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alexiab's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very solid, enjoyable story. I really love the world being built and the awesome characters, the avatar: the last airbender vibes were off the chart and that’s never a bad thing. I think overall things felt underdeveloped but it was still enough to keep me engaged and rooting for a happy ending. A DAMN WHAT AN ENDING IT WAS?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Torture, and Death
maple_dove's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Hmmmm....
I really liked this book but this book overall--wasn't for me. After reading the sypnosis, I figured from the start it wouldn't become one of my favorites. However, I still wanted to read it. 😊
I Liked:
I really liked this book but this book overall--wasn't for me. After reading the sypnosis, I figured from the start it wouldn't become one of my favorites. However, I still wanted to read it. 😊
I Liked:
- The messiness of the main characters
- Tai Shun (I just do)
How the Obsidian Sword and the White Jade sword turned out to be one-and-the-same. It's like how good and evil aren't exactly two separate things - The slowwww burn
(Even at the end! How Ahn was like, "I need time to think about it"!)
There was something that concerned me.
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“Men are simple,” she tells me in a conspiratorial tone after the waiter leaves with a self-satisfied smile on his face. “Make a man feel like he’s your hero and he’ll do whatever you want.” (Pg. 308)
Like the main character in The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez, that kind of feminism throws transmasculine people under the bus. Without acknowledging how masculinity harms males and nonbinary people too.
She's heard me rant enough times about how transmasculine people get thrown under the bus in this kind of totalizing discourse, where any and all masculinity must be sacrificed at the altar of entry-level Feminism, but I can't say anything now. Any nuanced attempt to deconstruct toxic masculinity would be condemned as mansplaining. Clary would snicker not all men before I got a full sentence out, without a thought to how masculinity harms men and nonbinary people, too. (Pg. 117 - The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Torture
Moderate: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content
The sexual content from what I remember is just sexual innuendoes.betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While the world here is interesting and I enjoyed what the author did with Asian mythology, the pacing was off for me. The book felt too long for what it was trying to accomplish, and then pieces of the end felt rushed. I am also confused whether or not there is going to be a sequel, especially with that epilogue.
Overall, there was pretty strong character development, and Tan did a good job making each of the voices disntinct. Do I think there needed to be a romance? Not really. There was enough going on without it. But there is promise in this YA fantasy debut, and I'm interested in seeing what else the author does in the future!
Overall, there was pretty strong character development, and Tan did a good job making each of the voices disntinct. Do I think there needed to be a romance? Not really. There was enough going on without it. But there is promise in this YA fantasy debut, and I'm interested in seeing what else the author does in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Torture
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Gore and Blood
johannajournaled's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
YA fantasy novel inspired by Chinese folklore, mythology, xianxia, and wuxia — and has the magic & drama I like to see. Told in dual perspective by teenage MCs with different missions: Ahn just wants to survive and take care of her aging sickly grandmother; Altan is on a mission of vengeance to reclaim what was stolen from him. Their lives intersect and both become part of something much larger.
I admit that it took me a while to get into this one (I had started it a few months ago & then paused it) — which surprised me because I normally like slow-burn world building and plot set-up. However, about halfway through when the story picked up for me and the stakes were raised… I was in it.
What got my attention the most were the slices of life moments where culture is highlighted, e.g. mentions of the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chang’e the Moon Goddess and descriptions of food and clothing. Also enjoyed the magic and folklore — powers, deadly priests, mythical swords, mythical creatures. I love intrigue, and the secrets and family drama in this one?! Delivered. 🤩 For the romance fans, there’s a slow-burn one in here & side characters’ sapphic romance.
I didn’t think this novel needed to be as long as it is — there’s a lot of detailed inner dialogue/dialogue and telling that bogged down the story for me. BUT once I got to that halfway point, give-or-take, I couldn’t put the book down. And that ending?! SEQUEL, NOW, PLEASE, THANKS!
East Asian mythology, magic, family drama, friendships, romance, high stakes… shall I continue? If you’re into YA high fantasy & you don’t mind build-up and slow-burns, give this one a shot. (And, excuse me, how gorgeous is this cover, too?!) 🔥
I’m curious to see what was changed in the finished copy. Thank you @EpicReads for the uncorrected ARC.
I admit that it took me a while to get into this one (I had started it a few months ago & then paused it) — which surprised me because I normally like slow-burn world building and plot set-up. However, about halfway through when the story picked up for me and the stakes were raised… I was in it.
What got my attention the most were the slices of life moments where culture is highlighted, e.g. mentions of the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chang’e the Moon Goddess and descriptions of food and clothing. Also enjoyed the magic and folklore — powers, deadly priests, mythical swords, mythical creatures. I love intrigue, and the secrets and family drama in this one?! Delivered. 🤩 For the romance fans, there’s a slow-burn one in here & side characters’ sapphic romance.
I didn’t think this novel needed to be as long as it is — there’s a lot of detailed inner dialogue/dialogue and telling that bogged down the story for me. BUT once I got to that halfway point, give-or-take, I couldn’t put the book down. And that ending?! SEQUEL, NOW, PLEASE, THANKS!
East Asian mythology, magic, family drama, friendships, romance, high stakes… shall I continue? If you’re into YA high fantasy & you don’t mind build-up and slow-burns, give this one a shot. (And, excuse me, how gorgeous is this cover, too?!) 🔥
I’m curious to see what was changed in the finished copy. Thank you @EpicReads for the uncorrected ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Death, and Torture
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