Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This historical fantasy sequel to She Who Became The Sun pales in comparison to it, sadly. The first book was focused on a fascinating pair of characters (Zhu and Ouyang), both existing outside gender norms in a world that lived strictly by them, and their stories continue in this novel. But as well as that, their strategic ingenuity and prowess as military leaders came to the fore, which the author has relegated to the background in this novel. Almost all the battles happen off the page, except for one naval conflict, and while I don't feel the need for endless military campaigns in my fantasy reading, it led to a very different feel to this book. Instead of that element, Parker-Chan spends a lot of time in her characters' heads, and widens the scope of POV characters, including Baoxiang, a scheming civil servant, whose ambitions lead him to use sex as one of his weapons of power. I found his story less interesting, and found myself wishing to be back in the first novel. I also didn't love the conclusion to the whole duology, which felt rushed and somewhat out of character for certain key figures. But I love the fact that this is a historical fantasy that is deeply invested in LGBTQ and disability representation, and has fully-formed intersectional characters who make both good and bad choices, and who feel like real people.
This is a book about terrible people who will do anything if it means getting what they want, whether that be power, revenge, or to be remembered throughout history. It is dark and unsettling, because most of the characters are extremely difficult to like. Yet it also has a weight to it. It will draw you in, because no matter how horrible the characters are, their stories are deeply compelling.
I felt the tone of this second book differed from the first. I see from reading other reviews that I'm not the only reader who feels this. The first book was dark, but there were more moments of lightness. However by now the characters have become so twisted and damaged by their actions, these moments are few and far between.
At its heart, this series is about the consequences of judgement. It is about the damage that can be done to a person when they are treated as though they are worthless. It is a story of broken, raging people who are single-minded in their need to prove themselves, and the horror they unleash because of it.
If you like novels that are filled with political manoeuvring and schemes, as well as following multiple characters at once, you should pick up this series. It is a masterpiece that truly deserves the five stars it was given.
I felt the tone of this second book differed from the first. I see from reading other reviews that I'm not the only reader who feels this. The first book was dark, but there were more moments of lightness. However by now the characters have become so twisted and damaged by their actions, these moments are few and far between.
At its heart, this series is about the consequences of judgement. It is about the damage that can be done to a person when they are treated as though they are worthless. It is a story of broken, raging people who are single-minded in their need to prove themselves, and the horror they unleash because of it.
If you like novels that are filled with political manoeuvring and schemes, as well as following multiple characters at once, you should pick up this series. It is a masterpiece that truly deserves the five stars it was given.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The themes of the first book are catapulted to a whole new level in this sequel. The concept of being the other in a society and finding ways to survive and meet your own ambitions, coupled with what feels like a critique into the lengths people will go to get what they want, lends to a very enjoyable read. How can you reject the structures around you and still succeed? And at what point is chasing a dream no longer worth the costs?
The story does have a bit of a rough start, almost as of Parker-Chan knew exactly where the story wanted to go but wrote the part where it all kicks off last. The payoff is great, though, and what comes next is some fantastic storytelling and character work.
It's much faster-paced that the first entry, as the initial groundwork has been laid. We don't take time for characters to grow and weave their way towards being the people they've become. That's already happened, and now we have the fallout.
The story does have a bit of a rough start, almost as of Parker-Chan knew exactly where the story wanted to go but wrote the part where it all kicks off last. The payoff is great, though, and what comes next is some fantastic storytelling and character work.
It's much faster-paced that the first entry, as the initial groundwork has been laid. We don't take time for characters to grow and weave their way towards being the people they've become. That's already happened, and now we have the fallout.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
