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niamhyjay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and War
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, and Death of parent
maralaene's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I picked this book up more than anything for the cover, but I stayed for the story. This is a phenomenal martial high fantasy book. It’s told in multiple perspectives that span the hero, a mentor, the enemy, and a somewhat villainous character with plot lines that all converge and overlap throughout the story.
Taishi is by far my favorite character-she is sassy and entertaining and a complete badass. PLUS she can walk on wind. I did listen to this book on audio, and I have to say the narration is phenomenal. It’s easy to tell who is speaking when, which can be hard in a multi-POV story, and it is done spectacularly.
I cannot wait to see how this series continues and will definitely be picking up the rest of these books as they come!
Taishi is by far my favorite character-she is sassy and entertaining and a complete badass. PLUS she can walk on wind. I did listen to this book on audio, and I have to say the narration is phenomenal. It’s easy to tell who is speaking when, which can be hard in a multi-POV story, and it is done spectacularly.
I cannot wait to see how this series continues and will definitely be picking up the rest of these books as they come!
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
radinsh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Epic fantasy set in an imaginary Asian inspired setting. For fans of wuxia and / or Brandon Sanderson. Although the magic system is not as analytical as Sanderson's but the world building, the well rounded characters, the group dynamics and the dry humour have many similarities. Also, it features many female characters who kick ass, each in their own way. Can't wait to continue the journey with them in the next installment.
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Jian is the Hero of Prophecy, the central figure of an entire religion. But the prophecy was wrong, a new master says he's not ready to fight, and it seems like everyone wants him dead.
I savored this, I genuinely didn't want it to be over because it does so many things so well. Jian starts out as a kind of annoying kid and then gradually transforms into a less annoying young person who has finally had to make hard decisions and live with the consequences. Taishi is a war artist who teaches Jian because his former teachers were mucking it up and she couldn't stand for it. She's curmudgeonly and extremely competent in that way that fits her character, and her dynamic with Jian is what he needs without being what he wants.
The worldbuilding is rich and detailed, with an immersive style where things are only explained as the characters have reason to think of that specific detail, and even more is conveyed through their interactions. The various factions are introduced gradually and it was pretty easy to keep track of everyone because they have distinct and memorable backgrounds and goals which are shown when they first appear. I generally have a lot of trouble keeping track of character names but I did much better this time because of how they were handled.
The explanation for how the prophecy could go wrong is nuanced and fits the world so well, it's really well done. The plot has slower times of travel or hiding, punctuated by violence when the various factions run into each other. They have different things they want which all center on a couple of people, and some of those goals are fundamentally incompatible. The pacing is good, the calm times are usually filled with smaller bits of character growth (something Jian sorely needs).
This is fantastic, a must-read for lovers of fantasy, revolution, and assassins. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
Jian is the Hero of Prophecy, the central figure of an entire religion. But the prophecy was wrong, a new master says he's not ready to fight, and it seems like everyone wants him dead.
I savored this, I genuinely didn't want it to be over because it does so many things so well. Jian starts out as a kind of annoying kid and then gradually transforms into a less annoying young person who has finally had to make hard decisions and live with the consequences. Taishi is a war artist who teaches Jian because his former teachers were mucking it up and she couldn't stand for it. She's curmudgeonly and extremely competent in that way that fits her character, and her dynamic with Jian is what he needs without being what he wants.
The worldbuilding is rich and detailed, with an immersive style where things are only explained as the characters have reason to think of that specific detail, and even more is conveyed through their interactions. The various factions are introduced gradually and it was pretty easy to keep track of everyone because they have distinct and memorable backgrounds and goals which are shown when they first appear. I generally have a lot of trouble keeping track of character names but I did much better this time because of how they were handled.
The explanation for how the prophecy could go wrong is nuanced and fits the world so well, it's really well done. The plot has slower times of travel or hiding, punctuated by violence when the various factions run into each other. They have different things they want which all center on a couple of people, and some of those goals are fundamentally incompatible. The pacing is good, the calm times are usually filled with smaller bits of character growth (something Jian sorely needs).
This is fantastic, a must-read for lovers of fantasy, revolution, and assassins. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Self harm, Slavery, and Cannibalism
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