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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Ordered the sequel when I was about halfway through this book. The romance plot line is not really dazzling, and I wish that maybe there had been some more foreshadowing or a more holistic buildup for Maia's adventures, travels, and trials. Nevertheless, I kept looking forward to what's going to happen next.
3/5
It's an okay read. Familiar trope. Easily grasping plot but characters are pretty ridiculous (and melodramatic?). I obviously can not stand for anyone here.
It's an okay read. Familiar trope. Easily grasping plot but characters are pretty ridiculous (and melodramatic?). I obviously can not stand for anyone here.
Since after reading her other series, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I picked this one up. I was hoping this was good and it delivered. I absolutely loved it! The story is unique and cohesive with good paced progression. It has everything a fantasy needs. A competition with trials where the best one wins, a journey that changes the protagonist forever, a hardworking heroine that goes through struggles but overcomes them in the end, and a great romance. It was all *chef’s kiss*.
I really enjoyed following along Maia through this story. She is a character that I could relate to and admire. She’s determined and dedicated to her craft. At first, I thought the scissors was a little of a cheat code for her to get by in the trials but as she refused to use them, it really showed me a lot about her character. Then later when she uses them to help her through her journey, it made sense. I admired her ambition even when everything was stacked up against her. Her whole Mulan moment made me smile. I also appreciated she wasn’t a porcelain princess. She had calluses and freckles and imperfections.
Something else I liked was the author having Edan be more bronze in terms of skin tone and have curly hair. These small details made me happy since it represents a little of the huge diversity in East Asia. Not everyone is super pale and has straight hair! I love Edan. Again, at first I thought he was used to just help Maia and to make her life easier and them forming a superficial relationship but the author really showed what she can do. Now this is how you write a developed romance! Reading how Maia was annoyed with his presence to her never wanting to let him go was just…AHHH! I ATE THAT UP. And they’re so cute together. Like stop I can’t!
“You are my oath now, Maia Tamarin. And you’ll never be free of me.”
SO FREAKING CUTE! I SCREAMED. THIS IS WHY FANTASY ROMANCES ARE SUPERIOR!
Anyways, safe to say I bought the sequel when I was only 1/3 into this book and now I’m so excited to read it!!
I really enjoyed following along Maia through this story. She is a character that I could relate to and admire. She’s determined and dedicated to her craft. At first, I thought the scissors was a little of a cheat code for her to get by in the trials but as she refused to use them, it really showed me a lot about her character. Then later when she uses them to help her through her journey, it made sense. I admired her ambition even when everything was stacked up against her. Her whole Mulan moment made me smile. I also appreciated she wasn’t a porcelain princess. She had calluses and freckles and imperfections.
Something else I liked was the author having Edan be more bronze in terms of skin tone and have curly hair. These small details made me happy since it represents a little of the huge diversity in East Asia. Not everyone is super pale and has straight hair! I love Edan. Again, at first I thought he was used to just help Maia and to make her life easier and them forming a superficial relationship but the author really showed what she can do. Now this is how you write a developed romance! Reading how Maia was annoyed with his presence to her never wanting to let him go was just…AHHH! I ATE THAT UP. And they’re so cute together. Like stop I can’t!
“You are my oath now, Maia Tamarin. And you’ll never be free of me.”
SO FREAKING CUTE! I SCREAMED. THIS IS WHY FANTASY ROMANCES ARE SUPERIOR!
Anyways, safe to say I bought the sequel when I was only 1/3 into this book and now I’m so excited to read it!!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I liked Maia as a protagonist, she knows what she wants and goes after it. But she could also be irritating at times, especially in relation to the romance in the book. I also generally dislike the trope of the ancient and powerful man (in this case a 500+ year old enchanter) falling in love with a teenage girl. Other than that I liked Edan well enough, but he felt a little bit flat; I don't feel like I really got to know him despite spending so much time with him on the journey.
The magic in this story didn't work very well for me. Sometimes, especially when the story feels like a fairy tale I can enjoy a soft magic system, but this one felt especially soft and undefined.
This feels like a lot of negatives, but I did really enjoy my time with this book. When I was reading it, it really flowed and I raced through it, which probably means the pacing was pretty good. I think the world has potential to be really interesting, and I'd like to know more about the war and the shansen, as well as demons and ghosts and magic. I also really appreciated Maia's connection with her family and how motivating they are to her; it made her very human. I'm definitely planning to pick up the sequel and look forward to reading it and other works by this author.
The magic in this story didn't work very well for me. Sometimes, especially when the story feels like a fairy tale I can enjoy a soft magic system, but this one felt especially soft and undefined.
This feels like a lot of negatives, but I did really enjoy my time with this book. When I was reading it, it really flowed and I raced through it, which probably means the pacing was pretty good. I think the world has potential to be really interesting, and I'd like to know more about the war and the shansen, as well as demons and ghosts and magic. I also really appreciated Maia's connection with her family and how motivating they are to her; it made her very human. I'm definitely planning to pick up the sequel and look forward to reading it and other works by this author.
This book surprised me at every turn. I truly did not think it would capture me as much as it did. I really enjoyed this read.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No