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ronan5's reviews
161 reviews
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If I Have To Be Haunted by Miranda Sun
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
Wow wow wow. This was such a fascinating book! Full review to come as I collect my thoughts but this really had me engrossed in the story and characters.
Tales of the Celestial Kingdom by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It took me forever to finish this and then I am met with disappointment. So many plots that got resolved in the worst ways.
The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic were solid books and I loved them, but this just was just not what I was hoping for.
The Drowning Faith helped saved this, not gonna lie.
Edit: full review/rant
Thinking about it, changing my review from 3.5 to 2.5 (will round it up but maybe change it again?)
I loved the first two books in this series but this one just felt like an entirely different book and had so many issues.
Spoilers ahead. If you enjoyed this book, I'm glad you did, but it was not satisfying in many ways however I'll point out the things I thought were done well:
Nezha and the Drowning Faith.
Kitay finally defying Rin in a meaningful way
The moment Kitay, Rin, and Nezha had their little peaceful meeting.
Seeing Jiang in action
But the things I didn't care for:
The trifecta. These three almighty individuals who reigned with such might and fear, were hyped up in every book to an extent. We finally get to see Riga and oh. They died? It took how long to get them reunited only for them to perish in seconds? But Rin survived? Okay so half the book was wasted... let's move on I guess (also Daji just watching Riga in terror felt like such a complete opposite of her character)
Rin... you were our only POV in a book that would have benefitted from a Kitay and Nezha pov. Watching your descent into paranoia and madness was something but you constantly going crazy, then questioning everything felt like such a repetitive story beat. Like just go on a rampage and let whatever happens happen, go berserk.
The Drowning Faith showed us how much a secondary pov could have impacted the story. Seeing Nezha navigate the political realm of the Hesperians and the build up of meeting Rin on the battlefield. That would have given a refreshing change of pace, because I got tired of watching Rin and company climbing mountains and hiking.
Venka, she was done so dirty. I like to think she was playing for both sides, and just following who would further her ambitions. She learned to exist with Rin after hating, but her ending felt like such a minor after thought it took any meaningful "shock" away. Too many signs also pointed to Venka being the "traitor" (if one ever truly existed). Nobody said every bit of info about Nezha had to be accurate, but given their history it's hard to detach the fact that Venka did not have some attachment to him after all this time. The notes? All she knew? Seemed convenient at points but maybe I'm thinking too much into it.
Kitay was almost non existent in this book besides being Rin's anchor and telling her not to do something like awakening Riga, or confronting Nezha. Then at the end he just decides to block Rin's power? She put Kitay through such anguish and only then did he do something? He deserved better. Also a plot hole at the end involving anchor pain and such but I'm already ranting too much.
Rin's ending felt a bit anticlimactic. I knew what was going to happen and at this point I was so tired of Rin I just wanted it to happen. The agony she put upon so many people, and the destruction, and left Nezha to pick up the pieces. Oops.
Also that whole bit of her training new shamans who struggled but like two weeks later they got it? Like yeah they were extremely volatile and risky gambits but that whole thing was such a waste that late in the story that it was just a plot convenience. They struggle to connect to the pantheon but then at the end, Rin got Petra there in seconds??? I truly did not care what happened to these shamans and maybe that's what we were supposed to think? That whole section was so much telling instead of showing. Also shout out to the healer shaman, as far as I know she lived.
Altan... Rin's attachment to this man is just too much like give it a rest at this point. I just hated him out of spite by now.
Do I have more thoughts? Yes. Will I update this? Maybe? Overall I'm just incredibly disappointed by this book. It was such a battle to finish it (and during a reading slump no less). I guess I'll wrap it up here. Everyone suffered, war really destroys so much. Rin and Venka had some ridiculous levels of plot armor. Kitay deserved better. Rin caused a lot of suffering for a lot of people.
The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic were solid books and I loved them, but this just was just not what I was hoping for.
The Drowning Faith helped saved this, not gonna lie.
Edit: full review/rant
Thinking about it, changing my review from 3.5 to 2.5 (will round it up but maybe change it again?)
I loved the first two books in this series but this one just felt like an entirely different book and had so many issues.
Spoilers ahead. If you enjoyed this book, I'm glad you did, but it was not satisfying in many ways however I'll point out the things I thought were done well:
Nezha and the Drowning Faith.
Kitay finally defying Rin in a meaningful way
The moment Kitay, Rin, and Nezha had their little peaceful meeting.
Seeing Jiang in action
But the things I didn't care for:
The trifecta. These three almighty individuals who reigned with such might and fear, were hyped up in every book to an extent. We finally get to see Riga and oh. They died? It took how long to get them reunited only for them to perish in seconds? But Rin survived? Okay so half the book was wasted... let's move on I guess (also Daji just watching Riga in terror felt like such a complete opposite of her character)
Rin... you were our only POV in a book that would have benefitted from a Kitay and Nezha pov. Watching your descent into paranoia and madness was something but you constantly going crazy, then questioning everything felt like such a repetitive story beat. Like just go on a rampage and let whatever happens happen, go berserk.
The Drowning Faith showed us how much a secondary pov could have impacted the story. Seeing Nezha navigate the political realm of the Hesperians and the build up of meeting Rin on the battlefield. That would have given a refreshing change of pace, because I got tired of watching Rin and company climbing mountains and hiking.
Venka, she was done so dirty. I like to think she was playing for both sides, and just following who would further her ambitions. She learned to exist with Rin after hating, but her ending felt like such a minor after thought it took any meaningful "shock" away. Too many signs also pointed to Venka being the "traitor" (if one ever truly existed). Nobody said every bit of info about Nezha had to be accurate, but given their history it's hard to detach the fact that Venka did not have some attachment to him after all this time. The notes? All she knew? Seemed convenient at points but maybe I'm thinking too much into it.
Kitay was almost non existent in this book besides being Rin's anchor and telling her not to do something like awakening Riga, or confronting Nezha. Then at the end he just decides to block Rin's power? She put Kitay through such anguish and only then did he do something? He deserved better. Also a plot hole at the end involving anchor pain and such but I'm already ranting too much.
Rin's ending felt a bit anticlimactic. I knew what was going to happen and at this point I was so tired of Rin I just wanted it to happen. The agony she put upon so many people, and the destruction, and left Nezha to pick up the pieces. Oops.
Also that whole bit of her training new shamans who struggled but like two weeks later they got it? Like yeah they were extremely volatile and risky gambits but that whole thing was such a waste that late in the story that it was just a plot convenience. They struggle to connect to the pantheon but then at the end, Rin got Petra there in seconds??? I truly did not care what happened to these shamans and maybe that's what we were supposed to think? That whole section was so much telling instead of showing. Also shout out to the healer shaman, as far as I know she lived.
Altan... Rin's attachment to this man is just too much like give it a rest at this point. I just hated him out of spite by now.
Do I have more thoughts? Yes. Will I update this? Maybe? Overall I'm just incredibly disappointed by this book. It was such a battle to finish it (and during a reading slump no less). I guess I'll wrap it up here. Everyone suffered, war really destroys so much. Rin and Venka had some ridiculous levels of plot armor. Kitay deserved better. Rin caused a lot of suffering for a lot of people.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0