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snaillydia's review against another edition
2.0
Mixed feelings on this one. Good plot twists but the rest was so meh.
This book tried so hard to give complex political intrigue that fell flat on its face. Some of the ideas here are promising, but they happen around cartoonish villains, a clueless protagonist and a love interest that's trying to be Eugenides from The Thief. Mehhhhhh.
This book tried so hard to give complex political intrigue that fell flat on its face. Some of the ideas here are promising, but they happen around cartoonish villains, a clueless protagonist and a love interest that's trying to be Eugenides from The Thief. Mehhhhhh.
hayleyc28's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
sdloomer's review against another edition
2.0
Update 10/3/2021
I have very mixed feelings on this. On one hand, the world is pretty interesting and makes a good backdrop, but on the other, this book was probably eighty percent politicking and teenage "scheming" that I felt pretty bored through some particularly dense parts.
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As a fellow Asian, this cover brings legit tears to my face.
I have very mixed feelings on this. On one hand, the world is pretty interesting and makes a good backdrop, but on the other, this book was probably eighty percent politicking and teenage "scheming" that I felt pretty bored through some particularly dense parts.
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As a fellow Asian, this cover brings legit tears to my face.
katieb94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
I’m very fussy when it comes to fantasy and this was on I actually enjoyed. The only fantastical element of it was the soothsayers and although a main part of the plot it wasn’t thrown in your face.
We follow Hesina who becomes Queen of a kingdom called Yan after her father dies- or murdered, as she thinks. She wants to find the truth, even if it means going against the people she is supposed to protect.
There’s some great world building and I may have had to look up whether the setting was an actual region of China and although it isn’t, it felt real.
The characters also feel very well rounded and although I found Hesina really irritating in places, I could understand why she was acting the way that she was.
It’s a good fantasy, encompassing Chinese lore as well as family drama, to make the reader really feel for the characters.
Beautifully written.
4/5 stars
I’d recommend
We follow Hesina who becomes Queen of a kingdom called Yan after her father dies- or murdered, as she thinks. She wants to find the truth, even if it means going against the people she is supposed to protect.
There’s some great world building and I may have had to look up whether the setting was an actual region of China and although it isn’t, it felt real.
The characters also feel very well rounded and although I found Hesina really irritating in places, I could understand why she was acting the way that she was.
It’s a good fantasy, encompassing Chinese lore as well as family drama, to make the reader really feel for the characters.
Beautifully written.
4/5 stars
I’d recommend
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
This is an absolutely wonderfully written fantasy. Although, there are some points where the writing is weaker. But boy oh boy Joan He knows how to do plot twists.
I received an ecopy of this through Edelweiss; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through Edelweiss; however, all opinions are my own.
pewterbee's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
stressful but good