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bookish_you's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
e_l_smith's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
An incredible and masterful retelling blending the beauty of tradition with modern views on gender. Couldn't put it down, even knowing how it ends.
rebeccazh's review
4.0
I was today years old when I learnt that Sherry Thomas is actually Chinese. This explains the historical, cultural and linguistical accuracy in this book honestly. I was so confused because a lot of the English phrases used sounded like direct Chinese translations and I was wondering how the author knew the language so well.
Anyway, I almost DNF'ed this book because the first two chapters didn't hook me but I'm glad I persevered. This is a fun retelling, culturally very accurate, reminding me a little of the 2009 Mulan film with Zhao Wei. It's fast-paced and the main character is likeable and realistic (I liked that she froze up in battle). Also, the prince is really compelling.
I had a few slight quibbles. While I appreciate and fully agree with the author critiquing how China Others the nomadic tribes and ethnic minorities and the problems of Sinicization, it felt almost like a young modern liberal speaking whenever she was questioning history, race, and Confucian thought. Also, the romance subplot was really overshadowed by the plot I feel? And the ending felt kind of weak...
Overall, I really enjoyed it - it's a culturally accurate take on a wuxia Mulan story.
Anyway, I almost DNF'ed this book because the first two chapters didn't hook me but I'm glad I persevered. This is a fun retelling, culturally very accurate, reminding me a little of the 2009 Mulan film with Zhao Wei. It's fast-paced and the main character is likeable and realistic (I liked that she froze up in battle). Also, the prince is really compelling.
I had a few slight quibbles. While I appreciate and fully agree with the author critiquing how China Others the nomadic tribes and ethnic minorities and the problems of Sinicization, it felt almost like a young modern liberal speaking whenever she was questioning history, race, and Confucian thought. Also, the romance subplot was really overshadowed by the plot I feel? And the ending felt kind of weak...
Overall, I really enjoyed it - it's a culturally accurate take on a wuxia Mulan story.
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this Mulan retelling. It is perfectly suited for a young adult audience, centering our female main character on her journey to self-discovery and self-confidence while she and our cast of characters unravel treasonous plots, examine and unpack their own racial and ethnic biases, and save each other's lives (multiple times). I love Sherry Thomas's historical romances and mysteries, and I was delighted to see her attention to political nuance and interpersonal relationships so beautifully woven into this retelling. I read this immediately after finishing her Heart of Blade duology, which also features wuxia elements and chi-based magic, and I loved seeing her bring that same martial arts framework to this story.
There is a light romantic plotline that is, again, very suited to the ages of the main characters (Mulan is 19) and young adult readers. I also have to note how refreshing it is to see gender identity and sexual orientation discussed so frankly in Mulan's story. The relationships among our main cast of characters are shaped by Thomas's clear historical understanding of cultural tolerance (acceptance would be a stretch) for gay and bi men during this time. It is clear that among our primary cast of characters, Mulan's perceived identity as a man is not a barrier to a romantic relationship with the princeling, and there are several other male-male romances depicted affirmatively on page. For those who love queer friendships and found family, our core characters' interactions provide a really sweet backdrop to the war story. The ending wraps up neatly, but in a satisfying way that didn't feel overly simplified to me. I would highly recommend this to young adult fantasy readers, lovers of retellings, and historical fiction readers.
There is a light romantic plotline that is, again, very suited to the ages of the main characters (Mulan is 19) and young adult readers. I also have to note how refreshing it is to see gender identity and sexual orientation discussed so frankly in Mulan's story. The relationships among our main cast of characters are shaped by Thomas's clear historical understanding of cultural tolerance (acceptance would be a stretch) for gay and bi men during this time. It is clear that among our primary cast of characters, Mulan's perceived identity as a man is not a barrier to a romantic relationship with the princeling, and there are several other male-male romances depicted affirmatively on page. For those who love queer friendships and found family, our core characters' interactions provide a really sweet backdrop to the war story. The ending wraps up neatly, but in a satisfying way that didn't feel overly simplified to me. I would highly recommend this to young adult fantasy readers, lovers of retellings, and historical fiction readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
thenextbookdilemma's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3/5
Finally after going from audiobook to physical books I have finished this story. I enjoyed the characters and plot very much. And the ending was soo satisfying. My only aggravation with this is that it felt like I had been reading or listening to it for hours (which I had until I switched to a physical copy)
Finally after going from audiobook to physical books I have finished this story. I enjoyed the characters and plot very much. And the ending was soo satisfying. My only aggravation with this is that it felt like I had been reading or listening to it for hours (which I had until I switched to a physical copy)
silver_anchor4's review
4.0
It took me a bit to get into, but I really enjoyed this book! I've been into Chinese period dramas lately and wanted to read something that felt a little like that. I can't say this book fulfilled that, but it didn't need to. While sometimes the explanations took me out a bit, I really appreciated the chance to understand the cultural and historical context better.
The pacing was good, the plot was engaging, and the characters were perfectly flawed and human. There were so many parts of the book where I just had to smile to myself because I could relate so much. I have a soft spot for the male lead, especially.
Also, as a language teacher and aspiring linguist, there were some very important quotes about language that I absolutely loved and had to highlight.
The pacing was good, the plot was engaging, and the characters were perfectly flawed and human. There were so many parts of the book where I just had to smile to myself because I could relate so much. I have a soft spot for the male lead, especially.
Also, as a language teacher and aspiring linguist, there were some very important quotes about language that I absolutely loved and had to highlight.
bookwormabby54's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Murder, Blood, Violence, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
starrysea98's review
i am so sorry but i DNF'ed this book. i know. i'm disappointed with myself too. am i even chinese?
growing up, the disney version of mulan was my absolute favourite. still is, tbh. so whenever i see something that even slightly resembles mulan, i will consume it. sometimes it ends in joy (spin the dawn by elizabeth lim) and disappointment (like now).
okay, lets start with the good stuff. i love love love that sherry thomas wrote it. a chinese woman writing about one of china's greatest heroes? LOVE IT. the author clearly did her research and i'm here for that. i'll be honest, i don't know much about chinese history so this is quite great! for example, i didn't even know xianbei people existed. shame on me, i know. also, it's so awesome that mulan gets trained in martial arts. and we also get this hint of angst when she says that HER name is struck from the family records while her (dead) brother's name is maintained.
sadly, i could not connect to mulan at all. the writing is... dry, for lack of a better word. characters don't really come alive for me. i can't even remember the name of the love interest... to be honest, i was already rolling my eyes when mulan duels with the other guy in the beginning of the book and she has this urge to touch the guy's face. listen. you're in a DUEL. you don't just want to stroke your opponent's face. i don't care how attractive he is. (and he even has half his face covered anyway, so what the heck?!) then we go on to her signing up for the war in her younger brother's place, yadda yadda yadda. and of course, OF BLOODY COURSE she meets the same dude she's been dueling over the years and instantly is attracted to him. instalove??? really??? in a mulan book???
when we get to the revelation that mulan's dad killed the dude's mum, i honestly expected more of a reaction from mulan. this is the girl who went out to war to save her dad and brother! i was expecting her to attempt defending her father or give a stronger reaction instead of just standing there??
somewhere after this point, i stopped reading. maybe it does get better after this, i don't know. everyone seems to love it so don't take this review to heart. anyway, kudos to the author for her meticulous research!
growing up, the disney version of mulan was my absolute favourite. still is, tbh. so whenever i see something that even slightly resembles mulan, i will consume it. sometimes it ends in joy (spin the dawn by elizabeth lim) and disappointment (like now).
okay, lets start with the good stuff. i love love love that sherry thomas wrote it. a chinese woman writing about one of china's greatest heroes? LOVE IT. the author clearly did her research and i'm here for that. i'll be honest, i don't know much about chinese history so this is quite great! for example, i didn't even know xianbei people existed. shame on me, i know. also, it's so awesome that mulan gets trained in martial arts. and we also get this hint of angst when she says that HER name is struck from the family records while her (dead) brother's name is maintained.
sadly, i could not connect to mulan at all. the writing is... dry, for lack of a better word. characters don't really come alive for me. i can't even remember the name of the love interest... to be honest, i was already rolling my eyes when mulan duels with the other guy in the beginning of the book and she has this urge to touch the guy's face. listen. you're in a DUEL. you don't just want to stroke your opponent's face. i don't care how attractive he is. (and he even has half his face covered anyway, so what the heck?!) then we go on to her signing up for the war in her younger brother's place, yadda yadda yadda. and of course, OF BLOODY COURSE she meets the same dude she's been dueling over the years and instantly is attracted to him. instalove??? really??? in a mulan book???
when we get to the revelation that mulan's dad killed the dude's mum, i honestly expected more of a reaction from mulan. this is the girl who went out to war to save her dad and brother! i was expecting her to attempt defending her father or give a stronger reaction instead of just standing there??
somewhere after this point, i stopped reading. maybe it does get better after this, i don't know. everyone seems to love it so don't take this review to heart. anyway, kudos to the author for her meticulous research!