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belladistef 's review for:
Empress of All Seasons
by Emiko Jean
I think this book was made for me to like it; it had everything I love in YA fantasy, so why didn't I enjoy it as much as I could have?
In the end, the plot was too predictable - I especially think that Jean has favoured plot over character depth. I would have love this story if it were stretched out over a few books. It all just went by too fast, and I don't believe that the prince loved Mari for a second (definitely insta-love). Within the space of about 4 pages, 3 named and semi-developed characters die. That could have been a full chapter, but the emotional impact of it just got so lost in plot-based reveals. It was just too fast.
By the end, I just didn't care, which was sad, because I feel like the story could have worked in a way that I would have.
In the end, the plot was too predictable - I especially think that Jean has favoured plot over character depth. I would have love this story if it were stretched out over a few books. It all just went by too fast, and I don't believe that the prince loved Mari for a second (definitely insta-love). Within the space of about 4 pages, 3 named and semi-developed characters die. That could have been a full chapter, but the emotional impact of it just got so lost in plot-based reveals. It was just too fast.
By the end, I just didn't care, which was sad, because I feel like the story could have worked in a way that I would have.