Reviews

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao

wolfsong12's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

coronata's review against another edition

3.5

Solid follow-up to the previous book, but I think that this book should have been a bit longer — so much more happened in this book than the previous one, but it's half the length! Or, both books could have been trimmed a bit and the whole duology could have been one, longer book. This book felt very rushed and the characters (especially new ones and especially villains) felt very flat and uninteresting.  Still, I'm not the target audience, and I would have liked this book as a teenager, so that's good enough for me.

mrufka's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

It was beautiful! Both books were. Magic system was unique, part of it at least. Loved the idea, characters and the world.

traceyyoung's review against another edition

adventurous fast-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

3.0

I enjoyed book 1 more than this one. I just wasn’t drawn into it in the same way as the first one. It felt like the ending was a bit meh. Glad I finished it though.

allivenger's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book picks right up where the last book left off. With Lan and Zen on opposite sides of this war that is set to come to a head sooner rather than later. Lan finds herself searching for the Crimson Phoenix while Zen  decides that he cannot win this war without an army. And he knows just where to find one. 

But when the Crimson Phoenix is not what Lan expected and the Elantian army in hot pursuit, Lan once again finds herself with Zen. But can their differences be put aside when the kingdom is in jeopardy? Or will this war destroy them both in the process? 

I loved the first book much better than I liked this one. There was nothing wrong with it really I just think I enjoyed the pacing of the first book better. I cried at the ending and it was wonderfully done. I wish we could have had a different ending but overall a solid story.

emily_bg's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful sad 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? No

4.5

yamiresse's review

adventurous emotional

4.75

This book drained me emotionally. The level of love and sacrifice between Kan and Zen was brutal. My only complain is that the climax came a bit late and was rushed. For 2 books we were preparing for this battle and it happened in the very last few pages with no time to process and develop the battle.

scribe391's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The plot is bogged down by Asian philosophy and reincarnation 

jaybae26's review

medium-paced

3.5

stegobookosaurus's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

3.5

This was a great tale about how power corrupts people and the hard choices we must make living under another's thumb.

Lan was a great protagonist who should be a great role model for people. Especially in these strange times. I admired her restraint, mischief making and love for others. A truly lovely protagonist to follow.

While I enjoyed this sequel more than it's predecessor, I found the ending quite rushed. Relationships that were built up throughout the duology just spluttered out and the end was so sudden.

Even so, a great story on lovers who can never be and the power that cleaves them apart.