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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Thank you Penguin Teen and Colored Pages Book Tours for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the audiobook.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD SEQUEL.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I’m not going to lie, the early reviews for this one had made me nervous because I loved Of Jade and Dragons so I’ve been trying to do everything to get my hands on book two, and for me? It was not a disappointment (do I wish I could give it five stars, sure, but I am not mad that I read it).
ANYWAYS. I loved seeing all of the STEM aspects and the guilds and how everything works together in this world. It’s brutal and full of failings, but the rise of many of these characters, especially the FMC was fantastic.
It had an ending that I can see people being somewhat frustrated with but I have read multiple books like this before and prefer to live in the fantasy of it all so I think it fits where the author was trying to lead us. AND it helped create a better sense for why there was a second POV added that wasn’t the MMC (it’s Ying’s sister, Nian, if you’re curious).
I think these characters had to go through some hard things and make some hard decisions. Was every decision the best choice? Probably not but that’s from the viewpoint of a reader. I liked that it was complicated, the struggle felt real.
The middle of this book side quested hard. A little too hard. I had an issue from the pacing of that, but otherwise, I liked the action and politicking and not quite knowing who was behind it all. I really enjoy Amber Chen’s writing style and story telling so I will absolutely be back for her next book.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: mild
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD SEQUEL.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I’m not going to lie, the early reviews for this one had made me nervous because I loved Of Jade and Dragons so I’ve been trying to do everything to get my hands on book two, and for me? It was not a disappointment (do I wish I could give it five stars, sure, but I am not mad that I read it).
ANYWAYS. I loved seeing all of the STEM aspects and the guilds and how everything works together in this world. It’s brutal and full of failings, but the rise of many of these characters, especially the FMC was fantastic.
It had an ending that I can see people being somewhat frustrated with but I have read multiple books like this before and prefer to live in the fantasy of it all so I think it fits where the author was trying to lead us. AND it helped create a better sense for why there was a second POV added that wasn’t the MMC (it’s Ying’s sister, Nian, if you’re curious).
I think these characters had to go through some hard things and make some hard decisions. Was every decision the best choice? Probably not but that’s from the viewpoint of a reader. I liked that it was complicated, the struggle felt real.
The middle of this book side quested hard. A little too hard. I had an issue from the pacing of that, but otherwise, I liked the action and politicking and not quite knowing who was behind it all. I really enjoy Amber Chen’s writing style and story telling so I will absolutely be back for her next book.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: mild
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
adventurous
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
** Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Teen for providing me with an E-ARC of this book for review purposes **
A sequel to a book I really enjoyed from 2024, this book fell short in the character dynamics and pacing compared to book one. A lot happens in this book, with action up until the very final page, that made it feel like there was no breathing room, or a chance for deeper character development. I want to learn about and grow to love the new characters, but we ultimately don’t get enough important interactions with them to leave any lasting impact. Some of the overall shifts in the main antagonists also was strange, and made it feel like this book should’ve been the second in a trilogy over this being the last book in the series?
The thing I loved the most of Of Jade and Dragons was the relationship between Ying and Ye-Yang. Normally I’m not one for toxic male leads, but something about Ye-Yang really hits different. Still, I wish we had gotten more of his redemption and Ying realizing why specifically she doesn’t like their relationship earlier on, so that he could’ve grown more in the second half. Some of the stuff he did in the previous book seriously didn’t feel like it ever got properly addressed as well, like the author wrote herself into a corner in making him unlikable and then just brushed that off in favor of other topics.
Overall, I think this book had too many ideas that needed to be stretched to be longer or as an additional book, with better articulation of the character interactions and overall plot and pacing. It really sucks to give this a low rating, since I think some of the concepts and the characters are really good! I love Ying as our FMC, and I feel like she never got to shine as much as she did in Of Jade and Dragons.
A sequel to a book I really enjoyed from 2024, this book fell short in the character dynamics and pacing compared to book one. A lot happens in this book, with action up until the very final page, that made it feel like there was no breathing room, or a chance for deeper character development. I want to learn about and grow to love the new characters, but we ultimately don’t get enough important interactions with them to leave any lasting impact. Some of the overall shifts in the main antagonists also was strange, and made it feel like this book should’ve been the second in a trilogy over this being the last book in the series?
The thing I loved the most of Of Jade and Dragons was the relationship between Ying and Ye-Yang. Normally I’m not one for toxic male leads, but something about Ye-Yang really hits different. Still, I wish we had gotten more of his redemption and Ying realizing why specifically she doesn’t like their relationship earlier on, so that he could’ve grown more in the second half. Some of the stuff he did in the previous book seriously didn’t feel like it ever got properly addressed as well, like the author wrote herself into a corner in making him unlikable and then just brushed that off in favor of other topics.
Overall, I think this book had too many ideas that needed to be stretched to be longer or as an additional book, with better articulation of the character interactions and overall plot and pacing. It really sucks to give this a low rating, since I think some of the concepts and the characters are really good! I love Ying as our FMC, and I feel like she never got to shine as much as she did in Of Jade and Dragons.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wowww! This was a phenomenal sequel. Book 1 ended in a tough spot for the characters’ relationships, so I liked that this sequel jumped ahead a couple of years to give them time to heal from the betrayals. I loved the romance. I loved the silkpunk. The plot from book 1 was basically resolved, so I loved the new plot! PIRATES! I honestly wish we could have a book 3, but the story ends here. :’)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was not at all what I was expecting for this book. For the majority of the book, I could not tell if everything was going to actually resolve for this to be a true resolution, and I don't really think it did.
I did really enjoy the actual plot itself - it was all very political and really interesting. I like Ying growing as a character not only as an engineer, but also in her relationships with those around her. Having a perspective from Nian also did help make the world feel larger that it would have with just Ying's perspective.
With all that being said, I wasn't the hugest fan of how other things progressed in this. For one, Ye-Yang's character was so stagnant to me for the whole book, with the exception of the last chapter (and that's kinda a stretch). His character felt very flat, especially compared to the two fmcs who were having so much development.
The ending also did not feel like a true conclusion in my opinion. Everything still felt extremely open-ended, which doesn't feel right considering there doesn't seem to be anything else coming out of this world from this author (at least not as of right now). Overall, I think this was a kind of disappointing conclusion, but worth reading if you enjoyed book one.
Thank you to Viking and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!
I did really enjoy the actual plot itself - it was all very political and really interesting. I like Ying growing as a character not only as an engineer, but also in her relationships with those around her. Having a perspective from Nian also did help make the world feel larger that it would have with just Ying's perspective.
With all that being said, I wasn't the hugest fan of how other things progressed in this. For one, Ye-Yang's character was so stagnant to me for the whole book, with the exception of the last chapter (and that's kinda a stretch). His character felt very flat, especially compared to the two fmcs who were having so much development.
The ending also did not feel like a true conclusion in my opinion. Everything still felt extremely open-ended, which doesn't feel right considering there doesn't seem to be anything else coming out of this world from this author (at least not as of right now). Overall, I think this was a kind of disappointing conclusion, but worth reading if you enjoyed book one.
Thank you to Viking and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Omg the ending!!!!! How comes this series is only a duology? I need a book three right now!!!!
This was a tough review to write, so much so that I delayed writing it. I loved the first book so much. The hidden gender trope and romance between the two main characters hit the spot. I loved the engineering aspect and Ying having to prove herself to the guild.
Unfortunately, those elements didn't come through for me in the sequel. It felt more like a pirate adventure? It was almost like a different series. There's an additional storyline following Nian which was nice to see the world expanded, but it felt like we didn't get enough time for relationship development with any of the characters. Things were happening, but the pacing didn't allow any time for breathing or reflection. To me, the heart of a story are those soft moments in between the action.
Some of the world building was confusing as we are still not really facing the looming empire. Instead the troubles are the pirates and the 10th isle. As I was reading this, it felt like there was still too much left to cover with how much I had left in the book... and that proved to be the case. There were still too many unresolved plot lines for this to be a satisfying end to a duology. I believe it's possible it may continue with Nian, but I think I'll end my reading journey here.
It was fine, but it needed more emotional depth like I got in the first book. I honestly think this needed to be a trilogy with a more satisfying conclusion to Ying and Ye-yang's story. I would have then chalked this up to a case of "middle book syndrome" where events are happening to set everything up in place, and could see it concluding in a banger of a book with the final showdown against the empire. But alas, that is not the case... and instead I was left disappointed.
Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, those elements didn't come through for me in the sequel. It felt more like a pirate adventure? It was almost like a different series. There's an additional storyline following Nian which was nice to see the world expanded, but it felt like we didn't get enough time for relationship development with any of the characters. Things were happening, but the pacing didn't allow any time for breathing or reflection. To me, the heart of a story are those soft moments in between the action.
Some of the world building was confusing as we are still not really facing the looming empire. Instead the troubles are the pirates and the 10th isle. As I was reading this, it felt like there was still too much left to cover with how much I had left in the book... and that proved to be the case. There were still too many unresolved plot lines for this to be a satisfying end to a duology. I believe it's possible it may continue with Nian, but I think I'll end my reading journey here.
It was fine, but it needed more emotional depth like I got in the first book. I honestly think this needed to be a trilogy with a more satisfying conclusion to Ying and Ye-yang's story. I would have then chalked this up to a case of "middle book syndrome" where events are happening to set everything up in place, and could see it concluding in a banger of a book with the final showdown against the empire. But alas, that is not the case... and instead I was left disappointed.
Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
medium-paced
The Blood Phoenix is the continuation from Of Jade and Dragons. Small recap of Book 1: Ying (FMC) disguises herself as a male to attend and become part of the engineer's guild, historically male-only. Of course she develops a relationship with Ye-yang, the eighth in line for emperor. At the end of the book 1, her journey takes a dark turn as the truth comes to light.
The Blood Phoenix picks up the story of Ying about two years after she departed from the Engineer's Guild. Though Ying is trying to find some peace and solitary, the island she tries to settle on is attacked by infamous pirates. In another part of the empire, her sister Nian who is the betrothed to Ye-yang, trains with the 14th price. Somehow, these four characters' plot lines intersect: Ying is reunited with the Engineer's guild, her betrothed sister, the 14th prince, and the 8th prince who has awaited Ying's return despite his betrothal to someone else. Together and separately, they play their part in keeping the empire from falling apart amidst political intrigue and figuring out their messy romantic relationships.
It's unfortunate that book 2 didn't hold up as much as book 1 did for me. The twists and turns didn't seem as shocking, as the plot lines and character development seemed to be very predictable. That's not to say I didn't enjoy this book and conclusion of the story. If you did love Of Jade and Dragons, you should read The Blood Phoenix to follow adventurous story of Ying and where the tides brings her.
Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.
The Blood Phoenix picks up the story of Ying about two years after she departed from the Engineer's Guild. Though Ying is trying to find some peace and solitary, the island she tries to settle on is attacked by infamous pirates. In another part of the empire, her sister Nian who is the betrothed to Ye-yang, trains with the 14th price. Somehow, these four characters' plot lines intersect: Ying is reunited with the Engineer's guild, her betrothed sister, the 14th prince, and the 8th prince who has awaited Ying's return despite his betrothal to someone else. Together and separately, they play their part in keeping the empire from falling apart amidst political intrigue and figuring out their messy romantic relationships.
It's unfortunate that book 2 didn't hold up as much as book 1 did for me. The twists and turns didn't seem as shocking, as the plot lines and character development seemed to be very predictable. That's not to say I didn't enjoy this book and conclusion of the story. If you did love Of Jade and Dragons, you should read The Blood Phoenix to follow adventurous story of Ying and where the tides brings her.
Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.