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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
While this book was an improvement on the disappointing second, it didn't ever quite reach the highs of the first. There's plenty to like in terms of plot and stakes, but there's deep flaws in the characterization and general conclusion that I can't overlook.
I enjoyed the plot progression most, as the King and Ketai's forces gather, heading towards the war that's been building since book 2. There's a clear escalation of tensions, where past transgressions affect present alliances and Ketai's treacherous means come to light which start to cost him. The book absolutely gets its theme that the end does not justify the means but also that to defeat a monster you sometimes have to become a monster. The battle was super exciting to read through with its own twists and turns and I was gripped. Side characters we've come to know are not spared and because there was a decent time spent building them up their losses are felt, unlike in lesser books like Shadow and Bone.
The heavy topics are also handled well with nuance, including recovering from sexual trauma, acknowledging abuse and disability.
However, the characters, the writing style and their final arcs felt massively underwhelming. Lei and Wren basically become the same- badass warriors where Lei is more ruthless and less scared and Wren feels guilt for her past actions. They were far too similar and this was disappointing as it made both of them less unique. Lei's whole 'struggling to kill' is also completely thrown out the window as she slays soldiers and more and I was saddened as her arc could have been very unique as she tries to follow pacifism in a world as ruthless as this. Her chapters are also VERY repetitive where she's constantly going 'oh the King is weak, look how weak he is, sooo weak' which wasn't fun reading.
Wren also felt flat- she just fights, gets tired from magic overuse, misses Lei, fights, repeat- her losing magic at the end also didn't hit because it wasn't set up that she was that reliant on it. Showing her be more selfish with it would have made it a stronger arc. It also comes far too late in the story for Wren to learn or appreciate anything about it. I also did not like the constant jump to her POV which is third person- in general books 2 and 3 felt very uneven with the multiple POVs and this hurt the writing consistency. I also didn't like the forced miscommunication between her and Lei as again, they're supposed to be close and confide in each other, and they never do.
Some worldbuilding elements just seemed out of place as well, like randomly finding the Sanctuary where magic is fine, the magic itself is quite inconsistently used and the whole 'sacrifice' thing wasn't set up for non magic users so it felt a bit contrived. It just didn't gel well with the character arcs and plot, a case of being good on paper (pun intended) and yet being less than the sum of its parts.
Also a couple of twists felt a bit much, especially with Lova as it came across as pure shock value, and the fact it's all told with Lova off screen and that she never showed any sign of hesitation around Wren made it come out of nowhere.
The ending wraps up okay with a slight bittersweetness as Wren and Lei essentially have a long distance relationship and resolution of other side character relations.
Overall I did like the series but it could have been great, it's held back by falling into the traps of YA convention and common tropes and there's not enough set up for the pay off. The character arcs are not as compelling as they could be, either. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a grimdark YA in an exotic setting, but prepare for the quality to fluctuate between books.
While this book was an improvement on the disappointing second, it didn't ever quite reach the highs of the first. There's plenty to like in terms of plot and stakes, but there's deep flaws in the characterization and general conclusion that I can't overlook.
I enjoyed the plot progression most, as the King and Ketai's forces gather, heading towards the war that's been building since book 2. There's a clear escalation of tensions, where past transgressions affect present alliances and Ketai's treacherous means come to light which start to cost him. The book absolutely gets its theme that the end does not justify the means but also that to defeat a monster you sometimes have to become a monster. The battle was super exciting to read through with its own twists and turns and I was gripped. Side characters we've come to know are not spared and because there was a decent time spent building them up their losses are felt, unlike in lesser books like Shadow and Bone.
The heavy topics are also handled well with nuance, including recovering from sexual trauma, acknowledging abuse and disability.
However, the characters, the writing style and their final arcs felt massively underwhelming. Lei and Wren basically become the same- badass warriors where Lei is more ruthless and less scared and Wren feels guilt for her past actions. They were far too similar and this was disappointing as it made both of them less unique. Lei's whole 'struggling to kill' is also completely thrown out the window as she slays soldiers and more and I was saddened as her arc could have been very unique as she tries to follow pacifism in a world as ruthless as this. Her chapters are also VERY repetitive where she's constantly going 'oh the King is weak, look how weak he is, sooo weak' which wasn't fun reading.
Wren also felt flat- she just fights, gets tired from magic overuse, misses Lei, fights, repeat- her losing magic at the end also didn't hit because it wasn't set up that she was that reliant on it. Showing her be more selfish with it would have made it a stronger arc. It also comes far too late in the story for Wren to learn or appreciate anything about it. I also did not like the constant jump to her POV which is third person- in general books 2 and 3 felt very uneven with the multiple POVs and this hurt the writing consistency. I also didn't like the forced miscommunication between her and Lei as again, they're supposed to be close and confide in each other, and they never do.
Some worldbuilding elements just seemed out of place as well, like randomly finding the Sanctuary where magic is fine, the magic itself is quite inconsistently used and the whole 'sacrifice' thing wasn't set up for non magic users so it felt a bit contrived. It just didn't gel well with the character arcs and plot, a case of being good on paper (pun intended) and yet being less than the sum of its parts.
Also a couple of twists felt a bit much, especially with Lova as it came across as pure shock value, and the fact it's all told with Lova off screen and that she never showed any sign of hesitation around Wren made it come out of nowhere.
The ending wraps up okay with a slight bittersweetness as Wren and Lei essentially have a long distance relationship and resolution of other side character relations.
Overall I did like the series but it could have been great, it's held back by falling into the traps of YA convention and common tropes and there's not enough set up for the pay off. The character arcs are not as compelling as they could be, either. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a grimdark YA in an exotic setting, but prepare for the quality to fluctuate between books.
Honestly the strongest thing in these books is Ngan’s ability to write solid, loving, nuanced relationships between characters who, despite unknowable tragedy, choose each other and fight anyway. She once again writes an intimate portrait of sexual trauma & gender-based/caste-based oppression that can sometimes read unnecessarily brutal for its audience, regardless of the war.
Points off for a lot of last minute twists that feel like throwaways because of their placement & the amount of times self harm or suicide become substantial plot devices. Otherwise, big fan of the “bury your gays” trope subversion and our two favorite Ikharan warrior princesses making a place for peace in the end.
Points off for a lot of last minute twists that feel like throwaways because of their placement & the amount of times self harm or suicide become substantial plot devices. Otherwise, big fan of the “bury your gays” trope subversion and our two favorite Ikharan warrior princesses making a place for peace in the end.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
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
HELL YES. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CONCLUSION TO A PRETTY MUCH PERFECT SERIES.
WREN XIA HANNO I LOVE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH
WREN XIA HANNO I LOVE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
These books have changed me forever. The very end I wish had been longer, and given more attention, but still I was satisfied by how the world began to heal again. Lei will forever live in my heart—as will all of the paper girls. Paper girls no more. Women of fire. Women of love, and laughter. Of peace, and magic. Of light.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was such an amazing conclusion to this magical series. The layers upon layers of this world and these beings were such an amazing illustration painted by the author. I felt myself immersed in this world. The CHANGE OF POV WAS INSANE. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW BADLY I NEEDED IT. The love, bond and strength Wren and Lei have for each other and bring out in each other is so beautifully written, and I truly could not get enough. LONG LIVE WREN AND LEI