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birdmanseven's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the writing and was in it for quite a while, but ultimately I found this unsatisfying. I took nearlt 300 pages for the meat of the plot to set in.The concept of this world is intriguing, but the story never delivered on that promise. Aside from the odd inclusion of Teddy Roosevelt it never felt like 1906. I also never really got a sense of this Japan/US team up.
mlanc87's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Amazing world building, annoyingly (fast) pacing on the romance. #TheresAWarOnPeople
ekfmef's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. This book seems to try to be ‘the fifth season’ but fails at all aspects within the first 30 pages. Characters that spout nothing but cliches, lots of telling and not showing, and I didn’t even mention the way that the author thinks is appropriate to address racism and diversity. Yikes.
relliem08's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this more than I did. The protagonist is a WoC and powerful; but despite being 25, comes across as a foolish, pre-pubescent teenager. That pretty much ruins this whole story for me. Even the imaginative world-building couldn't make this more enjoyable.
missn80's review
5.0
Very original. I love how it has basis in historical truth. Mainly entertaining, but in a way also culturally educational.
lizshayne's review
3.0
Interesting premise, nicely executed, not overly predictable (other than, you know, the obvious predictions that come from setting a story about geology in San Francisco right before a certain historical natural disaster) and I really appreciated the number of tropes that were averted simply by having good people continue to be good rather than screw with their characterization for the sake of the plot. I certain plan to track down the sequel once it exists.
Also, was incredibly pleased to see the "girl dressed up a boy" trope reconsidered in a way that is less gender essentialist than usual. That was well done.
Also, was incredibly pleased to see the "girl dressed up a boy" trope reconsidered in a way that is less gender essentialist than usual. That was well done.
justabean_reads's review
4.0
I really liked the main character and found her plot compelling, trying to find answers about herself and solve a more specific mystery, while a war she may or may not be complicit in rages all around. It was well done, and a difficult book to put down. Again it was a bit short on women, basically having the heroine and two antagonists, but they were all well played. Romance may have been slightly pasted on, but I liked that she was into the DLI primarily because he was decent to her.
For the most part, I liked the world building, especially the incorporation of Hidden Ones from various cultures, in a way that felt respectful, and was interesting and something that I hadn't seen before. Excellent use of various shapeshifters. I admit having wished for more of an explanation than "We've always had magic, but history and culture is almost exactly the same, save the last 100 years." It didn't really work for me, but I was willing to handwave it, as that was clearly all we were going to get.
Looking forward to the next one.
For the most part, I liked the world building, especially the incorporation of Hidden Ones from various cultures, in a way that felt respectful, and was interesting and something that I hadn't seen before. Excellent use of various shapeshifters. I admit having wished for more of an explanation than "We've always had magic, but history and culture is almost exactly the same, save the last 100 years." It didn't really work for me, but I was willing to handwave it, as that was clearly all we were going to get.
Looking forward to the next one.
jameseckman's review
3.0
While a decent book, it was on the borderline since it has a cliche YA romance along with the secret prince(s) trope but the background and action pulled it out. The treatment of Chinese at this time was about as bad as the book, for further details a nice bibliography is available at http://www.bethcato.com/breath-of-earth/research-bibliography/