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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This book was so much fun! I had such a good time reading it. I loved the silliness and how it didn’t take away from the serious topics the book sometimes wandered into. At first the main character felt a little too young and immature for an adult book, she felt very YA but in the end I loved the characters and the growth they shared as the story progressed.
Overall it was just a dang good time. I’m looking forward to more!
Overall it was just a dang good time. I’m looking forward to more!
Not my kind of story.. right book, wrong time?
dark
funny
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
adventurous
funny
fast-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
A richly imagined, Chinese mythology-inspired novel featuring a protagonist who is half-vampire and half-fox-spirit, set in an immortal version of Shanghai. Lady Jing was taken on as the King of Hell's ward when her mother pawned her to him as a child; now nearly one hundred years old but full of sass, life in Tian is still frustratingly difficult for Lady Jing to navigate in a court full of vixen. But when a mortal is enlisted to help the King of Hell, Jing soon discovers more to her past and a vibrant mortal Shanghai.
I really enjoyed the Chinese mythology in this book and seeing a different spin on it compared to other books and retellings I've read. I felt immersed in the world due to the story's vivid description and striking setting.
At first I wasn't too keen on Lady Jing thinking her petulant and immature with her language, however I also understood her easily stoked temper and her associated struggle with it. She's quick to anger and frustrated with her situation which leads to her getting into trouble repeatedly and I did find myself getting irritated with her lack of control and the consequent repercussions. There is more to her than this though and we get to see several pieces of her character become apparent - she can be vexing yet completely oblivious at times, she's defensive yet also learning to improve herself.
I grew to like her more as she enters into a tentative friendship with Mr Lee and discovers things about herself in mortal Shanghai. I loved the part where we see mortal Shanghai and just see the characters explore the city and have fun! I didn't really know where the plot was going at one point but it becomes clear later on and leads to an ending of uncovered truths, however it felt a bit rushed. The conclusion could have been drawn out a bit more with some further details supplied for a more satisfying end.
The half-vampire nature of her being was very fun to read about! The blood rush she gets provided some amusing entertainment, particularly when coupled with Mr Lee and seeing how he navigates her being part vampire. All of the characters were well fleshed out bar her grandmother who we don't get to see much of and so her part fell a little flat.
Overall, it's an enjoyable and wacky, fast-paced story with some great characters and character development in an unusual setting that elicits intrigue. If only the ending were more satisfyingly executed to round off this pleasantly curious story.