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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
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!
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this book, Mulan is my favorite Disney movie and I've been dying to relive that high. This just missed the mark so wide for me. So many reasons, but here's a few:
1. Meilin's character was not strong enough to carry this story. She was a passenger making blind reckless decisions not using any critical thought until it was too late. Also, greed isn't the right word for her emotions, in my opinion. Yes women can be greedy, but she's hoping for a better lot in life. That doesn't make her greedy, it makes her ambitious and hopeful.
2. Can we stop with love triangles between the over-protective golden retriever and the "he's not abusive just broody" bad boy? If Sky was the only love interest in this book I would be perfectly happy. Let him figure out his own gender biases and prove he deserves Meilin. Every second Lei was on the page I got major ick.As soon as Lei called Meilin "his" I almost threw my kindle across the room in disgust. Their first real interaction he's drunk off his ass hurting her just like her father used to, but because he saved her from a rapist and his mom was killed in front of him that makes it alright? I'm so tired of this formula.
3. So many character contradictions. A better supporting cast that Meilin could more reliably/believably trust would have helped, I think. I read books for characters as much as plot. Flesh out more of those nights spent playing cards so Sparrow can be more than flaky comic relief.
4. If this is supposed to be a "feminist" retelling it didn't get there. It felt performative.Like when Meilin flinches away from a hair clip because it will make her look like a girl while she is being kept prisoner and everyone knows her identity. She has bigger fish to fry. It's a pointless detail. Have Meilin actually learn from her mistakes and gain confidence as a leader, not wallow in how she keeps inadvertently fulfilling every womanly stereotype.
5. Qinglong and the spirirts as a concept: so cool. In practice: thinly veiled antagonist whose only purpose is to shit talk Meilin and not teach.
I skimmed that last 20% just to find out what happens and I get that's the realistic ending, but it was just really anticlimactic. Parts of this book made me actively mad.
1. Meilin's character was not strong enough to carry this story. She was a passenger making blind reckless decisions not using any critical thought until it was too late. Also, greed isn't the right word for her emotions, in my opinion. Yes women can be greedy, but she's hoping for a better lot in life. That doesn't make her greedy, it makes her ambitious and hopeful.
2. Can we stop with love triangles between the over-protective golden retriever and the "he's not abusive just broody" bad boy? If Sky was the only love interest in this book I would be perfectly happy. Let him figure out his own gender biases and prove he deserves Meilin. Every second Lei was on the page I got major ick.
3. So many character contradictions. A better supporting cast that Meilin could more reliably/believably trust would have helped, I think. I read books for characters as much as plot. Flesh out more of those nights spent playing cards so Sparrow can be more than flaky comic relief.
4. If this is supposed to be a "feminist" retelling it didn't get there. It felt performative.
5. Qinglong and the spirirts as a concept: so cool. In practice: thinly veiled antagonist whose only purpose is to shit talk Meilin and not teach.
I skimmed that last 20% just to find out what happens and I get that's the realistic ending, but it was just really anticlimactic. Parts of this book made me actively mad.