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A review by scarletranger
The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a very fun, easy to read Enemies to Lovers story. The characters flip-flop around each other from hot to cold, making for a slow-burn with an interesting plot line around deception and reflection.
Overall, this was very enjoyable! My main critique comes down to a combination of pacing of coincidence (very nit-picky things). Most of the book had a great feel to its pacing, everything falling into place. Though there were twists for Ying, I saw every revelation several chapters ahead - or, in some cases, from the very beginning. Being a book meant for older teens/young adults, this is okay, as these tropes may still be new or enjoyable to them.
However, when the pacing wobbled, it was very noticeable due to the rest of the story being so engaging. This mostly occurred when characters' were saved or betrayed, not through their own actions, but by coincidences that don't even fully make sense in the story. Yes, there is magic, but when that magic is able to save people from death, when before there was no evidence of that being a capability, it takes out the amazing stakes that have been built up. Also, one of the reveals very much had a "Hans from Frozen" feeling to it. Though I was immediately suspicious of this character, it was only because I have trust issues - the writing did not foreshadow or give any early evidence to the characters being different from how they appeared.
As for the romance...it's cute, it's fun. It goes from "hatred through miscommunication" to "madly in love" very suddenly, though. And then Yin simultaneously denies her feelings for too long while going against her own reasoning in a way that felt out of character. It was equally frustrating for me to read as it was for the prince to experience. Their romance was probably the most cliché part of this unique story, and her interactions with the prince always drew me out a bit because of how heavily it relied on textbook tropes. The confession was probably the worst offender of this, but they still have a fun dynamic.
For a romantasy twist on folklore meant for young adults, this is a fun and engaging read! There's some nice political intrigue and magic to keep everyone invested, and it's hard to beat anything with dragons.
Overall, this was very enjoyable! My main critique comes down to a combination of pacing of coincidence (very nit-picky things). Most of the book had a great feel to its pacing, everything falling into place. Though there were twists for Ying, I saw every revelation several chapters ahead - or, in some cases, from the very beginning. Being a book meant for older teens/young adults, this is okay, as these tropes may still be new or enjoyable to them.
However, when the pacing wobbled, it was very noticeable due to the rest of the story being so engaging. This mostly occurred when characters' were saved or betrayed, not through their own actions, but by coincidences that don't even fully make sense in the story. Yes, there is magic, but when that magic is able to save people from death, when before there was no evidence of that being a capability, it takes out the amazing stakes that have been built up. Also, one of the reveals very much had a "Hans from Frozen" feeling to it. Though I was immediately suspicious of this character, it was only because I have trust issues - the writing did not foreshadow or give any early evidence to the characters being different from how they appeared.
As for the romance...it's cute, it's fun. It goes from "hatred through miscommunication" to "madly in love" very suddenly, though. And then Yin simultaneously denies her feelings for too long while going against her own reasoning in a way that felt out of character. It was equally frustrating for me to read as it was for the prince to experience. Their romance was probably the most cliché part of this unique story, and her interactions with the prince always drew me out a bit because of how heavily it relied on textbook tropes. The confession was probably the worst offender of this, but they still have a fun dynamic.
For a romantasy twist on folklore meant for young adults, this is a fun and engaging read! There's some nice political intrigue and magic to keep everyone invested, and it's hard to beat anything with dragons.