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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
With thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Books for the ARC!
This was a solid 4 star read for me. It's a very fast-paced, fun book with some excellent world-building. I thought this was very well-written and I loved the characters. The descriptions were gorgeously written. My only issue was that I felt that it was too fast-paced. I felt like the characters could've been developed just a tiny bit more by slowing things down and showing the reader how certain events impacted them. However, I feel like I flew threw this book because it was so fast-paced, from about 50% onwards I felt like I couldn't breathe.
I'm glad I picked this book up, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for any future works from Sher Lee.
This was a solid 4 star read for me. It's a very fast-paced, fun book with some excellent world-building. I thought this was very well-written and I loved the characters. The descriptions were gorgeously written. My only issue was that I felt that it was too fast-paced. I felt like the characters could've been developed just a tiny bit more by slowing things down and showing the reader how certain events impacted them. However, I feel like I flew threw this book because it was so fast-paced, from about 50% onwards I felt like I couldn't breathe.
I'm glad I picked this book up, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for any future works from Sher Lee.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No flaws. An excellent piece that hits all the romantic beats of a YA novel and all the dramatic beats of a YA romance. An easy read to love; I burnt through it like charcoal. Book also doesn't have even implied homophobia, which is nice.
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5 stars
if you like danmei this book is a good option for you without committing to a long series. the stand alone book just under 400 pages is a fast and easy read. the writing style is simple but flows nicely with the plot. i enjoyed reading it, but nothing overtly stood out to me. due to the length it is fairly quick paced and things happen in quick succession from one another - including the main couples relationship. i would have preferred the book a bit longer if it delved into the blossoming of the relationship just a bit more. i found the reveal of zhen and the plot twist of fanhei to be a bit lackluster.
but overall it was a pleasant read and a decent way to start my reading goal for 2025
if you like danmei this book is a good option for you without committing to a long series. the stand alone book just under 400 pages is a fast and easy read. the writing style is simple but flows nicely with the plot. i enjoyed reading it, but nothing overtly stood out to me. due to the length it is fairly quick paced and things happen in quick succession from one another - including the main couples relationship. i would have preferred the book a bit longer if it delved into the blossoming of the relationship just a bit more. i found the reveal of zhen and the plot twist of fanhei to be a bit lackluster.
but overall it was a pleasant read and a decent way to start my reading goal for 2025
This was a really cute and enjoyable read with dual povs. I didn’t know anything about the original Chinese folklore and now I want to read every single retelling. Xian and Shen were adorable and there were moments I was kicking my feet by their cuteness. Qing was the perfect best friend and wingwoman—I’d read a book about a spunky snake spirit and a rule-following bodyguard that probably falls first and hard, hehe. I also really appreciate the cozy descriptions of food and cultural references. I would definitely recommend this heartwarming retelling.
DNF at 40%
The cover of this book is beautiful but unfortunately the book is incredibly bland. The prose is super simplistic and there is no flow to it. And there is no depth to the narrative.
The characters are so very flat, as are their relationships. There’s nothing really appealing about either of the main characters.
The romance is so very insta-lust and so very superficial. There’s no emotion there and it’s everything I dislike in a romance.
The cover of this book is beautiful but unfortunately the book is incredibly bland. The prose is super simplistic and there is no flow to it. And there is no depth to the narrative.
The characters are so very flat, as are their relationships. There’s nothing really appealing about either of the main characters.
The romance is so very insta-lust and so very superficial. There’s no emotion there and it’s everything I dislike in a romance.
AHHH this book was so good! I love the romance, the mythology aspect, the QUEER LONGING??? This book was so beautifully written and I enjoyed every moment of it! If you like Sue Lynn Tan's writing style you'll love this.
Thank you Netgalley and Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins for the ARC!
Thank you Netgalley and Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins for the ARC!