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bookishdamzel's review
5.0
*4.5 Star*
Yeena is weeks away from her debut as a matron. She hasn't claimed anybody as her consort yet and is visiting her friend Hiro who she thinks she may choose to be her consort. When somebody from the Andan area is found crossing borders into Nakoya and is being held prisoner, Yeena offers to translate for the Nakoyans and offers a solution that will change both the prisoner's life and Yeena's.
I really enjoyed Storm to Spring and the interactions Yeena has with everybody. She is a strong matron to be but has her flaws. I waited for the moments between Yeena and Yijeong so much and that's what made me finish the book. I love the sarcastic banter and slow-burn romance between the two. I also enjoyed learning about Miang, Andan, and Naoya lands' history. I love the elemental magic of each area and learning the abilities of all the characters in the story.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to people who love political intrigue, slow-burn romance, banter between love interests, lgbtq+ representation, & east and southeast asian influenced fantasy. The only complaint I have were super long chapters but I enjoyed the book otherwise <3
Disclaimer: I received Storm to Spring as an ARC through BookSirens and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
Yeena is weeks away from her debut as a matron. She hasn't claimed anybody as her consort yet and is visiting her friend Hiro who she thinks she may choose to be her consort. When somebody from the Andan area is found crossing borders into Nakoya and is being held prisoner, Yeena offers to translate for the Nakoyans and offers a solution that will change both the prisoner's life and Yeena's.
I really enjoyed Storm to Spring and the interactions Yeena has with everybody. She is a strong matron to be but has her flaws. I waited for the moments between Yeena and Yijeong so much and that's what made me finish the book. I love the sarcastic banter and slow-burn romance between the two. I also enjoyed learning about Miang, Andan, and Naoya lands' history. I love the elemental magic of each area and learning the abilities of all the characters in the story.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to people who love political intrigue, slow-burn romance, banter between love interests, lgbtq+ representation, & east and southeast asian influenced fantasy. The only complaint I have were super long chapters but I enjoyed the book otherwise <3
Disclaimer: I received Storm to Spring as an ARC through BookSirens and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
camilla_reads88's review
4.0
"Not a single man had ever looked into my eyes and recognized the true chaos eating me up inside."
The second instalment in the Matrons of Miang universe did not disappoint! Much like the first book Spark to Shadow, we follow a feisty, confident and self-assured main character Yeena - the heir to a coven of Miangese witches - as she spends time in the foreign kingdoms of Nakoya and Anda on a search for an appropriate consort.
Something I massively appreciate about these books is how powerful the female characters are in their own right. In this universe, magic flows predominantly through the female line, and so we have this matriarchal magical society as a result. I loved that in the first book, but enjoy it even more in the second as its interesting to see that in contrast to Nakoyan society, which we know is not as female-led as Miang or Anda - they have more male witches and so this tips the balance.
"I've wanted to see you smile since I first saw you, just because you always look so sad."
Another sweet, light romantic plot flows through this book, and it is a delight experiencing Yeena and Yijeong falling in love. They have instant chemistry, which means we get a lot of fabulous banter. Not only is Yijeong a secret softy but he also acts as an anchor for Yeena, helping her tackle her own demons and realise her inner strength.
Atima Kim writes really healthy, strong, real relationships and it is refreshing to see them in the fantasy genre, which can be saturated with problematic male characters and unrealistic romance.
"Yeena, you are strong. You are the storm."
The second instalment in the Matrons of Miang universe did not disappoint! Much like the first book Spark to Shadow, we follow a feisty, confident and self-assured main character Yeena - the heir to a coven of Miangese witches - as she spends time in the foreign kingdoms of Nakoya and Anda on a search for an appropriate consort.
Something I massively appreciate about these books is how powerful the female characters are in their own right. In this universe, magic flows predominantly through the female line, and so we have this matriarchal magical society as a result. I loved that in the first book, but enjoy it even more in the second as its interesting to see that in contrast to Nakoyan society, which we know is not as female-led as Miang or Anda - they have more male witches and so this tips the balance.
"I've wanted to see you smile since I first saw you, just because you always look so sad."
Another sweet, light romantic plot flows through this book, and it is a delight experiencing Yeena and Yijeong falling in love. They have instant chemistry, which means we get a lot of fabulous banter. Not only is Yijeong a secret softy
Spoiler
all you have to do is see him with his baby dragon, and you'll knowAtima Kim writes really healthy, strong, real relationships and it is refreshing to see them in the fantasy genre, which can be saturated with problematic male characters and unrealistic romance.
"Yeena, you are strong. You are the storm."
pocketsized_pageturner's review
4.0
Storm to Spring is the second in an own voices standalone fantasy series. Full of witches, strong female characters, dragons, romance and secrets come to light!
Full disclosure - I was so sold on the synopsis that I didn’t realize this was the second in a series
Full disclosure - I was so sold on the synopsis that I didn’t realize this was the second in a series
idreaminbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
meganlowe87's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
OMG! I loved this book! I was a little worried that second book syndrome would hit with this series, but I am so glad and relieved that it didn’t!
I loved Yeena. She is so strong, but broken, and a little unsure. It’s nice to see a character with doubts!
Yijeong is total book boyfriend material. Flirty, but sensitive, and loving.
I also loved Yeena’s coven, and the dragons, oh the dragons!! So cute, so funny!
I was a little bit unhappy that the storyline here was so similar to spark to shadow, but it was a different enough that it didn’t read the same.
The political intrigue added depth to the story, as did Yeena’s trauma.
This book has it all. Magic, dragons, romance, intrigue, humour, and a dash of danger, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I loved Yeena. She is so strong, but broken, and a little unsure. It’s nice to see a character with doubts!
Yijeong is total book boyfriend material. Flirty, but sensitive, and loving.
I also loved Yeena’s coven, and the dragons, oh the dragons!! So cute, so funny!
I was a little bit unhappy that the storyline here was so similar to spark to shadow, but it was a different enough that it didn’t read the same.
The political intrigue added depth to the story, as did Yeena’s trauma.
This book has it all. Magic, dragons, romance, intrigue, humour, and a dash of danger, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
inkslinger's review
medium-paced
3.0
(I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)
The story is casually paced and at first glance, seems to give off Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes through its clan and magic system design. Once beyond that initial impression however, it develops into a broader topic.
Carefully curated through layers of Asian inspired fantasy, is a gentle discussion about generational obligation and what it means to try to balance such ingrained beliefs with the personal need for individuality and actual happiness. In Yeena's case, the cost could be high, but that's something she has to figure out for herself.
I feel like the prose is a little stiff. It's clear that Kim is still developing her skills, as it reads a little like someone just out of a creative writing class in regards to sentence structure.. not quite fluid or comfortable yet. But the plot moves forward steadily and all of the basics are in place.
While the relationships contained within the book could be given a bit more depth.. again, I chalk that up to an author just on the cusp of blossoming. Kim obviously has lovely stories to tell and a lot of potential in the future.
As traditional as the setting was laid out, the dialogue language did pull me out of immersion a bit.. but I still enjoyed the journey. If you're looking for a quick read with some interesting texture and strong female representation, give this one a try.
The story is casually paced and at first glance, seems to give off Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes through its clan and magic system design. Once beyond that initial impression however, it develops into a broader topic.
Carefully curated through layers of Asian inspired fantasy, is a gentle discussion about generational obligation and what it means to try to balance such ingrained beliefs with the personal need for individuality and actual happiness. In Yeena's case, the cost could be high, but that's something she has to figure out for herself.
I feel like the prose is a little stiff. It's clear that Kim is still developing her skills, as it reads a little like someone just out of a creative writing class in regards to sentence structure.. not quite fluid or comfortable yet. But the plot moves forward steadily and all of the basics are in place.
While the relationships contained within the book could be given a bit more depth.. again, I chalk that up to an author just on the cusp of blossoming. Kim obviously has lovely stories to tell and a lot of potential in the future.
As traditional as the setting was laid out, the dialogue language did pull me out of immersion a bit.. but I still enjoyed the journey. If you're looking for a quick read with some interesting texture and strong female representation, give this one a try.
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