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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
A banger!!!! I love a Cinderella story!!!
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this story.
Well written and full of magical fun. I liked how book theme was interweaved too.
I recommend this to any magic or fantasy reader.
Well written and full of magical fun. I liked how book theme was interweaved too.
I recommend this to any magic or fantasy reader.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Jin Zhara has a lot on her (ironically) empty plate - between walking on egg shells around her stepmother, stretching an already ripped-to-shreds budget to last just one more meal before it can be wasted away on alcohol, and taking care of her blind sister, there is little left for her at the end of the day - not to mention, she also must keep a simmering lid on her innate magic, forbidden in the realms and a one-way ticket to the gallows for her if it is discovered. When a chance encounter with a flapping young man named Han accidentally connects her to secret magical liberation organization called the Guardians of Dawn. With rumors spreading of abominable magic, monsters creeping in the marshes, and a mysterious plague corrupting the magicians of Zanhei, it is clear that demon interference is afoot. In the battle between order and chaos, the Guardians of Dawn must rise once again before it is too late - and Zhara must take her place in the world before it is lost to the flames forever.
I would love to see this series get picked up by Netflix animation - it's the perfect blend of Sailor Moon meets Cinderella with a dash of all the good things - (YA) romance, chosen one tropes, tragic pasts, forbidden kingdoms, second chances, demon queens, animal sidekicks, royal balls, a prince in disguise, and magical transformations. I thought the story did a good job of balancing the fantasy aspect of the plot while also examining the ways in which guilt, obligation, and overall what clinging to "oldest daughter syndrome" can do to your well-being and that of those around you. The characters were endearing, the story was sweet and a little bit emotional, and I really want to see what these crazy kids get up to next! I also am dying for a copy of "The Maiden Who Was Loved By Death" at some point during this series - I too need to know what the Maiden is going to do when Death finally confesses to her!
I would love to see this series get picked up by Netflix animation - it's the perfect blend of Sailor Moon meets Cinderella with a dash of all the good things - (YA) romance, chosen one tropes, tragic pasts, forbidden kingdoms, second chances, demon queens, animal sidekicks, royal balls, a prince in disguise, and magical transformations. I thought the story did a good job of balancing the fantasy aspect of the plot while also examining the ways in which guilt, obligation, and overall what clinging to "oldest daughter syndrome" can do to your well-being and that of those around you. The characters were endearing, the story was sweet and a little bit emotional, and I really want to see what these crazy kids get up to next! I also am dying for a copy of "The Maiden Who Was Loved By Death" at some point during this series - I too need to know what the Maiden is going to do when Death finally confesses to her!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Violence
This was.. just okay. I didn't dislike this story but I didn't really enjoy it. Just.. it was there?
First off, it's a Cinderella retelling crossed with Sailor Moon. (It's not like Cinder, except for the retelling part.) At the way end, there's a hint at the second book - which seems like it'll be a Beauty and the Beast retelling. So yeah, let's just stop with the Cinder comparison. It's Cinderella.
Now - onto the main review!
I was absolutely taken away by all the references to the Four Guardians and the nods to Sailor Moon. I felt completely immersed in the world, especially with the way pronouns and honorifics were used. In fact, I love that that "they" is used until the person identifies themselves more clearly. I think it's better that way. Xu seems to be non-binary (don't know for certain), and I love how everybody just goes on about life. (There's no stink about it, no big to-do that Xu is feminine presenting sometimes and masculine other times.) I also love the nicknames that people came up with when they were referencing one another!
Honestly, this book is dear to me. It brought me back to my youth, watching Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yugi (which also had guardians and four celestial beasts). The storyline makes it clear who the main villain is and what the real end game will be. I love that fact! We know there's a clear ending in mind for this series, and yet I have no idea what specifics will come. The concept of each book being a retelling seems fascinating though. So I'm curious what each will be like.
If you ever loved Sailor Moon, Eastern Myth and culture, retellings, sassy cats and innocent love then go check this out! You won't regret it!
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC! I need to go buy it now!
Now - onto the main review!
I was absolutely taken away by all the references to the Four Guardians and the nods to Sailor Moon. I felt completely immersed in the world, especially with the way pronouns and honorifics were used. In fact, I love that that "they" is used until the person identifies themselves more clearly. I think it's better that way. Xu seems to be non-binary (don't know for certain), and I love how everybody just goes on about life. (There's no stink about it, no big to-do that Xu is feminine presenting sometimes and masculine other times.) I also love the nicknames that people came up with when they were referencing one another!
Honestly, this book is dear to me. It brought me back to my youth, watching Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yugi (which also had guardians and four celestial beasts). The storyline makes it clear who the main villain is and what the real end game will be. I love that fact! We know there's a clear ending in mind for this series, and yet I have no idea what specifics will come. The concept of each book being a retelling seems fascinating though. So I'm curious what each will be like.
If you ever loved Sailor Moon, Eastern Myth and culture, retellings, sassy cats and innocent love then go check this out! You won't regret it!
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC! I need to go buy it now!
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
dark
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
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
Complicated