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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Transphobia, Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
Thoughts:
Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang, Volume 1 by Priest is a slow-burn steampunk fantasy with mind-altering poisons, military actions, and political intrigue. I may have known some of the themes and tropes but I did not truly understand what I was up against.
Chang Geng and Shen Shiliu are connected as godparents and godson. A complicated relationship that is only further complicated when Chang Geng starts to have a crush. Unrequited love can be so painful. Chang Geng is raised in a small village with an absent mother, a clueless bling/deaf godfather, and a military stepfather. His life is going well until it isn't.
Everything changed when the Raiders attacked (did that sound like the opening to Avatar: The Last Airbender or is it just me?) His mother and stepfather are dead. His godfather has been lying to him! Chang Geng may be the lost child of the emperor. All of his world comes down in a single moment. He questions everything he ever learned. Not helping is the poison his mother gave him, a poison that will help him become a powerful warrior before causing him to become a lunatic! What kind of mother does that !? Cheng Geng learns all of these life-changing matters and the poison in his blood makes him paranoid and insecure.
His godfather is hilariously clueless but strategic. It's a crazy contradiction. He has a fake identity for a quarter of the book before revealing his identity Gu Yun, a powerful military general. He also hides his disabilities (blind and deaf). He uses medication and training methods to overcome his lack of senses.
I had a rough time getting into his story. I loved the characters but the political intrigue and military focus were a little distracting to me. I love a good romance as a balm to political intrigue and Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang is a sloooooow burn. Gu Yun needs to learn to view Chang Geng as an adult and not as his young godson.
Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang, Volume 1 by Priest is a slow-burn steampunk fantasy with mind-altering poisons, military actions, and political intrigue. I may have known some of the themes and tropes but I did not truly understand what I was up against.
Chang Geng and Shen Shiliu are connected as godparents and godson. A complicated relationship that is only further complicated when Chang Geng starts to have a crush. Unrequited love can be so painful. Chang Geng is raised in a small village with an absent mother, a clueless bling/deaf godfather, and a military stepfather. His life is going well until it isn't.
Everything changed when the Raiders attacked (did that sound like the opening to Avatar: The Last Airbender or is it just me?) His mother and stepfather are dead. His godfather has been lying to him! Chang Geng may be the lost child of the emperor. All of his world comes down in a single moment. He questions everything he ever learned. Not helping is the poison his mother gave him, a poison that will help him become a powerful warrior before causing him to become a lunatic! What kind of mother does that !? Cheng Geng learns all of these life-changing matters and the poison in his blood makes him paranoid and insecure.
His godfather is hilariously clueless but strategic. It's a crazy contradiction. He has a fake identity for a quarter of the book before revealing his identity Gu Yun, a powerful military general. He also hides his disabilities (blind and deaf). He uses medication and training methods to overcome his lack of senses.
I had a rough time getting into his story. I loved the characters but the political intrigue and military focus were a little distracting to me. I love a good romance as a balm to political intrigue and Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang is a sloooooow burn. Gu Yun needs to learn to view Chang Geng as an adult and not as his young godson.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
I love the world building and the politics are fascinating. I am excited to read more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated