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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
I really enjoyed this sequel! The author did a fantastic job starting off the book very close to where we ended the first novel, which made the book easy to follow. This book was such a highly anticipated read (I pre-ordered a year ahead of its release) and I thoroughly enjoyed reading more about Meilin's story!!! I really loved diving into this world and reading about a femme MC who isn't dainty and perfect. I thought it was a very compelling read and couldn't put it down! I liked the introduction of new characters, but my only qualm is that the first half of the book was heavily based in politics (which is just a personal preference).
The love triangle in the sequel was so distracting. I really could've done without it. Can we focus on one or none? I think it would've been better with neither of them 💖
I like the message of women doing more than just being women for men. But the way Meilin goes about it is insufferable... Meilin's thoughts about her decisions/future at every turn was also painful. While part of the plot, I wish there was less of it on the forefront.
The politicking was fun though. Nothing crazy hard to keep up with.
Winter... give me more Winter... 😭
This still very much reminds me of TPW though.
I like the message of women doing more than just being women for men. But the way Meilin goes about it is insufferable... Meilin's thoughts about her decisions/future at every turn was also painful. While part of the plot, I wish there was less of it on the forefront.
The politicking was fun though. Nothing crazy hard to keep up with.
Winter... give me more Winter... 😭
This still very much reminds me of TPW though.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
A great read this book had such immersive storytelling, between the Chinese mythological lore the character work & the action this book is a amazing read.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
Book Stats:
📖: 448 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Berkley
Format: ebook from Berkley
Series: Book 2/2 of The Dragon Spirit Duology
Themes:
💫: Oppression and Freedom
💫: How Power can Corrupt
💫: Overcoming Addiciton
Representation:
🩸: Addiction
🩸: Chinese mythology/characters
Tropes:
💗: Spirit Worlds
💗: Suppressed Power
🥵: Spice: 🌶️
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
General Thoughts:
It overall really enjoyed the ending to this duology. The first 50% of the book was a little slow going. It's a lot of set up for what comes later in the book and where the plot eventually ends up taking us. It was still interesting and the political interworkings were enough to keep my attention.
This book had much less of a "Mulan" feel than the first book. But I was OK with that because this book would've taken place after the movie so it made sense that it would separate further. I do like the progression of the plot and the development of the characters throughout the second book.
This book is much more fantasy forward than it is romance. I would not call this Romantasy, but fantasy with romance. So keep that in mind if you are looking for something more fantasy forward.
I was starting to get worried that the book would not wrap up well around the 85% mark when we still hadn't reached the climax. I do feel like the ending was slightly rushed and suffered for that. But it was still an overall satisfying conclusion, even though I wish I've gotten a little more time with it.
I recommend the duology as a fun dragon fantasy that has solid characters in world building
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
TLTR (no spoilers): This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and it lived up to my hopes. Such good pace… had me right from the beginning, so captivating. Finished the majority of the book on a red eye flight because I couldn’t put it down.
Spoilers mentioned:
Despite it not having a training montage, the political scheme still held the same weight.
It definitely went places I didn’t expect, and we were introduced to a couple of good female characters that later died. I understand people die in stories like there but it did felt like we “fridge” one character in particular.
Messy messy royal family, I enjoyed all the scheming and politicking
Lei, so cheeky! Absolutely adorable you, per usual. But my dude, the audacity you had to look hurt when Meilin wanted nothing to do with after finding out about your engagement.
Sky… really hate to see this character development “I’ll do what is necessary, you’re mine” 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢
Pg 303 thought: if my girl, Meilin, dies to save the world I’m going to RAGEE!! (And she did. The circumstances didn’t give much other option but I wish there could have been.)
I really enjoyed seeing more of Winter in this story. We got to see some of his childhood, and while it’s a simple concept, I appreciate it being showcased:
- "WHY DO YOU ACT LIKE A GIRL?" ASKED A TEN-YEAR-OLD SKY. An older memory then, from childhood. "You know the others make fun of you for it." “There are worse things than being made fun of," said Winter. Sky wrinkled his nose. "Like what?" “Like not knowing yourself," said Winter. "Like being ashamed of who you are." And Winter's sense of self was that strong.
Other misc quotes:
I [Meilin] peered up at him [Lei]. "How do I know I can trust you?" “You don't," he said easily. "But isn't it so much more interesting this way?"
He [Lei] laughed softly, pushing me back down. "Sleep, Meilin. prefer you here, like this." He brushed a tendril of hair from my face. “With me."
“You are strong… but being strong doesn't mean you don't deserve to be protected and taken care of." - Lei
"All I wanted was power for myself," I [Meilin] said in a small voice. "Not to hurt others. I just...I didn't want to be hurt again."
“I believe we're more than our worst moments" he told me, his voice quiet yet thrumming with authority. "It's our best moments that have the power to define us." - Lei