I really do enjoy this series.