Scan barcode
libraryam's review
4.0
Loved the voice of the main character.
Read this one first by mistake and still got a lot out of it. Will go back and read the other three.
Read this one first by mistake and still got a lot out of it. Will go back and read the other three.
midnarose's review
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
This was a great continuation of the Tensorate series (which is a series of novellas in the world of the protectorate a sifi fantasy Asian inspired world).
This novella follows a minor side character mentioned and seen in the other books telling the story of how the protector (ruler of the protectorate introduced in the first novella) came into power and became the dictator she is.
It was very interesting and enjoyable , it made me want more.
like the other novella's the ending is very open. each novella is a story to show off and build the world of the Tensorate. I wish there was more. Neon Yang built such a vast world over these 4 novella's , there are so many stories that can still be explored (example i want to know what happens to Akeha and Mokoya, does Rider and their twin ever meet, and what happens to Sonami does she become a worse dictator then her mother).
I hope Neon Yang writes more in this amazing universe.
This novella follows a minor side character mentioned and seen in the other books telling the story of how the protector (ruler of the protectorate introduced in the first novella) came into power and became the dictator she is.
It was very interesting and enjoyable , it made me want more.
like the other novella's the ending is very open. each novella is a story to show off and build the world of the Tensorate. I wish there was more. Neon Yang built such a vast world over these 4 novella's , there are so many stories that can still be explored (example i want to know what happens to Akeha and Mokoya, does Rider and their twin ever meet, and what happens to Sonami does she become a worse dictator then her mother).
I hope Neon Yang writes more in this amazing universe.
rinbee's review
5.0
What a beautiful end to the cycle of life, death, and fate woven in the Tensorate series! Focusing on a small set of characters, connected yet separate from the main cast in the Red Threads of Fate, we learn the story of Lady Han, leader of the Machinist rebellion, and her tumultuous relationship with Akeha and Mokoya's mother, Protector Hekate. This is a short but sweet read full of lust, manipulation, scheming, and betrayal, and I love it.
jujuvansunshine's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lady_moon's review against another edition
4.75
"I cut his throat, from here to here. Blood all over. Good thing the floors were very expensive wood, very well laid, no gaps in between. Rich folks' floors are so easy to clean."
Holy moly.
Considering this is the final book of a series, to make it the backstory of the villain is bold. But, boy, did it work! The author did quite a few bold choices for the series - some worked, some didn't - and tbh I love that. I liked some more than others, that's for sure, but respest to Neon Yang!
For me personally, this is a book that can hold up to The Black Tides of Heaven's greatness. I just absolutely loved everything here. It's sapphic, it's lovers to enemies, it's anti-hero/anti-villain/morally grey characters - it's everything! And god, how everything comes together is so satisfying. I loved how the author choose to do it. Again, it's bold decision and not everyone will like it - but I certainly did!
Damn, how swiftly the last few chapters went... crazy.
kmarkham's review
5.0
Oops, didn’t realize this was part of a series until 30 seconds after I finished it. I should have guessed; there’s a lovely map in the front that I didn’t refer to even once.
Still a great read! Just don’t do what I did and start it after you should already be asleep. Although, it’s so nice to capture that feeling from childhood of devouring a book in one night. (Much easier with novellas!) I really enjoyed this and I’m so happy to find out there are more books in this world.
Still a great read! Just don’t do what I did and start it after you should already be asleep. Although, it’s so nice to capture that feeling from childhood of devouring a book in one night. (Much easier with novellas!) I really enjoyed this and I’m so happy to find out there are more books in this world.
pictrufa's review against another edition
5.0
Con El ascenso a lo divino ponemos fin a la maravillosa saga del Tensorado creada por Neon Yang.
Siempre que hablo de la saga, lo primero que digo para enganchar a la gente es la forma en la que están escritas cada una de ellas, me parecen súper originales. Y este monólogo ebrio de la mano de Lady Han me ha parecido precioso, contando cómo vivió su historia de amor, lo entregada y enamorada que estaba, a pesar de saber que adoraba a una tirana.
Esta es la historia de cómo se hace una villana, la Protectora Sanao Hekate. Que debía sospechar de todos y no confiar en nadie para que sus planes se llevasen a cabo a la perfección.
Obtenemos también el desenlace de la saga del Tensorado, la traición a manos de Sonami. Que como bien dice María Teresa Morín en el posfacio, algo que estaba escrito desde el momento en el que Hekate, manejando el destino de su hije, decide que no formará parte del Gran Monasterio, como elle pretendía.
Agradecer a Duermevela que nos traiga novelas como estas, inclusivas, atrevidas, divertidas y sobre todo, tan necesarias. Novelas con las que todo el mundo puede sentirse feliz, identificándose con quién quiera y sintiendo que tiene un sitio en la literatura también. Gracias por tanto bien chicas y gran trabajo el de Carla Bataller.
Siempre que hablo de la saga, lo primero que digo para enganchar a la gente es la forma en la que están escritas cada una de ellas, me parecen súper originales. Y este monólogo ebrio de la mano de Lady Han me ha parecido precioso, contando cómo vivió su historia de amor, lo entregada y enamorada que estaba, a pesar de saber que adoraba a una tirana.
Esta es la historia de cómo se hace una villana, la Protectora Sanao Hekate. Que debía sospechar de todos y no confiar en nadie para que sus planes se llevasen a cabo a la perfección.
Obtenemos también el desenlace de la saga del Tensorado, la traición a manos de Sonami. Que como bien dice María Teresa Morín en el posfacio, algo que estaba escrito desde el momento en el que Hekate, manejando el destino de su hije, decide que no formará parte del Gran Monasterio, como elle pretendía.
Agradecer a Duermevela que nos traiga novelas como estas, inclusivas, atrevidas, divertidas y sobre todo, tan necesarias. Novelas con las que todo el mundo puede sentirse feliz, identificándose con quién quiera y sintiendo que tiene un sitio en la literatura también. Gracias por tanto bien chicas y gran trabajo el de Carla Bataller.
mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This is the fourth novella in the Tensorate series, a series that I'd call silkpunk science fantasy. It's a ferociously impressive series that explores themes of gender, revolution, and tyranny. The world Yang creates is its own vividly imagined place, but has more of an Asian character than one derived from Western sources (Homer, Tolkien, et al).
Though each novella can be read alone, they add up to more than their individual parts. I appreciated these connections despite having read the first two novellas nearly three years before the last two. That said, a reader with a more retentive memory, or one who read all four novellas in a row, would undoubtedly appreciate the connections more.
I particularly admire how the novellas are written in different styles and with different tones--for instance, the third novella, "The Descent of Monsters," is largely told through official reports, interview transcripts, and diary entries. This fourth novella is presented as a first person monologue delivered to a stranger over drinks. I found it a compelling, page-turning read, albeit one that contains considerable darkness. The characters are both victims and perpetrators of various evils.
I note that I was slightly disconcerted by an apparent inconsistency. Chapter three says that "The Protector is succeeded by the first child of the next generation of royals." Yet, in chapter five and again in chapters seven/eight, the succession appears to stay in the same generation without explanation. I may well have missed a detail or misunderstood something, but it did confuse me.
Overall: I highly recommend the Tensorate series in general, this fourth novella included.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Though each novella can be read alone, they add up to more than their individual parts. I appreciated these connections despite having read the first two novellas nearly three years before the last two. That said, a reader with a more retentive memory, or one who read all four novellas in a row, would undoubtedly appreciate the connections more.
I particularly admire how the novellas are written in different styles and with different tones--for instance, the third novella, "The Descent of Monsters," is largely told through official reports, interview transcripts, and diary entries. This fourth novella is presented as a first person monologue delivered to a stranger over drinks. I found it a compelling, page-turning read, albeit one that contains considerable darkness. The characters are both victims and perpetrators of various evils.
I note that I was slightly disconcerted by an apparent inconsistency. Chapter three says that "The Protector is succeeded by the first child of the next generation of royals." Yet, in chapter five and again in chapters seven/eight, the succession appears to stay in the same generation without explanation. I may well have missed a detail or misunderstood something, but it did confuse me.
Overall: I highly recommend the Tensorate series in general, this fourth novella included.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).