The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
bookishdamzel's review against another edition
5.0
A spell saves Estyria's life by sending her to her mother's homeland. This realm is filled with powerful magic, gods, and a feudal system with plenty of court intrigue.
I absolutely love all the characters. Estyria, her grandparents, Sethalor, and Aedrian - all of 'em!! Estyria, Seth, and Aedrian are a recklessly codependent, soul-bound trio and the tension between them, I love it omg!! This book had me so enthralled between the court intrigue, sexual tension, and assassinations. It felt like reading source material for an anime and I could not put it down.
I'd recommend this to people who like court intrigue, soul-bond trope, harems, sexual tension, and historical fantasies with magic.
I absolutely love all the characters. Estyria, her grandparents, Sethalor, and Aedrian - all of 'em!! Estyria, Seth, and Aedrian are a recklessly codependent, soul-bound trio and the tension between them, I love it omg!! This book had me so enthralled between the court intrigue, sexual tension, and assassinations. It felt like reading source material for an anime and I could not put it down.
I'd recommend this to people who like court intrigue, soul-bond trope, harems, sexual tension, and historical fantasies with magic.
cakt1991's review
adventurous
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
4.0
I discovered Ekaterine Xia through Twitter and one of the Love All Year anthologies, and I had her on the list of authors I wanted to read more from when I had the chance. Phoenix Chosen particularly stood out to me, because of the dynastic China-esque setting, but with a magical twist.Â
The writing quickly immerses the reader into the world and the story, transporting the reader along with the protagonist, Estryia, to this new world. I really liked the explicit influences in the setting, and it feels really unique compared to a lot of the fantasy romances I’ve read thus far, taking influence from the wuxia genre and having a similar feel to a Chinese court drama series.Â
Estriya is a great heroine to follow, as like the reader, she’s learning about everything and taking it all in for the first time. I appreciate how she attempts to draw on what she’s learned in the past to navigate her environment, and over time, becomes more capable, especially as more complex challenges are thrown at her.Â
I also enjoyed her bonds with both Seth and Aedrian, as well as the one they have with each other. Seth tends to be very calm and collected, but he can be reckless when either of the other two is in trouble. Meanwhile, Aedrian is more aggressive and hot-headed, with somewhat…complex…feelings toward Seth, which are shaped by their shared history.Â
I did feel like the pacing was a bit uneven at first, with it feeling very episodic initially until somewhere in the middle when the main action picked up. However, while that did result in my engagement flagging a bit, I can appreciate it on a craft level, especially as it helps provide the necessary setup and context.Â
I enjoyed this book, and am excited to read more from this series. If you’re looking for a non-Eurocentric take on fantasy romance, I recommend trying this one.Â
dahliamorgana's review against another edition
3.0
An accident transports Esytria from the earth she knows to a magical kingdom she thought was only a bedtime story. She must compete for the throne while dealing with misogynistic lords and a mysterious bond with a strange prince who seems to know her.
I wanted to like this one. The worldbuilding is neat, she's clearly drawing on a deep knowledge and love of Chinese history and religious tradition/mythology. I thought the Tang Dynasty-esque fantasy setting was cool, more of that, please!
However the story reads like something written by an immature writer, like a draft that didn't get edited for content very much. There are a lot of plot threads -- the bond between Estyria and Sethalor, for one, that you assume will be explained but it's not. There are hints that he visited her on earth and she has repressed the memories, but that never gets explained. And I don't know what he was supposed to have been doing -- did he come for her or was he traveling to earth incognito to learn about other worlds? And when was this supposed to have happened? You can have characters bound by a magical force they don't understand, but explain it to your audience. I know there were intended to be sequels, but since they might focus more on her siblings, this feels like its left incomplete. I also didn't really get chemistry between them. It was a very "destiny says so" thing, which can be fine, but I was not clear scene to scene where our characters stood. Are we in love? Are we betrothed? Are we staying away from each other for our own good? It seemed contradictory and not linear, in a mistake way rather than an intentional playing with reality and perceptions way.
I was also confused about the connections between Earth and Tavaneth. How exactly does one travel between? Do lots of people do it or only in special situations? Do normal people know about Earth or only the elite? What do the people of Tavaneth know about Earth technology, politics, geography, history?
The characters didn't feel as fleshed out as they could have been. I thought the grandparents were a major missed opportunity. I could tell what she was going for with Aedrian and Estyria but it didn't land. Their banter didn't have the emotional resonance it was going for.
The conflict wasn't very engaging because the stakes didn't feel very high. I never doubted the heroes would succeed or that any losses would be anything but superficial. Everything doesn't have to be all fighting, everyone doubting each other all the time to be engaging, but here I didn't get a sense of a grand world beyond the handful of named characters, and I didn't get a sense of menace from the bad guys. There were a lot of people on the main character's side for no particular reason, including people who might have not been bad people but could have been compelled by circumstances to work against her, something to make it feel less inevitable that she would win.
I wanted to like this one. The worldbuilding is neat, she's clearly drawing on a deep knowledge and love of Chinese history and religious tradition/mythology. I thought the Tang Dynasty-esque fantasy setting was cool, more of that, please!
However the story reads like something written by an immature writer, like a draft that didn't get edited for content very much. There are a lot of plot threads -- the bond between Estyria and Sethalor, for one, that you assume will be explained but it's not. There are hints that he visited her on earth and she has repressed the memories, but that never gets explained. And I don't know what he was supposed to have been doing -- did he come for her or was he traveling to earth incognito to learn about other worlds? And when was this supposed to have happened? You can have characters bound by a magical force they don't understand, but explain it to your audience. I know there were intended to be sequels, but since they might focus more on her siblings, this feels like its left incomplete. I also didn't really get chemistry between them. It was a very "destiny says so" thing, which can be fine, but I was not clear scene to scene where our characters stood. Are we in love? Are we betrothed? Are we staying away from each other for our own good? It seemed contradictory and not linear, in a mistake way rather than an intentional playing with reality and perceptions way.
I was also confused about the connections between Earth and Tavaneth. How exactly does one travel between? Do lots of people do it or only in special situations? Do normal people know about Earth or only the elite? What do the people of Tavaneth know about Earth technology, politics, geography, history?
The characters didn't feel as fleshed out as they could have been. I thought the grandparents were a major missed opportunity. I could tell what she was going for with Aedrian and Estyria but it didn't land. Their banter didn't have the emotional resonance it was going for.
The conflict wasn't very engaging because the stakes didn't feel very high. I never doubted the heroes would succeed or that any losses would be anything but superficial. Everything doesn't have to be all fighting, everyone doubting each other all the time to be engaging, but here I didn't get a sense of a grand world beyond the handful of named characters, and I didn't get a sense of menace from the bad guys. There were a lot of people on the main character's side for no particular reason, including people who might have not been bad people but could have been compelled by circumstances to work against her, something to make it feel less inevitable that she would win.
absurtiddy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual violence and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
kelseybanerjee's review
5.0
Ekaterine has woven a suburb romantic fantasy infused with the ancient Chinese cultural aesthetic. Her writing style is not only precise, but imaginative and elegant. Her characters are willful and active, her plot is fascinating (although I wish it was drawn out more), and the romance is sweltering hot. Really though. I had nostalgia for all the historical Korean dramas I watched in college - like Faith and Queen Seondeuk.
She masterfully pens a world full of magic, history, and romance. This is a must-read if you like historical/fantasy romances.
Seriously. Just read it. Now.
She masterfully pens a world full of magic, history, and romance. This is a must-read if you like historical/fantasy romances.
Seriously. Just read it. Now.
prationality's review
5.0
All my love. Every single bit of it. Just...more please?
+++
I found this book by accident. I follow author Jeannie Lin on twitter (amongst other places), and she tweeted about finding this book thanks to the author tweeting about Lin's book (we're going deep here guys). Now anyone who knows me knows of my love of asian dramas, in particular the sub genre known as "wuxia"...or honestly any asian drama that involves gorgeous clothes, historical time period and at least ONE kick ass chick who slaps around the male love interest. I blame Michelle Yeoh for this by the way.
As the author notes PHOENIX CHOSEN is not a wuxia - this isn't a martial arts fantasy. This is straight up fantasy. Which hey not complaining about that at all. In terms of comparison this is more akin to Juuni Kokki (or The Twelve Kingdoms) in that it focuses on a young girl, tossed into the political intrigue and violence of a Kingdom searching for its leader, who previously was (at best) mediocre at all things. Through quick wits, a touch of recklessness and some damn loyal compatriots, things sort of kind of work out in her favor.
If you blink and look sideways. There will be more books soooo we'll see how long that works out for Estyria.
Estyria, affectionately known as Phoenix, is having a rough run of luck. Her life is pretty aimless, her love life is non-existent and she just got hit by a mini van...who's driver sped away pretty quickly. She awakens to a world straight out of some Chinese drama, next to a guy who she doesn't know and soon falls unconscious after another guy threatens her life.
All in all its not what you'd call a stellar first impression of things.
Really she takes things very well considering. Once its all laid out to her she becomes pretty determined and while she holds it against Sethalor and Aedrian, that's hardly her fault. One seems to alternately despise her and be attracted to her, while the other definitely is attracted to her, but is almost resentful that she can't remember what they may mean to each other. And that's before she decides to take on the only option she has to get home, which is to enter into candidacy for the throne of a land that exiled her family.
In the beginning there's a lot of confusion as Estyria attempts to navigate everything. The position her grandparents hold requires a lot of etiquette and very careful consideration of everything she says or does. Regardless of her parents' exile, Estyria is now bound to the traditions and sanctions of the land and as such needs to learn real quick how to fit in. This isn't without its own troubles; Sethalor and Aedrian prove to be hard to decipher, while she doesn't entirely want to trust the grandparents who seem content to let their daughter be tossed out. Not to mention her own trust issues spilling over from a trauma in her past that she hints at, but doesn't want to examine.
Sethalor, or Seth, is everything that is respectable, refined and elegant. He's nominally in charge until a new ruler is chosen (by Heaven), but he hates the court and everything it has taken from him. He's adept at keeping his emotions in check, but at the same time he's reckless when those he cares about (Aedrian or Esytria) are in trouble. I got a bit tired at his wounded lover looks towards Estyria though, as several characters point out its not helping anyone so he needed to focus more on the present.
Aedrian. Oh Aedrian. Let me just hug away all your troubles dear one. He's brash, aggressive and blunt to the point of insolence at times. His own mixed up feelings for Seth tend to make him act first, so when he restrains himself its impressive. He starts out the story extremely hostile and antagonist towards everyone except Seth which doesn't really change by the end (now that I think about it). BUT as the story unfolds its becomes obvious that these two have faced a lot together so maybe its justified.
In terms of world building--its lush and beautiful and detailed. Some of it is really complicated (I'm still a bit loosey-goosey about the political climate and how it connects to our world) and some of it I think will be expanded upon in the next book, since much of the background took back seat to the current problems at hand (ie: saving the land from starving and thus being invaded). What I liked was that while if the reader was well versed in asian culture(s) there's a lot to take away from the story, if they're not Xia does a wonderful job examining and explaining the culture without ever dropping heavy pieces of info-dumping.
I've already blathered on a lot longer then I meant to, but the bottom line is that I can't recommend this loudly enough. For fantasy fans looking for something not anglo-influenced, for fans of political intrigue or readers who enjoy watching a female main character take charge of her fate, this is perfect.
+++
I found this book by accident. I follow author Jeannie Lin on twitter (amongst other places), and she tweeted about finding this book thanks to the author tweeting about Lin's book (we're going deep here guys). Now anyone who knows me knows of my love of asian dramas, in particular the sub genre known as "wuxia"...or honestly any asian drama that involves gorgeous clothes, historical time period and at least ONE kick ass chick who slaps around the male love interest. I blame Michelle Yeoh for this by the way.
As the author notes PHOENIX CHOSEN is not a wuxia - this isn't a martial arts fantasy. This is straight up fantasy. Which hey not complaining about that at all. In terms of comparison this is more akin to Juuni Kokki (or The Twelve Kingdoms) in that it focuses on a young girl, tossed into the political intrigue and violence of a Kingdom searching for its leader, who previously was (at best) mediocre at all things. Through quick wits, a touch of recklessness and some damn loyal compatriots, things sort of kind of work out in her favor.
If you blink and look sideways. There will be more books soooo we'll see how long that works out for Estyria.
Estyria, affectionately known as Phoenix, is having a rough run of luck. Her life is pretty aimless, her love life is non-existent and she just got hit by a mini van...who's driver sped away pretty quickly. She awakens to a world straight out of some Chinese drama, next to a guy who she doesn't know and soon falls unconscious after another guy threatens her life.
All in all its not what you'd call a stellar first impression of things.
Really she takes things very well considering. Once its all laid out to her she becomes pretty determined and while she holds it against Sethalor and Aedrian, that's hardly her fault. One seems to alternately despise her and be attracted to her, while the other definitely is attracted to her, but is almost resentful that she can't remember what they may mean to each other. And that's before she decides to take on the only option she has to get home, which is to enter into candidacy for the throne of a land that exiled her family.
In the beginning there's a lot of confusion as Estyria attempts to navigate everything. The position her grandparents hold requires a lot of etiquette and very careful consideration of everything she says or does. Regardless of her parents' exile, Estyria is now bound to the traditions and sanctions of the land and as such needs to learn real quick how to fit in. This isn't without its own troubles; Sethalor and Aedrian prove to be hard to decipher, while she doesn't entirely want to trust the grandparents who seem content to let their daughter be tossed out. Not to mention her own trust issues spilling over from a trauma in her past that she hints at, but doesn't want to examine.
Sethalor, or Seth, is everything that is respectable, refined and elegant. He's nominally in charge until a new ruler is chosen (by Heaven), but he hates the court and everything it has taken from him. He's adept at keeping his emotions in check, but at the same time he's reckless when those he cares about (Aedrian or Esytria) are in trouble. I got a bit tired at his wounded lover looks towards Estyria though, as several characters point out its not helping anyone so he needed to focus more on the present.
Aedrian. Oh Aedrian. Let me just hug away all your troubles dear one. He's brash, aggressive and blunt to the point of insolence at times. His own mixed up feelings for Seth tend to make him act first, so when he restrains himself its impressive. He starts out the story extremely hostile and antagonist towards everyone except Seth which doesn't really change by the end (now that I think about it). BUT as the story unfolds its becomes obvious that these two have faced a lot together so maybe its justified.
In terms of world building--its lush and beautiful and detailed. Some of it is really complicated (I'm still a bit loosey-goosey about the political climate and how it connects to our world) and some of it I think will be expanded upon in the next book, since much of the background took back seat to the current problems at hand (ie: saving the land from starving and thus being invaded). What I liked was that while if the reader was well versed in asian culture(s) there's a lot to take away from the story, if they're not Xia does a wonderful job examining and explaining the culture without ever dropping heavy pieces of info-dumping.
I've already blathered on a lot longer then I meant to, but the bottom line is that I can't recommend this loudly enough. For fantasy fans looking for something not anglo-influenced, for fans of political intrigue or readers who enjoy watching a female main character take charge of her fate, this is perfect.
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