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odunayo_y's review
3.75
The conflict resolution was strange. It was a bit convenient how everything wrapped up but i would not say it was convoluted.
The little bits of worldbuilding were delightful. The Goddess’s Five Fingers was such a cool magic system a shame it only made an appearance towards the end of the book.
One major issue I had was the dialogue. One moment the characters will speak in a period appropriate manner the next it was joss whedon like millennial humor. Not only do I despise millennial cringe speak the tone was just off.
Graphic: Violence, Cursing, Deadnaming, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: War and Xenophobia
essieruth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: War
kelsokake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"Uncle, you're being very troublesome," said the ban-dit. "Look, you've chased away all of Mr Aw's customers already. Why don't you leave with me?
"I don't mean go away together," he clarified. "I mean leave here at the same time, separately. Let the lady be.
Heaven will punish her if she is wrong."
"That's right," said the waitress, but the customer did not agree.
"Lady!" he snorted. "This girl is a useless slut."
"Actually, I'm a nun," said the waitress, pointing at her bald head. "So, literally the opposite of a slut!"
"Oh, shut up," growled the customer. He backhanded her. The waitress fell back, looking more startled than frightened.
Minor: Deadnaming and War
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Deadnaming, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Transphobia, War, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Racism
You know that thing that happens sometimes as a woman where you make it very clear to a man that you will not have sex with him, and he says that's fine and he understands? And then later reveals he's been seething with resentment this entire time about it, and accuses you of sleeping around with other men, and shows that your friendship means nothing to him because you won't have sex with him? Yeah. "Found family" book my ass.chalkletters's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Putting aside heist-y expectations, Zen Cho’s world-building is lovely. The religious Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water has a great name, and the details about the goddess and her followers are spread through the story, building up a background which feels significant and convincing. Without giving anything away, the religion-specific compliments and treasures were a really nice touch.
Zen Cho’s pacing worked well, until the very end, which felt a little abrupt. While there had been hints about the relationships between different characters, these didn’t really have enough time to build before they were suddenly impacting the plot in surprisingly big ways. To a reader used to enjoying novellas, this might not be a problem, but in comparison to a full-length novel it felt somewhat light. While the prose of The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water didn’t stand out, it was pleasant enough, and a longer novel would be enjoyable.
Moderate: Murder and Gun violence
Minor: War, Abortion, and Death
emily_mh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Cursing, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Minor: War, Drug use, Gun violence, Body shaming, Animal cruelty, Ableism, Violence, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor warnings for gambling, theft, loss of a loved one, menstruation, deportation, capital punishment, bestiality. Moderate warning for mass death.literaryliaisons's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Gun violence, War, and Violence
Minor: Deadnaming
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Deadnaming, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Gun violence
Minor: War and Genocide
lines__lines's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Minor: Deadnaming and War
libraryghost's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Deadnaming, and War
Minor: Transphobia