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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
A very cozy and quick read. Loved the found family.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Racism
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
A very easy to read/listen with low (ish) stakes fantasy with a deep culture identity reclamation. Perfect for a Young Adult reader or someone who wants a feel good family is who you choose cozy novel.
I personally read this as my Read the World 2025 challenge for Malaysia and I was thrilled the overtone was an immigrant story because it is relatable to be the outcast loner. Being judged based on how you look despite being born or raised in another country is *still* an obvious struggle in today’s society… yes, you know many of the plot points as you go along but it’s so endearing it’s hard not to love.
RTW2025 Malaysia 🇲🇾
I personally read this as my Read the World 2025 challenge for Malaysia and I was thrilled the overtone was an immigrant story because it is relatable to be the outcast loner. Being judged based on how you look despite being born or raised in another country is *still* an obvious struggle in today’s society… yes, you know many of the plot points as you go along but it’s so endearing it’s hard not to love.
RTW2025 Malaysia 🇲🇾
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
Predictable plot. Unmemorable characters.
I especially disliked how Tao’s motherland was literally just vaguely-ancient China with a more “Fantasy” name. To be clear, it wasn’t just INSPIRED BY vaguely-ancient China; it WAS vaguely-ancient China in every possible way. In my opinion, replicating an existing, real-life culture to such a degree in a fantasy story shows a stunning lack of creativity and originality. The combination of ancient Chinese customs and modern Chinese (Mandarin) language also had me physically cringing. I almost lost it at “Ni hao ma.”
I especially disliked how Tao’s motherland was literally just vaguely-ancient China with a more “Fantasy” name. To be clear, it wasn’t just INSPIRED BY vaguely-ancient China; it WAS vaguely-ancient China in every possible way. In my opinion, replicating an existing, real-life culture to such a degree in a fantasy story shows a stunning lack of creativity and originality. The combination of ancient Chinese customs and modern Chinese (Mandarin) language also had me physically cringing. I almost lost it at “Ni hao ma.”
medium-paced
This is another cute and cozy fantasy and works well at this time of year (Fall). A merry band of misfits banded together to search for an ex-mercenary’s daughter in this low-stake cozy fantasy. The setting is the whole of Eshtera as the band travels throughout the land. The author has done a good job of try to put you in the setting of each place whether is the smells of the seaports and fisheries or the sophisticated capital city. The characters are fun and unique bringing their past into the present as they work to figure out who they are and/or who they want to be. The writing is easy through and the story flows, but lacks a punch. Cozy fantasy is low-stakes, but it is almost as if there are no stakes within the story. Many of the trials and conflicts seem easily resolved. If you just want a cozy read with low stakes this would be a good choice.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, War
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated