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careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was epic, expansive, yet somehow it remained so intimate and almost claustrophobic being in this one character's mind trying to interpret the grand scale of this novel. Fantastical and imaginative. I loved that our protagonist was not a warrior, not a hero (in the traditional sense). They are an artist who isn't that invested in politics and activism yet gets drawn into war.
The last couple of chapters sold me on this novel, the last two sentences crushed me into tiny, sad pieces. It was a pleasure to read.
Graphic: Violence, Confinement, Colonisation, War, Racism, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
radtastical's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Death, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Colonisation, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Gore, and Blood
Minor: War, Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Excrement, and Medical content
brucethegirl's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
More than anything I loved the Dragon, Arzi. It was my favorite animal sidekick so far this year. I loved how it didn't want to kill, despite being built for war. I loved how it protected Jebi and was fascinated by hair colors. And more than anything its subtle jokes.
I loved the ending as well, while not very hopeful in the grand scheme of things, it was perfect for Jebi. It was a direct line linked to real world historical events, and I think the subtle exploration of that turbulent time in history was well done and deserves some major exploration.
If there are ever more in this series, I definitely will be checking them out. As it stands, I'll be devouring Lee's back catalogue in the coming months.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Death, and War
devynvictoria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Death, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
anonymous_traveller's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Excrement, Cursing, Vomit, Torture, Confinement, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Violence, Slavery, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, War, Sexual content, Murder, Medical content, Genocide, and Drug use
brnineworms's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
There are so many issues I could pick apart but I think I’ll stop here. Between the flat characters, the lack of follow-through on interesting concepts, and the inconsistencies throughout, Phoenix Extravagant is hard to recommend. That said, it’s largely inoffensive. I appreciate what the author was going for, at least, even if it feels half-baked. I don’t think it’s bad but I’m glad I’m done with it.
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Stalking, Torture, Vomit, Excrement, Gun violence, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racism, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Cannibalism, Kidnapping, Medical content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Death of parent
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, War, and Confinement
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual content, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Torture, Xenophobia, Genocide, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, and Vomit
chalkletters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel Yoon Ha Lee completely delivered on the promise of Jebi as an artist. Painting was certainly an activity that they did on multiple occasions, and once or twice it was mentioned that they doodled even when they weren’t ‘on the clock’, but I never really felt that Jebi had any great passion for art, even though they went to some lengths to make it their profession. This was a symptom of a larger problem with Phoenix Extravagantin that there was too much telling and not enough showing. As a reader, I was told that Jebi loved art, or that they were sad or afraid or passionate, but I was never really made to feel it.
Although it was only okay, I’m still glad that I read Phoenix Extravagant, especially because Arazi might be my favourite individual fantasy dragon in recent years!
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, and War
aibird's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Colonisation and Vomit
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The worldbuilding is very focused on what Jebi thinks about and specifically what affects them. This means there are a lot of discussions of their interpersonal ties, and what they think about art in the context of occupation and conquest. I like the tight focus, it means that whatever's brought up is detailed, well-constructed, and either emotionally or factually important to the narrative. What Jebi thinks is important enough to explain tells as much about their world as what they slowly realize they'd never thought of before.
The romantic relationship is well-conveyed, fitting naturally into the narrative and then slowly forming a new emotional goal, as Jebi moves from simply trying to have enough money to survive, to having a person they want to live with and for. Arazi fills some of this emotional space, but its ties to Jebi are of a very different (but very important) nature.
I wish there were a sequel in this world (the ending certainly leaves just enough room for it), but it does feel complete enough to be a stopping point.
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Colonisation, Confinement, Medical content, Vomit, Torture, and Animal death