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notsobinaryart's review
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Homophobia
archcon's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Chronic illness
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide attempt
Minor: Suicide attempt, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual content
jessereadsthings's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A really good and emotional book with fascinating world building surrounding the dragons in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
btwnprintedpgs's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
Death of a grandparentnostoat's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Short, sweet, and beautiful. Loved having a main character with a chronic illness and found many of his moments of stubbornness painfully relatable. The book ends before the story really feels complete, which I also liked. Open-ended, refraining from telling you how it all ends, though you can likely guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
szuum's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
aplpaca's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
elishasbookreview's review
The two main characters don't seem to have much chemistry between each other. I do love how beautiful the descriptions of the dragons are written. But I just feel like I'm rooting for two cardboard cutouts.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
paperbackwaffles's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
This is such a short and sweet fantasy that will be wrapped so tightly around your heart.
Instead of the usual giant destruction monsters we're so used to in fantasy fiction - dragons are instead kept as pets. There is no epic battle, no insane magic system, no tyrannical leader. But there are two main characters that will certainly leave an impression on you.
There is something about the way that Cyntha Zhang writes that I absolutely adored. Something so simple and yet so atmospheric and gritty. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics, from being LGBTQ+ within China, living with a terminal illness, coping with grief. And that's on top of a novel centered around climate change, pollution, and the environmental and health issues that arise because of it. There is so much packed within such a short page count, and it's all truly impressive.
What stood out most to me was how well Cynthia ties everything together. Although it's short, I felt like the length fit the novel and story perfectly. And that ending... I sat there and just stared at the page and then re-read it again about five times. It was brilliant and layered, and have been thinking about it non-stop since I finished the book (nearly 24 hours ago).
Instead of the usual giant destruction monsters we're so used to in fantasy fiction - dragons are instead kept as pets. There is no epic battle, no insane magic system, no tyrannical leader. But there are two main characters that will certainly leave an impression on you.
There is something about the way that Cyntha Zhang writes that I absolutely adored. Something so simple and yet so atmospheric and gritty. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics, from being LGBTQ+ within China, living with a terminal illness, coping with grief. And that's on top of a novel centered around climate change, pollution, and the environmental and health issues that arise because of it. There is so much packed within such a short page count, and it's all truly impressive.
What stood out most to me was how well Cynthia ties everything together. Although it's short, I felt like the length fit the novel and story perfectly. And that ending... I sat there and just stared at the page and then re-read it again about five times. It was brilliant and layered, and have been thinking about it non-stop since I finished the book (nearly 24 hours ago).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
nillech's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Animal cruelty
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