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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
The feminism in this books was not good at all which I was worried would prevent me from liking it all together. The story was surprisingly really good. I think it could be turned into a great movie (with a lot of changes to how woman are portrayed in this cause like why was it so negative) and it keep my engagement all the way through. I’m even excited to read the next book so I’m giving this a good rating even with its faults.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
tense
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I really did love reading this book and had a great time trhoughout.
I really liked the writing style. It brought us really close to the protagonist and the reader could really emphasize with how she felt.
For the genre of Fantasy good worldbuilding is a non negotianable and absolutely was mastered here. It didn't take me long to understand the world in which the story is set in. The introduction of the world and society also doesn't seem forced, but feels natural within the storytelling.
This book had multiple plottwist and nearly all of them there absolutely shocking, while still making sense. They're also spaced out throughout the book and the small plottwists made sure to uphold the suspense between bigger plottwists. That made me not wanting to stop reading.
I also really enjoyed the aspect of why choose and found the depiction of it quite realistic and showed many of the struggles in the beginning of such a love triangle.
While this is a Fantasy book you can clearly see where the author took things out of real life and real cultures and incooperated it nicely within the story. Through this the critique on our society becomes even clearer. In general I enjoy when authors express critique on society and our world, which was done great in this book.
So in total I just absolutely loved the book and honestly can't really think of something bad. The end also left me desperately wanting to read the next book.
I really liked the writing style. It brought us really close to the protagonist and the reader could really emphasize with how she felt.
For the genre of Fantasy good worldbuilding is a non negotianable and absolutely was mastered here. It didn't take me long to understand the world in which the story is set in. The introduction of the world and society also doesn't seem forced, but feels natural within the storytelling.
This book had multiple plottwist and nearly all of them there absolutely shocking, while still making sense. They're also spaced out throughout the book and the small plottwists made sure to uphold the suspense between bigger plottwists. That made me not wanting to stop reading.
I also really enjoyed the aspect of why choose and found the depiction of it quite realistic and showed many of the struggles in the beginning of such a love triangle.
While this is a Fantasy book you can clearly see where the author took things out of real life and real cultures and incooperated it nicely within the story. Through this the critique on our society becomes even clearer. In general I enjoy when authors express critique on society and our world, which was done great in this book.
So in total I just absolutely loved the book and honestly can't really think of something bad. The end also left me desperately wanting to read the next book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book, knocked a wee bit off the rating as the twist at the end was kind of obvious from the start but it didn't get in the way of how great this book is.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's just like Pacific Rim, says readers who have only seen Pacific Rim.
FMC has one super rad line at the beginning of the book and never makes it back to that level of political commentary once "Men With Emotional Intelligence" (debatable) are involved.
UwuAragorn, I hear you say, she exposed the societal structure built to keep women down! Yeah, and then what? Shejoins a thruple, and continues to fight the enemy her enemy says to kill until it directly impacts her.
FMC has one super rad line at the beginning of the book and never makes it back to that level of political commentary once "Men With Emotional Intelligence" (debatable) are involved.
UwuAragorn, I hear you say, she exposed the societal structure built to keep women down! Yeah, and then what? She
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Could I provide a Coherent summary of this book? No. Did I understand the magic system? Also no. But, I was still invested in Zetian's story. This is such a powerful testament to womanhood and displays the Importance of fighting back. Although I felt for her, Zetian was complicated and not always likable. I'm excited to have this book available to my students.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic read! This book challenges so many preconcieved notions of gender expectations and norms and doesn't even squirm under its own scrutiny. If you are tired of looking for the correct way to rage against the patriarchy, then this ine will not let you down.
Everyone starts their path somewhere with whatever resources they have available to them and sometimes that path can start VERY MESSY.
I love the descriptions and action in this book. Everything is very well portrayed and described, delivering a unique cinematic quality to the narration. The main character's feelings are well explored and reasonably understandable given her limited education and resources.
Theres a lot to love in this story that delivers on its themes in thrilling ways. I very much look forward to the continuation of this series and each new installment.
Everyone starts their path somewhere with whatever resources they have available to them and sometimes that path can start VERY MESSY.
I love the descriptions and action in this book. Everything is very well portrayed and described, delivering a unique cinematic quality to the narration. The main character's feelings are well explored and reasonably understandable given her limited education and resources.
Theres a lot to love in this story that delivers on its themes in thrilling ways. I very much look forward to the continuation of this series and each new installment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Misogyny, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-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
Wu Zetian 4 Empress of Da World!!!!!!!
challenging
tense
medium-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:
Yes
It took me three months to pick this book back up after starting it and not really enjoying the premise. But now that I've finished, I'm glad I pushed through - the last 100 pages were some of the best writing, despite a few plot points feeling contrived Yizhi suddenly developing qi powers to blast his dad out of a helicopter? something something Jewish space lasers? and just randomly inserted to move the plot along. The Internet says this is the "This looks like a job for Aquaman" trope, but if there's a better name for it, do tell.
The pros of this book is that it is incredibly creative with very lush world building and a strong sense of morality; the con is that the feminist approach feels very contrived and heavy handed at times, like obviouslytorturing young women and killing them senselessly is a bad thing! this is not a revelation that needed to be drawn out for 300 pages.
I'm not entirely sure I'll pick up the sequel, but I don't think I'd un-recommend this one, either.
The pros of this book is that it is incredibly creative with very lush world building and a strong sense of morality; the con is that the feminist approach feels very contrived and heavy handed at times, like obviously
I'm not entirely sure I'll pick up the sequel, but I don't think I'd un-recommend this one, either.