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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly what’s the buzz with this book? It reads like The Iliad mixed with some Guy Gavriel Kay. There is so much description and surface level characterization. Summaries of action. Summaries of character’s points of view, but little depth. It dives into Kuni’s perspective but that’s not enough to make up for the deficiencies. Also, gods interfering with mortals gets a little tiresome. This novel is trying to be an epic and as a result it feels forced.
Were Game of Thrones or The Expanse trying to epics? Did they turn out to be epics?
Life is too short for what feels like video game cut scenes.
Were Game of Thrones or The Expanse trying to epics? Did they turn out to be epics?
Life is too short for what feels like video game cut scenes.
reading slump DNF all books on the 'current reads' list in May 25 because my brain thinks I need to read them all BUT I DON'T. nothing related to the book at all, I'd love to get back to this
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-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:
Complicated
I enjoyed Liu’s writing style in general but the middle third was too slow and the story relied on a level of detail in militarism that I did not find interesting enough to justify its length. I’m not likely to continue further into this series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I wasn't expecting to like this book at all. for years when people raved about it, it was all I could do not to roll my eyes because I had been burned by super popular books before.
I'll admit it. I was wrong.
it's been a long time since I read an epic fantasy. and now I remember how much I really like it.
the writing was what got me over the intimidation of the size. the descriptions were simple and striking and the kind of writing that I really like. to accommodate the many, many, many characters, the pov was a very far perspective. which I tend to like more in fantasy.
I loved how the characters were written. each with their own ideals and how they conflicted with the reality of each of their situations. in the beginning, I was really wary of Kuni and rooted for Mata. it was interesting to watch how my own opinion of the two of them changed over time. it was interesting to watch as the two became antagonists to each other over time.
I understand people who say that the movements of women weren't all that strong in this first book. but the main bulk of the plot was away from the main cast of women. in a story like this, we cannot follow everybody from when they were kids. and people aren't doing crazy stuff all their lives. I expect female characters will be a bigger part of the story in the next book if I'm reading Jia's set up correctly. honestly, I hope gin continues to be a big part of the story (I'm always interested in loyal generals in fiction).
I don't like martial fantasy. reading battles isn't usually all that fun. but I'll admit that Liu's solid writing made it easier for me to follow. also riding rainbow narwhals into battle is hilarious and truly epic. that was when I really started loving this book.
I also like that it's wrapped up so nicely. it can stand alone on its own, but it's so obviously a set up for a true dynasty. because Kuni is gonna fuck up again eventually and it'll be much harder to talk his way out. I also love a good generational story and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I'll admit it. I was wrong.
it's been a long time since I read an epic fantasy. and now I remember how much I really like it.
the writing was what got me over the intimidation of the size. the descriptions were simple and striking and the kind of writing that I really like. to accommodate the many, many, many characters, the pov was a very far perspective. which I tend to like more in fantasy.
I loved how the characters were written. each with their own ideals and how they conflicted with the reality of each of their situations. in the beginning, I was really wary of Kuni and rooted for Mata. it was interesting to watch how my own opinion of the two of them changed over time. it was interesting to watch as the two became antagonists to each other over time.
I understand people who say that the movements of women weren't all that strong in this first book. but the main bulk of the plot was away from the main cast of women. in a story like this, we cannot follow everybody from when they were kids. and people aren't doing crazy stuff all their lives. I expect female characters will be a bigger part of the story in the next book if I'm reading Jia's set up correctly. honestly, I hope gin continues to be a big part of the story (I'm always interested in loyal generals in fiction).
I don't like martial fantasy. reading battles isn't usually all that fun. but I'll admit that Liu's solid writing made it easier for me to follow. also riding rainbow narwhals into battle is hilarious and truly epic. that was when I really started loving this book.
I also like that it's wrapped up so nicely. it can stand alone on its own, but it's so obviously a set up for a true dynasty. because Kuni is gonna fuck up again eventually and it'll be much harder to talk his way out. I also love a good generational story and I can't wait to see what happens next.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
I really enjoyed the beginning and the end of this book but I got lost in the middle, partly because of the lack of communication between leaders that is then seen as betrayal and the advisors that lean into or cause that. There was a point that I wasn't sure if I'd want to carry on with the series, but now I've finished it, I do want to read the next one, just maybe not straight away
adventurous
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
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes