You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
"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."
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This had so much potential, but it ended up being problematic for me. Also, the main character didn’t learn ANYTHING. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and the plot was confusing due to a lack of substantial world-building. Great concept though, just lacked the execution to pull the whole thing off. Disappointed!
Actual 3.5/5 stars.
QUICK THOUGHTS:
• I’d had this book hyped on Twitter! I was so excited when I found that my library actually had it, despite saying they didn’t online.
• Min and Lu were good foils to one another as main characters. Each discovered things about themselves but in different ways.
• I felt more of a connection to Lu than I did to Min. I think Nok’s involvement may have had a hand in that—I loved him—but their story drew me in more.
• I liked the world-building in this. I feel it was lacking in certain aspects but I definitely felt like I was in that world and could picture the scenery.
• I felt that this book had a vibe to it that I have read in previous novels. The whole fighting for one throne thing. I can’t place it but that was something I noticed.
QUICK THOUGHTS:
• I’d had this book hyped on Twitter! I was so excited when I found that my library actually had it, despite saying they didn’t online.
• Min and Lu were good foils to one another as main characters. Each discovered things about themselves but in different ways.
• I felt more of a connection to Lu than I did to Min. I think Nok’s involvement may have had a hand in that—I loved him—but their story drew me in more.
• I liked the world-building in this. I feel it was lacking in certain aspects but I definitely felt like I was in that world and could picture the scenery.
• I felt that this book had a vibe to it that I have read in previous novels. The whole fighting for one throne thing. I can’t place it but that was something I noticed.
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
Straightforward story with a light but solid magic system and distinct characters in Min and Lu. I wanted to like this book more than I did: I just couldn't grab on to someone I was really rooting for.
I will say that I thought all of the secondary characters were well thought out, and I liked Nok's POV best.
If you're a fan of the sisters-vy-for-the-crown trope, then this is a worthy addition to the mix!
I will say that I thought all of the secondary characters were well thought out, and I liked Nok's POV best.
If you're a fan of the sisters-vy-for-the-crown trope, then this is a worthy addition to the mix!
"Sometimes uncertainty is better than languishing in the familiar." -Mimi Yu, The Girl King
Initial Thoughts
The Girl King is an engrossing, fascinating, immersive fantasy story featuring a pampered, tomboy princess, inheritance, succession, oppressed people, drama of court life, magic, and shapeshifting.
What I Didn't Like:
There was a theme that I found distasteful, and if I had known that that particular theme was within The Girl King, I probably would not have picked the book up. I do not want to say what that theme is because I feel like it could be a spoiler. That being said, the theme isn't the main aspect of the story, but more of adds to the characterization of characters, and gives more insight of the time period and culture within this world. I also feel the theme was done in a way that I could easily read on despite of it.
What I did Like
The story was incredibly fascinating as The Girl King unfolded. Honestly, it was interesting how the characters all had the potential to be a 'villain' or 'hero'.
The Girl King pleasantly surprised me on how well I enjoyed this story, and how my attention was held from start to finish.
I felt like the characters were well thought out and and the plot climbed in a steady manner.
Other Thoughts
On the side note, I was wondering if The Girl King was another gender bent King Arthur retelling due to the title, and it is not.
Overall, The Girl King is an interesting and a well written story. I do want to continue the series, with the next book, Empress of Flames.
Initial Thoughts
The Girl King is an engrossing, fascinating, immersive fantasy story featuring a pampered, tomboy princess, inheritance, succession, oppressed people, drama of court life, magic, and shapeshifting.
What I Didn't Like:
There was a theme that I found distasteful, and if I had known that that particular theme was within The Girl King, I probably would not have picked the book up. I do not want to say what that theme is because I feel like it could be a spoiler. That being said, the theme isn't the main aspect of the story, but more of adds to the characterization of characters, and gives more insight of the time period and culture within this world. I also feel the theme was done in a way that I could easily read on despite of it.
What I did Like
The story was incredibly fascinating as The Girl King unfolded. Honestly, it was interesting how the characters all had the potential to be a 'villain' or 'hero'.
The Girl King pleasantly surprised me on how well I enjoyed this story, and how my attention was held from start to finish.
I felt like the characters were well thought out and and the plot climbed in a steady manner.
Other Thoughts
On the side note, I was wondering if The Girl King was another gender bent King Arthur retelling due to the title, and it is not.
Overall, The Girl King is an interesting and a well written story. I do want to continue the series, with the next book, Empress of Flames.
I struggled to get into this book if I’m honest, which was a shame as I thought it sounded fantastic. I did end up enjoying it, but I didn’t really connect directly with any of the characters.
I liked the way Lu’s story was told, her narrative arc worked quite well for me. I did want a little more on her relationship with her parents, and the background there. And also there were a lot of events mentioned before the book started which I found quite confusing.
Min’s story was harder for me at first - as she was younger than I realised and quite naive. And then so trusting and easily used. She frustrated me as I wanted so much more for her.
I think the story itself is well written, just not a style I got on with. I hope others love it though :)
I liked the way Lu’s story was told, her narrative arc worked quite well for me. I did want a little more on her relationship with her parents, and the background there. And also there were a lot of events mentioned before the book started which I found quite confusing.
Min’s story was harder for me at first - as she was younger than I realised and quite naive. And then so trusting and easily used. She frustrated me as I wanted so much more for her.
I think the story itself is well written, just not a style I got on with. I hope others love it though :)
Muchos están llamando el 2019 literario el año de la fantasía asiática y me encanta. ¡Se vienen tantas novelas inspiradas en Asia y atsdfyguhj finalmente voy a conseguir toda esa fantasía diversa que estoy buscando! Vamos de a poco, sí, pero ya estoy emocionada. The Girl King es un libro que tengo en la mira desde que vi su título y portada, y sin duda lo amé por completo.
Disfruté muchísimo este libro. Me encantó cada segundo de la lectura, me devoré este libro en un día y de seguro muero por conseguir la secuela. Pero ahora que lo pienso, en realidad no tengo muchas cosas buenas que decir además de "me encantó este libro". Creo que necesitamos ver más fantasía diversa tal como la que plantea Mimi Yu, fantasía que se permita ser compleja e inesperada y adictiva así como DIVERSA. Los personajes, la ambientación, la magia, la originalidad de la historia y el fluir de este cuento... Todo. Lo amé todo. ¡NECESITO EL SEGUNDO LIBRO! ¿Ya lo dije? ¿Si?
Ahora, ¿mis quejas? 1) The Girl King es un libro bastante cliché dentro del género. Entiendo que hemos visto este libro mil veces desde el lugar privilegiado, y es hora de verlo desde otro lado, pero yo aún así quiero ver libros distintos. Quiero fantasía diversa, sí, pero que salga de los clichés y de jugar en lo seguro. Y quiero algo nuevo. The Girl King no es nada que no haya leído antes. 2) Todo daba la impresión de que iba a leer sobre villanos y antihéroes y hermanas y TODO ESO QUE ME FASCINA EN UN LIBRO, pero no fue así. Es más, creo que nuestra protagonista fue más una heroína que cualquier otra cosa (ugh) y la única antiheroína fue reducida a un personaje tonto del que me gustaría saber más. 3) Se supone que hay tres narradores pero sus capítulos no están balanceados y entonces sólo leemos mucho de algunos y poco de otros, y no siento que haya llegado a conectar con alguno de ellos. 4) No me parece ninguna maravilla, siendo honesta. 5) Meh.
