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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truly one of the least interesting and least well-written books I’ve read in a while.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Listen, sometimes I need a different format. This would have been perfect in audio if the men voices had been done better, because I needed the audio to get the Mc’s tone.
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slight Spoiler Review
Okay this was actually really cute! It's very YA, but that doesn't mean it'd bad. The writing is quick and engaging, and Jing's voice is very strong and believable. The world building and explanation of the Underworld and Celestial politics is intriguing and straightforward.
Jing is a brazen, brash, and impertinent half-nine-tailed fox, half-vampire ward of Big Wang tasked with babysitting the overly polite and abiding mortal Mr Tony Lee after he enters the Underworld to make a deal with Wang. Jing and Lee's dynamic is very fun as the classic opposites attract relationship. And as Jing journeys to the realm of the Living with Lee, their bond only grows closer.
I have to say, I actually really liked the slow unfolding of the romance and I feel it was done organically and less insta-lovey than in other YA and romantasy novels.
The platonic relationships were also explored nicely, I really liked seeing Jing and Gigi's barbed rivalry/friendship evolve.
There's not much fighting action compared to most fnatasy books like The Poppy War or Powerless, in fact, I don't think there's any combat until 3/4 of the way in, which is actually fine by me. Not that I don't enjoy a good fight scene, but I do get a bit burnt out if reading too many heavy-action fantasies in a row.
I absolutely recommend this as a light, enjoyable read. I think there's supposed to be a sequel or at least another book within this storyverse, but it can definitely be read as a standalone too!
Okay this was actually really cute! It's very YA, but that doesn't mean it'd bad. The writing is quick and engaging, and Jing's voice is very strong and believable. The world building and explanation of the Underworld and Celestial politics is intriguing and straightforward.
Jing is a brazen, brash, and impertinent half-nine-tailed fox, half-vampire ward of Big Wang tasked with babysitting the overly polite and abiding mortal Mr Tony Lee after he enters the Underworld to make a deal with Wang. Jing and Lee's dynamic is very fun as the classic opposites attract relationship. And as Jing journeys to the realm of the Living with Lee, their bond only grows closer.
I have to say, I actually really liked the slow unfolding of the romance and I feel it was done organically and less insta-lovey than in other YA and romantasy novels.
The platonic relationships were also explored nicely, I really liked seeing Jing and Gigi's barbed rivalry/friendship evolve.
There's not much fighting action compared to most fnatasy books like The Poppy War or Powerless, in fact, I don't think there's any combat until 3/4 of the way in, which is actually fine by me. Not that I don't enjoy a good fight scene, but I do get a bit burnt out if reading too many heavy-action fantasies in a row.
I absolutely recommend this as a light, enjoyable read. I think there's supposed to be a sequel or at least another book within this storyverse, but it can definitely be read as a standalone too!
There is a lot to enjoy about this book, especially if you like YA. I was surprised at the Goodreads rating because I enjoyed it thoroughly. It’s a fun read with an interesting setting. There are some enemies-to-lovers vibes in the romance and it’s very cute. It develops at a good, gentle pace.
I also dare say, some of the “worldbuilding issues” some users are mentioning are just because Chao doesn’t hand hold with Chinese terminology, which I can accept as a reader. I know what xiao long bao are, know a bit about dragon pearls, and I felt like I was able to follow long just fine with other terminologies for the different types of immortal beings. Honestly, if we have to Google a few things as readers when reading literature that is set in another country and culture, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. We’re learning.
Jing is immature, but she grows, she has character development. I’m also under the impression that 100 is considered young for these celestial beings. I did have a hard time with some of Jing’s language and potty humor at first, but I appreciate what Chao did from a craft perspective. We are solidly anchored in Jing’s perspective, in her world. It’s very hard to develop voice so vividly in writing. It’s also what makes her character development really strong in the end of the novel—we’re so close to her thoughts and we really get to see how she changes and grows. The part where she overcomes her fear of water is particularly heartwarming.
I will confess, it felt more like a YA fantasy than an adult fantasy. But I love both genres and I will definitely be looking for the next book!
I also dare say, some of the “worldbuilding issues” some users are mentioning are just because Chao doesn’t hand hold with Chinese terminology, which I can accept as a reader. I know what xiao long bao are, know a bit about dragon pearls, and I felt like I was able to follow long just fine with other terminologies for the different types of immortal beings. Honestly, if we have to Google a few things as readers when reading literature that is set in another country and culture, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. We’re learning.
Jing is immature, but she grows, she has character development. I’m also under the impression that 100 is considered young for these celestial beings. I did have a hard time with some of Jing’s language and potty humor at first, but I appreciate what Chao did from a craft perspective. We are solidly anchored in Jing’s perspective, in her world. It’s very hard to develop voice so vividly in writing. It’s also what makes her character development really strong in the end of the novel—we’re so close to her thoughts and we really get to see how she changes and grows. The part where she overcomes her fear of water is particularly heartwarming.
I will confess, it felt more like a YA fantasy than an adult fantasy. But I love both genres and I will definitely be looking for the next book!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes