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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I'm not sold on the dragon or the jade or the black magic, but I'm not totally against them. The soulful commander and the ambivalent female solider/mage who doesn't want to be confined are interesting-ish, and I respect the somewhat realistic warfare and espionage, but I found it a bit difficult to get fully invested until about the last 3rd. It's purely coincidence that happens to be when the enemy prince made an appearance. You believe me, right? If there's another volume, I would definitely read it to find out how Meilin gets out of her current mess and into the next.
PS The decorative collectors' edition of this book is so pretty. So pretty.
PS The decorative collectors' edition of this book is so pretty. So pretty.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
2nd read 7/18/25: 3 ⭐
Same vibes, nothing new to add to the narrative. I just wanted to remember the plot before book 2. Cared for the romance even less this time around though which, I guess makes sense. Hopefully book 2 is better.
Same vibes, nothing new to add to the narrative. I just wanted to remember the plot before book 2. Cared for the romance even less this time around though which, I guess makes sense. Hopefully book 2 is better.
This book took me a while to finish. The writing style was difficult for me to remain engaged with even though I love variations of Mulan. I am very curious what happens in the second book.
Overall, the story is pretty good and focuses on how women are captive in patriarchal societies.
Overall, the story is pretty good and focuses on how women are captive in patriarchal societies.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not even 10 pages in and FMC has already done something stupid and author tells us she’s a master of kung fu, even better than the local grandmaster. Yeah, no, I’m out.
Can’t wait for Book 2 to come out this year. I need to watch Mulan now AND the live Mulan. I really love how they talked about the true story of Mulan in the ending. I learned a different story than what’s shown in the movies - it’s super sad.
Her father is a D I C K!!!!! Her mother???? B I T C H!!!!
Fuck both of them!
The dragon spirit? Black magic?
Her father is a D I C K!!!!! Her mother???? B I T C H!!!!
Fuck both of them!
The dragon spirit? Black magic?
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
I want to string up every man in this book by the balls and use their bodies as piñatas, is that too much to ask?
great mulan retelling if mulan was not motivated by honor but sheer ambition. unconventional fmc mixed with dragons and forbidden magic, feminine rage and morally grey mmc's - liked it, will definitely check out book 2
great mulan retelling if mulan was not motivated by honor but sheer ambition. unconventional fmc mixed with dragons and forbidden magic, feminine rage and morally grey mmc's - liked it, will definitely check out book 2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Vomit, Trafficking