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lncolgate's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Top tier! I know I’m behind the times a bit, but I was worried about overhype and I knew it ended on a big cliffhanger and I wanted to wait til the second book was out. Well worth waiting for. So good. Great balance of mystery, political intrigue, a touch of romance. Love the magic system and how it’s connected with tea and traditional Chinese medicine. Enjoyed mixing in Chinese mythology —and it wasn’t stereotypical or “traditional” (listened to an interview where she said she blended mythology from different parts of Chinese culture because there are variations —not one solid myth). I loved Ning and her fierce determination and compassion. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this story-I sort of expected a traditional competition story. But this really surprised me! In some ways I’m reminded of Alanna the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce. It’s like s coming of age, learning wisdom, venturing outside home and the familiar to court and intrigue. Learning magic and the extent of her powers. Judy Lin just knocked it out the park first time!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Vomit, and Death of parent
serendipity421's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Confinement
nixieba25f's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Classism
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Terminal illness, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
monicalaurette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was so fun to read and such a fun concept, magic tea and the magic from those who can pour it. I was so upset that I wasn’t able to actually view them pouring or the magic steam and instead just having to try and imagine it in my head. I may have to try and look up some fanart to see it in action.
I also liked Ning and her love for her father and Shu, the reasons she even went to Jia. So much happened, and sometimes when it would I’d say out loud ‘oh of COURSE this would happen/this person would do that’ but even with those moments that just seemed a little too convenient, the story was surprising and I was gripped to it.
“Strangling me with continuous thoughts of my own inferiority and doubt.”
Very happy that I was able to get both books in a thrift store so I can just start the next one now - so wish me luck!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and War
oakairi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Torture, Vomit, and War
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.0
The magic system is the best part of this book. I personally am not too interested in fight scenes, so the fact that this magic system is more psychologically-based makes it much more interesting to me. When Ning goes into the Shift, we are able to experience the emotional connections between the characters as well as the psychological, and that influences the outside world. For those that like fight scenes, there are a good amount present, so there's no need to worry. I am not a big fantasy girlie, so to me this was just middle of the road, but I think if you are super into fantasy, then you'll really like this. The ending of the book really nailed it (though I wasn't expecting how brutal it would get), and the author also did a very good job in making me question who to trust (even now, I'm not entirely sure that Ning has chosen the right people to trust, though it didn't seem that she had much of a choice). I personally thought that, while the set up and commentary on the politics of the kingdom was done well, with regards to the competition aspect of the book, the pacing was a bit too fast. The same goes for Ning's relationship with Kang, though I did like their relationship, at the same time there was nothing particularly special about it. It was entertaining, endearing, and sweet, but not unique. I do sincerely hope that they reconcile in the next book. I will be quite disappointed if they don't. I liked the ending, but I'm not sure that I'm totally on board with every detail. The presence of an ancient being the source of the poison is interesting, but I am not as invested as I would be if it stayed with what had already been established. I am happy that Ning succeeded in healing her sister, thus completing her goal and arc for the first book. With the drink she had from the general, it would make sense that it made her immune to the poison, so hopefully that isn't discarded in the next book for the sake of raising the stakes. Also, since it was established that Shu (her younger sister) was supposed to be the apprentice, then that would mean that Shu is a stronger shennong-shi than Ning, so I wonder how that is going to be played into the next book, or if that will be ignored (maybe explain it away by saying she is still recovering from the poison?) I'm not entirely sure, but I hope that things that are already established will still have weight and won't be conveniently explained way in the the sequel. Side note, the way that food was described in the book always made me hungry (it happened quite often, so you really work up an appetite!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism, Torture, and Violence
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
solarel's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I enjoyed the world, though the first half of it felt very similar to other books I’ve read.
The ending was a cliffhanger but didn’t manage to give any sense of finishing to the story arc? That’s just my thoughts.
Overall I think this was pretty middle of the road. It was a fun read, enjoyable and mysterious. But there were parts I found fell short of what they could have been.
The ending was a cliffhanger but didn’t manage to give any sense of finishing to the story arc? That’s just my thoughts.
Overall I think this was pretty middle of the road. It was a fun read, enjoyable and mysterious. But there were parts I found fell short of what they could have been.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
fscherlie's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse and Violence