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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love how Vo writes about queer women in love; also I liked how magical the setting was. Luli and her relationship with her sister was very interesting to me.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
No
I adored this book. The world with various kinds of myths and folklore create a surreal and disorienting backdrop that works extremely well to ground us and focus us the lived experience of our protagonist (who is also trying to learn the rules herself and navigate as best she can). The language is engaging and incredibly evocative. The characters are imperfect and extremely human (except or maybe even when they’re not).
Also, I loved the journeys of discovery about sexuality and identity played out across the book and its cast. Not apologetic, not romantic (as in ideally-unreal), and it feels true to the time period of the story.
Can’t wait to read more from this author!
Also, I loved the journeys of discovery about sexuality and identity played out across the book and its cast. Not apologetic, not romantic (as in ideally-unreal), and it feels true to the time period of the story.
Can’t wait to read more from this author!
I think it's official, after reading 2 novels I think Nghi Vo just isn't a writer for me. I really like the premises of the novel but the magic is too soft for me. I like to know the rules of what's happening (I find that the most fascinating part of the magic!) so for it to just be kind of going on in the background without real explanation doesn't really scratch the itch for me. Also I have a tough time with any of the scenes that have even a sliver of action in them. I find that Nghi Vo sort of glosses over the important bits or doesn't describe these scenes in a way that I can visualize well. So then the most exciting parts just don't stick with me.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While beautifully written, I always felt like I was missing important information to fully grasp the whole story. Unfortunately, this just made me not care as much about the story.
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
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