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sarahvivian's review
I barely started this but I just was not vibing with it. I was falling asleep reading this in broad daylight and that never happens
math_ematiks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ohnoitskai's review
adventurous
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
3.5
cassthestoryteller's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
slow-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
3.5
bookishneena's review
3.0
Whew that book was a lot
Did I have any idea what was going on??? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy it? Eeehh kind of
Importantly! I am BEGGING YOU Wesley Chu, literally on my hands and knees - please for gods sake - create a map if you’re writing a fantasy book, especially one as complex as this. You can’t just drop all of these random places in connection to one another and expect me to know what is going on. Even a glossary with the individual duchy’s would help. Like ohmy god - this is my biggest critique.
what I liked
I loved the strays - I love love love picking up the strays. I thought this would be the found family troupe and it kinda sorta was but also not. I did enjoy the wholesome sweet bonding moments (mostly affectionate bickering). Especially Tiashi <3 and Jian’s relationship. The whole brooding warrior, cold and rude but with secret soft spot is too under-utilised in fantasy.
The number of female war artist masters. Nuff said.
critiques
OTHER THAN OBVIOUS LACK OF A MAP AND ANY ORIENTATION OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL LAYOUT GARRRRHHH
I’m conflicted, a whole lot of seemingly nothing went on in those book. Like yes tension was adequately built over the book and I loved a good fleeing from authorities moment but there was an excessive description of just nothing at points. In general this book read like a prequel. For the blurb to describe it as “embarking on a prophecy more wondrous than anyone could imagine” I just expected more to go on plot wise (especially with the size of the book). Only to reach the conclusion and Jian is simply a blank slate to begin his training and Sali is entering her villain era.
I know Qisami was meant to be this badass ala Mia in [b:Nevernight|26114463|Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle, #1)|Jay Kristoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500688832l/26114463._SY75_.jpg|42805826], but holy shit was her overinflated ego was annoying to read about. Like SHUT UP FUCKER. (Can you tell I really didn’t like her at all
Did I have any idea what was going on??? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy it? Eeehh kind of
Importantly! I am BEGGING YOU Wesley Chu, literally on my hands and knees - please for gods sake - create a map if you’re writing a fantasy book, especially one as complex as this. You can’t just drop all of these random places in connection to one another and expect me to know what is going on. Even a glossary with the individual duchy’s would help. Like ohmy god - this is my biggest critique.
what I liked
I loved the strays - I love love love picking up the strays. I thought this would be the found family troupe and it kinda sorta was but also not. I did enjoy the wholesome sweet bonding moments (mostly affectionate bickering). Especially Tiashi <3 and Jian’s relationship. The whole brooding warrior, cold and rude but with secret soft spot is too under-utilised in fantasy.
The number of female war artist masters. Nuff said.
critiques
OTHER THAN OBVIOUS LACK OF A MAP AND ANY ORIENTATION OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL LAYOUT GARRRRHHH
I’m conflicted, a whole lot of seemingly nothing went on in those book. Like yes tension was adequately built over the book and I loved a good fleeing from authorities moment but there was an excessive description of just nothing at points. In general this book read like a prequel. For the blurb to describe it as “embarking on a prophecy more wondrous than anyone could imagine” I just expected more to go on plot wise (especially with the size of the book). Only to reach the conclusion and Jian is simply a blank slate to begin his training and Sali is entering her villain era.
I know Qisami was meant to be this badass ala Mia in [b:Nevernight|26114463|Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle, #1)|Jay Kristoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500688832l/26114463._SY75_.jpg|42805826], but holy shit was her overinflated ego was annoying to read about. Like SHUT UP FUCKER. (Can you tell I really didn’t like her at all
small_giant_plans's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
starrysheep's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0