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bluejayreads's review
3.25
I didn't realize when I picked this up that I'd already read one book by this author before - or at least attempted to read, as I DNF'ed Descendant of the Crane in 2021. But the back cover on this one sounded much more interesting, and I didn't DNF the other book for being bad, just because I wasn't able to get into it - which could very easily have been more about my mood than the book itself. So I gave this one a shot.
And at first, I was really glad I did. I didn't love the world-building - I've read too many fantasies set in actual ancient China, so this Chinese-inspired world felt like a discordant mishmash of ideas instead of a cohesive world, but I could live with that. What I did like was Zephyr, who was clever, calculating, always three steps ahead of everyone else (a trait I love in a character), and some intriguing combination of dedicated to her warlordess and desperate to prove herself useful. And even though the plot involved a lot of politics, it wasn't slow and managed to involve a fair bit of action and intrigue along the way.
The back cover really doesn't tell you much about what's in the book. The infiltration happens almost immediately, and while Crow is definitely an antagonist, he's not really a major player in the story. Just about every bit of the story you think you're going to read wraps up in part one. Then in part two things go way off the rails, and that's where I started to really struggle.
My big criticism of the story itself is that it sacrifices background for speed, and that blunts any potential emotional impact. I don't disagree with the choice - a long setup would have done the story a disservice. But often the reader finds out about crucial pieces of information the moment they're supposed to be connected to an emotional moment, so the emotions have to share my attention with the process of mentally putting this new information into the overarching picture of the book. This also makes the big revelation at the start of part two feel unexpected, but in a jarring, random way. I may have had a different experience if I'd read Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Chinese classic that this series is based on, but I haven't. So maybe this is true to the original, but it was still difficult for me.
The problem I had with part two, and the reason I won't be continuing the series, is definitely a case of it's not the book, it's me. A major event at the end of part one and a character's response to it at the beginning of part two resulted in one major character ending up in the body of another major character. I do not like body-swapping. I can't even really explain why, it just makes me extremely uncomfortable. It's worse if the body-swapped characters try to pretend that they are the person whose body they're in, which also happens here. So I spent most of part two wanting to leave the situation but also hoping that the characters would get back to the right bodies, because I was sure I would start to like it again once the body-swapping thing was fixed. But based on the ending and reading the back cover for the sequel, I think the characters are likely to stay in the wrong bodies until near the end of book two. And I do not want to deal with that.
On the whole, this is not a bad book by any means. It had a lot of aspects that didn't do it for me, personally, but that's not a judgement on the book itself. I'm having a hard time expressing any sort of overall opinion about it because the biggest thing I didn't like about it (and quite possibly the smaller thing I didn't like as well) were all matters of personal opinion. I like the ideas, it's well-written, and it kept my interest despite being fairly politics-heavy. It just has some elements that aren't for me, personally - but might be for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Blood and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, Death of parent, Child death, and Animal death
mattiedancer's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: 3.75⭐️/5
The writing was strong throughout the story, but it lacked pacing. This is something I’ll mention again in the plot because it’s kind of a fault on both accounts. I really wish that each plot point had been discussed and pulled out longer because, though the story is great, I wanted more time with each moment. It also became a little hard to stay with the emotions of the character because of its pacing.
Characters: 4.5⭐️/5
The characters felt full and realized. Where the story failed to keep my engagement due to some pacing issues, the characters wholly took up the slack. Zephyr was an enthralling main character to follow, even more so as she attempted to take on characterizations that went against her own. I thought the only part of characterization that lacked depth was some deeper understanding of exactly why Zephyr maintained such a strong bond with Ren. I would have loved a bit more time with that.
Plot: 3.75⭐️/5
The overall plot is genius, and yet the pacing of it being told fell short of expectations. Some of the parts of the plot felt far too rushed
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of fantasy novels
- Fans of Joan He
Content Warnings?
- War, death, violence, blood, child death, injury, grief, animal death, death of parent, alcohol,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
Final Rating: 4⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Alcohol, Violence, Murder, War, Blood, and Animal death
scrubsandbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
Joan He's writing is absolutely beautiful, and this had such an interesting concept, especially the latter half of the book. But, that's just it... the pacing felt off. I felt like there were times when it dragged and got interesting and then dragged again in the first half. The second half had me completely hooked but it took me a long while to get there. Still, the world-building is glorious and imaginative, and I loved the wide variety of female characterizations that Joan He brought to life among the pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Death of parent and Animal death
leweylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Reading this immediately after finishing Fire Becomes Her was rough lol the pace is much slower and the writing is much more staccato, sharp, and intense. The characters are more intense too, especially Zephyr. It's also obvious that this is meant to be a series because there was a lot of setting things up for the next book. Including what seems like it'll be an enemies to lovers romance, but all we get is one [manipulative] kiss, and I was okay with that lol. After reading a book with so many queer relationships, especially ace and aro ones, I was hoping for something not hetero but hey lol.
My favorite thing about this book was the shift when Zephyr dies and realizes she's actually a god and then ends up in Lotus's body . That really took the story to a whole new level for me and helped keep my interest when the battle stuff was making me nod off a bit.
The thing I like the most about this book is how many freaking female characters there are, especially badass ones! There are honestly very few male characters, and none of them are in positions of power really (except Xin Ten's uncle and well 😂). I love that they're all strong and badasses in different ways. Like Zephyr of literally a god but she's not a physical warrior but super smart and intuitive. Xin Ren is a great leader and compassionate towards her people. Lotus and Cloud are warriors. And the list goes on and on.
Overall, I do think it was good enough that I'll read the next book!
My favorite thing about this book was the shift when Zephyr
The thing I like the most about this book is how many freaking female characters there are, especially badass ones! There are honestly very few male characters, and none of them are in positions of power really (except Xin Ten's uncle and well 😂). I love that they're all strong and badasses in different ways. Like Zephyr of literally a god but she's not a physical warrior but super smart and intuitive. Xin Ren is a great leader and compassionate towards her people. Lotus and Cloud are warriors. And the list goes on and on.
Overall, I do think it was good enough that I'll read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Torture, War, Murder, and Blood
willow_heartfilia's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Blood, War, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Terminal illness and Chronic illness
The terminal/chronic illness warning is very mild, as it is a side character from the enemy's side of the war with consumption (tuberculosis). And, while it does come up multiple times throughout...olive_lol's review
adventurous
medium-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
4.25
Whether you like Zephyr will make or break this book for you. I loved Zephyr, so I had a great time reading. Her ego gives the narration so much personality, and every description reinforces her character and how she sees the world. I spent most of the book ignoring her romance, though. I thought it was unnecessary, and I was more invested in other parts of the story.
Because of the nature of the plot twist in the middle, I felt like the second half was somewhat disconected from the first. However, putting Zephyr into a warrior's body is a clever way to spark character development, considering she originally didn't respect warriors. I also wish we had gotten to know side characters like Lotus and Cloud better in the first half.
Overall, a fun book with a lot of personality and a divisive protagonist.
Overall, a fun book with a lot of personality and a divisive protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Chronic illness, and Child death
Minor: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
I'm just not invested in the story or characters anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
mandkips's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child death
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, and Alcohol
kumquats87's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
shoni's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
You're telling me I have to sit here and wait for the second book to come out. I didn't sign up for this! (i mean I did but like I don't approve).
I think it's safe to say that Joan He really can do no wrong. I really enjoy all her books and they all bring such different feelings and emotions that I'm just left with so many questions and emotions after I'm done. And Joan writes it in such a way that I can't even be mad because it's the best thing for the story! Having the map, artwork, and table of contents, in the beginning, was great. I miss that in books! It adds such an extra element in the smallest way and I love it. I do believe it's a nod to the original Three Kingdoms as it had the same format which adds to the genius behind it.
The characters were also just amazing. Zephyr is one of my favorites for sure. She has such chaotic energy in the most logical way that I am in love with her. She makes you understand what you don't even understand. PLUS, THE TENSION AND BANTER BETWEEN CROW AND ZEPHYR IS WHAT I WANT/NEED. It was everything and made me so happy. I knew from the beginning that there was something with Crow, that we weren't getting the full story but I wasn't expecting that! Like somehow was easier to accept the doomed love when he was on Miasma's side than Cicada's. I'm so curious to see where both these characters go in the second book AND how their paths cross again. also how much does Crow knows about Zephyr? It's said it's your soul finding its other half, so if that's the case, would he recognize zephyr's soul after a while ESPECIALLY AFTER THAT SCENE BY THE LAKE WITH THE ZITHER, or not and just be ridden with sorrow? I have too many questions and so much time till the second book comes out. It's ridiculous.
Also, Ren. Such an iconic. A lordess who is both feared and loved in the best way. Like I want to be like her. Spread chaos and bloodshed in the most humane way. Iconic.
I honestly have so many thoughts and emotions and I can't even figure out how to put them into words at this point. I can't wait for the second book and see where it all goes.
I think it's safe to say that Joan He really can do no wrong. I really enjoy all her books and they all bring such different feelings and emotions that I'm just left with so many questions and emotions after I'm done. And Joan writes it in such a way that I can't even be mad because it's the best thing for the story! Having the map, artwork, and table of contents, in the beginning, was great. I miss that in books! It adds such an extra element in the smallest way and I love it. I do believe it's a nod to the original Three Kingdoms as it had the same format which adds to the genius behind it.
The characters were also just amazing. Zephyr is one of my favorites for sure. She has such chaotic energy in the most logical way that I am in love with her. She makes you understand what you don't even understand. PLUS, THE TENSION AND BANTER BETWEEN CROW AND ZEPHYR IS WHAT I WANT/NEED. It was everything and made me so happy.
Also, Ren. Such an iconic. A lordess who is both feared and loved in the best way. Like I want to be like her. Spread chaos and bloodshed in the most humane way. Iconic.
I honestly have so many thoughts and emotions and I can't even figure out how to put them into words at this point. I can't wait for the second book and see where it all goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Blood