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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This was a really enjoyable YA fantasy! I really liked the way the author established an alternate Tang Dynasty, mixing historical elements and fictional magical ones. I haven’t read a lot of fantasy books with alchemy, and this one definitely held my attention! The magic system was really cool.
Characters: I liked Zilan! Sometimes I did want to shake some sense into her, but she was a compelling heroine and I was intrigued by the moments we saw of her moral grayness. The prince was a good love interest, he wasn’t the most 3D character, but I enjoyed their banter and romance. I didn’t connect with Zilan’s cousins as much as I would have wanted, partly because Zilan herself kind of kept them at arms’ length for most of the book.
Story: I’m really impressed! Overall, the pacing and the plot were both fantastic. Especially toward the end, I was constantly on my toes, eager to see what happened next, and more than once, I felt myself genuinely surprised by a reveal or plot twist. There might have been a few moments in the middle that felt a bit slow, but honestly, the end made up for it.
In conclusion, this was a great addition to the YA fantasy scene. I’d be interested to see what happens next!
Characters: I liked Zilan! Sometimes I did want to shake some sense into her, but she was a compelling heroine and I was intrigued by the moments we saw of her moral grayness. The prince was a good love interest, he wasn’t the most 3D character, but I enjoyed their banter and romance. I didn’t connect with Zilan’s cousins as much as I would have wanted, partly because Zilan herself kind of kept them at arms’ length for most of the book.
Story: I’m really impressed! Overall, the pacing and the plot were both fantastic. Especially toward the end, I was constantly on my toes, eager to see what happened next, and more than once, I felt myself genuinely surprised by a reveal or plot twist. There might have been a few moments in the middle that felt a bit slow, but honestly, the end made up for it.
In conclusion, this was a great addition to the YA fantasy scene. I’d be interested to see what happens next!
This actually has EVERYTHING! I was expecting an adventurous story with a lil bit of romance sprinkled in, but this has adventure, it has mystery, it has horror, it has commentary on class structure and power dynamics, it has romance, it has complicated families, IT HAS EVERYTHING. I would read anything by Kylie Lee Baker after this.
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
sad
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
Kind of gory and dark book but filled with Chinese historical information. Very smartly done.
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
This was like nothing I've read before. Kylie Lee Baker continues to impress with her creative worldbuilding and unique characters.
Zilan is such a great FMC - she's prickly and mean at times but in a completely believable way. Hong was adorable and actually funny. I straight up giggled at some of his lines.
The setting was such a unique blend of magic and realism. This is also certainly a dark fantasy.
Overall I'm glad I finally read this and that the sequel is already on its way!
Zilan is such a great FMC - she's prickly and mean at times but in a completely believable way. Hong was adorable and actually funny. I straight up giggled at some of his lines.
The setting was such a unique blend of magic and realism. This is also certainly a dark fantasy.
Overall I'm glad I finally read this and that the sequel is already on its way!
4.75/5 stars
They're incredibly rare, but there are some books where I just don't really understand how not everyone reading them couldn't absolutely adore them and this is one of those books.
What I liked:
-I always love an alchemical magic system
-our MC is amazing, I love how strong she is, but also how vulnerable at times, it makes her endearing and relatable, and she's also really smart too, she's my ideal YA protagonist, truly
-the familial relationships
-one of the best novel climaxes I've read in a fantasy novel, I can't even, I'm still reeling from it
-the setting and world building (historical fantasy is definitely a new favorite subgenre for me)
-all the plottwists had me surprised, I love that for me
What I could have been better:
-it took me a while to buy into the romance, but mainly because it too a while for the prince to grow on me
I admit that because of the way things ended the sequel has potential to be incredibly messy. I'm nervous but also extremely excited for it!
They're incredibly rare, but there are some books where I just don't really understand how not everyone reading them couldn't absolutely adore them and this is one of those books.
What I liked:
-I always love an alchemical magic system
-our MC is amazing, I love how strong she is, but also how vulnerable at times, it makes her endearing and relatable, and she's also really smart too, she's my ideal YA protagonist, truly
-the familial relationships
-one of the best novel climaxes I've read in a fantasy novel, I can't even, I'm still reeling from it
-the setting and world building (historical fantasy is definitely a new favorite subgenre for me)
-all the plottwists had me surprised, I love that for me
What I could have been better:
-it took me a while to buy into the romance, but mainly because it too a while for the prince to grow on me
I admit that because of the way things ended the sequel has potential to be incredibly messy. I'm nervous but also extremely excited for it!