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typewriter's Reviews (467)
I probably would've finished this book if it wasn't due back at the library. I didn't really care about all the politics and military tactics beyond Baoxiang, Ouyang, and Zhu, and there was increasingly a focus on Madame Zhang and Lady Ki, who were interesting but not enough to keep me reading. You can only have so many characters who are willing to be endlessly cruel to claw their way to the top before it gets a bit dull.
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some of the political maneuvering and military strategy went over my head, but I really enjoyed this book because of the strength of our two main characters. Zhu Chongba is a refreshing take on the sweet polly oliver trope, the way she approaches gender felt very relatable to me and her serene and accepting demeanour as she wreaks absolute havoc won me over. And her relationship with Ma is just so cute I love it. Ouyang is deliciously petty and bitter and his interactions with Zhu were everything to me. I love it when fantasy is dramatic, and this book sure does deliver on that.
