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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book, although it did get off to a slow start (may have been partly my mood). A somewhat intricate story line at times. I wasn't sure I totally liked the ending though. It felt partly like yes, this part of the character's story is done, so this is where the book ends. On the other hand, the way the epilogue gave hints about the rest of the characters lives made it feel a little like her just got to the point where he decided the book was long enough, this was a good point to stop, and told the rest of the story in a matter of a few pages. If you like historical-ish fiction though, you'd probably like this book.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
GGK has powerful prose, and knows well how to develop theme while leaving the reader to chew on those interesting ideas. However, and I get he's writing based on certain historical periods, he could stand to write his women with more agency (or just more character).
Ugh. Got to 97 pages in before putting the book down. I’ve read enough fantasy that doesn’t give female characters much dimension except for being pretty/sexual, and that the protagonist is just miraculously good at everything, boring. Thanks, next.
I enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book, where Kay devoted his time to character development, world building and a pretty solid plot. The last 1/4 seemed like Kay realized there was a deadline he had to meet (or something), and really rushed through to the end. A shame, since he had excellent pacing throughout the rest of the book.
Sci-fi club - blended historical detail about China in the eighth century with the fictional lives of a number of characters, from various social casts and with a variety of motivations and flaws. We enjoyed the occasional slip into documentary mode, recounting that historians in later centuries would point back, with infallible hindsight, to how a particular person's choice of action acted as a trigger for the death (or survival) of millions.
The scenes, buildup, politics, world building of this book are deliciously crafted. Some of the final scenes of this book were absolutely stunning, and masterful. Like something from an ancient epic.
Excellent from start to finish, with the caveat that I have no knowledge of how faithful he was to the actual history he references
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
Beautiful. I never say that about a book, but the prose in this novel was simply beautiful.
Also, I learned about the Tang empire, so that's all good. :)
Also, I learned about the Tang empire, so that's all good. :)