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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
DNF around ~30%. I can't really rate this, because it wasn't necessarily badly written, but I was extremely bored the entire time. Someone else might really enjoy this, but I did not.
I'm CRYING because I really wanted to love this book, but there were just so many elements that weren't working for me. Despite this, I hope you will enjoy a gif of Zhang Jiayuan, who I think would make a great Nokhai.
As someone who really enjoys world building elements, I can say this book has it. The world building is great- mainly the religion.
The character motivations make sense.
The magic is super interesting.
And the political drama felt legit.
It is a pretty hefty book though, and it's not the most fast-paced. The book discuss the need for urgency, but nothing actually creates an urgent atmosphere.
But it was difficult to get attached to any of the characters. I'm not sure if it was the ever changing POV's or that there weren't many opportunities for emotional attachments.
Lu is ridiculously prideful and naive, which made sense. But she has a good heart, and it was refreshing to have her world views challenged.
Nok is running from a rather tragic past, and his fear clouds his decision making, until he's put in a position that requires him to make a decision. Makes sense. I could care less if he was a love interest. It would seem better to me if it was platonic relationship.
Min's own fear stirs doubt, jealousy, and hatred in her heart, like our dear Anakin from Star Wars. And I think it's the most realistic depiction of a young teen acquiring abilities I've seen in a story.
It's not a tale I haven't read before, but the world building made it believable for me. Not the characters. I'd say depending on the character, it can be a character driven or plot driven story. I hope that makes sense, but I probably need to research more on that topic.
Like Lu seems more plot driven, but Min felt character driven.
3 stars. I still am very interested in the characters and the story. I will be reading the second book.
Maybe it's because I read Lord of the Rings. Not all books need to be fast paced. Though I think there are problems in this story, I still enjoyed reading it.
The character motivations make sense.
The magic is super interesting.
And the political drama felt legit.
It is a pretty hefty book though, and it's not the most fast-paced. The book discuss the need for urgency, but nothing actually creates an urgent atmosphere.
But it was difficult to get attached to any of the characters. I'm not sure if it was the ever changing POV's or that there weren't many opportunities for emotional attachments.
Lu is ridiculously prideful and naive, which made sense. But she has a good heart, and it was refreshing to have her world views challenged.
Nok is running from a rather tragic past, and his fear clouds his decision making, until he's put in a position that requires him to make a decision. Makes sense. I could care less if he was a love interest. It would seem better to me if it was platonic relationship.
Min's own fear stirs doubt, jealousy, and hatred in her heart, like our dear Anakin from Star Wars. And I think it's the most realistic depiction of a young teen acquiring abilities I've seen in a story.
It's not a tale I haven't read before, but the world building made it believable for me. Not the characters. I'd say depending on the character, it can be a character driven or plot driven story. I hope that makes sense, but I probably need to research more on that topic.
Like Lu seems more plot driven, but Min felt character driven.
3 stars. I still am very interested in the characters and the story. I will be reading the second book.
Maybe it's because I read Lord of the Rings. Not all books need to be fast paced. Though I think there are problems in this story, I still enjoyed reading it.
Lu has always known she will become her father's successor, the first female ruler in the Empire of the First Flame's long history. She has trained for this role for her entire life. But just as she is poised to take her rightful place, her father names Set, a male cousin, as heir instead disgracing Lu and trapping her in a betrothal she never wanted.
Furious and determined to claim her rightful place as heir, Lu's search for allies leads her to Nokhai--the only survivor of a clan of shapeshifters who may need Lu's help to understand his shifter abilities.
Min is timid and quiet. She always thought she'd live a quiet life in her sister Lu's shadow. But when Lu leaves to find allies for her cause, Min discovers a dangerous power of her own--one that could make Set the proper heir or give Min her own chance to claim the throne in The Girl King (2019) by Mimi Yu.
The Girl King is Yu's debut novel and the start of a series.
Yu creates a nuanced but dense world. Unfortunately the court intrigue and unique magic system only serve to highlight weak characterization for both Lu and Min who often come across as one note and unlikable despite their ambitions. Problematic racial dynamics within the world adds an uncomfortable layer to this story already populated by calculating and unexciting characters.
The Girl King is an interesting but not always ideally executed fantasy. Recommended for readers seeking a fantasy story with complex sister dynamics.
Possible Pairings: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Descendant of the Crane by Joan He, Furyborn by Claire Legrand, Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows, Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
Furious and determined to claim her rightful place as heir, Lu's search for allies leads her to Nokhai--the only survivor of a clan of shapeshifters who may need Lu's help to understand his shifter abilities.
Min is timid and quiet. She always thought she'd live a quiet life in her sister Lu's shadow. But when Lu leaves to find allies for her cause, Min discovers a dangerous power of her own--one that could make Set the proper heir or give Min her own chance to claim the throne in The Girl King (2019) by Mimi Yu.
The Girl King is Yu's debut novel and the start of a series.
Yu creates a nuanced but dense world. Unfortunately the court intrigue and unique magic system only serve to highlight weak characterization for both Lu and Min who often come across as one note and unlikable despite their ambitions. Problematic racial dynamics within the world adds an uncomfortable layer to this story already populated by calculating and unexciting characters.
The Girl King is an interesting but not always ideally executed fantasy. Recommended for readers seeking a fantasy story with complex sister dynamics.
Possible Pairings: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Descendant of the Crane by Joan He, Furyborn by Claire Legrand, Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows, Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Violence, Death of parent, War
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content
Wow. Where to start! The Girl King has so much going on in it. I loved all three of the characters telling the story. Lu and her sister Min almost couldn’t be more opposite. Where Lu is bold and brash, Min is timid and constantly worries about disappointing or offending anyone. As Lu runs from home and the man who would kill her to secure his seat as emperor, she learns to depend on and value others. Left behind, Min gains a new boldness herself when her bitterness at being overlooked grows to overtake the shyness that’s kept her quiet until now.
And then there’s Nokhai, who wants to live a simple life in hiding, and instead has this huge task (saving the princess, saving his mentor, ultimately saving his people) thrust upon him. He’s smart and sweet and totally not charmed by Lu’s position or her temper.
Beyond the characters, The Girl King has a rich story world packed with history and conflict between ethnic groups. It felt very real and added lots of layers to the plot and the characters’ relationships.
For me the only struggle was with the amount of violence in The Girl King. I’m kind of a pansy where it comes to that sort of thing, and lots of the descriptions had me cringing. I might have skimmed over the aftermath of one particular battle late in the story. So I wish it hadn’t been so graphic in that way.
But I enjoyed the story and the characters so much. I felt like all three main characters grew so much through The Girl King, and the plot carried me away. Next year when the sequel comes out, I’m sure I’ll be looking for it.
If you like books by Leigh Bardugo (I loved Six of Crows, but I think Shadow and Bone probably makes a better comparison here, and I haven’t finished reading that one.) then you will want to check out The Girl King.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
And then there’s Nokhai, who wants to live a simple life in hiding, and instead has this huge task (saving the princess, saving his mentor, ultimately saving his people) thrust upon him. He’s smart and sweet and totally not charmed by Lu’s position or her temper.
Beyond the characters, The Girl King has a rich story world packed with history and conflict between ethnic groups. It felt very real and added lots of layers to the plot and the characters’ relationships.
For me the only struggle was with the amount of violence in The Girl King. I’m kind of a pansy where it comes to that sort of thing, and lots of the descriptions had me cringing. I might have skimmed over the aftermath of one particular battle late in the story. So I wish it hadn’t been so graphic in that way.
But I enjoyed the story and the characters so much. I felt like all three main characters grew so much through The Girl King, and the plot carried me away. Next year when the sequel comes out, I’m sure I’ll be looking for it.
If you like books by Leigh Bardugo (I loved Six of Crows, but I think Shadow and Bone probably makes a better comparison here, and I haven’t finished reading that one.) then you will want to check out The Girl King.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book seems like a mashed up version of multiple YA novels. But it doesn’t do it in a fulfilling way. You have sibling rivalry, oppressed magical beings, a mean queen, and a love triangle. Plus it has multiple point of views in the third person. Blech!
Lu is the heir to the throne. Min is her timid younger sister. Their father declares he is giving the throne to his nephew if he marries Lu. Lu loathes her arranged fiancé, Set. Drama ensues when she refuses to marry him and he tries to kill her. Add in some shapeshifters and a vicious queen who no one loves. I didn’t care strongly for any of the characters. Lu was too headstrong. Min too timid and weirdly possessed. Nok was my favorite. I think my favorite chapter was the epilogue. That’s when Nok hit his stride. He wasn’t catering to an opinionated royal but gaining the skills needed to fight for his people. I might read the second book if it focused more on him and less on Lu and Min.
Lu is the heir to the throne. Min is her timid younger sister. Their father declares he is giving the throne to his nephew if he marries Lu. Lu loathes her arranged fiancé, Set. Drama ensues when she refuses to marry him and he tries to kill her. Add in some shapeshifters and a vicious queen who no one loves. I didn’t care strongly for any of the characters. Lu was too headstrong. Min too timid and weirdly possessed. Nok was my favorite. I think my favorite chapter was the epilogue. That’s when Nok hit his stride. He wasn’t catering to an opinionated royal but gaining the skills needed to fight for his people. I might read the second book if it focused more on him and less on Lu and Min.
Two sisters fighting for the throne and kingdom go from family to enemies. Lu, the fighter and fiercely independent one, and be readying herself to become the first female leader of the kingdom. But her hopes are shattered when her father makes the unexpected decision to give the throne to her younger sister's, Min, fiance. A fiance that has ulterior motives and plans to rule with an iron fist.
Lu is a very strong, but unfortunately stubborn, character. She has a picture in her mind of how things should be and struggles to accept it when that picture is shattered by events unfolding around her. Forced to make allies in unusual places, we are introduced to Nokhai, a man from a culture and magical background thought to have vanished. But they will both find out that he is far more than what he seems, and his race is far from disappeared.
While Lu is a strong and likable character, I felt drawn to the story of Min. The younger daughter that grew up in the shadow of her sister. When she discovers she could be so much more, the power calls to her and she finds herself in the hands of a skilled manipulator that would do anything to keep her under his heel and under his control. He sees her ancient magic as a tool to recreate the world under his rule and wipe everyone who opposes him off the face of existence. She struggles to find out who she is and what her place in the world will be.
This is the first book in the Girl King series, and while it sets the stage for an epic fantasy battle, it is an amazing story on its own as well. There is much more to come in the world, and I feel several surprise revelations on the horizon as the sisters battle each other for the title of King.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**
Lu is a very strong, but unfortunately stubborn, character. She has a picture in her mind of how things should be and struggles to accept it when that picture is shattered by events unfolding around her. Forced to make allies in unusual places, we are introduced to Nokhai, a man from a culture and magical background thought to have vanished. But they will both find out that he is far more than what he seems, and his race is far from disappeared.
While Lu is a strong and likable character, I felt drawn to the story of Min. The younger daughter that grew up in the shadow of her sister. When she discovers she could be so much more, the power calls to her and she finds herself in the hands of a skilled manipulator that would do anything to keep her under his heel and under his control. He sees her ancient magic as a tool to recreate the world under his rule and wipe everyone who opposes him off the face of existence. She struggles to find out who she is and what her place in the world will be.
This is the first book in the Girl King series, and while it sets the stage for an epic fantasy battle, it is an amazing story on its own as well. There is much more to come in the world, and I feel several surprise revelations on the horizon as the sisters battle each other for the title of King.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated