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A review by mindy_m
Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
5.0
First off, it's a Cinderella retelling crossed with Sailor Moon. (It's not like Cinder, except for the retelling part.) At the way end, there's a hint at the second book - which seems like it'll be a Beauty and the Beast retelling. So yeah, let's just stop with the Cinder comparison. It's Cinderella.
Now - onto the main review!
I was absolutely taken away by all the references to the Four Guardians and the nods to Sailor Moon. I felt completely immersed in the world, especially with the way pronouns and honorifics were used. In fact, I love that that "they" is used until the person identifies themselves more clearly. I think it's better that way. Xu seems to be non-binary (don't know for certain), and I love how everybody just goes on about life. (There's no stink about it, no big to-do that Xu is feminine presenting sometimes and masculine other times.) I also love the nicknames that people came up with when they were referencing one another!
Honestly, this book is dear to me. It brought me back to my youth, watching Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yugi (which also had guardians and four celestial beasts). The storyline makes it clear who the main villain is and what the real end game will be. I love that fact! We know there's a clear ending in mind for this series, and yet I have no idea what specifics will come. The concept of each book being a retelling seems fascinating though. So I'm curious what each will be like.
If you ever loved Sailor Moon, Eastern Myth and culture, retellings, sassy cats and innocent love then go check this out! You won't regret it!
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC! I need to go buy it now!
Now - onto the main review!
I was absolutely taken away by all the references to the Four Guardians and the nods to Sailor Moon. I felt completely immersed in the world, especially with the way pronouns and honorifics were used. In fact, I love that that "they" is used until the person identifies themselves more clearly. I think it's better that way. Xu seems to be non-binary (don't know for certain), and I love how everybody just goes on about life. (There's no stink about it, no big to-do that Xu is feminine presenting sometimes and masculine other times.) I also love the nicknames that people came up with when they were referencing one another!
Honestly, this book is dear to me. It brought me back to my youth, watching Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yugi (which also had guardians and four celestial beasts). The storyline makes it clear who the main villain is and what the real end game will be. I love that fact! We know there's a clear ending in mind for this series, and yet I have no idea what specifics will come. The concept of each book being a retelling seems fascinating though. So I'm curious what each will be like.
If you ever loved Sailor Moon, Eastern Myth and culture, retellings, sassy cats and innocent love then go check this out! You won't regret it!
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC! I need to go buy it now!