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A review by ericadawson
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'd like to mark this book just shy of four stars.
While starting out slow and, admittedly, boring for me, the intrigue kicks into high gear and doesn't slow down until the end of the book. None of the characters are really loveable, but they're all unique in the role they play (well, except Rou. Rou is loveable). This is one of those books that can be described as being deceptive at every turn, and masterfully so at that. I'm disappointed to learn that there won't be a sequel (I want Hesina to get world for all her efforts) but I also understand you can't force a story if it wasn't meant to be.
I'd at first found the prose simple, but He has a way packing a punch in certain descriptions. I was tempted to highlight and annotate all the lines I liked. I also enjoyed the focus on family and friendship over romantic inclinations/motivations, because they all felt more real than anything a failed romance with Akira could produce. I also didn't much care for Akira, though, so that is influencing my opinion.
I enjoyed the world building, the complexity of the politics and the history, the concept of a trial playing a central role in a book (even though I didn't find the initial trial bits interesting).
Overall, a lovely read. Highly recommend.
While starting out slow and, admittedly, boring for me, the intrigue kicks into high gear and doesn't slow down until the end of the book. None of the characters are really loveable, but they're all unique in the role they play (well, except Rou. Rou is loveable). This is one of those books that can be described as being deceptive at every turn, and masterfully so at that. I'm disappointed to learn that there won't be a sequel (I want Hesina to get world for all her efforts) but I also understand you can't force a story if it wasn't meant to be.
I'd at first found the prose simple, but He has a way packing a punch in certain descriptions. I was tempted to highlight and annotate all the lines I liked. I also enjoyed the focus on family and friendship over romantic inclinations/motivations, because they all felt more real than anything a failed romance with Akira could produce. I also didn't much care for Akira, though, so that is influencing my opinion.
I enjoyed the world building, the complexity of the politics and the history, the concept of a trial playing a central role in a book (even though I didn't find the initial trial bits interesting).
Overall, a lovely read. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence