Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
4.75 / 5 stars
Holy crap! This book took elements from like EVERY ya fantasy series that I love and then made them work and focused on the sisters and their relationships instead of the romances (can I get a damn amen?!). The pacing was great, the characters were really well defined and I loved all of the influences/parallels of real world colonisation infused (the opium wars, for one). My only criticism is that the magic system and paranormal aspects need to be more fleshed out and explained because it really lacked structure
Holy crap! This book took elements from like EVERY ya fantasy series that I love and then made them work and focused on the sisters and their relationships instead of the romances (can I get a damn amen?!). The pacing was great, the characters were really well defined and I loved all of the influences/parallels of real world colonisation infused (the opium wars, for one). My only criticism is that the magic system and paranormal aspects need to be more fleshed out and explained because it really lacked structure
i loved the characters and the plot but like i wasn’t VERY invested and i missed it tbh
lu is such a strong character with her flaws shes very ambitious thats good but she doesn’t notice how she uses and hurt people, min was really annoying to me at first but she got interesting
and the relationship between lu and sokhai. well it wasn’t really necessary i think. but both of them were still very independent and have their own responsibilities and stays their priorities so it doesn’t bothered me that much
now the plot was good there was a lot of betrayal with allies and ennemies but it still feels like another fantasy book it had potential but not fully used
lu is such a strong character with her flaws shes very ambitious thats good but she doesn’t notice how she uses and hurt people, min was really annoying to me at first but she got interesting
and the relationship between lu and sokhai. well it wasn’t really necessary i think. but both of them were still very independent and have their own responsibilities and stays their priorities so it doesn’t bothered me that much
now the plot was good there was a lot of betrayal with allies and ennemies but it still feels like another fantasy book it had potential but not fully used
"Let's get down to business, to rewrite this book"
How can something than sounds so interesting turn out so boring? Like I was lost throughout parts of it because the mythos wasn't expanded fully and given time to breathe so we can understand who, what when, where, and why. The book has that habit to jump between POV which is fine, however I found some of the chapters woefully boring. I find it ironic that between the character who is a kick ass and is super smart and pretty, and a guy that fricking can turn into a wolf/summon wolves (never fully explained so IDEK) yet the younger sister who was basically a combination of Sansa and Danerys was much more interesting in court. And honestly that's what I can make of this book. It felt like Game of Thrones in China. It was kind of dull and sometimes I was just interested enough that I just wanted to finish it to say I finish it but honestly a low key disappointment. I don't know if I will continue the series or not. I need something captivating after this.
How can something than sounds so interesting turn out so boring? Like I was lost throughout parts of it because the mythos wasn't expanded fully and given time to breathe so we can understand who, what when, where, and why. The book has that habit to jump between POV which is fine, however I found some of the chapters woefully boring. I find it ironic that between the character who is a kick ass and is super smart and pretty, and a guy that fricking can turn into a wolf/summon wolves (never fully explained so IDEK) yet the younger sister who was basically a combination of Sansa and Danerys was much more interesting in court. And honestly that's what I can make of this book. It felt like Game of Thrones in China. It was kind of dull and sometimes I was just interested enough that I just wanted to finish it to say I finish it but honestly a low key disappointment. I don't know if I will continue the series or not. I need something captivating after this.
This was such a solid book, and I cannot understand the low ratings and mixed reviews for this one! I thought that for a debut it was really really good, and I definitely found myself wondering if this author is actually a debut author after all. There are so many good things about it (and yes maybe there were a few things I didn't love as much), and all in all I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, kickass female characters and awesome magic systems.
The Girl King is an Asian inspired YA fantasy following sisters Lu and Min, who are the princesses of the empire. The two of them are very different: Lu is basically just this angry bean that wants to punch something, and does quite a lot of stuff without thinking, and sometimes she can be quite naive, not because she's unkind, simply because she doesn't realise the consequences for other people, while Min is much quieter, overshadowed by her sister who is bold and can get away with everything, while she is fearful and afraid of getting into trouble. I really liked both of these characters; they felt really dynamic and real, with a good balance of flaws and qualities. I'm not quite in love with them yet, but I think that could definitely happen later in the series. They both also had really good arcs - Lu learns to open her mind and realises what life is really like for the people in the empire, and realises the naiveté of her good intentions. Min has a dark descent into a sort of twisted cruelty in which she thinks she is doing the right thing. Her arc was really convincing - there was no drastic change, and the author charted it perfectly, so it feels very natural for her character. I love dark characters like this, and even though Min sounds weak and fearful, her character is actually very compelling and I think she might be my favourite. We also followed Nokhai, a Gifted Kith from the Ashina clan whose family was killed by the empire. He is such a sweet potato and I loved the fact that he wasn't a 'brooding bad boy' like I was worried he was going to be. All of the characters turned out differently from what I expected, actually.
The world and magic system were really interesting and worked well with the story, but some parts maybe needed a bit more development. We don't really get a sense of what the empire is like, geographically and sort of the hierarchy system, but I do get the sense that this will be explored later in the series. I would have loved to see more of the religion and different types of magic, but again, the sequels may bring this to light. And on a positive note, I did feel like the history was interesting, and the world and plot worked well together - no info dumping here!
The writing and plot was really well done. I was really impressed by the writing style - its nothing flowery or anything, but the turns of phrases are really beautiful and it felt very sophisticated. It makes me want to read more from the author. Also, the way we were given information was flawless - as I said above, there were no info dumps, but you also weren't thrown into the story with no hope of knowing what was going on. The only criticism that I would suggest is that the plot did flag a little in the middle, what with some of the travelling and not much happing. The big battle also didn't feel very climactic, although maybe that was just me.
In all, I really loved this book. I will definitely be continuing with the series and anything else this author decides to write. The concept was also fabulous and I loved the idea of two sister's fighting for the throne. Also, there are feminist themes, but the female strength is subtle and I really liked that too. This was so masterfully brought together, and the threads all come together in the story as if this author has many published books - nothing is blatant, clumsy, or too 'in your face'. The main thing that kept me rating it from five stars is some detachment from the story and the characters that meant that big plot points didn't have enough meaning for me.
The Girl King is an Asian inspired YA fantasy following sisters Lu and Min, who are the princesses of the empire. The two of them are very different: Lu is basically just this angry bean that wants to punch something, and does quite a lot of stuff without thinking, and sometimes she can be quite naive, not because she's unkind, simply because she doesn't realise the consequences for other people, while Min is much quieter, overshadowed by her sister who is bold and can get away with everything, while she is fearful and afraid of getting into trouble. I really liked both of these characters; they felt really dynamic and real, with a good balance of flaws and qualities. I'm not quite in love with them yet, but I think that could definitely happen later in the series. They both also had really good arcs - Lu learns to open her mind and realises what life is really like for the people in the empire, and realises the naiveté of her good intentions. Min has a dark descent into a sort of twisted cruelty in which she thinks she is doing the right thing. Her arc was really convincing - there was no drastic change, and the author charted it perfectly, so it feels very natural for her character. I love dark characters like this, and even though Min sounds weak and fearful, her character is actually very compelling and I think she might be my favourite. We also followed Nokhai, a Gifted Kith from the Ashina clan whose family was killed by the empire. He is such a sweet potato and I loved the fact that he wasn't a 'brooding bad boy' like I was worried he was going to be. All of the characters turned out differently from what I expected, actually.
The world and magic system were really interesting and worked well with the story, but some parts maybe needed a bit more development. We don't really get a sense of what the empire is like, geographically and sort of the hierarchy system, but I do get the sense that this will be explored later in the series. I would have loved to see more of the religion and different types of magic, but again, the sequels may bring this to light. And on a positive note, I did feel like the history was interesting, and the world and plot worked well together - no info dumping here!
The writing and plot was really well done. I was really impressed by the writing style - its nothing flowery or anything, but the turns of phrases are really beautiful and it felt very sophisticated. It makes me want to read more from the author. Also, the way we were given information was flawless - as I said above, there were no info dumps, but you also weren't thrown into the story with no hope of knowing what was going on. The only criticism that I would suggest is that the plot did flag a little in the middle, what with some of the travelling and not much happing. The big battle also didn't feel very climactic, although maybe that was just me.
In all, I really loved this book. I will definitely be continuing with the series and anything else this author decides to write. The concept was also fabulous and I loved the idea of two sister's fighting for the throne. Also, there are feminist themes, but the female strength is subtle and I really liked that too. This was so masterfully brought together, and the threads all come together in the story as if this author has many published books - nothing is blatant, clumsy, or too 'in your face'. The main thing that kept me rating it from five stars is some detachment from the story and the characters that meant that big plot points didn't have enough meaning for me.
Lu is the firstborn of the Emperor and hopeful that her father will make her his heir. She is brave, impulsive, honorable and fair-minded...but no woman has ever ruled the Empire, and there are political forces at play that want to see her cousin Set on the throne instead. (Making Set a member of a minority ethnicity conquered by the Empire makes their rivalry a bit more interesting.) When Lu is forced on the run, she takes with her an old acquaintance from childhood, a shapeshifter named Nok. Meanwhile, Lu's younger, more retiring sister Min stays behind to try to carve a space for herself at court.
I really like Lu and Min, and enjoyed the chapters from their perspectives. They come at the world in such different ways, and even remember the same events differently. I only wish there was more from them and maybe even them interacting a bit more, and waaaay less of Nok. Nok's chapters are always some combination of: Nok flashing back to traumatic moments, Nok feeling unworthy of his magical powers, or Nok getting magic and theology explained to him. For whatever reason I was very bored by the gods and did not care about Nok.
I really like Lu and Min, and enjoyed the chapters from their perspectives. They come at the world in such different ways, and even remember the same events differently. I only wish there was more from them and maybe even them interacting a bit more, and waaaay less of Nok. Nok's chapters are always some combination of: Nok flashing back to traumatic moments, Nok feeling unworthy of his magical powers, or Nok getting magic and theology explained to him. For whatever reason I was very bored by the gods and did not care about Nok.
The Girl King grabbed my attention the moment I stumbled upon it, promising the something different I’m always searching for in my fantasy reads. I jumped in excited, quickly found myself addicted, but in the end it was lacking.
I enjoyed The Girl King, I cannot claim otherwise, and I’m interested in seeing where the second book takes us, but I had been hoping for a wee bit more. It was a fun read, but it felt too much like other books I have read, and it prevented me from loving it in the way I could have.
The Girl King gives us a unique world, introduces us to mythology and lore that will leave you wanting more. There are plenty of things introduced to us, many characters and storylines we want more of, and such will leave you turning the pages rapidly. The more you read, however, the more you realise a lot of the things in the book have been done before. It is the typical formula for such novels, and it never gave me the thing to make it stand out.
I have high hopes for the second book, however, as there is the potential for the second book to wow me. With the interesting things we were introduced to, with the possibilities made apparent in this one, there is the chance for the next book to deliver the things that prevented this book from being the four-star read I had been hoping for.
Overall, The Girl King wasn’t quite what I was hoping for but it was an addictive read.
I enjoyed The Girl King, I cannot claim otherwise, and I’m interested in seeing where the second book takes us, but I had been hoping for a wee bit more. It was a fun read, but it felt too much like other books I have read, and it prevented me from loving it in the way I could have.
The Girl King gives us a unique world, introduces us to mythology and lore that will leave you wanting more. There are plenty of things introduced to us, many characters and storylines we want more of, and such will leave you turning the pages rapidly. The more you read, however, the more you realise a lot of the things in the book have been done before. It is the typical formula for such novels, and it never gave me the thing to make it stand out.
I have high hopes for the second book, however, as there is the potential for the second book to wow me. With the interesting things we were introduced to, with the possibilities made apparent in this one, there is the chance for the next book to deliver the things that prevented this book from being the four-star read I had been hoping for.
Overall, The Girl King wasn’t quite what I was hoping for but it was an addictive read.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder
I should stop using the star rating because I rate everything three stars lmao
This felt like an introductory book, the plot only really kicked in half way through. However, reading through the reviews, I wouldn't be as harsh. I liked the writing, the characters weren't too grating well, they weren't because they had barely any character at all, and in hindsight I did kinda hate Min's constant fear and meekness but I get it was meant to contrast her and her sister. but nothing really jumped out at me in terms of plot or setting. I won't read the sequel, but I'll keep tabs on this author as I feel she can only get better from here.
This felt like an introductory book, the plot only really kicked in half way through. However, reading through the reviews, I wouldn't be as harsh. I liked the writing, the characters weren't too grating
all hail the girl king because this book took my heart and stomped all over it. The writing is so beautifully atmospheric and luscious and the women!! what queens, literally!! min and lu were the absolute stars of this book and I loved how they grew over the course of the book, finding themselves beneath the masks and chains placed on them at birth of royalty. Lu from a sheltered, naive and spoilt princess to a queen worthy of her peoples loyalty, and min from a malleable shadow to an empress who demands to be seen for who she is and take up the space she has long been denied, shedding the skin of the small princess forever. I love that the women in this book could be anything. They can be cold and ambitious and brighter than the sun with all the rage of a wildfire and unfeeling as stone without automatically being a villain for it. I love that Lu got called out on her privilege - just because her heart is in the right place doesn’t mean she’s not still benefiting from a system of oppression against the people she claims she cares about.
Min broke my heart. I love how she came into herself and claimed her power and her space, how she grew from a shadow to a girl who thought if she did everything right if she married Set and gave him sons she would get the love she deserved, to an empress who realised she doesn’t need anyone else’s love to be given the respect she deserves. I feel like Min is relatable in the sense that women are so often denied their right to take up space and how that hurt nestles in you and the bitter taste it leaves it your mouth. Also the sisterly jealousy, the guilt for being jealousy, the hurt that you’re not good enough that you’re the lesser sister? Also relatable. I really loved her arc and her development from a self pitying waif child to a rightfully vengeful queen who will live life on her own terms for once.
Really enjoyed the girl king in all its painful, messy glory. More books focusing on family dynamics please!
Min broke my heart. I love how she came into herself and claimed her power and her space, how she grew from a shadow to a girl who thought if she did everything right if she married Set and gave him sons she would get the love she deserved, to an empress who realised she doesn’t need anyone else’s love to be given the respect she deserves. I feel like Min is relatable in the sense that women are so often denied their right to take up space and how that hurt nestles in you and the bitter taste it leaves it your mouth. Also the sisterly jealousy, the guilt for being jealousy, the hurt that you’re not good enough that you’re the lesser sister? Also relatable. I really loved her arc and her development from a self pitying waif child to a rightfully vengeful queen who will live life on her own terms for once.
Really enjoyed the girl king in all its painful, messy glory. More books focusing on family dynamics please!