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A review by offservicebookrecs
Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Jin Zhara has a lot on her (ironically) empty plate - between walking on egg shells around her stepmother, stretching an already ripped-to-shreds budget to last just one more meal before it can be wasted away on alcohol, and taking care of her blind sister, there is little left for her at the end of the day - not to mention, she also must keep a simmering lid on her innate magic, forbidden in the realms and a one-way ticket to the gallows for her if it is discovered. When a chance encounter with a flapping young man named Han accidentally connects her to secret magical liberation organization called the Guardians of Dawn. With rumors spreading of abominable magic, monsters creeping in the marshes, and a mysterious plague corrupting the magicians of Zanhei, it is clear that demon interference is afoot. In the battle between order and chaos, the Guardians of Dawn must rise once again before it is too late - and Zhara must take her place in the world before it is lost to the flames forever.
I would love to see this series get picked up by Netflix animation - it's the perfect blend of Sailor Moon meets Cinderella with a dash of all the good things - (YA) romance, chosen one tropes, tragic pasts, forbidden kingdoms, second chances, demon queens, animal sidekicks, royal balls, a prince in disguise, and magical transformations. I thought the story did a good job of balancing the fantasy aspect of the plot while also examining the ways in which guilt, obligation, and overall what clinging to "oldest daughter syndrome" can do to your well-being and that of those around you. The characters were endearing, the story was sweet and a little bit emotional, and I really want to see what these crazy kids get up to next! I also am dying for a copy of "The Maiden Who Was Loved By Death" at some point during this series - I too need to know what the Maiden is going to do when Death finally confesses to her!
I would love to see this series get picked up by Netflix animation - it's the perfect blend of Sailor Moon meets Cinderella with a dash of all the good things - (YA) romance, chosen one tropes, tragic pasts, forbidden kingdoms, second chances, demon queens, animal sidekicks, royal balls, a prince in disguise, and magical transformations. I thought the story did a good job of balancing the fantasy aspect of the plot while also examining the ways in which guilt, obligation, and overall what clinging to "oldest daughter syndrome" can do to your well-being and that of those around you. The characters were endearing, the story was sweet and a little bit emotional, and I really want to see what these crazy kids get up to next! I also am dying for a copy of "The Maiden Who Was Loved By Death" at some point during this series - I too need to know what the Maiden is going to do when Death finally confesses to her!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Violence