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A review by rys_reads
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao
5.0
Personally, I never write reviews (simply because other people say what I would say more eloquently anyway!), but because this book got me out of a particularly bad reading slump, I might start writing reviews here and there! But before I really begin, please pardon my discombobulated thoughts!
Anyway, I’d like to start off by saying that I’m so sad yet happy to see the end of this duology as this and the Six Crimson Cranes duology by Elizabeth Lim have been by far my absolute favorite duologies I’ve read, not that I’ve read that many duologies, but these two left a bit of a lasting impression on me. (Not really related but had to mention!)
Spoilers for the middle and very end of the book below:
Around the middle of the book, Lan absolutely had me fooled when she was scheming and saying to Hóng’yi that she would be his empress. I audibly said “omg what about Zen?!” But just seeing her development throughout the books has really made me so happy. I found her to be a really lovable and enjoyable main character, and she was honestly so interesting to me.
The side characters were as well, to the point where they felt like second main characters and ones you’re likely to remember, and not just go “oh that was that one character who was relevant for 1 page/chapter/whatever and then never again.” Like, they had personality and they were extremely helpful to the main characters, in my opinion. They felt almost real to me, and honestly, it was one of my favorite aspects of the book.
And don’t even get me started on Zen; by the end of the book, he had me crying. His character development was great, he was flawed but god, was he a great character. When he was talking with Lan about the Demon Gods and asking to save Lan’s life instead of his, it got me really emotional. Him bargaining with her and saying “please say yes. You typically have so much to say” made me tear up and almost cry. In his final scene with Lan, he says “Lan, will you tell me a story?” Lan proceeds to play her ocarina and hold Zen until he passes, and when I tell you, I was heartbroken. I was crying. The scenes between them were so beautifully written, and I loved every moment between them.
Despite the bittersweet ending and them not getting the ending I was hoping for, I truly am so happy I got to read this book.
I would definitely recommend this particular duology if you like a fast-paced reading experience (the book really flew by for me as I read one half in one sitting), with Asian mythology mixed with fantasy and romance. The author did a fantastic job with these books.
Overall, a 4.5/5 ⭐️ experience for me, but I’m rounding up and giving it 5 ⭐️ because I have a feeling this book might stick with me for a while.
Anyway, I’d like to start off by saying that I’m so sad yet happy to see the end of this duology as this and the Six Crimson Cranes duology by Elizabeth Lim have been by far my absolute favorite duologies I’ve read, not that I’ve read that many duologies, but these two left a bit of a lasting impression on me. (Not really related but had to mention!)
Spoilers for the middle and very end of the book below:
Around the middle of the book, Lan absolutely had me fooled when she was scheming and saying to Hóng’yi that she would be his empress. I audibly said “omg what about Zen?!” But just seeing her development throughout the books has really made me so happy. I found her to be a really lovable and enjoyable main character, and she was honestly so interesting to me.
The side characters were as well, to the point where they felt like second main characters and ones you’re likely to remember, and not just go “oh that was that one character who was relevant for 1 page/chapter/whatever and then never again.” Like, they had personality and they were extremely helpful to the main characters, in my opinion. They felt almost real to me, and honestly, it was one of my favorite aspects of the book.
And don’t even get me started on Zen; by the end of the book, he had me crying. His character development was great, he was flawed but god, was he a great character. When he was talking with Lan about the Demon Gods and asking to save Lan’s life instead of his, it got me really emotional. Him bargaining with her and saying “please say yes. You typically have so much to say” made me tear up and almost cry. In his final scene with Lan, he says “Lan, will you tell me a story?” Lan proceeds to play her ocarina and hold Zen until he passes, and when I tell you, I was heartbroken. I was crying. The scenes between them were so beautifully written, and I loved every moment between them.
Despite the bittersweet ending and them not getting the ending I was hoping for, I truly am so happy I got to read this book.
I would definitely recommend this particular duology if you like a fast-paced reading experience (the book really flew by for me as I read one half in one sitting), with Asian mythology mixed with fantasy and romance. The author did a fantastic job with these books.
Overall, a 4.5/5 ⭐️ experience for me, but I’m rounding up and giving it 5 ⭐️ because I have a feeling this book might stick with me for a while.