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tawallah's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0
Plot and characters could have been fleshed out more. There are obvious major flaws with courtesan angle in this Asian fantasy novella. With a more insightful and nuanced writing this portion of the story could have given it the emotional punch in addition to highlighting female secret ring. Instead it is disturbing and jarring to read as it detracted rather than added to plot and will likely anger most female readers.
The action scenes feel exciting but we’re not always easy to follow visually.
This novella has potential as the overarching plot is not complete. This definitely was a weak start but with interest to read the sequel.
The action scenes feel exciting but we’re not always easy to follow visually.
This novella has potential as the overarching plot is not complete. This definitely was a weak start but with interest to read the sequel.
atrashyreader's review
4.0
A fantastic introduction to JC Kang's "Legends of Tivara" series. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those series where each book keeps getting better and better, and I can't wait to continue this series!
marjories's review
4.0
Masterfully crafted epic fantasy with Chinese roots. This book tells a story of a feisty, impetuous heroine with more ideals than maturity, but also lots of potential. Set against a complex tapestry of a society full of deceit and depravity, she boldly dives head first into a situation far murkier than she imagined.
Jie is a character out of place. From the beginning it seems she is not well suited to the role she has been assigned. She is exotic with enhanced senses but lacks the grace and curves of her companions and at 20 is older than most of them. She is an undercover assassin posing as a courtesan, but the high price her virginity will bring is a common theme. She doesn't feel the burden or cost of having her body used. Which is especially salient as her independence and autonomy are of tantamount importance to her, making it difficult for her to rely on others, or truly understand those closest to her. In the end, her path was inevitable.
Billed as a standalone prequel to a new series, it can be read as such, but I think readers familiar with The Dragon Song Saga will appreciate it more than readers new to this world. It is a very rich, well imagined world with a complex societal structure but not much is explained in this brief taste. Some new readers may feel lost as the story coalesces around them. There is definitely enough to enjoy the story, but many questions are raised. Mostly in a way that piques interest in reading more about this world.
Jie is a character out of place. From the beginning it seems she is not well suited to the role she has been assigned. She is exotic with enhanced senses but lacks the grace and curves of her companions and at 20 is older than most of them. She is an undercover assassin posing as a courtesan, but the high price her virginity will bring is a common theme. She doesn't feel the burden or cost of having her body used. Which is especially salient as her independence and autonomy are of tantamount importance to her, making it difficult for her to rely on others, or truly understand those closest to her. In the end, her path was inevitable.
Billed as a standalone prequel to a new series, it can be read as such, but I think readers familiar with The Dragon Song Saga will appreciate it more than readers new to this world. It is a very rich, well imagined world with a complex societal structure but not much is explained in this brief taste. Some new readers may feel lost as the story coalesces around them. There is definitely enough to enjoy the story, but many questions are raised. Mostly in a way that piques interest in reading more about this world.
adominiquereads's review
4.0
"We're like the Steel Orchids. I trust each and every one of them with my life."
"You have a blind spot with us."
I would like to thank the author and Book of Matches Media for giving me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: sex work, rape
The premise of this book being an Asian fantasy short series with similarities of Memoirs of a Geisha but with ninjas really perked up my interest to pick it up!
The first chapter of the book was where the bulk of the setting of the plot and the world-building were mostly happening. It was a lot to take into at first, but it eventually started to make sense as time goes on- especially with how the hierarchy in the Peony Garden and Black Lotus clan works. The descriptions of the locations were really well done, and I could almost imagine myself already transported into the world. I really enjoyed the abundance of Asian culture in this book because it was present from the smallest details, such as the food, to the largest ones like the salacious way of how a pleasure house works and the importance of it in both the lives of its workers and customers. It just showcased a lot of the Chinese-inspired elements that just made the story even more exciting.
Plot-wise, it was very fast and straightforward. Even though it was only 163 pages long, the author was able to present a very well-thought out storyline complete with engaging characters, a superb problem with its inner conflicts, and a whole lot of twists and turns. It was just really very entertaining, and I found myself flipping quickly through the pages, eager to know what happens next. It was already a complete package I always enjoy in fantasy novels, even with its small size.
I'm definitely interested in reading the other books in this series, because I really want to know how things will play out. It also doesn't hurt that this is just part of a bigger universe, so many more books will come! Yay!
"You have a blind spot with us."
I would like to thank the author and Book of Matches Media for giving me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: sex work, rape
The premise of this book being an Asian fantasy short series with similarities of Memoirs of a Geisha but with ninjas really perked up my interest to pick it up!
The first chapter of the book was where the bulk of the setting of the plot and the world-building were mostly happening. It was a lot to take into at first, but it eventually started to make sense as time goes on- especially with how the hierarchy in the Peony Garden and Black Lotus clan works. The descriptions of the locations were really well done, and I could almost imagine myself already transported into the world. I really enjoyed the abundance of Asian culture in this book because it was present from the smallest details, such as the food, to the largest ones like the salacious way of how a pleasure house works and the importance of it in both the lives of its workers and customers. It just showcased a lot of the Chinese-inspired elements that just made the story even more exciting.
Plot-wise, it was very fast and straightforward. Even though it was only 163 pages long, the author was able to present a very well-thought out storyline complete with engaging characters, a superb problem with its inner conflicts, and a whole lot of twists and turns. It was just really very entertaining, and I found myself flipping quickly through the pages, eager to know what happens next. It was already a complete package I always enjoy in fantasy novels, even with its small size.
I'm definitely interested in reading the other books in this series, because I really want to know how things will play out. It also doesn't hurt that this is just part of a bigger universe, so many more books will come! Yay!
kristinhunziker's review
1.0
⚠️ Spoilers below ⚠️
Character development: 4/10
The big, difficult choice that Jie makes at the end of Act II is to remain loyal to the Black Lotus Clan instead of to Lilian. When the story reveals that all the events in Acts I and II were actually Lilian's plan of escape, Jie decides she needs to catch Lilian and turn her in rather than let her go.
This decision falls extremely flat.
This short story did not develop Jie's relationship with the Black Lotus Clan at all, which means I don't understand and don't care about her loyalty.* There are a couple sentences (literally two) telling us the Clan took her in when she was an orphan and the master of the Clan is her adopted father. This is a perfectly good reason to be loyal to the Clan, but the story needed to spend more time showing and developing Jie's relationship. Two sentences are objectively not enough to establish character. In contrast, there are many, many descriptions of Jie's romantic and sexual love for Lilian. This is great storytelling, and I really believed the depth of their connection. The author does a great job establishing the strength of that relationship. Because the story spends so much more time developing the relationship between Jie and Lilian, however, Jie's eventual decision to choose the Clan over Lilian is very unsatisfying and frustrating. Based on the character development up to that point, it would have been much more satisfying for Jie to support Lilian than to antagonize her. The theme of "choosing clan over love" could be interesting, but this story only sets up the love, not the clan, which is why the eventual choice falls so flat.
*This is the only book in this series I have read. It's possible that other stories in this series develop Jie's backstory with the Clan more, and therefore other readers may not have this problem.
Plot: 5/10
I genuinely did not see Lilian's betrayal coming! The author did a good job setting up and executing the twist.
World-building: 3/10
I really hate the automatic crossbow, the "Repeater," which plays a prominent role in the story.......... repeatedly. Everyone knows automatic crossbows are not a thing and also a classic awful fantasy trope. Every time a character mentioned the "Repeater," I groaned audibly, rolled my eyes, and liked the story a little less.
I really disliked the Black Lotus Clan and felt like I didn't understand the org's incentives/motivations. From the jump, the story establishes that Lilian hates sex work and desperately wants out. She feels trapped, like she needs to take extreme measures to get away. Thus, from the very first moment, I have many questions about why the Black Lotus Clan exploits its sexy ninjas, why it trafficked Lilian against her will. Does the organization not care about consent? If it doesn't, what incentives motivate it to exploit its women? Why doesn't Lilian feel comfortable going to the Clan to tell it her feelings? The story implies that the Clan is exploitative and evil. I don't understand the Clan's motivations, and it seems like a group of not very cool people. This is yet another reason why Jie's decision to remain loyal to the Clan instead of to support Lilian is extremely unsatisfying. I don't like or understand the Clan, and therefore I don't like Jie. Mission not accomplished.
You know what seems like an extremely bad idea? Training a woman to be an elite assassin ninja from a very young age, and then trafficking her into sex work against her will. The best possible outcome here is a Kill Bill-style vengeance quest. Does the Clan and not see this coming? If not, that is yet another reason why Jie's choice to prioritize an incompetent organization over the love of her life makes no f****** sense.
I'm also wondering if the world-building is a rip-off of Kushiel's Legacy? Both books have prominent houses of prostitution named after flowers and spies who pose as courtesans therein. But Kushiel's Legacy came out 19 years earlier, and is also better in every way. These books seem strikingly similar, but it could be coincidence.
Representation and diversity: 5/10
This is a story about two queer, Asian women. I really appreciated the author's choice to center their stories. We need more non-white authors and non-white characters in high fantasy! We need more feudal East Asia stories! Even though I didn't like this story, I'm glad the author wrote it.
My low score for representation reflects my complaints above about how the Black Lotus Clan exploits and trafficks its ladies. I'm not interested in a story about an organization that trafficks women but the story frames that org as good. Deeply troubling.
Theme and literary devices: 5/10
I will give this story some credit: the theme of choosing clan over love is very clear. I've already stated, however, that it doesn't make sense and isn't satisfying for Jie to choose clan over love, which undermines the theme and weakens the story.
Even though the world need more fantasy stories set in East Asia, this story's take on elite ninja geishas didn't apply anything original to the trope, so it felt cliché.
my_heart_is_booked's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This story wastes no time getting started (which is good considering its shorter length). While we lose a bit of the expository world building, the scenery feels lush and immersive, the background an East-Asian-inspired fantasy creation that's best described as Memoirs of a Geisha meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It took me a couple chapters to acquaint myself with the terminology, but past that point, I was all in. The action is immediate, slowing only slightly to allow for character development and romance. Jei is relatable, but epic in her own right. If I found one fault with the writing, it was that I wished to have more time with each of the characters. Even the secondary and tertiary characters left me wanting more.
I'd have loved for this to be a full-length novel, however, the novella feels complete. There's no cliff-hanger ending, but I'm left with just enough questions to have me looking forward to the next installment. In all, I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a quick fantasy read with lgbtq+ themes, an East-Asian flair, and lots of action.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and J.C. Kang for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and J.C. Kang for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
magical coercion (sexual)sapphirebubble_'s review
4.0
Content Warnings for the book: violence, gore, magically coerced sex (rape), sex work (portrayed in a positive light)
Representation: Chinese coded cast of characters, bisexual main character
Thorn of the Night Blossoms is a tantalising story with spies, assassins and a unraveling plot of that puts everything that Jie has worked for in peril. At 20 years old, Jie is the de facto leader of the Black Lotus members embedded it various houses of the Floating Islands. Due to her fey ancestry (she is half-elf), her body has heightened senses, dark vision, and youth that has allowed her to remain ‘unplucked’, thus increasing the bid for her virginity.
Find the full review on my blog
Find me elsewhere: Blog | BookTube | Instagram | Twitter | The Story Graph
Representation: Chinese coded cast of characters, bisexual main character
Thorn of the Night Blossoms is a tantalising story with spies, assassins and a unraveling plot of that puts everything that Jie has worked for in peril. At 20 years old, Jie is the de facto leader of the Black Lotus members embedded it various houses of the Floating Islands. Due to her fey ancestry (she is half-elf), her body has heightened senses, dark vision, and youth that has allowed her to remain ‘unplucked’, thus increasing the bid for her virginity.
Find the full review on my blog
Find me elsewhere: Blog | BookTube | Instagram | Twitter | The Story Graph
catsy2022's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
hteph's review
3.0
A bit unbalanced and uneven but ...
... also wonderfully twisted in the plot building. There was two early things than put me off from this book, the first was an ungainly info dump which made the start less enjoyable. And then there was several stealth scenes that only can be explained by invisibility, otherwise they would be breaking any suspension of disbelief I would have left.
The world-building and the plot is the big good things (info dump aside). I would say it is a three-and-a-half. And it is way to short!
... also wonderfully twisted in the plot building. There was two early things than put me off from this book, the first was an ungainly info dump which made the start less enjoyable. And then there was several stealth scenes that only can be explained by invisibility, otherwise they would be breaking any suspension of disbelief I would have left.
The world-building and the plot is the big good things (info dump aside). I would say it is a three-and-a-half. And it is way to short!
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