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canaanmerchant's review
4.0
A wonderfully challenging book that manages to stand out in a number of unique ways.
Maia is a forgotten son of an emperor who finds himself as heir after his father and the line after him all perish suddenly. Thrown into court he has to learn how to govern on the fly.
The book manages to be deftly political without being salacious and Maia is a very complex character whom we are able to see grow in a number of ways while facing a variety of challenges.
Addison manages to tell a story that is comfortable but not derivative. Her story, characters and world are all original and well executed.
The formal prose and dense network of names and titles make reading the book a challenge but in a way that makes one proud to accomplish something rather than just feeling frustration. Still I was thankful for a character list at the back of the book.
I'm glad I stopped putting this off.
Maia is a forgotten son of an emperor who finds himself as heir after his father and the line after him all perish suddenly. Thrown into court he has to learn how to govern on the fly.
The book manages to be deftly political without being salacious and Maia is a very complex character whom we are able to see grow in a number of ways while facing a variety of challenges.
Addison manages to tell a story that is comfortable but not derivative. Her story, characters and world are all original and well executed.
The formal prose and dense network of names and titles make reading the book a challenge but in a way that makes one proud to accomplish something rather than just feeling frustration. Still I was thankful for a character list at the back of the book.
I'm glad I stopped putting this off.
noblelandmermaid's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
alicebme's review against another edition
4.0
How lovely for a book to be chill AF but also keep you interested. Maia is how I imagine Jesus-a good guy just trying his best to understand and be fair, but with a colossal responsibility and many wishing him to fail. Also, Maia is Harry fucking Potter for reals.
nicola_95's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
3.5
sorenevre's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Slow elf politics but well done
stardewrally's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was very slow and at points I wasn’t sure what the plot was but once I realized the plot was him learning how to believe in himself as the emperor the book made more sense. I really enjoyed it
lbarsk's review
5.0
THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN! If you're not into High Fantasy I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, as it is definitely... Very High Fantasy with its own language, complex worldbuilding, etc. that you're basically just thrown into with naught but an encyclopedia and grammar guide in the back. (Which I PERSONALLY found very interesting! But not everyone does.)
However, if you like court intrigue, character growth, hints of found family where one can find a family as an emperor of a vast nation, a story told in vignettes that show the passage of time, lots of braided hair, and reforming problematic empires through kindness and open-mindedness, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! I had a really, really good time reading it.
ETA October 14, 2023: this book holds up and is so beloved to me!!!!!!!!
However, if you like court intrigue, character growth, hints of found family where one can find a family as an emperor of a vast nation, a story told in vignettes that show the passage of time, lots of braided hair, and reforming problematic empires through kindness and open-mindedness, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! I had a really, really good time reading it.
ETA October 14, 2023: this book holds up and is so beloved to me!!!!!!!!
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Early contender for fave of 2021. The overarching theme of this book is "eventually things will be okay again" and a secondary theme is "you can still have good relationships, even if they look different than what people expect". There is kindness in unexpected places from unexpected people. I eat this kind of stuff up with a spoon.
CWs for past child abuse, parental death, and ritual death by suicide (this last one is brief and can very easily be skipped). There's a lot of jargon that takes some getting used to, and there's quite a lot of the Royal We. If it still sounds like something you can get behind, try out the audiobook!
CWs for past child abuse, parental death, and ritual death by suicide (this last one is brief and can very easily be skipped). There's a lot of jargon that takes some getting used to, and there's quite a lot of the Royal We. If it still sounds like something you can get behind, try out the audiobook!
b00kdragon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
5.0