Take a photo of a barcode or cover
naideraid's review
2.0
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
Before I get into the review, I will say that the vibe the cover gives off absolutely does not match how intense the book can get inside. But more fool me for judging a book by its cover.
Now, the positives: I think the initial concept (seeing the red strings of fate that tie people together) is very fun. The prose, too, really shined at times, especially when it came to describing the environments. There were some really lovely descriptions that added to the atmosphere of the book.
Unfortunately, that was really all I liked about this. This book is listed at 320 pages on Goodreads and it needed more for what it was trying to do, doubly so because of the shortness of the book, the pacing of the plot felt very, very uneven. The story is divided into 1 POV--Sai's--and brief interludes detailing the story of the 3 dragons. If the story had stuck firmly to Sai and the dragons rather than delving into a romance, I think the page count could have worked as a sort of folk tale/retelling-type of story. However, with the romance and single POV, this was way too short. Especially since the Fated Mates trope has an element of insta-love, it would've been way better and more interesting to see that from Sai's POV and Jyn's.
Speaking of Jyn, she was another problem I had. She feels very, very half-baked as a character. (Diversity win! The brooding, grumpy, cardboard cut-out of a love interest is a woman!) Actually, that's being a bit unfair, it's not that she's a cardboard cut-out per se, she's simply not fully actualized. Especially because from Sai's POV, she comes across as someone with an inconsistent character. Even when, later, we learn her reasons why, it still doesn't fully flesh her out. This is largely due to the fact that the bulk of the emotional work for a good portion of the book is done via Sai feeling her emotions through their bond. It took the hard work out of building up their relationship organically. I really think this book and story would have benefitted from chapters in Jyn's POV, possibly instead of the short folktale-like chapters in between Sai's POVs.
Lastly, and this is two points in one, the villain felt very generic in a way that didn't really add anything to the story. And my god did I hate the ending. I won't spoil anything, but a choice the author made really sat uncomfortably in my gut. In fact, there was another instance a little earlier in the story that also made me a little queasy, but the ending definitely didn't work for me at all.
Overall, while there were some beautiful writing moments, the uneven pacing and characters didn't work for me.
Before I get into the review, I will say that the vibe the cover gives off absolutely does not match how intense the book can get inside. But more fool me for judging a book by its cover.
Now, the positives: I think the initial concept (seeing the red strings of fate that tie people together) is very fun. The prose, too, really shined at times, especially when it came to describing the environments. There were some really lovely descriptions that added to the atmosphere of the book.
Unfortunately, that was really all I liked about this. This book is listed at 320 pages on Goodreads and it needed more for what it was trying to do, doubly so because of the shortness of the book, the pacing of the plot felt very, very uneven. The story is divided into 1 POV--Sai's--and brief interludes detailing the story of the 3 dragons. If the story had stuck firmly to Sai and the dragons rather than delving into a romance, I think the page count could have worked as a sort of folk tale/retelling-type of story. However, with the romance and single POV, this was way too short. Especially since the Fated Mates trope has an element of insta-love, it would've been way better and more interesting to see that from Sai's POV and Jyn's.
Speaking of Jyn, she was another problem I had. She feels very, very half-baked as a character. (Diversity win! The brooding, grumpy, cardboard cut-out of a love interest is a woman!) Actually, that's being a bit unfair, it's not that she's a cardboard cut-out per se, she's simply not fully actualized. Especially because from Sai's POV, she comes across as someone with an inconsistent character. Even when, later, we learn her reasons why, it still doesn't fully flesh her out. This is largely due to the fact that the bulk of the emotional work for a good portion of the book is done via Sai feeling her emotions through their bond. It took the hard work out of building up their relationship organically. I really think this book and story would have benefitted from chapters in Jyn's POV, possibly instead of the short folktale-like chapters in between Sai's POVs.
Lastly, and this is two points in one, the villain felt very generic in a way that didn't really add anything to the story. And my god did I hate the ending. I won't spoil anything, but a choice the author made really sat uncomfortably in my gut. In fact, there was another instance a little earlier in the story that also made me a little queasy, but the ending definitely didn't work for me at all.
Overall, while there were some beautiful writing moments, the uneven pacing and characters didn't work for me.
selinawy_chong's review
medium-paced
2.75
pacing is uneven, build up was slow and the resolution was over in 10 or so pages
brennareadthis's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the e-arc!
I had such a great time with this book! A quicker, character driven read that didn’t have much for world building which isn’t always a bad thing.
Sai is so adorable I loved his character and watching him grow and discover more about himself.
The pacing was a little off and I felt lost in the middle and after the climax near the end but all in all this was so much fun!
I had such a great time with this book! A quicker, character driven read that didn’t have much for world building which isn’t always a bad thing.
Sai is so adorable I loved his character and watching him grow and discover more about himself.
The pacing was a little off and I felt lost in the middle and after the climax near the end but all in all this was so much fun!
kestrellady's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I struggled to get into this one, but I was glad I stuck with it. The first two thirds are a little all over the place, with the main character getting kind of dragged through the plot, but the last third really brings it all together and I loved the resolution.
beccatalksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sjmyers's review
4.0
This is quite the lovely story.
Synopsis:
Sai, a young man who runs his family’s teahouse, has a special gift. He can see the threads between Fated Ones. People seek him out to guide them to their soulmate. When Sai buys some illegal dragon scales to cure his ailing mother, he is sent on life-changing adventure. The emperor forces Sai to track down the dragon so its magic can be exploited. When Sai finds the dragon and meets Jyn, his life and destiny is changed forever.
Thoughts:
This book is so much fun, tender, and full of adventure. There is war, romance, monsters, mythology, magic and reincarnation. Sai and Jyn’s story is absolutely touching, and the ending is delightful. I do hope that the author considers a sequel. I would love to go back into this world.
Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for the copy of this book.
Synopsis:
Sai, a young man who runs his family’s teahouse, has a special gift. He can see the threads between Fated Ones. People seek him out to guide them to their soulmate. When Sai buys some illegal dragon scales to cure his ailing mother, he is sent on life-changing adventure. The emperor forces Sai to track down the dragon so its magic can be exploited. When Sai finds the dragon and meets Jyn, his life and destiny is changed forever.
Thoughts:
This book is so much fun, tender, and full of adventure. There is war, romance, monsters, mythology, magic and reincarnation. Sai and Jyn’s story is absolutely touching, and the ending is delightful. I do hope that the author considers a sequel. I would love to go back into this world.
Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for the copy of this book.
slimikin's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kayfrancis95's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kevlarknit's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0