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robotwitch's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
The final third of this book is excellent -- the revelations are great and well-handed, the ending is satisfying and sweet without being saccharine, it sets up the next book nicely, and Peasprout gets a huge amount of character development. The final third is enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
Besides that, the romance was, at first, too fast for me and a little silly (and seemed to old for what felt like a middle grade book), but I loved the way it developed and what it meant at the end of the book. I'm really interested to see where the second book takes it!
The first two thirds, though, are why this book only gets a 3.5. Peasprout is only able to get so much character development because she is an extremely unlikeable character for most of the book. Pigheaded, stubborn, braggadocious, insensitive. She's also incredibly determined, which drives most of the book and gets her into trouble, but it's not exactly an endearing quality when it's so ruthless, even when directed towards her own sibling.
The only part that made it tolerable was the fact that Lien's writing is strong, so I knew it was done on purpose. Little knowing winks to the audience, for instance, when Peasprout calls herself modest were a fantastic addition to make me relax.
I also struggled to imagine the skating moves, especially at first. There's no real guidance for how any of this looks, and given how complicated some of them are meant to be...I wanted some indication of that through description. I came up with my own headcanon, eventually, for how different moves were performed, but I was so excited by the figure skating that I wanted it on the page!
But I did really enjoy the world being built here, the mythology and history and structures. I also loved the way the reader is introduced to it all through Peasprout. And like I said, the ending is most excellent. It all comes together nicely, with clues throughout the book meaning that none of it is a surprise but it is unexpected! Good stuff.
The final third of this book is excellent -- the revelations are great and well-handed, the ending is satisfying and sweet without being saccharine, it sets up the next book nicely, and Peasprout gets a huge amount of character development. The final third is enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
Besides that, the romance was, at first, too fast for me and a little silly (and seemed to old for what felt like a middle grade book), but I loved the way it developed and what it meant at the end of the book. I'm really interested to see where the second book takes it!
The first two thirds, though, are why this book only gets a 3.5. Peasprout is only able to get so much character development because she is an extremely unlikeable character for most of the book. Pigheaded, stubborn, braggadocious, insensitive. She's also incredibly determined, which drives most of the book and gets her into trouble, but it's not exactly an endearing quality when it's so ruthless, even when directed towards her own sibling.
The only part that made it tolerable was the fact that Lien's writing is strong, so I knew it was done on purpose. Little knowing winks to the audience, for instance, when Peasprout calls herself modest were a fantastic addition to make me relax.
I also struggled to imagine the skating moves, especially at first. There's no real guidance for how any of this looks, and given how complicated some of them are meant to be...I wanted some indication of that through description. I came up with my own headcanon, eventually, for how different moves were performed, but I was so excited by the figure skating that I wanted it on the page!
But I did really enjoy the world being built here, the mythology and history and structures. I also loved the way the reader is introduced to it all through Peasprout. And like I said, the ending is most excellent. It all comes together nicely, with clues throughout the book meaning that none of it is a surprise but it is unexpected! Good stuff.
bookbrig's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It has great worldbuilding and a fascinating skating element, with a little mystery, lots of competition, mean girls, and navigating new friendships. I think it's a solid choice for booktalks and school visits, with a great hook.
detailsandtales's review against another edition
4.0
It's rare for me to find a middle grades book that I enjoy reading as an adult, but this one was a pleasant read for me. The world building is fascinating, and I love how it takes figure skating and makes it feel like a magical, powerful force. I also like the twists and turns and payoffs in this book, and the importance placed on family and friendship.
koalacupcake's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
colossal's review against another edition
4.0
Kung Fu and ice skating come together in the art of wu liu at the Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword. Chen Peasprout is a champion of wu liu from her home country of Shin, sent as a cultural exchange to the city of Pearl (a rough analogue of Taiwan to Shin's China). Along with her brother Cricket, they are desperate to prove their place at the academy, but struggle to do so while the Academy itself seems to be under attack, and them being blamed.
This is great. Peasprout is incredibly driven and competitive, but she's also a 14-year-old girl who makes plenty of mistakes. She's also in a school that has teachers that are similar caricatures of indifference and authority as the Hogwarts teachers from Harry Potter.
There are some fantastic set pieces around the wu liu challenges involving Peasprout and her friends and rivals. The relationships she develops with twins Doi and Hisashi are fascinating and should be interesting in the next book.
I will say this is darker in places than I would have expected for a middle grade or young young-adult book.
This is great. Peasprout is incredibly driven and competitive, but she's also a 14-year-old girl who makes plenty of mistakes. She's also in a school that has teachers that are similar caricatures of indifference and authority as the Hogwarts teachers from Harry Potter.
There are some fantastic set pieces around the wu liu challenges involving Peasprout and her friends and rivals. The relationships she develops with twins Doi and Hisashi are fascinating and should be interesting in the next book.
I will say this is darker in places than I would have expected for a middle grade or young young-adult book.
darusha's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend if you like audio at all. The theme song is wonderful and Nancy Wu's narration is legendary.
justabutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
4 stars for the actual story (it was great, don't get me wrong, but the plot alone wasn't the main selling point for me), and 1 extra star for some really neat world-building, a unique setting, and a flawed main character. Definitely pick this up, even if you're not usually interested in middle grade books!
competencefantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really fascinating worldbuilding
Would love to see more on the minutia of the school
And the lessons
The political conflict feels like we're scratching the iceberg.
This would be great as a videogame.
Other things I've read/watched about this
A review by Janie Chang
PEASPROUT CHEN FUTURE LEGEND OF SKATE AND SWORD!! LAUNCH PARTY FEATURING IDINA MENZEL! by Oscar The GameBoy
Idina Menzel and I Perform the Theme Song from Peasprout Chen
PEASPROUT CHEN MAP AND SONG TRAILER
Would love to see more on the minutia of the school
And the lessons
The political conflict feels like we're scratching the iceberg.
This would be great as a videogame.
Other things I've read/watched about this
A review by Janie Chang
PEASPROUT CHEN FUTURE LEGEND OF SKATE AND SWORD!! LAUNCH PARTY FEATURING IDINA MENZEL! by Oscar The GameBoy
Idina Menzel and I Perform the Theme Song from Peasprout Chen
PEASPROUT CHEN MAP AND SONG TRAILER
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
yubsie's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let's be honest, this book had me at "kung fu figure skating". The action sequences are really well done and exciting and this is coming from someone who doesn't actually like such things that much.
I did find the dialogue a bit clunky at first (I got a bit sick of "ten thousand years of stomach gas!" in the first few chapters), but I got used to it and by the end the excitement and mystery were enough to make me forget about that.
Initially I found Peasprout's overconfidence grating but on further consideration that was actually really refreshing to see in a middle grade heroine. And she got to learn and grow, that's always a good thing! She had a lot of big feelings as is only suited to a fourteen year old girl.
bellephant's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0