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theladyduckofdoom's review against another edition
adventurous
- 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
4.25
autumnnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.75
chelseaj91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was interesting. I liked that it kind of took the prophecy trope and made you ask what happens when life gets in the way.
The world building was intriguing and I definitely got invested. Overall though, the book did kind of feel like it dragged a lot. There was a lot of buildup and showing how people were doing things, which is fine but it just felt slow. Took forever for stuff to happen.
At the beginning, I really wanted someone to slap Jian. He was such a brat. While I do understand being told from the day that you're born that you're a Big Deal™ makes you believe it, at the same time he just needed to be slapped something fierce. I did like that as he spent time at Longxian, he not only learned how to really fight but he also seems to have started to learn about making friends and possibly started to think about who he is outside of being the Champion of the Five Under Heaven.
Taishi was great. I found myself laughing because she was basically the grizzled elder who's going "I'll never have a ward/student/whatever" but then suddenly ends up caretaker of someone and can't figure out how that happened. Although to be fair to her, she did seem to go out of her way to not only train him but to do her best to keep him alive.
The connection between Sali and Qisami felt like it not only showed up too late but it just wasn't finished at all. Yes, I know there's more books (or at least one more so far) but it just felt super sudden. Possible that I missed something because I skimmed towards the end for a few reasons but it just seemed like Qisami was suddenly like "oh I know who you're looking for an I can get that info so let's work together" and then they're a team. The betrayal was a little surprising but Qisami is super crazy so I guess it makes sense.
The revelation about the Khan and what that means was surprising. Sali's choices were as well and I'll admit I'm intrigued about what that means. Especially with what happened at the end. If they've had a Khan show up regularly, even if things are a lot more smoke and mirrors than they appear, something has to happen. I do wonder what this is going to mean for the future Khan('s) though.
All told, this was interesting and kept me invested enough that I'll probably check stuff out eventually. Can't say I'll do it immediately but that's not necessarily a reflection on the book itself, more a reflection on the 4000000 other books I still have to read.
The world building was intriguing and I definitely got invested. Overall though, the book did kind of feel like it dragged a lot. There was a lot of buildup and showing how people were doing things, which is fine but it just felt slow. Took forever for stuff to happen.
At the beginning, I really wanted someone to slap Jian. He was such a brat. While I do understand being told from the day that you're born that you're a Big Deal™ makes you believe it, at the same time he just needed to be slapped something fierce. I did like that as he spent time at Longxian, he not only learned how to really fight but he also seems to have started to learn about making friends and possibly started to think about who he is outside of being the Champion of the Five Under Heaven.
Taishi was great. I found myself laughing because she was basically the grizzled elder who's going "I'll never have a ward/student/whatever" but then suddenly ends up caretaker of someone and can't figure out how that happened. Although to be fair to her, she did seem to go out of her way to not only train him but to do her best to keep him alive.
The connection between Sali and Qisami felt like it not only showed up too late but it just wasn't finished at all. Yes, I know there's more books (or at least one more so far) but it just felt super sudden. Possible that I missed something because I skimmed towards the end for a few reasons but it just seemed like Qisami was suddenly like "oh I know who you're looking for an I can get that info so let's work together" and then they're a team. The betrayal was a little surprising but Qisami is super crazy so I guess it makes sense.
The revelation about the Khan and what that means was surprising. Sali's choices were as well and I'll admit I'm intrigued about what that means. Especially with what happened at the end. If they've had a Khan show up regularly, even if things are a lot more smoke and mirrors than they appear, something has to happen. I do wonder what this is going to mean for the future Khan('s) though.
All told, this was interesting and kept me invested enough that I'll probably check stuff out eventually. Can't say I'll do it immediately but that's not necessarily a reflection on the book itself, more a reflection on the 4000000 other books I still have to read.
prof_chronotis's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
qjbrown96's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay at best for me. Apparently I’m not that into Asian mythology and not familiar enough with martial arts to understand the lingo of things. There are some good parts that peak my interest and then dies off for me. A little disappointed after reading Time Salvager which is fantastic, his cover is cool and the world map is one of my favorites but there are so many instances in the book where it’s talking about a place but it is not on the map so the map is useless for the most part.
rwatkins's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked it. Overall: 4/5 (19.5/25)
If you like wuxia films, with Chinese inspirations and martial arts, this is that done well in book form. There are a lot of classic fantasy tropes blended in, including prophecy, a Chosen One, martial training school, mentors, a noble brat and found family. There is an odd clash between the humor and more serious moments and themes, but overall this is an excellent fantasy read reminiscent of movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, One-Armed Swordsman, Hero and others in that style.
Minor Spoilers Below.
Plot: 3.5/5
A linear plot with some unexpected twists that didn't always serve the story well, but didn't actively harm it either.
The main plot involves a prophecy/religion centered around the belief that a destined chosen boy will one day kill the unkillable leader of an enemy people. Early on, this prophecy and religion are challenged to their core, when a nobody lucks into killing the unkillable, threatening the religion and the chosen one at its center. It doesn't help that the destined is not as prepared to become a warrior or leader as he should be.
With the breakdown of the prophecy and lack of training, the chosen is in peril from all ends and must hide while trying to train properly for his destiny, just in case.
Some promises made, such as a certain mentor-trainee relationship, are sharp-turned into something else, which may bother some readers. When these promises are broken with twists in the narrative, the trajectory the story does take is still entertaining.
Characters: 3.5/5
Many of the characters will feel familiar, fitting fantasy and wuxia staples.
Taishi, the elder grizzled veteran and war arts master, who watches over the chosen that reminds her so much of her son.
Jian, the sheltered and spoiled Chosen One, overly confident of his skills, now questioning his identity, his upbringing and his place in the world.
Qisami, the snarky but upbeat assassin sent after Jian and Taishi.
Sali, the gruff soldier trying to free her people from servitude after their unkillable leader is gone.
These character tropes and roles are all predictable but mostly enjoyable.
Setting: 4/5
The Chinese wuxia influences of martial arts as poetry in nature is evident with the descriptive names of fighting techniques. The actions and martial magic, such as dancing upon winds, leaping off leaves, stone-like skin, they are all so cool to me. Although nothing felt entirely new to me, I don't read much anime or manga, so I never feel an overabundance of these things in my reading, so it's refreshing when I do come across it, rather than the same bland Euro-medieval weapons, fighting and world.
Places like the Cloud Pillars, Sand Snake, and Grass Sea are all unique and flavorful. I hope to visit more of these memorable locations in future installments.
The map is one of the most beautiful, but it doesn't service the story very well. Many locations named in the story are not on the map. Kingdom borders are unclear. The Grass Sea is probably the eastern portion bordering the Blue Sea, but it isn't labeled or explained clearly through the writing. I'm relying on minimal context clues at times to follow along with the adventure on the map.
Style: 4.5/5
The pacing is good, with action scenes used throughout to break up training montages and mystery aspects so it never feels stalled or boring.
The writing is accessible and I never felt at a loss about what was going on. Some of the fight maneuvers are described only through their names, which may not be ideal, but I thought the titles of actions were descriptive enough to imagine what was happening.
Foreshadowing isn't the best, as some story promises do feel broken and some turns can be jarring. But I still had fun with wherever the story went, so this wasn't a huge negative for me.
Themes: 4/5
The Broken Prophecy and what that might mean for the zealots, the Chosen One, the commoner followers let down, the opportunists, the political competitors, the level-headed and patient who think beyond the immediate curfuffle - this is the driving theme for this novel and series. There are also aspects of revolution, seeking freedom, betrayal, found family, political and religious complications, difficulties of refugee life, and using violence as a tool to protect and hurt others.
I liked what was tackled here.
If you like wuxia films, with Chinese inspirations and martial arts, this is that done well in book form. There are a lot of classic fantasy tropes blended in, including prophecy, a Chosen One, martial training school, mentors, a noble brat and found family. There is an odd clash between the humor and more serious moments and themes, but overall this is an excellent fantasy read reminiscent of movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, One-Armed Swordsman, Hero and others in that style.
Minor Spoilers Below.
Plot: 3.5/5
A linear plot with some unexpected twists that didn't always serve the story well, but didn't actively harm it either.
The main plot involves a prophecy/religion centered around the belief that a destined chosen boy will one day kill the unkillable leader of an enemy people. Early on, this prophecy and religion are challenged to their core, when a nobody lucks into killing the unkillable, threatening the religion and the chosen one at its center. It doesn't help that the destined is not as prepared to become a warrior or leader as he should be.
With the breakdown of the prophecy and lack of training, the chosen is in peril from all ends and must hide while trying to train properly for his destiny, just in case.
Some promises made, such as a certain mentor-trainee relationship, are sharp-turned into something else, which may bother some readers. When these promises are broken with twists in the narrative, the trajectory the story does take is still entertaining.
Characters: 3.5/5
Many of the characters will feel familiar, fitting fantasy and wuxia staples.
Taishi, the elder grizzled veteran and war arts master, who watches over the chosen that reminds her so much of her son.
Jian, the sheltered and spoiled Chosen One, overly confident of his skills, now questioning his identity, his upbringing and his place in the world.
Qisami, the snarky but upbeat assassin sent after Jian and Taishi.
Sali, the gruff soldier trying to free her people from servitude after their unkillable leader is gone.
These character tropes and roles are all predictable but mostly enjoyable.
Setting: 4/5
The Chinese wuxia influences of martial arts as poetry in nature is evident with the descriptive names of fighting techniques. The actions and martial magic, such as dancing upon winds, leaping off leaves, stone-like skin, they are all so cool to me. Although nothing felt entirely new to me, I don't read much anime or manga, so I never feel an overabundance of these things in my reading, so it's refreshing when I do come across it, rather than the same bland Euro-medieval weapons, fighting and world.
Places like the Cloud Pillars, Sand Snake, and Grass Sea are all unique and flavorful. I hope to visit more of these memorable locations in future installments.
The map is one of the most beautiful, but it doesn't service the story very well. Many locations named in the story are not on the map. Kingdom borders are unclear. The Grass Sea is probably the eastern portion bordering the Blue Sea, but it isn't labeled or explained clearly through the writing. I'm relying on minimal context clues at times to follow along with the adventure on the map.
Style: 4.5/5
The pacing is good, with action scenes used throughout to break up training montages and mystery aspects so it never feels stalled or boring.
The writing is accessible and I never felt at a loss about what was going on. Some of the fight maneuvers are described only through their names, which may not be ideal, but I thought the titles of actions were descriptive enough to imagine what was happening.
Foreshadowing isn't the best, as some story promises do feel broken and some turns can be jarring. But I still had fun with wherever the story went, so this wasn't a huge negative for me.
Themes: 4/5
The Broken Prophecy and what that might mean for the zealots, the Chosen One, the commoner followers let down, the opportunists, the political competitors, the level-headed and patient who think beyond the immediate curfuffle - this is the driving theme for this novel and series. There are also aspects of revolution, seeking freedom, betrayal, found family, political and religious complications, difficulties of refugee life, and using violence as a tool to protect and hurt others.
I liked what was tackled here.
halynah's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what a fun journey that was!! Taishi is just one of the best characters ever, such a badass, charismatic lady!! Loved the other characters too, totally enjoyed the humour!! Can't recommend it enough!!
literarydependent's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
milili's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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