Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whilst some of the narrative twists seemed obvious, it was still a pleasant and engaging experience with loveable characters!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
The whole story is so fantastical, with sky fish, cumulous whales, floating cities and of course the paper animals that walk and talk and seem so alive!
There is one shocking revelation after another, it definitely kept me gripped and wanting to keep reading. I found all the different relationship dynamics very interesting, though I felt bad for Kurara, not having anyone truly close apart from Haru.
I will be eagerly awaiting news of the next book!
There is one shocking revelation after another, it definitely kept me gripped and wanting to keep reading. I found all the different relationship dynamics very interesting, though I felt bad for Kurara, not having anyone truly close apart from Haru.
I will be eagerly awaiting news of the next book!
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kurara and her best friend Haru live and work on the Midori — the Mikoshima Empire’s first and only airborne banqueting hall.
For years, she has lived “like a mouse hoping not to be noticed, folding oneself like origami for the fear of taking up too much space.”
She does not remember her past, and neither does she know a master Crafter is coming to look for her this day. The very day a dragon attacks the Midori, reducing it to ash.
Except the dragon is a Shikigami - sentient creatures crafted from paper that are strong and kill on a rampage.
Rather fond of playing with paper herself, Kurara finds out she belongs to a rare breed called Crafters. As she learns to master her Ofuda (the paper) at her command, she learns that the rogue Shikigami are not what they seem, and are very intertwined with what she is.
This book has a strong Ghibli movie feel to it, with “silkpunk” sky cities set in a Japanese-based world. The best part was the way Kurara and the other Crafters wield their magic - turning paper into daggers and shields, and even stepping stones in the air.
Awesome concept for a book, and
the scenes were a feast for the senses. I thought the ending faltered a little, and I’d really like to see Ann Sei Lin tighten up this series more after this debut.
📚: @definitelybooks
For years, she has lived “like a mouse hoping not to be noticed, folding oneself like origami for the fear of taking up too much space.”
She does not remember her past, and neither does she know a master Crafter is coming to look for her this day. The very day a dragon attacks the Midori, reducing it to ash.
Except the dragon is a Shikigami - sentient creatures crafted from paper that are strong and kill on a rampage.
Rather fond of playing with paper herself, Kurara finds out she belongs to a rare breed called Crafters. As she learns to master her Ofuda (the paper) at her command, she learns that the rogue Shikigami are not what they seem, and are very intertwined with what she is.
This book has a strong Ghibli movie feel to it, with “silkpunk” sky cities set in a Japanese-based world. The best part was the way Kurara and the other Crafters wield their magic - turning paper into daggers and shields, and even stepping stones in the air.
Awesome concept for a book, and
the scenes were a feast for the senses. I thought the ending faltered a little, and I’d really like to see Ann Sei Lin tighten up this series more after this debut.
📚: @definitelybooks
an amazing first book of a fantasy series which will definitely be amazing (assuming it will be a series of course). the magic system and fantasy worldbuilding is chefs kiss, however it was 100% focused on the action and the characters didn’t have any sort of backstory & seemed a little flat aside from a few of them, like haru, kurara and tomoe. will definitely read the next book though and i feel like a wlw relationship between tomoe and sayo was definitely hinted at too much to not be there :))
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I could go on about how much I loved the magic in Rebel Skies. From the premise alone, I knew I would be enchanted. I love the idea of bringing life to paper, of using it as a weapon, as a defense. We have this idea that paper is so flexible and to see it in different forms was so fascinating. Furthermore, Sei Lin brings some intriguing ethical dilemmas. With these paper spirits - how much agency do they have? This theme ended up being my favorite element.
If someone is bringing us to life, how much loyalty do we owe them? How much of ourselves do we retain? Lose? As Rebel Skies progresses, this theme is only complicated and folded in on itself. Seriously. There is a wealth of ethics I want to discuss, but can't! My second favorite element has to be the mystery. Rebel Skies is a fabulous series starter. The intrigue - trying to unravel these hidden secrets - is fascinating. We are trapped in the dark just like Kuara.
I could go on about how much I loved the magic in Rebel Skies. From the premise alone, I knew I would be enchanted. I love the idea of bringing life to paper, of using it as a weapon, as a defense. We have this idea that paper is so flexible and to see it in different forms was so fascinating. Furthermore, Sei Lin brings some intriguing ethical dilemmas. With these paper spirits - how much agency do they have? This theme ended up being my favorite element.
If someone is bringing us to life, how much loyalty do we owe them? How much of ourselves do we retain? Lose? As Rebel Skies progresses, this theme is only complicated and folded in on itself. Seriously. There is a wealth of ethics I want to discuss, but can't! My second favorite element has to be the mystery. Rebel Skies is a fabulous series starter. The intrigue - trying to unravel these hidden secrets - is fascinating. We are trapped in the dark just like Kuara.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated