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lydloef's review against another edition
4.5
Wow Fonda Lee knows how to write a good story! The plot and the character development are so well done; she's mastering both. There's so much political, geographical and personal world-building in this book that amazes me. Her writing is genius!
I enjoyed this book a lot! I'm so invested now in our characters, and the author knows how to keep me on my toes with their stories. This series would do well on a reread because there's so much rich plot going on.
I also appreciate the maps and character list in the beginning of the book. It's helpful in a more complex book like this. Also, the audiobook narrator is superb! Excellent read!
I enjoyed this book a lot! I'm so invested now in our characters, and the author knows how to keep me on my toes with their stories. This series would do well on a reread because there's so much rich plot going on.
I also appreciate the maps and character list in the beginning of the book. It's helpful in a more complex book like this. Also, the audiobook narrator is superb! Excellent read!
jenmtnbike's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Torture, and Kidnapping
michaela_christine_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.5
rubybastille's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.5
The dense, intricate plot and exciting action scenes kept me going when characters made one terrible difficult choice after another. This book felt even more like a Godfather AU than the first book, with huge stakes both international and deeply personal.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Hate crime, and Medical trauma
tl2000's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
eheidenreich's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? N/A
5.0
pinappbuttonup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
- 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
aelsaj711's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.5
Great follow-up sequel, the plot thickens and the politics become increasingly more important as the leadership of both clans grow and expand. I enjoyed the nuance the author puts into her books; the immigrant experience, and different characters trying to find themselves at different times of their lives were both conversations that I think were well done amongst the political backdrop that closely mirrors that of our own world. I think the character growth was done really well, and the author did a good job of keeping her characters morally gray, while still having the audience attached to the characters and feel for their plight. The world-building: *chef's kiss* I enjoyed every bit of it. The only thing kind of missing for me was the emotional sucker-punch Jade City had; but other than that it was great :)
oluwasina's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alyssamae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
expands heavily on the international politics of the clan which can get a bit long sometimes but it’s quite interesting as it does mix in character story as well. i really enjoyed the character arcs in this story, they were all so much more fleshed out and showcased a bit more of the morally grey sides of the characters. sad to be finishing the series soon! :(