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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This book started strong in my opinion, Meilin deserves the freedom she was striving for and I was rooting for her. Also as a kid having Mulan on repeat I just knew I was going to enjoy the book had I was having a good time… until I wasn’t.
I stopped liking the main protagonist about 60% of the way through the book. The charming price was generic and boring. There was only one character I think I enjoyed being in the opposing side, and every other character in this book I had no care in the world for them at all.
A magic system was attempted but it just didn’t stick and was boring and over powered. It was an interesting idea but just didn’t land well IMO.
I stopped liking the main protagonist about 60% of the way through the book. The charming price was generic and boring. There was only one character I think I enjoyed being in the opposing side, and every other character in this book I had no care in the world for them at all.
A magic system was attempted but it just didn’t stick and was boring and over powered. It was an interesting idea but just didn’t land well IMO.
adventurous
challenging
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
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
✨”They would never let a woman get away with something like this.”
“Something like what?”
“They would never let a woman hold on to power.”✨
As someone whose favorite Disney Princess is Mulan, I absolutely loved this one! This darker tale is definitely heavily influenced by the Chinese legend itself— filled with complex themes of female rage, power, and destiny. Following a character who is driven by a selfish wanting rather than filial piety offered the opportunity for more moral quandaries and interesting discussions within a society that values duty and honor above all else.
It honestly had moments that reminded me of The Poppy War, especially the complexity of a female warrior’s fight for power in a world built to suppress her personhood and capabilities. A wonderful fantasy story that had a delectable hint of romance (a love triangle I can get behind), this was an addicting, exhilarating, and thoughtful read!
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
This was an enjoyable, though sometimes frustrating, read filled with political intrigue. I found this frustrating because I think I simply wanted more. I wanted Meilin to have a victory, but I don't really think we achieved that necessarily. I guess I might just be tired of reading about oppressive, patriarchal societies even in fiction, especially when the current world reflects that nature more every day.
I do, however, appreciate Meilin's fierce determination, despite knowing the consequences of her actions. I appreciate her ambition and blind optimism too. I was actually surprised when she learned about the "truth" of her mother. I saw that particular discovery miles away, but I suppose that's the blindness revealing itself in Meilin. I wasn't convinced of the romance between Sky and Meilin, and I know that wasn't the focal point of the story. I am, however, very much curious about Prince Lei. He definitely has his own ambitions, and I just can't decide if he actually cares for Meilin. I also felt so bad for Meilin toward the end, too, and I'm secretly hoping she breaks free of everything and proves everyone wrong regarding their thoughts about women.
One of things that didn't quite feel cemented was Meilin's ability to harness her qi and use the lixia. Sure, she had very good kung ku training, which speaks for her qi ability. I'm just going to assume that her ability with lixia was due to the sea dragon, who I'm forever suspicious about as well because there's no heckin' way that Meilin isn't just being used. I think the stories about the phoenix and the sea dragon could have been more fully fleshed out because I just don't quite understand all the animosity either.
I do, however, appreciate Meilin's fierce determination, despite knowing the consequences of her actions. I appreciate her ambition and blind optimism too. I was actually surprised when she learned about the "truth" of her mother. I saw that particular discovery miles away, but I suppose that's the blindness revealing itself in Meilin. I wasn't convinced of the romance between Sky and Meilin, and I know that wasn't the focal point of the story. I am, however, very much curious about Prince Lei. He definitely has his own ambitions, and I just can't decide if he actually cares for Meilin. I also felt so bad for Meilin toward the end, too, and I'm secretly hoping she breaks free of everything and proves everyone wrong regarding their thoughts about women.
One of things that didn't quite feel cemented was Meilin's ability to harness her qi and use the lixia. Sure, she had very good kung ku training, which speaks for her qi ability. I'm just going to assume that her ability with lixia was due to the sea dragon, who I'm forever suspicious about as well because there's no heckin' way that Meilin isn't just being used. I think the stories about the phoenix and the sea dragon could have been more fully fleshed out because I just don't quite understand all the animosity either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have many conflicting feelings about this book. It was entertaining for the most part, the main character is multi layered and the plot is interesting. The world building could’ve been much better. Considering this is a Chinese inspired fantasy, I would’ve expected for every character to also have Chinese inspired names. Names like Sparrow, Sky, Winter and Autumn felt weird and broke the immersion and the world building.
The pace is uneven and the secondary characters lack depth and development. Despite its many flaws I had much fun with this book and I am intrigued to know what comes next.
This is K.X. Song’s second published book ever and first fantasy. So I understand if this isn’t a masterpiece. I still have faith in her and hope that her next books show an improvement in her writing skills. I’m rooting for her!
The pace is uneven and the secondary characters lack depth and development. Despite its many flaws I had much fun with this book and I am intrigued to know what comes next.
This is K.X. Song’s second published book ever and first fantasy. So I understand if this isn’t a masterpiece. I still have faith in her and hope that her next books show an improvement in her writing skills. I’m rooting for her!