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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
есть наметки на очень интересный мир, в котором роботы (и драконы!) программируются с помощью волшебной краски, но все настолько топорно и скучно описано, что дочитывал с трудом.
зато какая обложка!
зато какая обложка!
I enjoyed all of the amazing worldbuilding that this book had. I was really pulled in by the magical pigments and the ways in which the automatons are built. Jebi's struggle against the forces of colonization was incredibly gripping and is a perspective I'm glad I was able to read about. Arazi was fun in every scene it was in as well. The dragon on the cover was what got me to buy the book and I'm glad it plays a big part in the story. All that being said, I felt like I kept going back and forth with what I thought of this book as a sum of its parts. I felt as though the book transitions to a different kind of plot a little over halfway and that combined with the ending left me colder on it than I anticipated.
This is a book about imperialism and queerness and also dragon automatons. Revolution and art and politics-really fascinating.
The tagline of "Dragon. Arts. Revolution" really covers the bases here. There is so much political intrigue, battles and small acts of rebellion, and the real star of the show: dragon automaton intended as war machines, whose very creation lies in an act of cultural violence. It features a wild twist at the end and really makes me curious for a sequel. It was also really interesting to see the development of the relationship between Arazi and Jebi.
Phoenix Extravagant is a slow burner that I really wished I enjoyed more because I’ve been looking forward to reading this for a long time, it just didn’t do it for me unfortunately. What I liked is Arazi, the dragon, they’re a great character and you get to hear them develop into their character on the page, I also loved Vei, a complex badass, and of course huge credit for the LGBTQIA+ and polyamory representation. However my biggest issue with this book is it’s inconsistency and I found it pretty frustrating. Jebi, the protagonist, has no substance and flip flops through the book in terms of beliefs and feelings, one minute they betray someone, the next they’re calling them sexy, one minute they call Vei heartless, the next they’re acting all smitten again with no acknowledgement of even saying that. There isn’t any development and the characters feel incredibly shallow and weak, Vei is a badass, a trained warrior, literally Jebi’s superior and yet is demoted to being a smitten side character clinging to Jebi. And Arazi, while being on the cover, doesn’t really feature until 40% in, Arazi who jumps from being a pacifist to choosing to fight, with no build up to the jump.
Which brings me onto my 2nd issue, there is so much political world building in this book but the magical side just makes no sense and it isn’t explained. Firstly, did I miss how earthquakes happen in this book?? Arazi isn’t living but a creation and yet has a full personality, symbols and paints are meant to control and instruct Arazi what to do, and yet who would/could have fitted a dragon only made for war and obeying instructions with a personality?? A whole point is made about making sure the symbols don’t give an option of choice and yet they gave a dragon a personality?? It makes no sense.
The action was enjoyable enough and if the magic had been explained better and Jebi either made a solid character, or Vei and Arazi pushed to the forefront, I would have enjoyed this a lot more. As it was though, I didn’t understand the characters or why things were happening.
Which brings me onto my 2nd issue, there is so much political world building in this book but the magical side just makes no sense and it isn’t explained. Firstly, did I miss how earthquakes happen in this book?? Arazi isn’t living but a creation and yet has a full personality, symbols and paints are meant to control and instruct Arazi what to do, and yet who would/could have fitted a dragon only made for war and obeying instructions with a personality?? A whole point is made about making sure the symbols don’t give an option of choice and yet they gave a dragon a personality?? It makes no sense.
The action was enjoyable enough and if the magic had been explained better and Jebi either made a solid character, or Vei and Arazi pushed to the forefront, I would have enjoyed this a lot more. As it was though, I didn’t understand the characters or why things were happening.
Very enjoyable concept and world-building.
I found Jebi childish, which I suppose tracks for someone who's not had to think about the real world much before, but is still very annoying
I found Jebi childish, which I suppose tracks for someone who's not had to think about the real world much before, but is still very annoying
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay. Long review because I need to remember this for book club.
THEY SLEPT WITH THEIR COLONIZER??? Like okay not necessarily colonizer but like BASICALLY their colonizer because Vey worked for the bad guys. Yeah whatever so did Jebi but Jebi was trying to get their bag. Vey was straight up a murderer of Jebi’s people. AND THEN THEY FUCK?
World building was cool. Like super loved it.
Can dragons just be dragons and not like wise philosophical sages. Justice for stupid dragons 2024. It felt like talking to my teacher. I have an authority problem.
Jebi’s sister. Hmm, I get her. I also hate her. During militant times, we need all sorts and their sister is the bomb the capital building sort. But also doesn’t care who she takes down. I like her.
Overall, this felt TOO forgiving and TOO “peace conquers all” and quiet frankly I hate that narrative. Like sorry honey, if my homies are dying and they’re taking away my culture, you bet your ass I’m bombing capital buildings. Yeah. Okay.
World building was cool. Like super loved it.
Can dragons just be dragons and not like wise philosophical sages. Justice for stupid dragons 2024. It felt like talking to my teacher. I have an authority problem.
Jebi’s sister. Hmm, I get her. I also hate her. During militant times, we need all sorts and their sister is the bomb the capital building sort. But also doesn’t care who she takes down. I like her.
