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brittanica_bold's review against another edition
3.0
“Strike the Zither” by Joan He is a reimagining of the Chinese classic tale the Three Kingdoms. Typically, I’m a sucker for reimaginings, especially when they have maps and character sketches at the beginning like this one.
So, how did this one stack up?
What I liked about the book:
1. The book included a map and character art for four of the FMCs that were totally to die for! Not sure why we didn’t get character art for at least Crow as well, but whatever…
2. Overall, I liked the strategy aspect of the book. Did I sometimes feel it was daunting and overshadowed real character development? Yes, but it was still good nonetheless.
3. It was well written, there is no denying that. It was grammatically correct and there were no misspellings that I found, as well as the writing was anything but plain. From the prettiest to the gnarliest of moments, the description was what kept me reading this one through to the end.
What could have been better:
1. Ok, here goes. I didn’t like a single character. T0urmaline was ok I guess, since she seemed to have the greatest “character development”, if you want to call it that, though I wouldn’t.
While the strategy was so well developed, there was no connection to the characters in the writing. I am a big character person. I don’t even need a real plot if characters are amazing, that’s just the type of reader I am. However, no matter how good a book is, if it’s lacking a character connection for me, I’m not going to like it. Plain and simple.
I loved the idea of Zephyr and Crow. I loved what I wanted Crow to be and what he was probably hiding (because he most definitely was!). What I did not love was wading through each of their conversations, hoping to find some gem in this book written like “War for Dummies”, to have them be unsatisfactory EVERY.DAMN.TIME!
In fact, here is my complete, unbridled opinion: if the characters had been more developed and not like Sims characters walking around, bumping into one another, and falling into monotonous conversations, this would have been a 5-star read for me. But they weren’t, so it’s not.
2. This book takes a turn at about the halfway point. This turn had me losing any interest that I had. I’m not sure if it’s because the Mary Sue aspect of Zephyr’s character was heighted even more at this point, or because we were introduced to more characters I had no connection to, but it just became a lot to try to enjoy.
Final Thoughts: This is a very well written book, it’s just not for me.
Final Rating: 3 body-snatching stars. IYKYK.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, and Joan He for book one in this anticipated duology in exchange for my honest review!
So, how did this one stack up?
What I liked about the book:
1. The book included a map and character art for four of the FMCs that were totally to die for! Not sure why we didn’t get character art for at least Crow as well, but whatever…
2. Overall, I liked the strategy aspect of the book. Did I sometimes feel it was daunting and overshadowed real character development? Yes, but it was still good nonetheless.
3. It was well written, there is no denying that. It was grammatically correct and there were no misspellings that I found, as well as the writing was anything but plain. From the prettiest to the gnarliest of moments, the description was what kept me reading this one through to the end.
What could have been better:
1. Ok, here goes. I didn’t like a single character. T0urmaline was ok I guess, since she seemed to have the greatest “character development”, if you want to call it that, though I wouldn’t.
While the strategy was so well developed, there was no connection to the characters in the writing. I am a big character person. I don’t even need a real plot if characters are amazing, that’s just the type of reader I am. However, no matter how good a book is, if it’s lacking a character connection for me, I’m not going to like it. Plain and simple.
I loved the idea of Zephyr and Crow. I loved what I wanted Crow to be and what he was probably hiding (because he most definitely was!). What I did not love was wading through each of their conversations, hoping to find some gem in this book written like “War for Dummies”, to have them be unsatisfactory EVERY.DAMN.TIME!
In fact, here is my complete, unbridled opinion: if the characters had been more developed and not like Sims characters walking around, bumping into one another, and falling into monotonous conversations, this would have been a 5-star read for me. But they weren’t, so it’s not.
2. This book takes a turn at about the halfway point. This turn had me losing any interest that I had. I’m not sure if it’s because the Mary Sue aspect of Zephyr’s character was heighted even more at this point, or because we were introduced to more characters I had no connection to, but it just became a lot to try to enjoy.
Final Thoughts: This is a very well written book, it’s just not for me.
Final Rating: 3 body-snatching stars. IYKYK.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, and Joan He for book one in this anticipated duology in exchange for my honest review!
panda12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mkhatt's review against another edition
I just really wasn't enjoying the style. It felt like nothing was happening despite it being a war?? I think?? and it felt very disconnected. The characters just weren't interesting.
meganfuhr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I feel like I'd have enjoyed this book more if I knew going into it that it would be more political intrigue than anything else.
There were a few twist and turns at the end, but all around this book was pretty good, my only complains were that it was a little slow, and I wish there was more depth in the characters as opposed to Zithers little scheme
There were a few twist and turns at the end, but all around this book was pretty good, my only complains were that it was a little slow, and I wish there was more depth in the characters as opposed to Zithers little scheme
zarelaeda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Imagine my surprise when my April book club 'chose your own music novel' turned out to be a retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in all the best ways. And on top of that, we have beautifully diverse female characters and queer characters? My only complaint is that I wanted this to be double the length.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, and War
Moderate: Gore and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Alcoholism
petalpetal's review against another edition
I just couldn't get into it plus the author kept using complicated words I had to look up and constantly gave the characters a thousand interchangeable nicknames and it was to confusing for me
literary_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Zephyr is a really amazing character! I love characters who have to rely on intellect rather than brawn. She’s arrogant for sure, but it didn’t bother me so much.
The only think I didn’t like, was that there was a lot of telling and not a whole lot of showing. We are constantly in Zephyr’s head and she is always explaining her plans and expectations. This was fine, but I think it would have been okay to not explain everything. A little bit of mystery goes a long way. Would have been more interesting plot-wise too if the reader wasn’t always aware of the main character’s plans.
The only think I didn’t like, was that there was a lot of telling and not a whole lot of showing. We are constantly in Zephyr’s head and she is always explaining her plans and expectations. This was fine, but I think it would have been okay to not explain everything. A little bit of mystery goes a long way. Would have been more interesting plot-wise too if the reader wasn’t always aware of the main character’s plans.