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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
4 stars
Very solid historical romance with a fascinating setting; China during the Tang Dynasty. The romance is subtle and subdued, boiling under the surface of Yan Ling and Fei Long's interactions. Class differences and Fei Long's heightened sense of honor make their romance forbidden. Their attraction is quickly stifled, as Fei Long teaches the former tea girl how to be a princess. Though the pacing is leisurely, I enjoyed my visit with these characters.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Very solid historical romance with a fascinating setting; China during the Tang Dynasty. The romance is subtle and subdued, boiling under the surface of Yan Ling and Fei Long's interactions. Class differences and Fei Long's heightened sense of honor make their romance forbidden. Their attraction is quickly stifled, as Fei Long teaches the former tea girl how to be a princess. Though the pacing is leisurely, I enjoyed my visit with these characters.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the political plot and some of the supporting characters, but the main characters and romance didn't resonate with me at all. The end felt forced and unrealistic, but it was an interesting look at arranged political marriages.
This was a very difficult read for me. It was TOO descriptive, to the point where I wound up skimming through most of it because it dragged so badly. The romance angle was very subtle, to the point where it was almost a shock that they were in love with one another, it was that sudden. It was just a disappointing read, and one I regret purchasing.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved loved loved this book!
Set in Tang Dynasty, China, this version of My Fair Lady is pure comfort reading. Yan Ling is a tea house serving girl, hard-working with a fiery streak. Fei Long is the perfect composed, elegant gentleman, always in control. When they meet, they seem like the answer to each other's problem, but somewhere along the way, feelings happen.
I loved the contrast of the subtle, outward interactions with the tumultuous inner battles. Although light on history, there was enough to flavour the story nicely. I was hooked from the beginning straight through to the end. I had not read Jeannie Lin before, and My Fair Concubine was so enjoyable, I must read more or her work.
ATW 2018 China
Set in Tang Dynasty, China, this version of My Fair Lady is pure comfort reading. Yan Ling is a tea house serving girl, hard-working with a fiery streak. Fei Long is the perfect composed, elegant gentleman, always in control. When they meet, they seem like the answer to each other's problem
Spoiler
Fei Long needs a woman to prepare as a bride for a neighboring nation after he allows his sister to run away with her true love, and Yan Ling needs to escape to an environment that suits her intelligent, romantic, lively spirit.I loved the contrast of the subtle, outward interactions with the tumultuous inner battles. Although light on history, there was enough to flavour the story nicely. I was hooked from the beginning straight through to the end. I had not read Jeannie Lin before, and My Fair Concubine was so enjoyable, I must read more or her work.
ATW 2018 China
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
824 AD, Tang Dynasty, China
Fei Long has a major predicament: his sister Pearl had been promised in a Peace Marriage to the Khitan empire, but she has refused and run away. At a tea house, he encounters Yan Ling, who throws tea on him and is fired for her efforts. Desperate, Yan Ling convinces Fei Long to bring her with him to Changan, and he realizes she may be the answer to his problems: Yan Ling can replace Pearl as the princess being sent to Khitan. As women are cloistered, there’s a chance no one would even know. Except of course, Fei Long notices everything about Yan Ling and doesn’t know how to give her up when the time comes. A lovely spin on My Fair Lady, with a slow burn that really pays off.
Where the first two books of the Tang Dynasty series had a bit more adventure to them, this one focuses on our two main characters and the growth of their relationship. I appreciated the humor of Bai Shen, an actor friend of Fei Long’s brought in to train Yan Ling in how to become a princess, and the earnestness of Dao, the servant girl assigned to Yan Ling. Every detail added to the richness of the story.
3.25 stars. A strong start, but everything got pretty muddled by the end
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
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:
No