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shellbellbell's review against another edition
3.0
Pokemon, but make it early-20th-century Asian history. And make it gay.
This is a fantasy action-adventure, with a magic system heavily influenced by Pokemon and Avatar: The Last Airbender/Korra (Normally I hate it when books are marketed based on their resemblance to other more popular works in the genre, but the author made direct references to Pokemon in this book so it's an apt description, this time). Have you ever had a discussion with your nerd friends about whether or not Pokemon training is slavery? Have you wondered about the conspicuous absence of queer people in the history books? Then you might like this book!
There is a lot to like in this book. It's set in a fantasy world based in Asian history, with four warring nations that are analogues of China, Japan, Korea, and The Philippines. There are queer people everywhere, and for once it's nice to have a semi-historical setting where the old Emperor had a husband and it was NBD. There were several queer romance plots here too, I happened to enjoy all of the romance plots. There was a lot of action, and the plot was always moving forward.
But...I got bored halfway through. It wasn't really the story, because that was always moving, I just didn't really feel engaged with the characters (and there are many - it's a 4-person POV). They felt more like archetypes than real people and I didn't get much of a sense of who they were beyond how they were reacting to the events at hand. Towards the end I actually kept mixing up two of the characters...not great. I did keep reading and pushed through to the end, which was good! But overall the book was just meh for me.
I think that this book would be good for younger readers, those new to the fantasy genre, those who want to read but feel like they're watching an action movie, anyone who wants a fun ride that doesn't go too deep, or Pokemon fans. Or Brandon Sanderson fans (sorry not sorry, in my opinion Mistborn suffered from the same problems).
Whew, this review is getting as long as this book was. Overall, I think the author is a good writer and there were no glaring objective issues. This just wasn't the book for me right now. I kept thinking about the better books that I have waiting for me on my TBR list.
Representation notes: Queer people and relationships! Not just one but more than one! Two visibly bisexual characters, two other queer characters, one visibly trans character! As this takes place in Analogue Asia, there are no white characters (except for maybe one? I'm not sure). Author is a Filipino-American man.
This is a fantasy action-adventure, with a magic system heavily influenced by Pokemon and Avatar: The Last Airbender/Korra (Normally I hate it when books are marketed based on their resemblance to other more popular works in the genre, but the author made direct references to Pokemon in this book so it's an apt description, this time). Have you ever had a discussion with your nerd friends about whether or not Pokemon training is slavery? Have you wondered about the conspicuous absence of queer people in the history books? Then you might like this book!
There is a lot to like in this book. It's set in a fantasy world based in Asian history, with four warring nations that are analogues of China, Japan, Korea, and The Philippines. There are queer people everywhere, and for once it's nice to have a semi-historical setting where the old Emperor had a husband and it was NBD. There were several queer romance plots here too, I happened to enjoy all of the romance plots. There was a lot of action, and the plot was always moving forward.
But...I got bored halfway through. It wasn't really the story, because that was always moving, I just didn't really feel engaged with the characters (and there are many - it's a 4-person POV). They felt more like archetypes than real people and I didn't get much of a sense of who they were beyond how they were reacting to the events at hand. Towards the end I actually kept mixing up two of the characters...not great. I did keep reading and pushed through to the end, which was good! But overall the book was just meh for me.
I think that this book would be good for younger readers, those new to the fantasy genre, those who want to read but feel like they're watching an action movie, anyone who wants a fun ride that doesn't go too deep, or Pokemon fans. Or Brandon Sanderson fans (sorry not sorry, in my opinion Mistborn suffered from the same problems).
Whew, this review is getting as long as this book was. Overall, I think the author is a good writer and there were no glaring objective issues. This just wasn't the book for me right now. I kept thinking about the better books that I have waiting for me on my TBR list.
Representation notes: Queer people and relationships! Not just one but more than one! Two visibly bisexual characters, two other queer characters, one visibly trans character! As this takes place in Analogue Asia, there are no white characters (except for maybe one? I'm not sure). Author is a Filipino-American man.
paragraphsandpages's review against another edition
5.0
God, I don't even know what to say about this book. These beautiful, lovely characters in this heartbreaking world recovering from colonization and war just took me by complete surprise. While it took me while to really make time for this book (though not to get into it, it had me hooked from the first chapter), I'm so glad I finally pushed my other books aside to just read and enjoy this.
This book was so wonderfully crafted in so many ways, I could spend paragraphs commending each aspect of it. The characters were so well fleshed out, from their motivations and personalities to how that impacted all of their decisions. There was growth that actually fit the characters as well, with the characters becoming stronger and kinder as the novel went on but never straying from who they are at the their core. Their backgrounds were also just all heartbreaking in their own ways, and seeing these characters work through that and find each other was just, amazing.
I also just couldn't get over the world this was set in. There was so much going on, with the magic and the current political atmosphere, but it blended together so well. I want a book set in each of these countries, delving into their traditions and their magic. There was just so much here without there being too much. The politics also just made for a really fantastic world, and I loved the dynamic of the character's together as they navigated those politics together.
The writing here was also lovely. Great descriptions yet not too long, too dragging. Witty dialogue, but not in a way that tries too hard. It all came together to make something good great, and the words used to tie everything together made me cry sometimes. I'm seriously just in awe sometimes.
I can't wait to see what this author does next (and check out his other work). I really hope he writes more in this world, though I also greatly appreciate that this story wrapped up here, as it did.
This book was so wonderfully crafted in so many ways, I could spend paragraphs commending each aspect of it. The characters were so well fleshed out, from their motivations and personalities to how that impacted all of their decisions. There was growth that actually fit the characters as well, with the characters becoming stronger and kinder as the novel went on but never straying from who they are at the their core. Their backgrounds were also just all heartbreaking in their own ways, and seeing these characters work through that and find each other was just, amazing.
I also just couldn't get over the world this was set in. There was so much going on, with the magic and the current political atmosphere, but it blended together so well. I want a book set in each of these countries, delving into their traditions and their magic. There was just so much here without there being too much. The politics also just made for a really fantastic world, and I loved the dynamic of the character's together as they navigated those politics together.
The writing here was also lovely. Great descriptions yet not too long, too dragging. Witty dialogue, but not in a way that tries too hard. It all came together to make something good great, and the words used to tie everything together made me cry sometimes. I'm seriously just in awe sometimes.
I can't wait to see what this author does next (and check out his other work). I really hope he writes more in this world, though I also greatly appreciate that this story wrapped up here, as it did.
auntjammins's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
astravars_thrubooks's review against another edition
2.0
this has been on my tbr since 2019 and it was a bit of a disappointment. it didn't give what it needed to give to the highest of giving. the only reason i finished it is because i own it physically.
i would like to preface this by pointing out the fact that the premise is misleading. i was expecting this ragtag group that would try to stop this psycho killer and it didn't happen.
it is mostly a political story and the main goal is crowning the prince to achieve peace while the 'unstoppable' killer is like a subplot that adds a little sense of urgency. the 'band' isn't even one for 80% of the book, the battle against the villain is lackluster and i found the romance too insta-lovey considering the fact that everything happens in 4 days.
the world is rich with different asian cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filippino and what i think is supposed to be India?) it discusses the heavy topics of oppression and colonialism with a sprinkle of animal familiars.
i liked following Tala the most, both her character and storyline were really interesting. Jimuro grew on me in the second half. Lee was awesome though i believe her change of heart lacked a bit credibility since the story happens in such a short amount of time. I couldn't care less for Xiulan with her obsessive hate of mushrooms and the way she couldn't stop boasting about her intelligence while acting really rash and stupid.
basically, this wasn't it.
i would like to preface this by pointing out the fact that the premise is misleading. i was expecting this ragtag group that would try to stop this psycho killer and it didn't happen.
it is mostly a political story and the main goal is crowning the prince to achieve peace while the 'unstoppable' killer is like a subplot that adds a little sense of urgency. the 'band' isn't even one for 80% of the book, the battle against the villain is lackluster and i found the romance too insta-lovey considering the fact that everything happens in 4 days.
the world is rich with different asian cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filippino and what i think is supposed to be India?) it discusses the heavy topics of oppression and colonialism with a sprinkle of animal familiars.
i liked following Tala the most, both her character and storyline were really interesting. Jimuro grew on me in the second half. Lee was awesome though i believe her change of heart lacked a bit credibility since the story happens in such a short amount of time. I couldn't care less for Xiulan with her obsessive hate of mushrooms and the way she couldn't stop boasting about her intelligence while acting really rash and stupid.
basically, this wasn't it.
tomgirl571's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
_camk_'s review against another edition
3.0
+This story has an interesting fantasy element that is very much anime inspired.
+There is a lot of LBGTQ representation.
+The growth arc of characters is there and I am thankful for it.
-The world at the beginning is little confusing to keep straight in terms of who invaded who first, who then invaded and why everyone evaded everyone.
-Some of the writing is out of place. There is a chapter where Jimuro is walking and the line is 'walking sucked'. The language just did not fit the narrative.
-Both the romances felt a little forced.
+There is a lot of LBGTQ representation.
+The growth arc of characters is there and I am thankful for it.
-The world at the beginning is little confusing to keep straight in terms of who invaded who first, who then invaded and why everyone evaded everyone.
-Some of the writing is out of place. There is a chapter where Jimuro is walking and the line is 'walking sucked'. The language just did not fit the narrative.
-Both the romances felt a little forced.
Spoiler
Lee and Xiulan's moved very fast and Jimuro's and Tala's had so much potential but ended up feeling forced.meelmeman's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe I’m enamored with the world building. Or it might be the deep deep resonance I found with the Asian influences. Or it could be the effortless GAYNESS of it all which we—speaking as a queer person—don’t get to see as often. Or perhaps it’s that this novel realized a fantasy I am so personally close to (yes, I want an animal familiar to pact with)—but regardless, this novel checks some many boxes for me. The comparisons to Avatar: The Last Airbender and Pokémon are not inaccurate, but I hope that draw doesn’t betray the complex and important ways in which the author explores colonialism, trauma, histories of violence and oppression, and forgiveness.
My 4 out of 5 rating is primarily positive, but there are some pieces to the book that feel gimmicky? And the pacing is a little funky... but all in all, the story is solid, interesting, and just fun.
My 4 out of 5 rating is primarily positive, but there are some pieces to the book that feel gimmicky? And the pacing is a little funky... but all in all, the story is solid, interesting, and just fun.
cylent's review against another edition
5.0
Just a few chapters in this book had already become one of my favourite books. The writing is discriptive but not wordy. The imagry is clear and plays out like a movie in my head. The story is excellent and the characters come alive. Best of all it lays out a world that I want to live in and explore.
john_bridges's review against another edition
4.0
An anime influenced fantasy set in a thinly disguised Asian world (complete with analogues for Japan, China, Korea, The Philippines and India) with compelling characters and an involving story. It's a bit like the Legend of Korra meets Pokemon, and has the makings of a dynamic anime series of its own (paging Netflix). The magical talents of shadepacting and metalpacting, as well as the more esoteric Dahali arts, are pretty cool additions to the canon of fantasy magic, and I'd like to see them developed further in a followup tale.