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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The final volume of Stars of Chaos kicks off straight from the big bang where vol 4 left off and then it’s just full speed ahead. The main story is about a half of this and then there are…*counts* 16 extras! Sheesh.
The Northern barbarian tribes have been defeated but there’s still the foreign Far Western enemy with whom especially Gu Yun grapples until the bitter end. His disabilities finally get the better of him but he doesn’t let them stop him, instead he ups the ante and goes full obnoxious mode, exasperating his subordinates (and pretty much everyone he comes in contact with). In the capital, Changgeng tries to juggle his responsibilities with his other plans, and then there’s his curse to deal with and and and…
In some way, the ending is very predictable and the only thing that <i>could</i> happen. In other ways, it’s very very rushed and ties up the story in an “and then this happened and the end” style. But endings haven’t really been priest’s strong suit–she’s very good at plotting and spinning the tale but wrapping things up with care? Meh. (lol) I’m still not sure about Changgeng’s character as in I don’t feel like I have a good grasp on him. He feels a lot like deus-ex-machina even despite his wu’ergu affliction.
The extras vary from flashbacks into the main cast’s pasts, post-main story timestamps, and direct continuation of the main story. I think a lot of them could’ve been just an epilogue instead of a bunch of extras (frankly, I scrolled by most of them) but… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I would’ve been alright without the extras regarding Gu Yun’s dad and his casual domestic disciplining but I already knew priest and I don’t agree on this.
Also, I have to admit I stalled quite a bit after finishing the main story (that’s 47% into the book) because it was FINISHED and I DIDN’T WANT TO. I probably will reread this at some point.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
The story ends on page 209 with 16 extras. Volume 1 was my first time reading anything by Priest and somehow I read six other Priest novels before the final volume of this series was released. I feel like *maybe* this story would have been better enjoyed as one novel (or at least binging all five volumes) rather than split up waiting on each next release (Vol. 1 was released 1.5 years ago). Personally, I've never read a web novel as the chapters released, so I have no idea what that experience is like. Having said all that, I freaking loved this story. I also loved Priest's Afterword, so if you haven't read it go check it out.
Nice balance of war, politics, and relationship with amazing world building and supporting characters ! I loved the steampunk aspects so much.
Can Ci Pin still is my favorite Priest novel but this is tied with Guardian and Lord Seventh for second!
Spoilers below:
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I was never seriously bothered about the Yifu/godson relationship HOWEVER, I could have done without this one line in this book 🤣
"He was utterly helpless against such charms, and could only give his beloved everything he wanted, allowing his godson to perform every kind of insurrection against him."
♥️ I am so happy with Shen Yi and Chen Qingxu being happily married with two kids that everyone considers their own.
♥️I love the dynamic between CG and GY
♥️I cried so hard when CG was finally able to let emotions and tears out with GY
