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the_ghost_penguin_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
phoebemcneely's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
2treads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed this one. Elements of found family, a deep & loyal friendship, a main character with a fighting spirit, and a crew that brings experience and betrayal.
This is classed as YA, but for some reason it read middle grade to me which I absolutely loved. Kurara and Haru have a strong friendship and a history that goes back beyond what Kurara remembers. The separation of sky people and land dwellers called groundlings is severe and is portrayed really well when Kurara joins the ship that hunts Shinigami.
I really love an author who can give me characters that I can instantly know that I am going to root for. Add in court intrigue and royal familial strife and I'm all in. Can't wait for the next installment.
This is classed as YA, but for some reason it read middle grade to me which I absolutely loved. Kurara and Haru have a strong friendship and a history that goes back beyond what Kurara remembers. The separation of sky people and land dwellers called groundlings is severe and is portrayed really well when Kurara joins the ship that hunts Shinigami.
I really love an author who can give me characters that I can instantly know that I am going to root for. Add in court intrigue and royal familial strife and I'm all in. Can't wait for the next installment.
dearrivarie's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
snuzzbobble's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? Yes
2.0
starshine1's review against another edition
All the Japanese words/terms and names got confusing
corie_corie_corie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
amjone12's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
An interesting concept but didn’t love the writing.
emmasnothere's review against another edition
1.0
well… there is simply nothing worse than reading a 340 page book and being bored the entire way through.
it just didn’t work for me and that’s okay (i had this book on-hand, wasn’t something i exactly chose for myself)! i’m not the target audience, who this is perfect for aka readers transitioning out of middle grade and entering ya + new to fantasy. the studio ghibli pitch was right on target with the unique magic system, but i was just so underwhelmed. nothing captured my attention and i really mean nothing—even the characters felt very one-dimensional. never was a fan of a hero’s journey story even as a kid, so not caring for the protagonist definitely didn’t help here.
then the pacing was strange… i didn’t understand the point “interlude” chapters. the author could’ve found a better way to incorporate these scenes and context, but i wonder if sei lin did this because of the juvenile audience? either way, young readers are capable of comprehending information without it being so obviously laid out.
it just didn’t work for me and that’s okay (i had this book on-hand, wasn’t something i exactly chose for myself)! i’m not the target audience, who this is perfect for aka readers transitioning out of middle grade and entering ya + new to fantasy. the studio ghibli pitch was right on target with the unique magic system, but i was just so underwhelmed. nothing captured my attention and i really mean nothing—even the characters felt very one-dimensional. never was a fan of a hero’s journey story even as a kid, so not caring for the protagonist definitely didn’t help here.
then the pacing was strange… i didn’t understand the point “interlude” chapters. the author could’ve found a better way to incorporate these scenes and context, but i wonder if sei lin did this because of the juvenile audience? either way, young readers are capable of comprehending information without it being so obviously laid out.