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rockysoap's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As much as I wanted to like this Southeast Asian-inspired fantasy, it didn't end up working for me. The story really dragged at the beginning; as a reader you have no idea what's going on and it takes over 200 pages for you to find out. The random breaks between chapters for sheet music and letters (from characters you haven't been introduced to yet were frustrating without context). In terms of the plot and characters, I was invested by the end but felt no urge to read the next book in the series.
What I did like was the mental health representation from Jetta and how her bipolar disorder was a significant element in the story. Her parents were a major part of her journey (always a rarity in YA) and her mother's past was mysterious and heavily influenced the plot. In the end, I felt inspired by the author's note, but the story would have been stronger if more of the historical events Heilig researched were included here. If this one also didn't work for you and you're still looking for a dark, Asian-inspired historical fantasy novel, I would suggest The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang!
What I did like was the mental health representation from Jetta and how her bipolar disorder was a significant element in the story. Her parents were a major part of her journey (always a rarity in YA) and her mother's past was mysterious and heavily influenced the plot. In the end, I felt inspired by the author's note, but the story would have been stronger if more of the historical events Heilig researched were included here. If this one also didn't work for you and you're still looking for a dark, Asian-inspired historical fantasy novel, I would suggest The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide
Bipolar disordercarolibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Gun violence, and War
Moderate: Mental illness and Torture
Minor: Suicide
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