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coco_loco33's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Medical content, Suicide attempt, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, and War
jennikreads's review
4.25
Graphic: War, Medical content, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Torture
leweylibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
The Library of Legends was such a beautiful premise that immediately intrigued me at the beginning. But it didn't take long for the rest of the book, Lian's story with her mother, Sparrow and Shao's relationship, and the budding something brewing between Shao and Lian to pull me in. The historical setting was definitely the best part though. This isn't a time period, place, or series of events that I know anything at all about really, so I learned a lot and was able to really put myself in their shoes (with canvas sandals attached) and see this history in such a new light.
Quotes:
- "Maybe it's because legends are truer to our natures than serious literature. Maybe myths and legends reveal more about us than poetry or epic histories." (39)
- "Myths are the darkest and brightest incarnations of who we are. They slip into our dreams and underpin our reality." (39)
- "Right now, they mourn the homes and possessions they had to leave behind...But soon, even though they can't put it into words, they'll understand they've also left behind the places that defined them. Where they were known because of their families and professions. Where they had a place in the world." (40)
- "When the dragon wings of disaster rush at you... You always believe yours will be the one house left untouched by the storm. You invest in one dubious scheme after another, never learning from past mistakes. You trust that a husband might stop drinking or a lazy son finally discover ambition."
"So have you given up on us," he'd said, "we mortals and our many failures?" - "Worse than that, Professor." A wry smile. "I've learned to hope." (53)
- None of those people had gone to war but it had devoured them just the same. So many deaths, rendered anonymous by the sheer number of victims. (165)
- A record of all that had been wondrous in China. A record protected by the gods so they would be remembered even after they were no longer worshiped, no longer needed. A record the gods now depended on mortals to preserve. Mortals who had never seen a herd of qilin awaken spring as they dashed into the woods. Or watched a Star live out her lonely, patient quest. (356)
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Death, War, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Medical content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
gaya3_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Gore
Minor: Sexism, Child death, and Death of parent
chelseylb1988's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, War, and Abandonment
sparklingginger's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, War, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Violence, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
trophywithabee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Torture
kelecoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Violence