Reviews

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu

niakantorka's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book even though it apparently is a fantasy retelling of Chinese history that actually happened. I found it fantastic enough not to be bothered by it contrary to other reviews I read. Maybe it’s because I’m a huge Guy Gavriel Kay fan who’s done it like this countless times. 

It seems this series will get its own twists and will deviate from history from the second volume on. As usual Ken Liu’s writing was wonderful. Yet, I’m giving it a rating of “just” 4 stars because the ever switching povs and the slow pace of the story was a bit sloggy to get through. 

It might be hypocritical of me that I found the violence here at times hard to bear when I’ve had no such qualms about Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (that’s definitely much more violent). Maybe it was because of the povs - when you are in the head of the person dying and their threat just ends it has left a bigger impact on me than people who are able to ‘come back’ somehow. 

I’m definitely reading on with these books to see how the momentary equilibrium will be torn to shreds. 

renzopena_perez's review against another edition

challenging dark lighthearted reflective medium-paced

airacobra952's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective tense 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

5.0

tara_whitaker's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark slow-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

3.75

salema's review against another edition

I know everyone loves it but I’m bored to tears. Maybe I’ll revisit another time. 

capgambit's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Blood, and Gore

ivannam1991's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad slow-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? Yes

5.0

dawsonj202's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

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

4.0

itsalljustsemantics's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

naveen_subramanian00's review against another edition

5.0

My Rating - 4.7 / 5.0