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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I actually think that this is a very good debut novel. Asian inspired with a set of three main characters who have each their own story line written through this book and beyond.
The magic and the world that are revealed in this book are exciting, the many layers this world holds are superbly done.
Each of the main characters undergoes substantial character growth over the length of this first book and nobody is the same at the end of it and a whole new world has opened up with new possibilities. I am curious to see where Mimi Yu takes us in the second book of The Girl King.
The magic and the world that are revealed in this book are exciting, the many layers this world holds are superbly done.
Each of the main characters undergoes substantial character growth over the length of this first book and nobody is the same at the end of it and a whole new world has opened up with new possibilities. I am curious to see where Mimi Yu takes us in the second book of The Girl King.
This was a bit up and down for me.
The good:
Chinese myths and culture influences.
Powerful female characters (all in different ways)
Shapeshifter who turns into a WOLF!
The philosophical talks (but I can imagine some people would find it a bit to much)
The bad:
Writing is a bit woobly, don't know if that is intentional.
I don't get how the magic works? Just seems like a lot of feeling with no system or idea behind it.
The good:
Chinese myths and culture influences.
Powerful female characters (all in different ways)
Shapeshifter who turns into a WOLF!
The philosophical talks (but I can imagine some people would find it a bit to much)
The bad:
Writing is a bit woobly, don't know if that is intentional.
I don't get how the magic works? Just seems like a lot of feeling with no system or idea behind it.
Solid storyline and a few really engaging characters but the writing felt a bit stilted at times and not quite got the finesse I like from fantasy authors. I imagine this will be remedied with a little more experience so will read the second book when it comes out.
Choose this book to help me get back into reading but unfortunately, it didn't really help me another book did. The plot was definitely interesting with the whole sister thing and wolf shapeshifter but I don't know it was kinda meh to me. I procrastinated a lot. But nevertheless, I'll probably still consider buying the second book as I am still curious of the ending.
Maybe the reason I didn't find this as trope-heavy as other readers is because I spent all my time in high school trying to understand Standard Level Mathematics for the International Student instead of reading (a poor decision, in hindsight). Now I'm catching up on all the YA fiction I missed, and since this is one of the first epic fantasies I'm delving into, I didn't find it too cliched at all. I thought the world building and descriptions were fantastic! Full of color and imagery and traditions and excitement, I could almost see everything. And I really loved the characters, too. To me, they seemed very distinct, all touched by tragedy and dealing with it in different ways that I found very believable. Lu is a complete badass, and I loved her character arc, but can we talk for a second about Min?! WOW, that was amazing. Really satisfying build-up, and I can't wait to see what happens next with her. There were other characters who seemed interesting but we didn't get to see much of, so I'm hoping they come into play in later books.
Also, I love the realistic portrayal of menstruation (just as a fact of life, not as a pregnancy scare thing), and I love the fact that it can give women extra-powerful magic even more. I could get behind that becoming a trope, ngl.
Like some other reviewers have mentioned, I take issue with the only non-straight character being an attempted rapist. That's not okay, it plays into harmful stereotypes, and it's a blemish on an otherwise fantastic book.
All in all, though, this is, in my admittedly unprofessional opinion, EPIC. I guess it's not crazyy original, but then what is? It's at least a unique spin on old tropes, and definitely worth reading.
Also, I love the realistic portrayal of menstruation (just as a fact of life, not as a pregnancy scare thing), and I love the fact that it can give women extra-powerful magic even more. I could get behind that becoming a trope, ngl.
Like some other reviewers have mentioned, I take issue with the only non-straight character being an attempted rapist. That's not okay, it plays into harmful stereotypes, and it's a blemish on an otherwise fantastic book.
All in all, though, this is, in my admittedly unprofessional opinion, EPIC. I guess it's not crazyy original, but then what is? It's at least a unique spin on old tropes, and definitely worth reading.
"You will address me as 'Empress' from now on."
I'm all for more asian representation in a fantasy series.
This was my most anticipated reads.
I love a sibling fantasy series.
This book was an enjoyable read but there were some holes that could be filled better.
I was excited that it is an asian inspired fantasy with culture and history however with the content of the book, I wish we got more than what we were given.
Considering it is the first book, it was actually quite a lengthy book but I guess it is understandable as I think its a duology.
I think the book was such a slow pace because of the world building it is trying to explain and the history and secrets behind all of it.
The character development wasn't much but it was fast.
I love all the characters, even the villains.
My favourite character has to be Nok. He is such a sweetheart but I know under all that he is a badass.
I am excited to see his character development as a shape shifter. I definitely need to see more action.
I love Lu too but I felt like her character development wasn't much. I didn't feel her strength as compared to her sister Min.
I am excited to see what Min can do for us.
I want to see more side character involvement and I definitely want to see more action.
I guess that is the unsatisfactory part of the book. The action wasn't much and if there was it feels too quick. One of the death of a character got me like WHAT THATS IT.
I want to know more about the secrets everyone is hiding.
"A girl who could be anyone. A girl who could be nothing at all."
I'm all for more asian representation in a fantasy series.
This was my most anticipated reads.
I love a sibling fantasy series.
This book was an enjoyable read but there were some holes that could be filled better.
I was excited that it is an asian inspired fantasy with culture and history however with the content of the book, I wish we got more than what we were given.
Considering it is the first book, it was actually quite a lengthy book but I guess it is understandable as I think its a duology.
I think the book was such a slow pace because of the world building it is trying to explain and the history and secrets behind all of it.
The character development wasn't much but it was fast.
I love all the characters, even the villains.
My favourite character has to be Nok. He is such a sweetheart but I know under all that he is a badass.
I am excited to see his character development as a shape shifter. I definitely need to see more action.
I love Lu too but I felt like her character development wasn't much. I didn't feel her strength as compared to her sister Min.
I am excited to see what Min can do for us.
I want to see more side character involvement and I definitely want to see more action.
I guess that is the unsatisfactory part of the book. The action wasn't much and if there was it feels too quick. One of the death of a character got me like WHAT THATS IT.
I want to know more about the secrets everyone is hiding.
"A girl who could be anyone. A girl who could be nothing at all."
High fantasy of the highest caliber, the Girl King is a world full of fascination and magic, political intrigue and fierce beauty. Mimi Yu has a wonderful skill in writing, and I truly loved this book. I cannot wait for more.
Lu would be King, and will not let her gender, her parents or her sister stand in the way. When she is betrothed to a cousin (and a despicable and manipulative one at that) she circumvents her nations traditions in an attempt to win her own hand in marriage. After her betrothed attempts to murder her she flees into the wilds and must scrounge up some allies to save the throne - even if it takes a ghost army to do it.
This book is difficult to be brief about. It is the story of Lu - the girl who would be King; and her sister Min, who only ever wanted to be accepted, and approved of. It is the story of an ostracized orphan, Nokhai, who must grapple with personal losses and new transformations while on the run from persecutors he doesn't wholly fathom. It is a story of a Prince schooled in manipulation and deception, who seeks to rule the world. It is the story of a mysterious monk his search for a lost city, and mystical power. It is the story of a hidden and enchanted city - and the monarchs that rule it seeking to preserve their way of life from the brutality of the outside world - and I'm excited to see where Yu takes the series.
Lu is incredibly singleminded, but my heart is reserved for Nokhai and his parallel journey from ostracized orphan to a leader. Min, Lu's sister also has an interesting trajectory, I fear it will be that of a falling star (or supernova...) and that Min will be crushed under her sister's persistence.
I really enjoyed the world building, and seeing familiar tropes from a different mythology.
This book is difficult to be brief about. It is the story of Lu - the girl who would be King; and her sister Min, who only ever wanted to be accepted, and approved of. It is the story of an ostracized orphan, Nokhai, who must grapple with personal losses and new transformations while on the run from persecutors he doesn't wholly fathom. It is a story of a Prince schooled in manipulation and deception, who seeks to rule the world. It is the story of a mysterious monk his search for a lost city, and mystical power. It is the story of a hidden and enchanted city - and the monarchs that rule it seeking to preserve their way of life from the brutality of the outside world - and I'm excited to see where Yu takes the series.
Lu is incredibly singleminded, but my heart is reserved for Nokhai and his parallel journey from ostracized orphan to a leader. Min, Lu's sister also has an interesting trajectory, I fear it will be that of a falling star (or supernova...) and that Min will be crushed under her sister's persistence.
I really enjoyed the world building, and seeing familiar tropes from a different mythology.