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zhogg's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
undervmountain's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I can't remember the last time I rated a sequel 5 stars, but this has fully restored my faith in them again. Following on from the sheer chaos at the end of the first book, Kurara searches for answers to her past, and the future of the Shikigami.
There's three things I look for in a sequel - new characters, new location, new danger. This ticked all three, with Kurara and Haru travelling to meet the gravekeeper, meeting new Shikigami along the way and discovering the horrors they could become.
Of course, this did leave us on somewhat of a cliffhanger for the next book, which I can't wait for. I'm really hoping it will be released sometime in the next two years, and I really think this series could hit a full five stars across the board if ti keeps up.
There's three things I look for in a sequel - new characters, new location, new danger. This ticked all three, with Kurara and Haru travelling to meet the gravekeeper, meeting new Shikigami along the way and discovering the horrors they could become.
Of course, this did leave us on somewhat of a cliffhanger for the next book, which I can't wait for. I'm really hoping it will be released sometime in the next two years, and I really think this series could hit a full five stars across the board if ti keeps up.
lou88's review
Couldnt get into it. Likely left to big a gap between the first book and this one. Not the target audience.
chucks_library's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The sequel to Rebel Skies, continues the journey with Kurara looking for answers to her past.
We met new characters such as the grave-keeper who is mysterious and very interesting. The chapters from Princess Tsukimi were probably my favourite as it was great to flesh out her story-line and why she is obsessed with the Shikigami. I felt the thing that let this one fall slightly short of the first book, is the pacing. It felt like we were dragging the story out at the start, that resolves itself about 60% of the way through as it gains pace. I think this book made me start to feel annoyed at Haru, he keeps trying to get Kurara to drop what she wants and go a different way. I just didn't like his character he was just there and kept talking about mushrooms. I like Himura he is a complicated character as he has to adjust to information he receives that makes him reconsider what he learned growing up. Its a good character arc, in one way I dislike how he sold out Kurara in book one, but you still want to read more about him.
The book leaves everything on a cliffhanger as it gears up for book 3, I'm not sure how many will be in this series but I look forward to them.
We met new characters such as the grave-keeper who is mysterious and very interesting. The chapters from Princess Tsukimi were probably my favourite as it was great to flesh out her story-line and why she is obsessed with the Shikigami. I felt the thing that let this one fall slightly short of the first book, is the pacing. It felt like we were dragging the story out at the start, that resolves itself about 60% of the way through as it gains pace. I think this book made me start to feel annoyed at Haru, he keeps trying to get Kurara to drop what she wants and go a different way. I just didn't like his character he was just there and kept talking about mushrooms. I like Himura he is a complicated character as he has to adjust to information he receives that makes him reconsider what he learned growing up. Its a good character arc, in one way I dislike how he sold out Kurara in book one, but you still want to read more about him.
The book leaves everything on a cliffhanger as it gears up for book 3, I'm not sure how many will be in this series but I look forward to them.
hweezbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a Japanese-inspired series with an amazing magic system based on origami, and a visual feast with bustling cities both in the skies and on the ground.
When this country was young, it was ruled by Crafters, by clans that split the land into pieces.
Crafters had the most delicate magic: they wielded Ofuda, a manipulation of mere paper as weapons, capable of slicing through an enemy’s throat with a handful of confetti.
They also created Shikigami, majestic paper creatures that they command to fight their battles.
By the time this series starts, war has decimated the clans, the Crafters have gone underground, and the Empire has taken over.
Kurara, still recovering from the events of book one, where the sky ship she were working on was attacked, has to face up to who she really is.
This world that Ann Sei Lin has created is like none other. It has sky pirates hunting and killing rogue Shikigami; a social divide among the “sky snobs” and “groundlings”.
She also excels at showing how humanity survives and thrives in such a chaotic world.
“Kurara…saw only ingenuity and determination - the kind that urged the grass to grow in the aftermath of a fire. The kind that made lotus flowers rise from the mud.”
Book 2 reveals quite a lot about the Crafters and Shikigami, the concept is mind-blowing!
📚: @definitelybooks
When this country was young, it was ruled by Crafters, by clans that split the land into pieces.
Crafters had the most delicate magic: they wielded Ofuda, a manipulation of mere paper as weapons, capable of slicing through an enemy’s throat with a handful of confetti.
They also created Shikigami, majestic paper creatures that they command to fight their battles.
By the time this series starts, war has decimated the clans, the Crafters have gone underground, and the Empire has taken over.
Kurara, still recovering from the events of book one, where the sky ship she were working on was attacked, has to face up to who she really is.
This world that Ann Sei Lin has created is like none other. It has sky pirates hunting and killing rogue Shikigami; a social divide among the “sky snobs” and “groundlings”.
She also excels at showing how humanity survives and thrives in such a chaotic world.
“Kurara…saw only ingenuity and determination - the kind that urged the grass to grow in the aftermath of a fire. The kind that made lotus flowers rise from the mud.”
Book 2 reveals quite a lot about the Crafters and Shikigami, the concept is mind-blowing!
📚: @definitelybooks
the_nook_of_tomes's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
snowwhitehatesapples's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
It has been an age since I’ve read a brilliant sequel that builds and improves on the foundations set by the first book, so Rebel Fire ending up in my hands? A joyous occasion for sure because it just so happens to be the type of sequel I always long for.
Picking up right after the conclusion of Rebel Skies , Rebel Fire mainly focuses on Kurara’s true identity, plus the hidden secrets and truths regarding shikigami and Crafters — all while Kurara, Haru, Tomoe and Sayo are on the run from Princess Tsukimi who will stop at nothing to have the shikigami children within her reach.
The gorgeously lush worldbuilding remains strong in this book, but what’s even better is finally getting the equally strong character development I wanted from the first book. Many of the main characters have grown. They are no longer simply black or white and have instead, become more complex, gaining more depth and realism to their characterisations. The magic system has also been expanded upon and solidified here, providing a deeper understanding of how such beautiful magic could also be dark.
My utmost favourite aspect of Rebel Fires is the multilayered associations to and executions of the universal theme of good and evil. From the magic system and the characters to the nature and history of shikigami and Crafters, this complex theme has been brilliantly interwoven with the story. In various ways, it reiterates that there are always two sides to a coin — that the world is greyer in reality.
All in all, Rebel Fire is an easy and enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down even for a moment. Ann Sei Lin has done an amazing job with this fast-paced, heart-pounding sequel and I am so, so excited for the conclusion of this trilogy.
It has been an age since I’ve read a brilliant sequel that builds and improves on the foundations set by the first book, so Rebel Fire ending up in my hands? A joyous occasion for sure because it just so happens to be the type of sequel I always long for.
Picking up right after the conclusion of Rebel Skies , Rebel Fire mainly focuses on Kurara’s true identity, plus the hidden secrets and truths regarding shikigami and Crafters — all while Kurara, Haru, Tomoe and Sayo are on the run from Princess Tsukimi who will stop at nothing to have the shikigami children within her reach.
The gorgeously lush worldbuilding remains strong in this book, but what’s even better is finally getting the equally strong character development I wanted from the first book. Many of the main characters have grown. They are no longer simply black or white and have instead, become more complex, gaining more depth and realism to their characterisations. The magic system has also been expanded upon and solidified here, providing a deeper understanding of how such beautiful magic could also be dark.
My utmost favourite aspect of Rebel Fires is the multilayered associations to and executions of the universal theme of good and evil. From the magic system and the characters to the nature and history of shikigami and Crafters, this complex theme has been brilliantly interwoven with the story. In various ways, it reiterates that there are always two sides to a coin — that the world is greyer in reality.
All in all, Rebel Fire is an easy and enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down even for a moment. Ann Sei Lin has done an amazing job with this fast-paced, heart-pounding sequel and I am so, so excited for the conclusion of this trilogy.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! Rebel Fire by Ann Sei Lin is available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
aarony_22's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
fast paced ✅
good worldbuilding ✅
interesting objective ✅
moral questions ✅
smooth buttery writing style ✅
ah i love fast paced YA fantasy so much, nothing over worlds that draw you in without taking 100 hours
and also ORIGAMI MAGIC
amazing
sensational
good worldbuilding ✅
interesting objective ✅
moral questions ✅
smooth buttery writing style ✅
ah i love fast paced YA fantasy so much, nothing over worlds that draw you in without taking 100 hours
and also ORIGAMI MAGIC
amazing
sensational
amelie_k5's review
adventurous
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
3.5
eiris_books's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25