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erinlcrane's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars that I’m rounding up. I mainly wish this was longer!
Bathia and Lisan’s relationship as it played out here was so compelling. I hated Lisan, but knowing their history helped me make sense of Bathia’s actions. This is where I wish the book was longer. I’d have felt more of Bathia’s conflict over Lisan if I had seen them as teenagers in love. If I had read scenes of Lisan as he was at that time, I would have felt more conflicted over him myself instead of just intellectually.
The story itself has some jaw-dropping moments. I loved the historical and mythological tie ins.
The ending left me kind of dissatisfied because I felt like the book largely forgave Lisan. I’d have preferred a more ambiguous ending that left it up to the reader. Not to say he doesn’t experience a cost for his choices. It’s not like he gets a happy ending, so I appreciate that.
Bathia and Lisan’s relationship as it played out here was so compelling. I hated Lisan, but knowing their history helped me make sense of Bathia’s actions. This is where I wish the book was longer. I’d have felt more of Bathia’s conflict over Lisan if I had seen them as teenagers in love. If I had read scenes of Lisan as he was at that time, I would have felt more conflicted over him myself instead of just intellectually.
The story itself has some jaw-dropping moments. I loved the historical and mythological tie ins.
The ending left me kind of dissatisfied because I felt like the book largely forgave Lisan. I’d have preferred a more ambiguous ending that left it up to the reader. Not to say he doesn’t experience a cost for his choices. It’s not like he gets a happy ending, so I appreciate that.
eininthebird's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lady_daisy's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Difficult to follow at times
ritaralha's review
3.0
We are taught in school how old Brunei is. How much history we have. But the details of that history, like the details of our sultans, are carefully glossed over. Few people have any idea of the scope of our land and tradition and memory. It’s not surprising. How can you take in and comprehend centuries of change and flux all linked back to a core that is something as fickle as water? Human memory is a funny and fragile thing. That’s why we leave things behind—buildings, carvings, sculptures, jewels, stories—to tell people that we were once here. Because we know that when we don’t leave things behind, we forget. And then we are doomed to start afresh, to learn afresh, wasting so much time…
Mitos - Impérios perdidos – História – Encantamentos – Odisseias Pessoais
O tema subjacente é o amor; amor pela pátria, por uma entidade superior e, não menos importante, o amor entre um homem e uma mulher que se unem na luta pela restauração da paz e da prosperidade no seu lar.
77/198 – Brunei
Mitos - Impérios perdidos – História – Encantamentos – Odisseias Pessoais
O tema subjacente é o amor; amor pela pátria, por uma entidade superior e, não menos importante, o amor entre um homem e uma mulher que se unem na luta pela restauração da paz e da prosperidade no seu lar.
77/198 – Brunei
stefan_lennemyr's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mysterious connections, divinity, bloodlines, sacrifice and one’s own self form a rich and compact tale in the borderline between myth and reality.
strawberrymoonceci's review against another edition
3.5
This book was beautifully written. The descriptions were so vivid. I could almost feel I was in there, in the water, or walking through the jungle. The different timelines are interwoven bringing us back and forth in a fictional Brunei, and the resolution of a centuries old curse. It's a fascinating story.
However, I felt that I lacked a lot of cultural context to understand it. From the character dynamics to the folklore, to the very end.
Still, I'm glad I read it. The beautiful writing alone is worth it. And it's not this books fault that I am ignorant about the subject matter.
Lisan can piss off, though, what a terrible prick.
However, I felt that I lacked a lot of cultural context to understand it. From the character dynamics to the folklore, to the very end.
Still, I'm glad I read it. The beautiful writing alone is worth it. And it's not this books fault that I am ignorant about the subject matter.
Lisan can piss off, though, what a terrible prick.
oharps_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
3.0
The three narratives within the fantasy novella are engaging enough, though due to my unfamiliarity with Bruneian ancient history, myth and folklore, I may not have fully appreciated the poetic determinism of its resolution.
kate66's review
5.0
A strange and beautiful book. The story is inspired by Bruneian folklore and history but is fictional. It tells the tale of a lost royal line, a doomed twins and a terrifying snake God, the Nabau, who has brought nothing but misery to the land and the people.
It has the feel of a folk tale. The underlying theme is love; love of the country, of a higher power and not least the love of a man and a woman who battle together to bring peace and prosperity back to their home.
A beautiful and often disturbing tale, beautifully told. Worthy of any true story teller. Highly recommended.
It has the feel of a folk tale. The underlying theme is love; love of the country, of a higher power and not least the love of a man and a woman who battle together to bring peace and prosperity back to their home.
A beautiful and often disturbing tale, beautifully told. Worthy of any true story teller. Highly recommended.