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arykalden's review against another edition
2.5
This is a difficult review to write. I’m not sure why certain names were changed and others were kept. There’s a lot of character struggle and manipulation and gray morality. I didn’t hate it, but I’m also not sure I want any more.
khart98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
jewelqueenwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
fuyukko's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly I don't really understand why people dislike this book so much. It's not bad, but it's not a literary masterpiece like The Way of Kings or something.
I don't know anything about the drama revolving Molly X Chang, except that she got Review bombed by Cait Carrain or something.
I also don't know how she promoted this book, enemies to Lovers or colonial romance or something? I just wanted to support a POC author.
I think the marketing might have done this book a disservice. I don't think this is enemies to lovers. In fact it felt more like a groomer and a victim. Antony is constantly grooming and manipulating Ruying into doing what he wants, into how he thinks. He justifies his actions and just grooms her in such a disturbing yet natural way. He touches her, calls her his love. And Ruying is a victim of abuse so of course she would run to the first sign of affection that even her own coloniser gave to her.
I get Ruying's inner turmoil, even though it can get a bit annoying after a while. I also get the other character's frustrations at her, but she doesn't know anything and no one would tell her anything until the very end so..
The side characters are all very flat. I couldn't care less about them.
I absolutely hated their dynamic. I felt disgusted everytime Antony touched her face or brushed her shoulder. All this felt like manipulative tactics to get Ruying on his side. And when the big reveal came, I knew it was coming.
The world is interesting, but why Rome? The name for opium became opian, the name of Pangu changed, so why keep Rome as Rome?
This feels like a more watered down version of The Poppy War, excluding the romance, and maybe that's because it's YA. The story was okay, it's the usual plot when it comes to YA stories, but I'm excited to see how the story plays out. I'm really really really hoping that Antony and Ruying don't get together, and instead Antony gets his due diligence. Fingers crossed.
Overall, not a bad book but the one part I hated the most was the romance. I'm excited to see how Pangu will take back their land from the Romans.
I don't know anything about the drama revolving Molly X Chang, except that she got Review bombed by Cait Carrain or something.
I also don't know how she promoted this book, enemies to Lovers or colonial romance or something? I just wanted to support a POC author.
I think the marketing might have done this book a disservice. I don't think this is enemies to lovers. In fact it felt more like a groomer and a victim. Antony is constantly grooming and manipulating Ruying into doing what he wants, into how he thinks. He justifies his actions and just grooms her in such a disturbing yet natural way. He touches her, calls her his love. And Ruying is a victim of abuse so of course she would run to the first sign of affection that even her own coloniser gave to her.
I get Ruying's inner turmoil, even though it can get a bit annoying after a while. I also get the other character's frustrations at her, but she doesn't know anything and no one would tell her anything until the very end so..
The side characters are all very flat. I couldn't care less about them.
I absolutely hated their dynamic. I felt disgusted everytime Antony touched her face or brushed her shoulder. All this felt like manipulative tactics to get Ruying on his side. And when the big reveal came, I knew it was coming.
The world is interesting, but why Rome? The name for opium became opian, the name of Pangu changed, so why keep Rome as Rome?
This feels like a more watered down version of The Poppy War, excluding the romance, and maybe that's because it's YA. The story was okay, it's the usual plot when it comes to YA stories, but I'm excited to see how the story plays out. I'm really really really hoping that Antony and Ruying don't get together, and instead Antony gets his due diligence. Fingers crossed.
Overall, not a bad book but the one part I hated the most was the romance. I'm excited to see how Pangu will take back their land from the Romans.
gfk's review against another edition
the pace dragged a lot with too much exposition
a789's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Let's just start off with the elephant in the room. Is this a colonizer romance? I want to state that my least favorite element of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods was the romance. As a tentative fan of enemies to lovers, I am used to difficulties with loyalty, the lies we are told, and the lines between love, betrayal, and kingdom. But mixed with colonization, there is a delicate line to draw. And, for the most part, To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods plays with the line more than I was comfortable with.
I also cannot speak to the historical accuracy. To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is a story that explores the sacrifices one has to make to survive. For the safety of our loved ones, even if it means betraying them and our home. But it's also about what happens when we realize that their momentary safety is only worth the words given. And that these are fleeting and hollow. This theme has to be my favorite even if there were moments where you want to sort of shake Ruying.
Let's just start off with the elephant in the room. Is this a colonizer romance? I want to state that my least favorite element of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods was the romance. As a tentative fan of enemies to lovers, I am used to difficulties with loyalty, the lies we are told, and the lines between love, betrayal, and kingdom. But mixed with colonization, there is a delicate line to draw. And, for the most part, To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods plays with the line more than I was comfortable with.
I also cannot speak to the historical accuracy. To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is a story that explores the sacrifices one has to make to survive. For the safety of our loved ones, even if it means betraying them and our home. But it's also about what happens when we realize that their momentary safety is only worth the words given. And that these are fleeting and hollow. This theme has to be my favorite even if there were moments where you want to sort of shake Ruying.
crabbypatty's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bobosaur's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0