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billigk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
fairynanook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
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
3.75
Overall, I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I'll go into more specifics of what I did and didn't like below, but that will have spoilers. If you like the fantasy genre in general, I do think you should give the book a read.
What I liked: The book is well written. The world building is fantastic. The genre is not one I am super familiar with, but I did not feel confused while reading it. I liked the diversity and complexity of the characters, even the ones I didn't really "like".[This book is from the POV of a woman living in a very traditional society...one where she isn't allowed to question her husband or men, isn't allowed to do some of the things she greatly enjoyed doing, is in an unloving arranged marriage, is only valued for the male children she gives birth to, etc. Wang writes about it in a complex, respectful way that I believe is meant to help readers understand it in some ways. It was challenging to read it, but again, still something I appreciated. ]
What I didn't like: The pacing of this novel struggled quite a bit, especially at the beginning. I stuck with it because I knew this going in.[Plot wise, I really, really didn't like the way the author killed off a main character. We open the book with Momoru and his POV. We spend a good part of the first half of the book with him. Then he just dies and we're expected to spend the rest of the book with his mom and one chapter with his dad. It didn't work for me. Child death and main character death is always going to be a hard sell for me and Wang 100% didn't sell me on the necessity of it. I almost DNFd the book because of this choice. And I would never pick up a book knowing the author made this sort of choice...killing off the voice of a main POV character mid-book. It was incredibly jarring as a reader. If he needed to die, then the book should not have been written from his brain. Likewise, it felt like Wang was trying to sell to people who are not from the tradition, the idea that the extreme patriarchal ideals of the society of our main character, are not actually oppressive to women. But I don't think she achieved it. I felt oppressed for half the book, on behalf of the main character, as she watched tragedy after tragedy befall her without having a voice. Yes, she got one in the end, but I still just had trouble with it. And then the whole plot with Robin at the end felt forced and weird. ]
Overall, I think this is a very worthwhile and at times, challenging read despite some of my issues with it.
What I liked: The book is well written. The world building is fantastic. The genre is not one I am super familiar with, but I did not feel confused while reading it. I liked the diversity and complexity of the characters, even the ones I didn't really "like".
What I didn't like: The pacing of this novel struggled quite a bit, especially at the beginning. I stuck with it because I knew this going in.
Overall, I think this is a very worthwhile and at times, challenging read despite some of my issues with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Blood, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Misogyny, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Grief, Gore, Domestic abuse, Death, Child death, War, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Body horror
Moderate: Homophobia
kitsune42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book emotionally wrecked me. The only reason it isn't 5-stars is that the last 15% of the book was clearly setting up follow-up books that will not be written. If the book was edited to remove those unanswered questions the ending would be so much more satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Suicide, Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
kamsiobasi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
citykites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lskywalker918's review
4.0
At first glance, you would think this is a story about a group of warriors misled by the government. A young boy learned the truth the hard way in this small village that still held on to its traditional patriarchal ways despite modern technology being available. We got the romanticized samurai sword fights and magic being thrown around, which Wang succeeded in creating such vivid imagery.
However, this was not a story about government conspiracy. The true forte of the book was not in the flashy sword fights and magic. It was in the internal turmoil experienced by the characters as they slowly discovered what they were truly fighting for. In the larger battle scenes, we zoomed in on the individuals and how their emotions affected them viscerally. When I first started the book, I did not think that I would come to a part where the characters' passionate words would bring tears to my eyes.
The world-building was superb and imaginative. Even though I frequently had to refer to the glossary at the back of the book, it did not bother me as I journeyed through these blends of traditional and modern world, magic and technology. An info dump would break from that seamless immersion.
However, this was not a story about government conspiracy. The true forte of the book was not in the flashy sword fights and magic. It was in the internal turmoil experienced by the characters as they slowly discovered what they were truly fighting for. In the larger battle scenes, we zoomed in on the individuals and how their emotions affected them viscerally. When I first started the book, I did not think that I would come to a part where the characters' passionate words would bring tears to my eyes.
The world-building was superb and imaginative. Even though I frequently had to refer to the glossary at the back of the book, it did not bother me as I journeyed through these blends of traditional and modern world, magic and technology. An info dump would break from that seamless immersion.
priyankad's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
hazbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.25
witchyabs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Not the masterpiece I was expecting, but a good standalone nevertheless. It's, in my opinion, missing so much depth and raw emotion. But as one book looking to take on a lot, it makes sense why. Poor Masaki and Robin.
majabwds's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book alot! The beginning has a YA feel to it because one of the main characters is a teenager discovering that his government lies (GASP). And then the fight happens. The fight sequences were engaging, easy to follow, and fun to read/listen to. The character development was so well done. The only thing I didn't like is the last couple of chapters (the end) because it seemed like a set up for a completely different story. Could have left that in an epilogue or a short story. It felt unnecessary.