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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Locked in by the first chapter
I love a well written unhinged morally grey female character and this book did it for me. I loved the twisted alchemy magic system. The mystery and horror elements kept me reading until late into the night.
The romance felt a little forced but it didn't ruin the experience and I liked that she wasn't mesmerized by him from the first meet.
I love a well written unhinged morally grey female character and this book did it for me. I loved the twisted alchemy magic system. The mystery and horror elements kept me reading until late into the night.
The romance felt a little forced but it didn't ruin the experience and I liked that she wasn't mesmerized by him from the first meet.
maybe i’ve been reading (dnfing) a lot of bad books lately and might be slightly biased, but this felt like a breath of fresh air. engaging and original storyline, loveable cast of characters, and a sweet little romance subplot. also, klb’s prose is wonderful - tbh i wasn’t even sure i was reading a ya book at first. i’m looking forward to book two!
adventurous
dark
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:
No
I started the year strong it seems. This book was a breeze to get through. I enjoyed every moment reading it and loved the characters so much.
Zilan was very principled. She had insecurities like the rest of us and I loved that she went into things with her whole heart. I like that she was brash about things. It comes with the territory of being a youth who has been dealt with a heavy hand.
I loved her relationship with her siblings. Their banter felt so real and you could definitely feel the love through the pages. In some ways, the begining of this book reminded me of the Poppy war. It probably has to do with all the studying and the spite the MCs face when they choose to go to school.
On the romance sector, I do wish we got to see more of her and Li Hong, the love interest. Their romance felt too rushed but we knew he had a crush on her.
I knew a lot of the twists coming but its because I was really paying attention to the book. It did not take the enjoyment out of it at all. Definitely reading book 2 soon
Zilan was very principled. She had insecurities like the rest of us and I loved that she went into things with her whole heart. I like that she was brash about things. It comes with the territory of being a youth who has been dealt with a heavy hand.
I loved her relationship with her siblings. Their banter felt so real and you could definitely feel the love through the pages. In some ways, the begining of this book reminded me of the Poppy war. It probably has to do with all the studying and the spite the MCs face when they choose to go to school.
On the romance sector, I do wish we got to see more of her and Li Hong, the love interest. Their romance felt too rushed but we knew he had a crush on her.
I knew a lot of the twists coming but its because I was really paying attention to the book. It did not take the enjoyment out of it at all. Definitely reading book 2 soon
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting magic system, some parts of the book felt very immersive. Other times, plot points would suddenly just happen, and it especially felt weird when they happened off page—just lacked some tension and build up. Fun read overall though, I’ll pick up the sequel!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The concept of a poor untrained FMC joining a trial to prove her magic in order to get a royal position to save her family, falling in love with the prince along the way, and dealing with political betrayal at the end, I have read exactly before. And to be honest, I found it much better executed in that book (A Magic Steeped in Poison for reference).
I don’t feel hooked enough to read book 2 when it comes out.
I don’t feel hooked enough to read book 2 when it comes out.