Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - After the Dragons

Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

After the Dragons by Cynthia Zhang

12 reviews

dottiewankenobi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I struggled to finish this one because there were times that one of the main characters, Kai, was a bit too cynical for my tastes. To be clear, I definitely understand why he was that way and I think it makes the most sense for him, but it just made it a bit difficult for me. On the whole, I liked the hopeful thread throughout this book and I really liked what we saw of the world these guys lived in

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hazelwood's review

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.5

This story felt realistic, even though there was the mystical element of dragons being real (Amazing and cute!!!) everything else felt very grounded. It dealt with questions that I ask myself every day, like no matter what I do, will it ever be enough to change things? And the climate change effects were visible throughout the story but it wasn't preachy about it. Lots of really good gut-punch moments. Ow, my heart hurts. But the romance that develops between the characters is sweet and teaches both of them valuable lessons. I was so happy to see Kai get loved and cared for despite his insistence on not helping himself. And the demisexual (?) representation with Eli was unexpected but really well done! I would have liked to know what happens with the dragon research though.

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scarroll178's review

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emotional reflective sad 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

The author did a great job crafting the world this story takes place in. I just wish more story had happened in this world. The story feels very unfinished, like the author gave up on writing an ending.

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notsobinaryart's review

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challenging reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Struggling between knowing what amount of my feeling for this book is it being not for me and what amount is me having some valid criticism.

Starting off, this book is a lot more literary fiction than a traditional fantasy story, which would have been better to know going into the book to set my expectations. It tries to make a balance, but falls a bit short on both aspects. It is a bit too on the nose for literary fiction, too light on fantastical elements and impersonal for most fantasy, leaving it in an awkward middle state.

The author reveals in the back of the book that this story was originally a short story but expanded upon to be a novella; I wish I could read that to compare. It again feels like it exists in a weird in between, not enough space to take on a more nuanced take yet the style and directness could be more impactful as a short story.

A much higher focus on character than any plot, which ultimately leaves the conclusion as unfinished on purpose. Even if the ending was purposely open ended, it lacked the directness of the rest of the book, making it feel less finished than intended. I was almost expecting to turn the page and there be another chapter, even while I was watching the page count dwindle before my eyes. This in part is me not used to reading character-only center books with no real focus on plot, so maybe the ending would leave those more used to literary fiction satisfied.

With all of those criticisms and complicated thoughts aside, this was still a beautiful book examining the strange tension created by loved ones and the person experiencing a condition disagreeing on medical care, processing feelings of newfound illness and limitations, complications of queer relationships amongst various levels of accepting crowds, racism, grief, and climate change. The latter of which impacts all of the other themes, showing how insidious climate change is and the intersectionality of issues on everyone and your psyche.

I might recommend this to someone who is looking for a character-driven literary low fantasy dealing with climate change and grief for yourself and loved ones.

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clarabooksit's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

4.75

AFTER THE DRAGONS by Cynthia Zhang is set in a Beijing much the same as today only there are pet-sized dragons and climate change has led to a new terminal illness due to air pollution. In this city where wealth towers over crumbling poverty, two young men, one a grief-stricken med student, the other a snarky, chronically-ill dragon rescuer, fall in love over dragons.

I loved this slow, easy story about the unfairness of life, the necessity of hope, and the importance of connection. There’s a small plot but what moves this story are the characters.

I loved Kai’s disillusionment and complete inability to back down or give up on dragons when he’s essentially given up on himself. And Eli’s contemplation of place and self, his grief and languid discovery are near perfect. They’re both persistent and stubborn in pursuing what’s right and good, but in very different ways. Kai is all heat and Eli is stone.

The writing is equally gorgeous. From page one, I was hooked on the world-building that lovingly painted Beijing in all its flaws and light. The way Zhang wove mythology and dragons seamlessly into a modern world is stunning and there are so many threads that build and build.

It’s only 142 pages but I lived in those pages for a few hours yesterday. I couldn’t put it down.

It’s immersive, contemplative, full of warmth and life, and a little sad but in away that’s heartfelt and feels right. In a word, it’s lovely.

This book is everything I love in storytelling. I adored it. Please go read it.

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archcon's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.5

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misterwisp's review

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emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a humble little book about human things that is well written and made me glad to have read it. It's a really beautifully written story about love and pain taking care of lost dragons. Worth the time if you like quiet soulful stories.

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