Reviews

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

crimsoncor's review against another edition

5.0

Really enjoyed this. It reads like it should be a light, airy fantasy, but is really a dark and some what depressing novel about colonization. Jebi is such a nebish of a protagonist and it is delightful. The magic system was unique and fascinating. and that ending.

Spoiler

"wheeeee moon people"
Oh shit everyone we know is going to die

What a way to end a book. But that is very typical of this book; the knife is always sharp, but most of time is very subtle.
Oh yeah, there is also a super-funny-in-a-dry-way philosophical dragon.

ghostoast's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

decembermagpie's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

mollybeans's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bisexualwentworth's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There's a lot that I love here: the worldbuilding, the magic system, the prose, the women with swords, the mechanical dragon. I think that Yoon Ha Lee accomplished exactly what he set out to do with this book. Unfortunately, I think that the concept is just fundamentally not super compelling for me. The execution is as strong as it could have possibly been, but Jebi just isn't an interesting enough main character for me. I would have loved either a more slice of life story or a more action-packed story, but again, those aren't the books the author wanted to write, and that's okay. I will absolutely be reading his other work cause I think there's a lot of good stuff here. I did wish the book was longer, but I do appreciate a good quick fantasy standalone.

The first and second half of this book are very distinct in terms of vibes and pacing. I preferred the second half, but I think the first half may work better for a lot of readers. Very much a personal taste thing.

Anyway, this book isn't a new favorite, but it did leave a positive impression and I would definitely recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Death, Violence, and Xenophobia

sophia_mt's review

adventurous funny tense slow-paced

4.75

fruitiebomb's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

riley_rose's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad 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

3.75

ren_the_hobbit's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really good book with very complex characters. The story takes place in a country that was recently conquered by another. I thought that this was done really well with a lot of depth and moral questions. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

ilsevdhout's review against another edition

adventurous medium-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? It's complicated

2.75