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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
This book was recommended to me by at least two different people, and I can see why! The only Brandon Sanderson I've read before this is the Skyward series and Mistborn, but you don't have to have read other Sanderson to jump into this book. I think there are some connections to other books, but the story works if you don't pick up on those.
I listened to this, so I'm definitely going to have to pick up a physical copy just to look at the art. From the world building to the characterization to the narration, I don't think there was anything about this I didn't love. The little comments throughout from the narrators were great. The audiobook narrators also do an excellent job bringing the story to life!
Listening to Sanderson explain why this might be his favorite book he's written and the reasoning behind it also just adds to the book, in my opinion. If you like manga, this is very heavily manga inspired, and though I'm still just getting into the manga scene, even I could see that influence on the story. And it's so enjoyable!
I have Tress of the Emerald Sea also on hold, so this has made me excited to listen to that!
I listened to this, so I'm definitely going to have to pick up a physical copy just to look at the art. From the world building to the characterization to the narration, I don't think there was anything about this I didn't love. The little comments throughout from the narrators were great. The audiobook narrators also do an excellent job bringing the story to life!
Listening to Sanderson explain why this might be his favorite book he's written and the reasoning behind it also just adds to the book, in my opinion. If you like manga, this is very heavily manga inspired, and though I'm still just getting into the manga scene, even I could see that influence on the story. And it's so enjoyable!
I have Tress of the Emerald Sea also on hold, so this has made me excited to listen to that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Bullying, and Body horror
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
readandfindout's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Stye/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Body horror, and Bullying
Minor: Violence
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Violence
kirstym25's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Violence
novella42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
My favorite of any Brandon Sanderson book I've ever read! I think, more than his other books, you can feel his playfulness in this story, his love of art and the philosophy of art, and just the joy of relaxing into the telling of a story he finds fun and intriguing for its own sake. The story certainly picks up momentum as it goes, but I was grateful for the peaceful aspects of it.
I'm a fan of the anime Your Name and loved the similar themes here. Also, having just finished a rewatch of my favorite K-Drama, the period piece The King's Affection, helped me imagine certain parts with more clarity and appreciation.
Anyway, I just loved this story, and was immensely impressed with the worldbuilding and the way he managed to incorporate it into his cosmere. I'm trying to figure out if I can recommend it to people who haven't read any Stormlight books.
I'm a fan of the anime Your Name and loved the similar themes here. Also, having just finished a rewatch of my favorite K-Drama, the period piece The King's Affection, helped me imagine certain parts with more clarity and appreciation.
Anyway, I just loved this story, and was immensely impressed with the worldbuilding and the way he managed to incorporate it into his cosmere. I'm trying to figure out if I can recommend it to people who haven't read any Stormlight books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Body horror, Child abuse, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood and Death
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
Lord this took me altogether too long to read. A really enjoyable story in a way different genre for Sanderson. Loved the narrative voice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Violence
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
- 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
4.75
Writing: 4.75⭐️/5
I’m fairly convinced Sanderson can write anything with ease and beauty. A blend of science fiction and fantasy, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is extraordinarily well-written. A bit of the world-building is slightly jarring or unexpected, but I loved every other moment of the novel. Sanderson writes romance – slow burn and all – very well, drawing me in with every turned page.
Characters: 5⭐️/5
Yumi’s dedication, Painter’s self-hatred: both feel wonderfully well-written and full of characters with backstories, desires, and motives. I love the completeness of their characters. I also appreciate that Painter’s backstory made perfect sense. His tragic tale of how he lost his friends was not overindulged or dramatic, nor was it unbelievable. In fact, it was one of the most believable betrayals I’d read in a book recently.
Plot: 4.75⭐️/5
A fabulous plot bolstered by a fabulous romance story. The world in which Sanderson imagines is stunning. The romance story, slowly growing in intensity and clarity, is such a treasure to unravel.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of Brandon Sanderson
- Those looking for a high-fantasy/sci-fi romance novel
- Fans of other Sanderson novels, especially the Stormlight Archive series
- Those looking for a romance and fantasy story with amazing writing
Content Warnings?
- Gaslighting, confinement, emotional abuse, abuse, death, murder, toxic relationships,
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
A cute little ending for my cute little pairing. Thanks, Sanderson!
Final Rating: 4.75⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
jenna_smuszkiewicz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow, I loved Secret Project 3! The art in the Kickstarter version is absolutely gorgeous. Aliya Chen went all out.
The characters and the worldbuilding are my favorite part of this book. Yumi and Painter are great characters and we get to really know them. Their interactions and explorations of each other's worlds are awesome. The worldbuilding around their worlds and all the twists and reveals once the Sanderlach happens was fantastic!
I loved the theme around the meaning of art in this book. I also loved all the wider Cosmere hints as well. For someone who has read almost everything else Cosmere, those were fun to pick up on. Still, this is a great standalone and you don't need to know anything else!
For the ending, while I am gladthat it ended happily, I do think the ending would have been more poetic if Yumi had died.
The characters and the worldbuilding are my favorite part of this book. Yumi and Painter are great characters and we get to really know them. Their interactions and explorations of each other's worlds are awesome. The worldbuilding around their worlds and all the twists and reveals once the Sanderlach happens was fantastic!
I loved the theme around the meaning of art in this book. I also loved all the wider Cosmere hints as well. For someone who has read almost everything else Cosmere, those were fun to pick up on. Still, this is a great standalone and you don't need to know anything else!
For the ending, while I am glad
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
steffiraquel's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gore, Bullying, Body horror, and Violence
Minor: Dysphoria, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
"Because two of my influences were Japanese origin, I decided to lean into this basing Yumi's culture on historical Korea and Painter's on a more modern Japan" I don't really understand and can't help bu feel disappointed...iono's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Body horror, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence
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