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eol's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse
elwirax's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was enthralled by the Vietnamese inspired setting of "Fireheart Tiger" described in the synopsis and by the time I got to the promise of a sapphic romance I was sold. Sadly I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped to.
It was difficult to connect to many of the characters, such are the consequences of a novel which is not fully fledged and relationships are established off the page. Giang was a very interesting character yet her character wasn't explored nearly as much as I'd hoped. The love triangle in this novella was quite insubstantial and overshadowed much of the lush worldbuilding, political intrigue and important themes such as the impact of colonialism.
I think that the potential was definitely there yet aspects where simply not fleshed out as much as they could've been if this novella was longer. There were enjoyable moments and the writing was quite lovely but as a whole I wanted a bit more in terms or character development and worldbuilding.
It was difficult to connect to many of the characters, such are the consequences of a novel which is not fully fledged and relationships are established off the page. Giang was a very interesting character yet her character wasn't explored nearly as much as I'd hoped. The love triangle in this novella was quite insubstantial and overshadowed much of the lush worldbuilding, political intrigue and important themes such as the impact of colonialism.
I think that the potential was definitely there yet aspects where simply not fleshed out as much as they could've been if this novella was longer. There were enjoyable moments and the writing was quite lovely but as a whole I wanted a bit more in terms or character development and worldbuilding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
bi_n_large's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death
bibliofrog's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
konpyuta's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse and Blood
polychromatic_hedgehog_parable's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
gay.
queer abusive relationships! neat!
some logical/timeline issues with the plot
ugh, I really wanted Eldris to be revealed as the dirtbag she is, but Giang's offense was kind of lukewarm. DESTROY HER.
Giang <> Thanh relationship underdeveloped
queer abusive relationships! neat!
some logical/timeline issues with the plot
ugh, I really wanted Eldris to be revealed as the dirtbag she is, but Giang's offense was kind of lukewarm. DESTROY HER.
Giang <> Thanh relationship underdeveloped
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Xenophobia and Racism
luxanila's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.5
3.5/5
This was a really interesting read! I haven't read too many fantasy novellas before, but this book had me really intrigued. The novella sets up the world, politics, and backstory of the main character Thanh really well in just the first pages. The backdrop influenced by Vietnamese culture was described so well, and I love the complexity introduced in the politics and character relationships in just the first few pages. It explores the affects of colonization, and also Thanh's own character development who feels like she's just a pawn for other people to use. I found that part really compelling as she tries to make her own decisions outside of her mother and love interests and find ways of negotiation that can also preserve her nation. I think the novella does a good job of exploring emotional abuse and manipulation really well, and I think the novella accomplished a lot of amazing themes just in this short length. The exploration of colonization in various characters who are more direct through Pharanea with political power and the more sinister and micro level with Eldris through personal relationships was really fascinating as well.
The only thing that sort of let me down was that I think I wanted this to be a tad longer. The last 30 pages in particular felt really rushed. I found that the page length wasn't enough to develop a few of the character relationships particularly between Giang and Thanh. There wasn't enough time between them on page I found to flesh it out, and the ending felt a tad rushed to me. In addition, the romances became so central towards the end, the lack of more development from them was a little disappointing for me. There was a little bit of a feel of insta-love just because of little time there is one the page for the characters to interact.
That being said, this novella gave me a lot of think about, and I do want to return to this novella and give it a reread!
This was a really interesting read! I haven't read too many fantasy novellas before, but this book had me really intrigued. The novella sets up the world, politics, and backstory of the main character Thanh really well in just the first pages. The backdrop influenced by Vietnamese culture was described so well, and I love the complexity introduced in the politics and character relationships in just the first few pages. It explores the affects of colonization, and also Thanh's own character development who feels like she's just a pawn for other people to use. I found that part really compelling as she tries to make her own decisions outside of her mother and love interests and find ways of negotiation that can also preserve her nation. I think the novella does a good job of exploring emotional abuse and manipulation really well, and I think the novella accomplished a lot of amazing themes just in this short length. The exploration of colonization in various characters who are more direct through Pharanea with political power and the more sinister and micro level with Eldris through personal relationships was really fascinating as well.
The only thing that sort of let me down was that I think I wanted this to be a tad longer. The last 30 pages in particular felt really rushed. I found that the page length wasn't enough to develop a few of the character relationships particularly between Giang and Thanh. There wasn't enough time between them on page I found to flesh it out, and the ending felt a tad rushed to me. In addition, the romances became so central towards the end, the lack of more development from them was a little disappointing for me. There was a little bit of a feel of insta-love just because of little time there is one the page for the characters to interact.
That being said, this novella gave me a lot of think about, and I do want to return to this novella and give it a reread!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
aerialcataloger's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content and Physical abuse
perditorian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism
noelanig's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Xenophobia