Scan barcode
justinekorson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
I'M SO MAD THAT I DIDN'T READ THIS STOR SOONER THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD READ. I enjoyed Altan and Ahn so much. They were hilarious together and their struggles felt like my struggles. All the betrayals and lies made for such a good story. Toward the end though it did feel a bit rushed, almost as if the author had wanted to make this story a duology but wasn't given the liberty to do so. I do love that this was a standalone though. I wanted more time with the characters but what we got was just as good!
kaulhilo's review against another edition
2.0
i don’t remember much of anything out of this, but it felt really underwhelming and in hindsight, is so forgettable. the premise was a bit too good for the book to fall flat like this but oh well lol
queenoferebor's review against another edition
4.0
East-Asian mythology/fantasy with LGBT rep *chef kiss*
My only issue with this book is that the ending seemed a bit rushed an ended up being a bit unsatisfying and the fact that I thought during the entire book that the protagonists were siblings, which made some of their interactions... weird. It could be entirely my fault, but I'm pretty sure that the author wanted to play with that confusion.
My only issue with this book is that the ending seemed a bit rushed an ended up being a bit unsatisfying and the fact that I thought during the entire book that the protagonists were siblings, which made some of their interactions... weird. It could be entirely my fault, but I'm pretty sure that the author wanted to play with that confusion.
kaleyq's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
anythinggoes's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked:
There is something hypnotizing about the story and writing during the first 75% that's why I sped through it. Even though it wasn't exactly fast-paced for me, it still kept me engaged and invested.
The characters seems flawed in their own way, but that's what made them charming in a way. I think the effect of their actions made the narrative stronger in a sense that it all melded together in the end.
What I didn't like:I guess the main reason I gave it 3 stars was because of everything being predictable. There weren't any notable shock-factors or plot twists that could have made the story even more enticing.
Some parts of the plot could have been improved, in my opinion. For example,
The ending too really put me off. I didn't like how it ended so that contributed further to the 3-star rating.
There is something hypnotizing about the story and writing during the first 75% that's why I sped through it. Even though it wasn't exactly fast-paced for me, it still kept me engaged and invested.
The characters seems flawed in their own way, but that's what made them charming in a way. I think the effect of their actions made the narrative stronger in a sense that it all melded together in the end.
What I didn't like:I guess the main reason I gave it 3 stars was because of everything being predictable. There weren't any notable shock-factors or plot twists that could have made the story even more enticing.
Some parts of the plot could have been improved, in my opinion. For example,
Spoiler
Ahn and Altan being fated lovers could have been improved if they were twins instead. Some parts would have made more sense if that were the case. I felt like it somehow started like that, then was quickly shifted to lovers.The ending too really put me off.
Spoiler
I was ready for a wholesomely wrapped up standalone, but it's like all of a sudden we're set up for a second book.cardanivy's review against another edition
4.0
[3.75/5]
hold up hold up HOLD UP WTF DOES THAT EPILOGUE MEAN ???? SO HIS SISTER IS ALIVE??? HOW DID SHE SURVIVE ??? DOES SHE RESENT HER BOTHER NOW FOR TAKING THE THRONE ??? AND DOES THAT MEAN THERE WILL BE SEQUEL ??? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AHHHH
hold up hold up HOLD UP WTF DOES THAT EPILOGUE MEAN ???? SO HIS SISTER IS ALIVE??? HOW DID SHE SURVIVE ??? DOES SHE RESENT HER BOTHER NOW FOR TAKING THE THRONE ??? AND DOES THAT MEAN THERE WILL BE SEQUEL ??? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AHHHH
moonlit_dewdrops's review against another edition
4.0
After reading this book, I definitely don't regret pre-ordering her latest book 'Darker by Four'.
I love Ahn and Altan so much. I'm a sucker for grumpy x sunshine trope and Altan is the ultimate grumpy prince. Also reluctant allies to lovers trope! <3 The author really wasn't kidding when she said this had Zutara vibes bc come on, Altan having an eyepatch and being an exiled prince and wanted to reclaim his birthright definitely screams Zuko.
I really liked how Ahn and Altan were both well-written characters with their own personalities, motives and journies and having the alternating POVs definitely helped me to see more of it.
However, I do wish the romance was a bit more fleshed out with a more clear buildup to it. It wasn't super unclear though- We had the characters slowly opening up to one another, especially Altan who really only trusted his Shifu and Tang Wei and was hyper-focused on getting revenge and reclaiming his throne. I liked how Ahn was the only one who was able to take his mind off this goal but it also feels like a trope that is used a lot in other books.
As for the side characters, Tang Wei is definitely one of my favorite characters in this book. I really wished we got to see more of her, even if the story was meant to be focused on Ahn and Altan.
Favorite quote:
"You two should stop going after each other's throats and start focusing on each other's lips instead."
PLEASE I FCKING LOVE HER!
Same with Lingxi, Leiye and Tai Shun! But I have to love the queer rep regardless!
ALSO WTF OMG What was that ending?? Please tell me there is a book 2!! IT CANNNOT JUST END LIKE THAT??
I love Ahn and Altan so much. I'm a sucker for grumpy x sunshine trope and Altan is the ultimate grumpy prince. Also reluctant allies to lovers trope! <3 The author really wasn't kidding when she said this had Zutara vibes bc come on, Altan having an eyepatch and being an exiled prince and wanted to reclaim his birthright definitely screams Zuko.
I really liked how Ahn and Altan were both well-written characters with their own personalities, motives and journies and having the alternating POVs definitely helped me to see more of it.
However, I do wish the romance was a bit more fleshed out with a more clear buildup to it. It wasn't super unclear though- We had the characters slowly opening up to one another, especially Altan who really only trusted his Shifu and Tang Wei and was hyper-focused on getting revenge and reclaiming his throne. I liked how Ahn was the only one who was able to take his mind off this goal but it also feels like a trope that is used a lot in other books.
As for the side characters, Tang Wei is definitely one of my favorite characters in this book. I really wished we got to see more of her, even if the story was meant to be focused on Ahn and Altan.
Favorite quote:
"You two should stop going after each other's throats and start focusing on each other's lips instead."
PLEASE I FCKING LOVE HER!
Same with Lingxi, Leiye and Tai Shun! But I have to love the queer rep regardless!
ALSO WTF OMG What was that ending?? Please tell me there is a book 2!! IT CANNNOT JUST END LIKE THAT??