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vanessa_books26's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ashleyscofield's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
marimoose's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
All right, so I think if I had been younger and liked the idea of love triangles, I probably would have liked this more. But a lot of the tropes in this particular book kind of put me off after the halfway point.
DOTMG actually did start strong for me, and I was fascinated by the idea that this story is continuing a Chinese mythological tale but involving the figures around those myths in the author's celestial world. At first even Xinying going from the moon (where she lived with her mother Chang'e) and into the Celestial Kingdom was interesting to me, because therein laythe conflict: her mother wants her safe, and Xinying wants nothing more than to help her mother somehow.
However, I feel like the rest of the book meandered so much that I didn't even think the protagonist remembered she had a mother that she needed to save, especially when she was so busy thinking about one boy or the other. God, I hate love triangles. There was a lot of buildup with Li Wei and I honestly thought their relationship had a stronger foundation because of how much time it actually took to manifest between them. But suddenly we have a second contender come in who Xinying barely even thought about...up until someone mentions how attractive he is in passing.
And the tropes! THE TROPES! I liked none of them. Love triangles (although with the phoenix princess...is it a love square?) were eh, the forbidden love was the only one that I was riveted with, and the "not like other girls" mentality Xinying often had me rolling my eyes several times a page. I was here for none of it.
I wish the book was just a tad bit focused more on the actual Chang'e/Houyi myth, and spent more time in the court than outside of it, but alas.
So I guess I liked it somewhat? But not enough to be curious over the second book.
DOTMG actually did start strong for me, and I was fascinated by the idea that this story is continuing a Chinese mythological tale but involving the figures around those myths in the author's celestial world. At first even Xinying going from the moon (where she lived with her mother Chang'e) and into the Celestial Kingdom was interesting to me, because therein laythe conflict: her mother wants her safe, and Xinying wants nothing more than to help her mother somehow.
However, I feel like the rest of the book meandered so much that I didn't even think the protagonist remembered she had a mother that she needed to save, especially when she was so busy thinking about one boy or the other. God, I hate love triangles. There was a lot of buildup with Li Wei and I honestly thought their relationship had a stronger foundation because of how much time it actually took to manifest between them. But suddenly we have a second contender come in who Xinying barely even thought about...up until someone mentions how attractive he is in passing.
And the tropes! THE TROPES! I liked none of them. Love triangles (although with the phoenix princess...is it a love square?) were eh, the forbidden love was the only one that I was riveted with, and the "not like other girls" mentality Xinying often had me rolling my eyes several times a page. I was here for none of it.
I wish the book was just a tad bit focused more on the actual Chang'e/Houyi myth, and spent more time in the court than outside of it, but alas.
So I guess I liked it somewhat? But not enough to be curious over the second book.
krispet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the world building along with the characters. The only reason why it isn't 5/5 is because I found some parts of the journey in this book to drag on. I can't wait to read the sequeal though!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the world building along with the characters. The only reason why it isn't 5/5 is because I found some parts of the journey in this book to drag on. I can't wait to read the sequeal though!
jazzsb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
paitynak's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
dibajida's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
5.0
This was a treat of a story. Loved the three main characters and their journey.
issy15005's review
It’s a shame really. I thought this would be a good one. I was enjoying myself but started to get bored very quickly it was almost criminal. Maybe I’m just losing interest because I’m waiting for the second book of a series.