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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I like the idea for this one a lot, but the execution felt kind of meh to me. Usually Yoon Ha Lee has better sentences, and really takes every original idea to the ends of the earth. This felt like a more standard young adult fantasy. It felt ~normal.~ Also all the characters kind of sucked as people, and the main character was whiny and passive and seemed just along for the ride. The choices the characters made didn't seem believable or well motivated to me. I'll probably still try anything Yoon Ha Lee writes but this was a disappointment.
First of all, thanks to Yoon Ha Lee, the publishers and Netgally for giving me access to this ARC for review.
I was pretty excited for this book since the beginning because that cover is just stunning. Some of the things I really love were in first place, the general queerness of the world, we have a MC with "they" pronouns, polyamorous relationships, f/f marriage, it was implemented so seamlessly, I completely loved it. Also, the pacing was pretty good, although sometimes it felt a bit rushed.
Then, on second place, the writing was impeachable, it's been awhile since I was aware of writing style. It just flowed so well and made the story super easy to consume.
Also the beginning of the story I found fascinating, we don't find often an artist as an MC which was extremely refreshing, and I love the working for the enemy trope.
Now for the things I didn't like, there weren't many but they bothered me a bit, especially the romance storyline it felt really forced and out of nowhere. And I couldn't care less about Jebi's sister.
Overall I think it was such a cool and original fantasy, I would highly recommend everyone to check this one out.
I was pretty excited for this book since the beginning because that cover is just stunning. Some of the things I really love were in first place, the general queerness of the world, we have a MC with "they" pronouns, polyamorous relationships, f/f marriage, it was implemented so seamlessly, I completely loved it. Also, the pacing was pretty good, although sometimes it felt a bit rushed.
Then, on second place, the writing was impeachable, it's been awhile since I was aware of writing style. It just flowed so well and made the story super easy to consume.
Also the beginning of the story I found fascinating, we don't find often an artist as an MC which was extremely refreshing, and I love the working for the enemy trope.
Now for the things I didn't like, there weren't many but they bothered me a bit, especially the romance storyline it felt really forced and out of nowhere. And I couldn't care less about Jebi's sister.
Overall I think it was such a cool and original fantasy, I would highly recommend everyone to check this one out.
**I was provided with an ARC through the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
CW: violence, interrogation/torture, death, themes of colonialism, cultural erasure
Inspired by the annexation of Korea by Japan, Phoenix Extravagan takes place in Hwaguk, a country colonised by the Empire of Razan. We follow Jebi an apolitical and unemployed artist who has been trying to do their best to get by, even if it involves appeasing to the Razanei mannerisms and way of life. However, a fall out with their sister – whose wife was killed in the war leading up to the occupation – gets them kicked out of the house. And so they don’t have much of choice when they’re cornered by a Razanei government minster and coerced into accepting the role of a Ministry of Armour artist.
The department is involved in animating the government’s automatons through magical pigments and glyphs – and Jebi’s position has them working with the Ministry’s giant dragon war machine. However, upon uncovering more and more of the ministry’s secrets along with the truth about what happened to their predecessor, Jebi finds that they can no longer remain uninvolved with the political situation around them.
As a lover of fantasy and world history, when the two come together in fiction I love that additional learning opportunity that arises. This is a story of rebellion and the various effects of colonialism however, this particular narrative is unique in that it puts a large focus on what this means when it comes to art.
The book has a slow start but I did get caught up in the intrigue. The magic system revolving around the animation of the automatons in equal parts fascinated and horrified me, Arazi the dragon in particular came along and stoles my heart. The protagonist isn’t your usual “hero type” or the most likable and though I sympathised with their situation - I feel like this is where I had problems with the book.
3 months later and I can’t pin point exactly what it was that meant I didn’t enjoy this one until the end but all I can say is there was a point in the book where Jebi started to feel like a side character. This made the narration and everything that was occurring feel very subdued and I started to get a little bored. I genuinely don’t even remember how the book ended now and I find it a shame because I really loved various other elements of this book.
So sadly this was not everything I expected my first Yoon Ha Lee read to be, though I am definitely interested in checking out his other work.
Final Rating – 2.5 Stars
CW: violence, interrogation/torture, death, themes of colonialism, cultural erasure
Inspired by the annexation of Korea by Japan, Phoenix Extravagan takes place in Hwaguk, a country colonised by the Empire of Razan. We follow Jebi an apolitical and unemployed artist who has been trying to do their best to get by, even if it involves appeasing to the Razanei mannerisms and way of life. However, a fall out with their sister – whose wife was killed in the war leading up to the occupation – gets them kicked out of the house. And so they don’t have much of choice when they’re cornered by a Razanei government minster and coerced into accepting the role of a Ministry of Armour artist.
The department is involved in animating the government’s automatons through magical pigments and glyphs – and Jebi’s position has them working with the Ministry’s giant dragon war machine. However, upon uncovering more and more of the ministry’s secrets along with the truth about what happened to their predecessor, Jebi finds that they can no longer remain uninvolved with the political situation around them.
As a lover of fantasy and world history, when the two come together in fiction I love that additional learning opportunity that arises. This is a story of rebellion and the various effects of colonialism however, this particular narrative is unique in that it puts a large focus on what this means when it comes to art.
The book has a slow start but I did get caught up in the intrigue. The magic system revolving around the animation of the automatons in equal parts fascinated and horrified me, Arazi the dragon in particular came along and stoles my heart. The protagonist isn’t your usual “hero type” or the most likable and though I sympathised with their situation - I feel like this is where I had problems with the book.
3 months later and I can’t pin point exactly what it was that meant I didn’t enjoy this one until the end but all I can say is there was a point in the book where Jebi started to feel like a side character. This made the narration and everything that was occurring feel very subdued and I started to get a little bored. I genuinely don’t even remember how the book ended now and I find it a shame because I really loved various other elements of this book.
So sadly this was not everything I expected my first Yoon Ha Lee read to be, though I am definitely interested in checking out his other work.
Final Rating – 2.5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, Violence
I'm so thankful for the opportunity to read this early! I received an e-ARC via Net Galley from Solaris.
the pov character's arc was not that interesting to me. there were much more interesting people all around them, but they didn't think much about them
Full review to come.
I love the worldbuiding and the dragon, the romance was kind of meh and the story was very straightforward. However, it was still a lot of fun so it's a four stars read for me.
I love the worldbuiding and the dragon, the romance was kind of meh and the story was very straightforward. However, it was still a lot of fun so it's a four stars read for me.
adventurous
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun, quick, and exciting adventure story. Not particularly complex, especially compared to Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire series, but still a balance of entertaining and thoughtful, with a darker tone at the end. I can't say I'm particularly impressed by the book - I found the characters mostly flat and was wishing for more depth and exploration overall - but its a good book if you want to just curl up and have a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Sexual content
Thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.
While I'm glad to see that many people loved this book, it may be my most disappointing read this year. While the varying levels of queer representation in this book are fantastically well done, that aspect doesn't make up for everything else that is severely lacking in the story.
While initially I was pretty intrigued by the world and characters, at almost 60% of the way through the book I found myself wondering what the point of the book actually was and where this story was even going - if it was going anywhere. At more than halfway done I should have had some idea. At the 80% mark I finally had to admit that I was bored and had been for much of the book. By the time any action actually happens, it felt too little too late.
Further, the dragon - which should have been the most interesting part of this story - felt constantly like an afterthought. The dragon is off stage throughout most of the book and feels like its just a decoration for the main character. Speaking of which, Jebi spends the majority of their time not wanting to do anything that they are doing and boy, will they not let you forget it for a second. Their thought process became so increasingly repetitive throughout the book that I started skimming their exposition near the end.
The end, which I had some serious problems with and what ultimately made be take this from a 3 star to 2 star review. The final destination decision for the characters makes absolutely no sense in the context of the rest of the book and was not explained how it was even a possible or realistic choice. The book also just stops rather than actually ends with an unacceptable amount of loose ends for a stand alone novel. The "ending" is in fact so open that I had to double check that this was not the first in a series upon finishing it.
I have quite liked Yoon Ha Lee's writing prior to this book and was not expecting a story and characters that ultimately just felt flat with relationships that only work if the characters (and readers) agree to completely gloss over the nasty things people do their "loved" ones.
While I'm glad to see that many people loved this book, it may be my most disappointing read this year. While the varying levels of queer representation in this book are fantastically well done, that aspect doesn't make up for everything else that is severely lacking in the story.
While initially I was pretty intrigued by the world and characters, at almost 60% of the way through the book I found myself wondering what the point of the book actually was and where this story was even going - if it was going anywhere. At more than halfway done I should have had some idea. At the 80% mark I finally had to admit that I was bored and had been for much of the book. By the time any action actually happens, it felt too little too late.
Further, the dragon - which should have been the most interesting part of this story - felt constantly like an afterthought. The dragon is off stage throughout most of the book and feels like its just a decoration for the main character. Speaking of which, Jebi spends the majority of their time not wanting to do anything that they are doing and boy, will they not let you forget it for a second. Their thought process became so increasingly repetitive throughout the book that I started skimming their exposition near the end.
The end, which I had some serious problems with and what ultimately made be take this from a 3 star to 2 star review. The final destination decision for the characters makes absolutely no sense in the context of the rest of the book and was not explained how it was even a possible or realistic choice. The book also just stops rather than actually ends with an unacceptable amount of loose ends for a stand alone novel. The "ending" is in fact so open that I had to double check that this was not the first in a series upon finishing it.
I have quite liked Yoon Ha Lee's writing prior to this book and was not expecting a story and characters that ultimately just felt flat with relationships that only work if the characters (and readers) agree to completely gloss over the nasty things people do their "loved" ones.
i received a complimentary copy of this book from Solaris through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
likes:
-light sci-fi elements: i struggle with hard sci-fi elements which is why i continue to put off reading yoon ha lee's the machineries of empire trilogy. however, i found the sci-fi elements in this story very accessible and digestible.
-sci-fi + fantastical elements: this is another reason why i think that i enjoyed the world as much as i did. the author melds fantasy and science fiction elements effortlessly which was comforting to me as a huge fantasy fan.
-sibling dynamics: in this story we follow 2 siblings as they take different paths in dealing with the current occupation and colonization of their homeland. this, of course, leads to messy consequences for their relationship. the author explored those relationships well and fleshed out the nuances of such complications.
-anthropomorphic dragon automaton: i'm a sucker for anthropomorphic "animal" companions. they see the world with such innocence and offer tender and comical moments throughout the novel.
-jebi, our MC: i loved that they basically had no idea what they were doing throughout the novel. LOL. it was refreshing to read a character that felt like a ordinary person that just so happened to be thrown into extraordinary situations. they didn't magically know how to fight trained soldiers (and win) or rely on sheer luck to overcome obstacles.
-representation: i loved that we have an non-binary protagonist, queer relationships (one being a polyamorous family/parents), and more. i suggest reading Adri's review on the author's thoughtfulness with gender and queerness.
dislikes:
-emotional disconnect: there were a few relationships and plot points that i wish would have gotten more on page development. those moments on page are incredibly important to me. the lack of development will cause me to not form an attachment to the characters and/or relationships which in turn will lessen my reading experience.
-fantastical/mythological elements: the introduction to this at the VERY end of the novel felt out of nowhere. i would have loved to had those seeds planted earlier and more thoroughly throughout the novel.
likes:
-light sci-fi elements: i struggle with hard sci-fi elements which is why i continue to put off reading yoon ha lee's the machineries of empire trilogy. however, i found the sci-fi elements in this story very accessible and digestible.
-sci-fi + fantastical elements: this is another reason why i think that i enjoyed the world as much as i did. the author melds fantasy and science fiction elements effortlessly which was comforting to me as a huge fantasy fan.
-sibling dynamics: in this story we follow 2 siblings as they take different paths in dealing with the current occupation and colonization of their homeland. this, of course, leads to messy consequences for their relationship. the author explored those relationships well and fleshed out the nuances of such complications.
-anthropomorphic dragon automaton: i'm a sucker for anthropomorphic "animal" companions. they see the world with such innocence and offer tender and comical moments throughout the novel.
-jebi, our MC: i loved that they basically had no idea what they were doing throughout the novel. LOL. it was refreshing to read a character that felt like a ordinary person that just so happened to be thrown into extraordinary situations. they didn't magically know how to fight trained soldiers (and win) or rely on sheer luck to overcome obstacles.
-representation: i loved that we have an non-binary protagonist, queer relationships (one being a polyamorous family/parents), and more. i suggest reading Adri's review on the author's thoughtfulness with gender and queerness.
dislikes:
-emotional disconnect: there were a few relationships and plot points that i wish would have gotten more on page development. those moments on page are incredibly important to me. the lack of development will cause me to not form an attachment to the characters and/or relationships which in turn will lessen my reading experience.
-fantastical/mythological elements: the introduction to this at the VERY end of the novel felt out of nowhere. i would have loved to had those seeds planted earlier and more thoroughly throughout the novel.