A review by skconaghan
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Again, 3.444 

 

More of the same from the first; lots of action; some repeat of similar drama; casting doubt about conflicted characters and the measure of trust each is worthy of in the eye of the heroine; and forgiveness—the whole thing is really about the journey to forgiveness. 

 

A lot of interesting characters, but the choice to tell this in the first person perspective restricts the author from exploring the perspectives of other characters and therefore lacks the depth needed for turning this from a decent story into fantasy magic. 

 

The dialogue at times feels stiff and forced, unnatural and explanatory, often repetitive. Especially when we’re ‘furnishing a room with furniture’ and the like. However, there are moments of beautiful writing amid the verbosity. 

 

This novel is complicated, full of raging bloody battles and political conflict, yearning romances, forbidden love, magical elements, and an internal battle that takes years and years to tell over the course of this long—yes, very long for its content, though I can’t say it’s unenjoyable, cos there were bits—story. Some resolutions are too easy, while others are utterly improbable, and at the end, I think that’s what kept me from losing myself in the story, whether it was the immature internal battle or the wooden dialogue, I couldn't believe in the love-story that tried to weave itself through this otherwise epic tale. 

 

Still, though the execution leaves something to be desired, it is overall a rare setting and delightful concept.