Reviews

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

lddecker's review against another edition

adventurous sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

dbuchheister's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mushroomlibraries's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense 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

3.0

sunshine_oracle's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

3.5

chocobro's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.75

quantumcrayons's review against another edition

adventurous reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

gussurireads's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A unique sci-fi take on the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 20th century, with a promising setting and magic system. The originality of the concepts presented are however tainted by flat characters (especially the protagonist, Jebi, an artist that is utterly uninterested in the world around them for some weird, unexplained reason) and the lack of any character development, interesting relationships or exciting plot in general.

More than a bad book, which it isn't on a technical level, "Phoenix Extravagant" is simply a disappointing book, especially when you consider its stunning cover (I did judge a book by its cover!).

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Content Warnings

Minor: Grief, Confinement, and Torture

titalindaslibrary's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Listen, an artsy, nonbinary monk, a warrior woman, and a pacifist robot dragon team up??? I am IN! This is spectacular! 

My one regret is reading this via audiobook as I did not vibe with the narrator as much. I’m going to seek out a physical copy to re-experience this.

theknightgarden's review

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

3.25

ddillon154's review

4.0

I was hesitant to commit to this one, as there has been a swelling of fantasy stories set in the tense history of Japanese colonialism. I wasn't sure how this book would stand out from all the others I've read, but oh was I wrong to worry.