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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
tried reading it 2 yrs ago before publication but only got halfway through the novel and knew id have to reread it bc i zoned out half tghe time in the first read, really enjoying it thsi time around
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Got a few chapters in/through act 1 and I found myself bored so I dropped it. May try again
Content Warnings
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I love Priest's writing so much - this book is has interesting characters and a fascinating, complicated plot with hilarious situation and one-liners. I'm so excited to how this plot continues to thicken in the next book
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so i went into this book with both excitment and apprehension. Know I've not read the rest of the series yet and further getting acquainted with this authors writting might change this review.
So I went in knowing about the fat phobia and transphobia from the triggers and reviews of the book, it left me cautious as to the contents but I found overall that I could appreciate the more archaic elements as part of the setting.
For example, The views of Ge Pangxiao are harsh but as you see more characters perspectives of him you can tell it is more about the contents of Chang Geng's character which I can admire he is a flawed, opinionated teenager and night not have the nicest views of others and can compartmentalise this when reading.
Where I do struggle with representation is in Cao Niangzi(who i will refer to with they/them pronouns for ease of convenience). As a trans person I enjoy representation in books especially in more historical settings where you can have more complex depictions of people, but I fear this is not one of them for me. Cao Niangzi borders on a cheap caricature and really pray that they aren't continued to be portrayed in this way in later volumes and that like my assessment of Chang Geng, that some of the actions are there to be a commentary on the nature of going through those formative years in such chaotic circumstance and not a consistent theme of their characterization, because I don't personally appreciate seeing gender non-conforming people catagkrized as delusional skirt-chasers.
I understand the debate that can ensue about historical and cultural accuracy to trans people, however I do think when there is a level of suspension of disbelief like the fantasy genre incurs that if you can have fantastical things but can bend the world enough to avoid writing a hollow rendition of minorities then maybe you can't write fantasy as well as you could be, but I understand if I sound like someone ranting from their soap box.
Regarding barbarians and any faux pa's this novel might be committing in their representation is something not only i can't comment on but don't know enough to discuss it in as thoughtfully or meaningfully as I'd like to so it shall be left at that.
My final con ern is what seems to be the shaling of the leaf romantic couple, I do worry about the relationship boundaries in future volumes with Gu Yan and Chang Geng. For me I can't help but find myself flinching at the idea of a relationship that really blurs the lines between family and romance. But I have to admit that even in spite the writing is so superb that I still find myself empathising and understanding Chang Geng's feelings because he feels so richly written to the point I see myself remembering the confusing, swirling feeling of puberty and coming of age. But part of me can't yet see how their relationship will go on to change and mature with age without some ethical conundrums after finishing this book. So I'm cautiously optimistic that later I can route for them, or at least watch in less distaste for their situation.
Now hearing all this you might wonder "why would you give something 5 stars and spend half the time moaning about what you didn't like?", and that's the thing. I adore the writing, the world building is amazing and the pacing felt satisfying while refusing to skip past what you needed to see. The changes in perspective flitting between characters mid chapter to show how differently people view the world left me wanting to know so much more about the world and routing for people to achieve the peace for both themselves and the outside world that seems so needed.
Some of the secondary relationships are so interesting for me that I like that this book is less focused on the main "couple" because it feels equally interesting to read and have always appreciated thise elements of Danmei as a genre tbh.
But I fear in spite of it's flaws this book has me well and truly hooked for the rest of the series and I can't wait to see where the twists and turns lead.