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zarelaeda's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Imagine my surprise when my April book club 'chose your own music novel' turned out to be a retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in all the best ways. And on top of that, we have beautifully diverse female characters and queer characters? My only complaint is that I wanted this to be double the length.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, and War
Moderate: Gore and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Alcoholism
sapphodemia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
petalpetal's review
I just couldn't get into it plus the author kept using complicated words I had to look up and constantly gave the characters a thousand interchangeable nicknames and it was to confusing for me
literary_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Zephyr is a really amazing character! I love characters who have to rely on intellect rather than brawn. She’s arrogant for sure, but it didn’t bother me so much.
The only think I didn’t like, was that there was a lot of telling and not a whole lot of showing. We are constantly in Zephyr’s head and she is always explaining her plans and expectations. This was fine, but I think it would have been okay to not explain everything. A little bit of mystery goes a long way. Would have been more interesting plot-wise too if the reader wasn’t always aware of the main character’s plans.
The only think I didn’t like, was that there was a lot of telling and not a whole lot of showing. We are constantly in Zephyr’s head and she is always explaining her plans and expectations. This was fine, but I think it would have been okay to not explain everything. A little bit of mystery goes a long way. Would have been more interesting plot-wise too if the reader wasn’t always aware of the main character’s plans.
cyngharris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
moonlit_dewdrops's review
3.0
I found this book super interesting despite having basically no knowledge about The Three Kingdoms. The political intrigue woven into this book was what especially got me hooked other than the dynamic between Crow and Zephyr. Man, I’m really a sucker for rivals to lovers! There was such good chemistry between these two despite their obvious mistrust of each other. The fact that they were both strategists and saw each other as equals also added to their dynamic! They were always trying to figure one another out and read each other’s mind. Even when they first met, it was like they knew each other’s moves
Admittedly, one thing I was bothered by were the inconsistencies with the usage of names.
Ex: November and Ren
I did read the author’s post on Instagram about sobriquets and given names but it was mainly about Lotus, Cloud, Ren, and Zephyr. It would be pretty cool if I also saw an explanation for the names of characters like Miasma, Tourmaline, Cicada
I’m very excited for the second book!! I need to see Crow finding out Zephyr is still alive!!
Admittedly, one thing I was bothered by were the inconsistencies with the usage of names.
Ex: November and Ren
I did read the author’s post on Instagram about sobriquets and given names but it was mainly about Lotus, Cloud, Ren, and Zephyr. It would be pretty cool if I also saw an explanation for the names of characters like Miasma, Tourmaline, Cicada
I’m very excited for the second book!! I need to see Crow finding out Zephyr is still alive!!
c_ab_bage's review
5.0
was this the most well structured book i’ve ever read? no, but fantasy exposition is always tricky, and joan he’s writing is certainly not unpleasant to read, either way. the story, however, is one of the most interesting and entertaining things i’ve read lately. even knowing this author’s penchant for plot twists and tricky narrative turns, i still was unable to guess exactly what they were and many of them took me entirely off guard. super, super immersive writing, as always, so it was a very quick read; hard to put down.
eagerly awaiting the sequel!
eagerly awaiting the sequel!
shelby7's review
adventurous
tense
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? Yes
4.5