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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I was not getting connected with the story or characters at all, at 21% in. I don't think I got enough time in each era to really feel like I knew the characters or what they were about. The writing felt detached.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m torn about this one. The first 40% or so were very enjoyable — the writing flowed, the free inclusion of sex was refreshing and fun, and I was really curious to see where the three stories were going. I mean, exorcism of a vicious fox spirit; intrigue at old Chinese court; a heady contemporary ever-so-slightly futuristic mystery with drugs, heists and a touch of the supernatural — what’s not to love?
But after the 40% mark the book started to lose me. There were some laughable revelations only weakly supported by the previous text (if at all); there were summaries or explanations of the plotline that likewise didn’t really mash with what we were actually shown earlier in the book; and I still don’t understand the significance of the jade stamp (if the revenge was entirely the Emperor’s decision, what does the stamp have to do with anything? My best idea is that the Emperor was of the lineage cursed with the stamp, and this curse is what brought about all this other mess ). Also, I wasn’t really convinced of the tremendous love that was supposed to be there…
One last thought — how many lives have these guys gone through? I’ve seen some reviews complaining that there were lots of lives and we only got to see three — but I’m inclined to think there only were three, or at least there were only three in which the protagonists met.The fox spirit says he was the Emperor, then after much deliberation reincarnated as the fox spirit and roamed the Earth until he found his lover again — that’s 2 lives without any more in between. There could technically be some between nr. 2 and the slightly-futuristic one, but there’s literally zero hints pointing that way.
But after the 40% mark the book started to lose me. There were some laughable revelations only weakly supported by the previous text (if at all); there were summaries or explanations of the plotline that likewise didn’t really mash with what we were actually shown earlier in the book; and I still don’t understand the significance of the jade stamp (
One last thought — how many lives have these guys gone through? I’ve seen some reviews complaining that there were lots of lives and we only got to see three — but I’m inclined to think there only were three, or at least there were only three in which the protagonists met.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
I think one of the most beautiful books written. Even the cheesy lines were adorable. A good mix of queer drama and historical thriller. My only thing is that I wish it was longer, just so we could have dived deeper into the story!
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Me parece que es un libro ambicioso. La premisa es interesante, pero no cumplió para mí todas las promesas que fue haciendo durante la narrativa. Tiene un buen plot twist, eso sí.
I loved this book. It was so fun, light, adventurous, sexy, and full of fascinating folklore! Plus, all the time they spent in Thailand spoke to my lil' Chiang Mai heart.
I definitely recommend reading this - it's worth the ride!
I definitely recommend reading this - it's worth the ride!
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a good time reading the book. At first I wasn't sure I would like it, because of how heavy it was for my taste in spiciness in the first chapters but it quickly got better to me by not being so much about it. The chapter division surprised me at first with each chapter being a character but the pattern behind it made it really interesting as a choice
I was captivated by the story.There are two plot- twists that I did not expect.
The ending leaves me with questions, but while it would usually frustrates me, this wasn't the case here. I can't even say which chapter POV I liked best, I was interested in all of them. I also apprciated a lot the cultural background, of which I didn't know much.
TW: rape (more than once), sex, (furry sex?)
I was captivated by the story.
TW: rape (more than once), sex, (furry sex?)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this fantasy romance. I read this by audio and physically and did enjoy the reading of it. This debut was interesting and was definitely a different story than I have ever read. The different characters were fleshed out and carry throughout the novel.
I really enjoyed this fantasy romance. I read this by audio and physically and did enjoy the reading of it. This debut was interesting and was definitely a different story than I have ever read. The different characters were fleshed out and carry throughout the novel.
Spoiler
I will say the only thing I had trouble with was trying to figure out which character was which character in each timeline after the reveal happened. The reveal that River, Joey, and Winston were each of the other characters in different lifetimes was really interesting to see how it all related.Spoiler
I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated