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kangrantdanmei's review
4.0
A review time!
I've finished reading this after ... I don't know, days.
I decided to pick it up simply because I saw a Chinese name and a dragon on the cover. And from the moment I started reading, I immediately liked it. Why? Well, as a non-English speaker, finding a book that's easy to understand like this is pure bliss!
Next, I have to give credit to the author for creating such diverse and interesting characters. Their conversations were always exciting, and I really enjoyed their dynamics. Although I must admit I'm not particularly fond of the main character, I understand that she was based on an actual historical figure. The author did a great job showcasing how badass Cheng Shih could be as a skilled commander and brilliant strategist, but also how dislikeable her temper could be. Hahaha.
Another major plus point is the way the plot was written. It was absolutely fantastic! The author did a remarkable job of maintaining consistency and accuracy with actual Chinese history.
Let's dive into some aspects that didn't quite hit the mark for me.
1) I felt that there were some missing cultural details. For instance, a well-known family's firstborn seems unlikely to easily marry a girl from humble origins who had worked in a flower boat. From what I've read in other books, there would typically be significant disputes and conflicts in such situations. Unfortunately, the author didn't delve into those internal dramas.
2) The characterization of some characters felt average. The most well-built and developed character was undoubtedly Po Tsai. Even in comparison to Mogu and Zheng Yi, he stood out. Mogu's character, for example, seemed to be solely driven by her goals, and self-centered, and she came across as a greedy woman so many times. Many of her actions lacked a solid basis and didn't suit her position as the Zheng Family's Madam.
3) The emotional depth of the characters sometimes translated poorly to the reader. Apart from feeling surprised and angry due to Mogu's actions (mostly anger, to be honest), I didn't experience a wide range of emotions. Even during the loss of Mogu's beloved, I didn't feel her sadness. However, I must say that I could genuinely feel Po Tsai's pain every time. All hail Po Tsai!
4) There is no more Po Tsai. He just had a too-little scene time. I want more Po Tsai!! Hahahaha!
Overall, despite these critiques, I still enjoyed reading the book. The easy-to-understand language, diverse characters, and engaging plot kept me hooked.
I've finished reading this after ... I don't know, days.
I decided to pick it up simply because I saw a Chinese name and a dragon on the cover. And from the moment I started reading, I immediately liked it. Why? Well, as a non-English speaker, finding a book that's easy to understand like this is pure bliss!
Next, I have to give credit to the author for creating such diverse and interesting characters. Their conversations were always exciting, and I really enjoyed their dynamics. Although I must admit I'm not particularly fond of the main character, I understand that she was based on an actual historical figure. The author did a great job showcasing how badass Cheng Shih could be as a skilled commander and brilliant strategist, but also how dislikeable her temper could be. Hahaha.
Another major plus point is the way the plot was written. It was absolutely fantastic! The author did a remarkable job of maintaining consistency and accuracy with actual Chinese history.
Let's dive into some aspects that didn't quite hit the mark for me.
1) I felt that there were some missing cultural details. For instance, a well-known family's firstborn seems unlikely to easily marry a girl from humble origins who had worked in a flower boat. From what I've read in other books, there would typically be significant disputes and conflicts in such situations. Unfortunately, the author didn't delve into those internal dramas.
2) The characterization of some characters felt average. The most well-built and developed character was undoubtedly Po Tsai. Even in comparison to Mogu and Zheng Yi, he stood out. Mogu's character, for example, seemed to be solely driven by her goals, and self-centered, and she came across as a greedy woman so many times. Many of her actions lacked a solid basis and didn't suit her position as the Zheng Family's Madam.
3) The emotional depth of the characters sometimes translated poorly to the reader. Apart from feeling surprised and angry due to Mogu's actions (mostly anger, to be honest), I didn't experience a wide range of emotions. Even during the loss of Mogu's beloved, I didn't feel her sadness. However, I must say that I could genuinely feel Po Tsai's pain every time. All hail Po Tsai!
4) There is no more Po Tsai. He just had a too-little scene time. I want more Po Tsai!! Hahahaha!
Overall, despite these critiques, I still enjoyed reading the book. The easy-to-understand language, diverse characters, and engaging plot kept me hooked.
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