Scan barcode
saintgalentine's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
I really enjoyed the duology. A good mix of Japanese folklore, action, relationships, and character twists
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, War, Racism, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Torture
asipofcozy's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Didn't think that I would have ended up giving Empress of Time a 4 star yet here we are. I really enjoyed the complexity of our main character and her battle with her inner darkness and demons. For once we have a main character that is not good. She is selfish in her choices and her choices resolved around one being - her brother.
Now granted, just like the first book I am still not a fan of Neven. While the author did a great job of character development for Ren. Neven is still left naive. Don't get me wrong, loved the sisiter - brother relationship we get very rarely in literature. Yet, Neven still is blinded by his sisters pain and the constant racism she receives. He blindly believes his love will be enough (which partially is true) and that Red should be a better person because of it. He doesn't understand or try to understand her pain, what she has gone through as a poc, and it still shows in this book.
However, my dislike of Neven didn't take away my love of the how much Japanese culture we get packed into 300 pages. I loved every bit of it...and the plot of course :D.
Now granted, just like the first book I am still not a fan of Neven. While the author did a great job of character development for Ren. Neven is still left naive. Don't get me wrong, loved the sisiter - brother relationship we get very rarely in literature. Yet, Neven still is blinded by his sisters pain and the constant racism she receives. He blindly believes his love will be enough (which partially is true) and that Red should be a better person because of it. He doesn't understand or try to understand her pain, what she has gone through as a poc, and it still shows in this book.
However, my dislike of Neven didn't take away my love of the how much Japanese culture we get packed into 300 pages. I loved every bit of it...and the plot of course :D.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Blood, Colonisation, Gore, Violence, Torture, Body horror, and Racism
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
More...