Reviews

This is the third YA fantasy in the mix for my book club this year (we read two books a month), and it's definitely my favorite.

I love Baker's writing. She doesn't dumb it down for YA, and the world-building is rich and well thought out. The characters show their age at times but it's expected, not idiotic. I enjoyed this world of ancient China infused with secretive alchemy and gold-eating elite with an evil empress.

hwerle's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

alsahm's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

everyone quiet I'm gonna be thinking about this for weeks

noemi1010's review against another edition

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3.0

Zilan is half Chinese and half foreigner. Raised by her uncle and aunt, she has always dreamed to become a royal alchemist. So when she passes the tests in Guangzhou, she goes with her cousins, who aim to become officers, to the capital to try for the final exams. Although the journey is long, Zilan and her cousins are one step closer to reach their dreams. But when they think they are finally there, the truth will change their world and shatter their dreams. Especially for Zilan. She needs to decide what she stands for and who are the people important to her because the empress will not let her go.

I enjoyed Zilan's story—how she grew in book 1 and how she is slowly getting to know more about herself and what she is capable of. The story takes place in ancient China where alchemists are real and people can extend their lives by consuming gold. Zilan is ready to become one of the best alchemists in the kingdom and put her resurrection skills in the past, but the people in the capital won't let her—nor the empress, not the crown prince. I especially liked the relationship Zilan had with her cousins, while I wasn't a fan of the crown prince. He seemed pretty useless until the end. The story ends with a cliffhanger, and I'm still debating if I like it or not. What happens made sense, but it's pretty weird at the same time.

kim_breckwoldt's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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

elioozx's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

a_very_average_reader's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

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