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silly_little_clown's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
4.75
This was such an interesting read!! Not gonna lie, the book didn’t really pick up for me until after the 30% mark, but I’m so glad that I toughed it out.
I don’t think I’ve ever read any historical fiction written in the modern times that felt so much like I was reading about people that were actually living in that era. Even the parts that were set in Japan, I felt totally immersed into the world. The author has such a way of building up atmosphere and creating dialogues that just makes everything feel so realistic despite the fact that there are some magical realism aspects to it. I also love the work that has gone into researching all the politics at the time. It’s very interesting to have a glimpse of the international power struggles in the past.
One weird thing that I really appreciate about this book is the casual racism that were expressed by multiple characters. As a POC, while I do not condone and tolerate racism, I think it’s important to acknowledge that those were the norm in those days and they usually went on unchallenged. We are growing to evolve out of it, can’t say the same about everyone, but racism is definitely not cool now. It’s not to say that the POC characters just silently takes it, I loved it when Mori casually refuted the police’s own logic when he was confronted at the end. But I’m glad that the author decided to include those things in the story, even though it might be difficult to read for some people. It made the story all the more real, and I think as readers with critical minds, we should be well equipped to understand that depiction of a horrible thing does not mean condoning of said thing.
I love Thaniel and Mori’s dynamic so much!! They’re not the kind of couple that has a lot of tension going on, but I think that made them even more lovable. The simmering longing that is just bubbling under the surface. That’s how I would describe their pining of each other. It’s especially angsty for Mori becausehe’s the person that had seen all the possible happy ever after outcomes and yet reality keeps robbing him of them one by one. Especially when he forgets things that will happen in the future that made him who he is now. My heart ached so much when he started losing his northern accent and then losing English as a language that he knows how to communicate with. However, he’s such a clever and calculating soul that it complements Thaniel’s character so well and just makes sense for him and Thaniel to fall for each other. At least that’s what I think.
I must say I’m not a fan of Grace. Herracism aside, she’s just not a type of woman in STEM that I like haha. Her POV chapter was introduced too soon for me, because I’ve barely go to know Thaniel at that point. So I was a bit confused about what she’s doing here. And I just didn’t really care about her whole weird pining for Matsumoto (I’m not a fan of hetero “forbidden” romance, like get over yourself, seriously). And her chaotic plot of getting herself intentionally hurt so she can prove her point?? With a freaking bomb?? Reckless and stupid and she PUNCHED Keita for it. The police should’ve arrested her. She literally BLEW UP a building because she wants to prove a point and she’s not even punished. At least the Irish had good reasons. She literally did it for the fun of it like. Poor Katsu, he’s just a little clockwork octopus, he didn’t deserve to be blown to smithereens. I don’t know, I know she’s smart but she just irks me the wrong way. She’s also the type of selfish character that I don’t enjoy too, like on what grounds is she standing on to demand Thaniel spend less time with Mori. It was a plain and simple contractual marriage, I was so angry when she just nonchalantly told the workers to destroy the clockwork vines on the pear trees and straight up chopped all those trees down. The audacity. I’m actually kind of pissed that the book ended with her POV. Sorry to the Grace lovers out there. She’s just not the gaslight gatekeeper girlboss she thinks she is.
To end this review with a positive note, I can’t wait to read to spin-off and sequel! :D
I don’t think I’ve ever read any historical fiction written in the modern times that felt so much like I was reading about people that were actually living in that era. Even the parts that were set in Japan, I felt totally immersed into the world. The author has such a way of building up atmosphere and creating dialogues that just makes everything feel so realistic despite the fact that there are some magical realism aspects to it. I also love the work that has gone into researching all the politics at the time. It’s very interesting to have a glimpse of the international power struggles in the past.
One weird thing that I really appreciate about this book is the casual racism that were expressed by multiple characters. As a POC, while I do not condone and tolerate racism, I think it’s important to acknowledge that those were the norm in those days and they usually went on unchallenged. We are growing to evolve out of it, can’t say the same about everyone, but racism is definitely not cool now. It’s not to say that the POC characters just silently takes it, I loved it when Mori casually refuted the police’s own logic when he was confronted at the end. But I’m glad that the author decided to include those things in the story, even though it might be difficult to read for some people. It made the story all the more real, and I think as readers with critical minds, we should be well equipped to understand that depiction of a horrible thing does not mean condoning of said thing.
I love Thaniel and Mori’s dynamic so much!! They’re not the kind of couple that has a lot of tension going on, but I think that made them even more lovable. The simmering longing that is just bubbling under the surface. That’s how I would describe their pining of each other. It’s especially angsty for Mori because
I must say I’m not a fan of Grace. Her
To end this review with a positive note, I can’t wait to read to spin-off and sequel! :D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Classism, Death, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Murder and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Suicide attempt, War, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
akgeekgirl's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood
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