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lastblossom's reviews
217 reviews
The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A tightly-paced conclusion to the duology with plenty of lore spark the imagination. Don't go in expecting a lot of romance.
Thoughts
Considering how the first book ended, I was really curious to see how this one would go. The previous book in the series was visceral and bloody and terrifying, and this book wastes no time dropping into the same space. And honestly, that's probably what saved it for me. The last book hit me in all the right spots because I love a tournament arc. Sadly, it turns out I do not love a collect-em-all arc, and this plot definitely focuses on collecting the Important Things to get to the end goal. But I stuck with it because Zilan and the Empress are just so great to watch together. They're both cunning and relentless rivals who leave destruction in their wake as they fight, with a surprising amount of intimacy woven into their narrative. It's the most intimacy we get as the romance is practically a footnote at this point. I liked the focus on the main plot, but anyone hoping for more romantic moments like the first book might be let down. This book had to move fast to tie up all the threads from the first book, and move fast it does. A couple reveals come through magical means that feel a bit convenient, but the ending wraps everything up nicely. Overall, a duology recommended for anyone who wants something steeped in Chinese lore with an unforgiving villain and a heroine who's equally brutal.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A tightly-paced conclusion to the duology with plenty of lore spark the imagination. Don't go in expecting a lot of romance.
Thoughts
Considering how the first book ended, I was really curious to see how this one would go. The previous book in the series was visceral and bloody and terrifying, and this book wastes no time dropping into the same space. And honestly, that's probably what saved it for me. The last book hit me in all the right spots because I love a tournament arc. Sadly, it turns out I do not love a collect-em-all arc, and this plot definitely focuses on collecting the Important Things to get to the end goal. But I stuck with it because Zilan and the Empress are just so great to watch together. They're both cunning and relentless rivals who leave destruction in their wake as they fight, with a surprising amount of intimacy woven into their narrative. It's the most intimacy we get as the romance is practically a footnote at this point. I liked the focus on the main plot, but anyone hoping for more romantic moments like the first book might be let down. This book had to move fast to tie up all the threads from the first book, and move fast it does. A couple reveals come through magical means that feel a bit convenient, but the ending wraps everything up nicely. Overall, a duology recommended for anyone who wants something steeped in Chinese lore with an unforgiving villain and a heroine who's equally brutal.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Classism
Minor: Vomit
Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Fast-paced heists once again take center stage, with plenty of family complications stitched in.
Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book. It was packed with clever heists, compelling characters, and a fun competition. But I've found that the book after a competition plot tends to fall flat for me. So how does Heist Royale fare? It runs another competition! And honestly, it absolutely works. The gang's all back, although not necessarily in the same configuration, which keeps things fresh, and there's a lot more going on in terms of relationships. Romance, friendship, and family tangles all come into play as characters race across the globe trying to out-steal each other. It's a fast-paced adventure with all the adrenaline of the first, and plenty more character development for everyone. As with the first book, the friendship between Ross and Noelia hit for me more than the romance with Devroe, but there's also a cute secondary romance that I did not see coming. There's also a casino heist in the middle that could practically be a book unto itself, with a new character who I love probably too much. If you liked the first book, this one won't disappoint.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Fast-paced heists once again take center stage, with plenty of family complications stitched in.
Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book. It was packed with clever heists, compelling characters, and a fun competition. But I've found that the book after a competition plot tends to fall flat for me. So how does Heist Royale fare? It runs another competition! And honestly, it absolutely works. The gang's all back, although not necessarily in the same configuration, which keeps things fresh, and there's a lot more going on in terms of relationships. Romance, friendship, and family tangles all come into play as characters race across the globe trying to out-steal each other. It's a fast-paced adventure with all the adrenaline of the first, and plenty more character development for everyone. As with the first book, the friendship between Ross and Noelia hit for me more than the romance with Devroe, but there's also a cute secondary romance that I did not see coming. There's also a casino heist in the middle that could practically be a book unto itself, with a new character who I love probably too much. If you liked the first book, this one won't disappoint.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Blood, and Murder
This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A cozy romantasy that spotlights two second chance romances. World building flounders a bit.
Thoughts
Dang. Gonna have to file this one under "not for me." The world is tongue-in-cheek modern: there are cell phones, video calls, web boards, streaming TV, Uber, and fandom conventions, all painted over with the thinnest veneer of magic explanation. (Other reviewers liken it to Shrek.) And while I don't mind a playful nod, it mostly made me wonder why there weren't magical analogs for other modern things. In a world with internet, why is everyone still fighting with swords? Why are they still riding horses and camping in a forest instead of using a magical flying "not airplane?" Why can't they track down the villain after ten years? Shouldn't they also have magical satellite imaging or CC TV by now? Am I overthinking this? Of course I am! But I prefer world building in a fantasy story to hold a certain amount of consistency, and no amount of coy winking at the camera about fantasy Amazon deliveries is going to make me stop wondering why the queen didn't kit out our heroes with a fantasy GPS tracker they could stick on the bad guy. I'm well aware I'm the curmudgeon here, and I am sorry. But the flippant approach to the world sure did make it feel like the part about the world ending doesn't matter that much. Fight scenes feel perfunctory compared to the time and energy spent on lovemaking scenes. One of the biggest wins happens off screen and is summarized in a single sentence later. And perhaps that's the point. Sure the world may end tomorrow, but what about the relationships? What about the people? What about the LOVE? We've got two second chance pairings here, with plenty of history, drama and a quick hit of spice. They're all likable characters, so your enjoyment will hang entirely on how you feel about second chance romance. Unfortunately, I am ambivalent, so it's another miss. But if you love firey anger that melts into firey passion, or pages upon pages of sexy yearning, there's plenty in here for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
A cozy romantasy that spotlights two second chance romances. World building flounders a bit.
Thoughts
Dang. Gonna have to file this one under "not for me." The world is tongue-in-cheek modern: there are cell phones, video calls, web boards, streaming TV, Uber, and fandom conventions, all painted over with the thinnest veneer of magic explanation. (Other reviewers liken it to Shrek.) And while I don't mind a playful nod, it mostly made me wonder why there weren't magical analogs for other modern things. In a world with internet, why is everyone still fighting with swords? Why are they still riding horses and camping in a forest instead of using a magical flying "not airplane?" Why can't they track down the villain after ten years? Shouldn't they also have magical satellite imaging or CC TV by now? Am I overthinking this? Of course I am! But I prefer world building in a fantasy story to hold a certain amount of consistency, and no amount of coy winking at the camera about fantasy Amazon deliveries is going to make me stop wondering why the queen didn't kit out our heroes with a fantasy GPS tracker they could stick on the bad guy. I'm well aware I'm the curmudgeon here, and I am sorry. But the flippant approach to the world sure did make it feel like the part about the world ending doesn't matter that much. Fight scenes feel perfunctory compared to the time and energy spent on lovemaking scenes. One of the biggest wins happens off screen and is summarized in a single sentence later. And perhaps that's the point. Sure the world may end tomorrow, but what about the relationships? What about the people? What about the LOVE? We've got two second chance pairings here, with plenty of history, drama and a quick hit of spice. They're all likable characters, so your enjoyment will hang entirely on how you feel about second chance romance. Unfortunately, I am ambivalent, so it's another miss. But if you love firey anger that melts into firey passion, or pages upon pages of sexy yearning, there's plenty in here for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Classism
The Kiss of the Nightingale by Adi Denner
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A sexy book packed with romance, opera drama, organized crime, and an interesting (albeit only somewhat fleshed out) magic system.
Thoughts
This is a very seductive book. Sexy, even? There's a lot going on in here, but the passages most tenderly and delicately written are dedicated to two very attractive humans and Cleo's feelings about them. The narrative is extremely clear about the differences between physical attraction and romantic attraction. Dahlia is alluring and seductive. She's fire and ice, power and danger, all wrapped in shadows. Cleo's yearning for her is instantaneous, a pulsing in her very body. Nuriel in contrast is withdrawn, standoffish, and it takes a lot longer for the two of them to warm up to each other as they crack through each other's outer defenses. Outside of that, we have a story that takes place largely in an opera house. It's an interesting gamble since the author clearly cares a lot about the opera, but the MC truly does not. This is baked into the plot and the character, not an oversight, and it pays off, but there are definitely spaces where I found myself wondering why I should care if Cleo didn't. The world building is done in broad strokes, with just enough detail to explain the magic system, but very little history beyond that. It was enough for me, but I could see lore lovers wanting some extra detail. This book is also a standalone, with a crack in the door juuuuust in case, but as a whole it wraps up everything very well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra books for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A sexy book packed with romance, opera drama, organized crime, and an interesting (albeit only somewhat fleshed out) magic system.
Thoughts
This is a very seductive book. Sexy, even? There's a lot going on in here, but the passages most tenderly and delicately written are dedicated to two very attractive humans and Cleo's feelings about them. The narrative is extremely clear about the differences between physical attraction and romantic attraction. Dahlia is alluring and seductive. She's fire and ice, power and danger, all wrapped in shadows. Cleo's yearning for her is instantaneous, a pulsing in her very body. Nuriel in contrast is withdrawn, standoffish, and it takes a lot longer for the two of them to warm up to each other as they crack through each other's outer defenses. Outside of that, we have a story that takes place largely in an opera house. It's an interesting gamble since the author clearly cares a lot about the opera, but the MC truly does not. This is baked into the plot and the character, not an oversight, and it pays off, but there are definitely spaces where I found myself wondering why I should care if Cleo didn't. The world building is done in broad strokes, with just enough detail to explain the magic system, but very little history beyond that. It was enough for me, but I could see lore lovers wanting some extra detail. This book is also a standalone, with a crack in the door juuuuust in case, but as a whole it wraps up everything very well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra books for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Chronic illness
The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A strong conclusion to the duology, with some neat plot twists and a dramatic romance.
Thoughts
This book starts right after the ending of the first book, and jumps straight back into the story without stopping for a breath (so if it's been a while since you read the last one, or you haven't read it at all, go do that first). But if you're ready for all the fast-paced action from the previous book to continue, then it's all in here. The stakes are higher, and you can feel the tension immediately as our already exhausted characters have a larger battle in front of them with enemies on even more fronts. It's a race to the finish line that doesn't let up, with players coming and going, so there are a lot of threads to keep up with. Arthurian legend again features strongly, but loosely, with some really cool twists and surprises woven in. The first person POV that worked really well in the first book might be a bit of a detriment here, as the group splits up quite a bit, and a ton of action winds up happening off screen. The most obviously missed chance is the secondary romance, that develops largely out of sight from the MC, and it's one that I would have loved to watch unfold. That being said, readers hoping for a conclusion to the primary romance set up in the first book will be happy to see the same bittersweet mix of tender moments and traumatic backstories for our young heroes, all leading to a very hopeful ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
A strong conclusion to the duology, with some neat plot twists and a dramatic romance.
Thoughts
This book starts right after the ending of the first book, and jumps straight back into the story without stopping for a breath (so if it's been a while since you read the last one, or you haven't read it at all, go do that first). But if you're ready for all the fast-paced action from the previous book to continue, then it's all in here. The stakes are higher, and you can feel the tension immediately as our already exhausted characters have a larger battle in front of them with enemies on even more fronts. It's a race to the finish line that doesn't let up, with players coming and going, so there are a lot of threads to keep up with. Arthurian legend again features strongly, but loosely, with some really cool twists and surprises woven in. The first person POV that worked really well in the first book might be a bit of a detriment here, as the group splits up quite a bit, and a ton of action winds up happening off screen. The most obviously missed chance is the secondary romance, that develops largely out of sight from the MC, and it's one that I would have loved to watch unfold. That being said, readers hoping for a conclusion to the primary romance set up in the first book will be happy to see the same bittersweet mix of tender moments and traumatic backstories for our young heroes, all leading to a very hopeful ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Minor: War
The Massively Multiplayer World of Ghosts, Volume 2: A New Challenger by Saturday AM, Oscar Fong, Frederick L. Jones
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
tl;dr
True to the Saturday AM line, MMWoG evokes the joys of Saturday morning cartoons with bold artwork and a super fun action storyline.
Thoughts
This one is pure shonen manga fun! Reluctant hero with a heart of gold? Check. Spunky, mascot-like sidekick to battle alongside? Check! Bold artwork with fun character designs? That, and then some. Add to that some family dynamics, and hints of a bigger plot in the works for a good time. And even though there's plenty of fun to be had, the story also knows when to get serious. There's drama and stakes here as well, along with a coming of age arc, and some great family interactions. World building is distinct and easy to follow. Heck, I can practically see the spinoff video game. There's fun gear, cards, and a whole bunch of mysterious enemies to challenge our young hero in battle. I would've owned all the merchandise as a kid. Honestly, I wouldn't mind owning it all now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
True to the Saturday AM line, MMWoG evokes the joys of Saturday morning cartoons with bold artwork and a super fun action storyline.
Thoughts
This one is pure shonen manga fun! Reluctant hero with a heart of gold? Check. Spunky, mascot-like sidekick to battle alongside? Check! Bold artwork with fun character designs? That, and then some. Add to that some family dynamics, and hints of a bigger plot in the works for a good time. And even though there's plenty of fun to be had, the story also knows when to get serious. There's drama and stakes here as well, along with a coming of age arc, and some great family interactions. World building is distinct and easy to follow. Heck, I can practically see the spinoff video game. There's fun gear, cards, and a whole bunch of mysterious enemies to challenge our young hero in battle. I would've owned all the merchandise as a kid. Honestly, I wouldn't mind owning it all now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Bless 1 by Yukino Sonoyama
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A gorgeously illustrated coming of age story that moves at a breakneck pace.
Thoughts
For a book about an industry based on imagery, the art absolutely nails it. Line work shifts between delicate and sketchy, changing as necessary to portray fluid movement, powerful emotions, and some really attractive character designs. The panels are full of life, and the detailed toning really brings everything together. A few shots in particular took my breath away. The storyline isn't quite as breathtaking as the artwork, but it's competent for what it is: a coming of age tale about teens learning to define themselves in a world full of other peoples' expectations. Pacing is quick, maybe faster than it needs to be. While the narrative was open about the challenges of working in the Industry, it sped along so fast that some of the outcomes felt either sudden or unrealistic. I would love to spend more time on the leads, their inner lives, and their relationship. Thankfully, there's plenty of room in future volumes for that.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A gorgeously illustrated coming of age story that moves at a breakneck pace.
Thoughts
For a book about an industry based on imagery, the art absolutely nails it. Line work shifts between delicate and sketchy, changing as necessary to portray fluid movement, powerful emotions, and some really attractive character designs. The panels are full of life, and the detailed toning really brings everything together. A few shots in particular took my breath away. The storyline isn't quite as breathtaking as the artwork, but it's competent for what it is: a coming of age tale about teens learning to define themselves in a world full of other peoples' expectations. Pacing is quick, maybe faster than it needs to be. While the narrative was open about the challenges of working in the Industry, it sped along so fast that some of the outcomes felt either sudden or unrealistic. I would love to spend more time on the leads, their inner lives, and their relationship. Thankfully, there's plenty of room in future volumes for that.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming
Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real-Life Boss! Volume 1 by Nmura
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A very sweet read for anyone who likes their romcoms with an endearing lead and a ton of misunderstandings.
Thoughts
I've never been a fan of miscommunication in romance, but I sure do love it in comedy. Thankfully, this romantic comedy leans more towards comedy with the misunderstandings (which are numerous), making this a very silly read for anyone looking for something light. Hashimoto's an average salaryman, chipping away his days doing basically okay work at his office job, and straining under the pressure of his strict (and unfairly attractive) boss. But at least he can relax online playing MMOs with his friend Uma, who is always a supportive listening ear. They eventually decide to meet up IRL after discovering they live nearby, and Hashimoto is devastated to discover that his best friend online Uma is none other than his demanding boss. The boss Shirase is less devastated, possibly because he might already be developing feelings. Too bad Hashimoto hasn't quite caught on. What follows is a series of sweet interactions, a heap of misunderstandings, and a romance triangle with a third player as our leads attempt to navigate their interactions and their feelings. The jokes land pretty well - there's one panel in particular of Hashimoto and Shirase sitting next to each other that made me laugh out loud. No spice, but the interactions are undeniably romantic, which makes this a very pleasant read with attractive artwork, and more that one relatable entanglement.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A very sweet read for anyone who likes their romcoms with an endearing lead and a ton of misunderstandings.
Thoughts
I've never been a fan of miscommunication in romance, but I sure do love it in comedy. Thankfully, this romantic comedy leans more towards comedy with the misunderstandings (which are numerous), making this a very silly read for anyone looking for something light. Hashimoto's an average salaryman, chipping away his days doing basically okay work at his office job, and straining under the pressure of his strict (and unfairly attractive) boss. But at least he can relax online playing MMOs with his friend Uma, who is always a supportive listening ear. They eventually decide to meet up IRL after discovering they live nearby, and Hashimoto is devastated to discover that his best friend online Uma is none other than his demanding boss. The boss Shirase is less devastated, possibly because he might already be developing feelings. Too bad Hashimoto hasn't quite caught on. What follows is a series of sweet interactions, a heap of misunderstandings, and a romance triangle with a third player as our leads attempt to navigate their interactions and their feelings. The jokes land pretty well - there's one panel in particular of Hashimoto and Shirase sitting next to each other that made me laugh out loud. No spice, but the interactions are undeniably romantic, which makes this a very pleasant read with attractive artwork, and more that one relatable entanglement.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Strong (possibly better?) follow-up to the first book (although first book knowledge not necessary), with more signature meta-commentary, twists, and a solid mystery.
Thoughts
Ernest Cunningham is back, once again tripping over unfortunate circumstances and the corpses that come with them. In a role reversal from the previous book, Ernest is now one of many murder mystery authors, and probably the least qualified of the bunch, but he brings back his signature self-aware writing style and collection of adverbs to sassily, wittily, and sometimes accidentally, uncover a murderer. I previously enjoyed the energy and style of the first book. The sequel doubles down on that mood - heaping on the meta commentary about the "fair play" mystery. If you liked it the first time around, you'll like it this time too, probably even more. One bit of meta foreshadowing in particular, is extremely effective in its blatant-ness, and I applaud the author for leaning into it. Combine that with a blunt but honest look at The Industry, and you've got another fun mystery on your hands. If I had any complaints, they would be the same as the first. Ernest remains entirely un-earnest, with high emotional walls that make it difficult for a reader to care about him or the stakes involved. Two books in, it's clear this is purposeful, but it can have an alienating effect, and I can totally see this not being everyone's cup of tea. If you liked the first book, jump on it! If you haven't read the first book, but this sounds interesting, there aren't any major spoilers, and you can start here if you like.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Strong (possibly better?) follow-up to the first book (although first book knowledge not necessary), with more signature meta-commentary, twists, and a solid mystery.
Thoughts
Ernest Cunningham is back, once again tripping over unfortunate circumstances and the corpses that come with them. In a role reversal from the previous book, Ernest is now one of many murder mystery authors, and probably the least qualified of the bunch, but he brings back his signature self-aware writing style and collection of adverbs to sassily, wittily, and sometimes accidentally, uncover a murderer. I previously enjoyed the energy and style of the first book. The sequel doubles down on that mood - heaping on the meta commentary about the "fair play" mystery. If you liked it the first time around, you'll like it this time too, probably even more. One bit of meta foreshadowing in particular, is extremely effective in its blatant-ness, and I applaud the author for leaning into it. Combine that with a blunt but honest look at The Industry, and you've got another fun mystery on your hands. If I had any complaints, they would be the same as the first. Ernest remains entirely un-earnest, with high emotional walls that make it difficult for a reader to care about him or the stakes involved. Two books in, it's clear this is purposeful, but it can have an alienating effect, and I can totally see this not being everyone's cup of tea. If you liked the first book, jump on it! If you haven't read the first book, but this sounds interesting, there aren't any major spoilers, and you can start here if you like.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Well-paced with some cool world-building and exciting twists, but has a bit of genre whiplash part way through.
Thoughts
This feels like two books stitched into one. The front half of the book has all of the vibes of a gothic romance: a young woman moves into an ancient opulent house, finds her husband-to-be cold and standoffish, and soon sees strange things out of the corner of her eye that everyone else insists aren't real. The deeper she digs, the more sinister things become, until her reality is shattered. And then suddenly we're in the second half of the book: an epic, sweeping, Chinese fable filled with mythical creatures, dragon-riding, war, alchemy, court drama, and a big prophecy. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. I enjoyed both parts on their own. The portion where Ying first visits the mirror world is especially well-written, with a creeping unease and some really unique world building that I loved. There are some big fight pieces and twists in the second half that are also a lot of fun. It's just a strange combination taking the two of them in together. For all that, I still think it's paced out well enough as one book, so I'm glad the author didn't try to stretch it into two. A fast-paced read for anyone who likes their big action mythology paired with just a touch of horror.
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Well-paced with some cool world-building and exciting twists, but has a bit of genre whiplash part way through.
Thoughts
This feels like two books stitched into one. The front half of the book has all of the vibes of a gothic romance: a young woman moves into an ancient opulent house, finds her husband-to-be cold and standoffish, and soon sees strange things out of the corner of her eye that everyone else insists aren't real. The deeper she digs, the more sinister things become, until her reality is shattered. And then suddenly we're in the second half of the book: an epic, sweeping, Chinese fable filled with mythical creatures, dragon-riding, war, alchemy, court drama, and a big prophecy. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. I enjoyed both parts on their own. The portion where Ying first visits the mirror world is especially well-written, with a creeping unease and some really unique world building that I loved. There are some big fight pieces and twists in the second half that are also a lot of fun. It's just a strange combination taking the two of them in together. For all that, I still think it's paced out well enough as one book, so I'm glad the author didn't try to stretch it into two. A fast-paced read for anyone who likes their big action mythology paired with just a touch of horror.
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Death
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content