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marlfox24's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.5
smartinez9's review
1.0
Tw: suicide
I am so angry. Though I initially thought this was a fantasy, I appreciated the historical detail and rarely-seen-in-YA-setting. I liked Jinghua and expected her to cleverly use her identity to rescue the prince and survive—in short, I was all set to give this book 4-5 stars.
That is not what happened. Instead, our POC heroine commits suicide in order to save him, an action that is ultimately worthless because 1. his name is revealed a second later, and 2. he proceeds to marry the empress who had Jinghua killed, despite his so-called “love” for her. It’s also implied that what her ancestors were calling for was not her triumph but her death, which, why even include that? The paranormal aspects could have been used to empower and save her, not condemn her.
Regardless, how having a woman of color kill herself for a man is any kind of acceptable ending, I do not know and did not need.
I am so angry. Though I initially thought this was a fantasy, I appreciated the historical detail and rarely-seen-in-YA-setting. I liked Jinghua and expected her to cleverly use her identity to rescue the prince and survive—in short, I was all set to give this book 4-5 stars.
That is not what happened. Instead, our POC heroine commits suicide in order to save him, an action that is ultimately worthless because 1. his name is revealed a second later, and 2. he proceeds to marry the empress who had Jinghua killed, despite his so-called “love” for her. It’s also implied that what her ancestors were calling for was not her triumph but her death, which, why even include that? The paranormal aspects could have been used to empower and save her, not condemn her.
Regardless, how having a woman of color kill herself for a man is any kind of acceptable ending, I do not know and did not need.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
1/5
I found it to be alright. The ending was really unexpected. The characters were interesting but I felt like when they skipped times it made it hard to follow the overall plot.
I found it to be alright. The ending was really unexpected. The characters were interesting but I felt like when they skipped times it made it hard to follow the overall plot.
heatherlovesreading's review
5.0
This was just amazing. I was hoping reading this would get me over a book hangover from ACOSF and it just gave me a book hangover of its own. The ending was just so emotional and beautiful.
The way this book was written is unlike anything I've read before. Woven with historical pieces of the Mongol empire, some fantasy with ghosts of ancestors, and an absolutely moving romance, this story just pulls you in from the very first pages. I have to admit I was a little weary of this reading the synopsis, but it truly did blow me away. The charachters development was just amazing, showing all the flaws and imperfections that exist in relationships, and that we're all morally grey. We even had a twist of our protagonist in the last few pages.
My only regret is that this book ripped my heart out and now I don't know what to do with myself. But it was so worth it. Read this book.
The way this book was written is unlike anything I've read before. Woven with historical pieces of the Mongol empire, some fantasy with ghosts of ancestors, and an absolutely moving romance, this story just pulls you in from the very first pages. I have to admit I was a little weary of this reading the synopsis, but it truly did blow me away. The charachters development was just amazing, showing all the flaws and imperfections that exist in relationships, and that we're all morally grey. We even had a twist of our protagonist in the last few pages.
My only regret is that this book ripped my heart out and now I don't know what to do with myself. But it was so worth it. Read this book.
lindssong's review
5.0
Saddest. Damn. Book. Ever. So beautiful and really, really heartbreaking. It’s hard to read at first because of the main character’s slave status and my annoyance and frustration with how she accepts her fate so easily. But the reader has noooo idea how strong she is and what’s lying under her facade. One of the most emotional and heartbreaking books I’ve ever read.
magpiewithpebbles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0