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weareinheritors's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a very YA book, for decent and for worse.
The world and descriptions of locales and some people are great, I really would've loved to see more. I also liked the magic and, of course, always love me somedragons .
The plot feels rushed and a little too easily resolved, but intriguing all the same. I don't like how *easy* it was to resolve a lot of long-standing worldbuilding issues (dragon pearls, really?! ). Like, I expect a little Mary Sue-ness in a YA novel, that's fine, but it was too easy for the MC. And there is ittle to no character growth, especially for the MC.
I really didn't care for any of the main characters (Shuxiao is a real one, though. I want more of her, please). The sorta-kinda rebound love "triangle" almost made me DNF (specifically theWest Lake Inn and godawful shared room, one bed trope 🤮—that thankfully didn't follow through ).
I'll read the sequel for the worldbuilding, but I'm not rushing into it.
The world and descriptions of locales and some people are great, I really would've loved to see more. I also liked the magic and, of course, always love me some
The plot feels rushed and a little too easily resolved, but intriguing all the same. I don't like how *easy* it was to resolve a lot of long-standing worldbuilding issues (
I really didn't care for any of the main characters (Shuxiao is a real one, though. I want more of her, please). The sorta-kinda rebound love "triangle" almost made me DNF (specifically the
I'll read the sequel for the worldbuilding, but I'm not rushing into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I had the physical book and listened to the audiobook. Although there were minor discrepancies between the two, it didn't take me out of the story.
I freaking loved this, and I'm def gonna read the next book. It is longer than most books I have read, and I think without the audio, I would've struggled getting through some parts (a lot of the building, slower parts). But it was enjoyable all the way through. No spoilers, but my heart hurts a little at all that transpired with Xingyin's personal connections. I loved seeing her grow and all the things she had to do. A great mix of supernatural, fantasy, adventure, and love.
The cover art is also beautiful.
I freaking loved this, and I'm def gonna read the next book. It is longer than most books I have read, and I think without the audio, I would've struggled getting through some parts (a lot of the building, slower parts). But it was enjoyable all the way through. No spoilers, but my heart hurts a little at all that transpired with Xingyin's personal connections. I loved seeing her grow and all the things she had to do. A great mix of supernatural, fantasy, adventure, and love.
The cover art is also beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, and Kidnapping
awkwardimagination's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Absolutely adored this and will be starting the second book rjght away. Xingyin is on of my favourite protagonists I've ever read and I love everything about her character; I was never once annoued with her, what a breath of fresh air. The romantic plot lines were well done and I enjoyed them, cannot wait to see how that turns out. I'm vaguely familiar with the legend this story is based on, but everything is explained well enough that I was not confused.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Death
solarel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At the end of part 2 I was ready to say this fell in a 2 star range. The main character reads like a YA heroine, quick to swoon and quicker to anger. Her perspective was repetitive, and this grew very little as the book went on. She stars out angry about her mother and her own honor disrespected, and she ends that way too.
I loved the world, though. It was fun and I found it immersive. It felt rich and saturated, though at times repetitive.
What bumped it up to 3 stars for me was a twist that I had misread the signs for as overused tropes. I was delighted about this turn in the plot and it was a lot of fun to see it play out.
Overall I think this book is very charming and worth a read. Parts of the plot felt like they floated by without enough weight, and others felt as if they were drawn out far too long. I’m looking forward to the second one.
I loved the world, though. It was fun and I found it immersive. It felt rich and saturated, though at times repetitive.
What bumped it up to 3 stars for me was a twist that I had misread the signs for as overused tropes. I was delighted about this turn in the plot and it was a lot of fun to see it play out.
Overall I think this book is very charming and worth a read. Parts of the plot felt like they floated by without enough weight, and others felt as if they were drawn out far too long. I’m looking forward to the second one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
kaimetcalfe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
jessicaludden's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
“Yet as much as I loved him, I loved myself more. And as I was discovering, there was no end to love—it was something which grew and renewed endlessly, expanding to encompass each new horizon.”
So much happened in this book. I definitely feel like I read three books in one. It did feel a little slow at times, but the magic, action, and love made up for it. I loved the romantic angst in this love triangle. So much betrayal. So much longing. It was perfect. I loved getting to see Xingyin grow throughout these different phases of her life. Seeing her start out as a sheltered young girl with no powers and watching her learn how to fend for and eventually fight for herself. She’s very selfless and very determined when it comes to protecting the people she loves. I’m interested to see how the sequel goes because it feels like everything wrapped up pretty nicely at the end of this book. Although, if the next book focuses on war I may love it even more. Overall, I loved being in this world and being with Xingyin as she survived it.
So much happened in this book. I definitely feel like I read three books in one. It did feel a little slow at times, but the magic, action, and love made up for it. I loved the romantic angst in this love triangle. So much betrayal. So much longing. It was perfect. I loved getting to see Xingyin grow throughout these different phases of her life. Seeing her start out as a sheltered young girl with no powers and watching her learn how to fend for and eventually fight for herself. She’s very selfless and very determined when it comes to protecting the people she loves. I’m interested to see how the sequel goes because it feels like everything wrapped up pretty nicely at the end of this book. Although, if the next book focuses on war I may love it even more. Overall, I loved being in this world and being with Xingyin as she survived it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
The worldbuilding unfolds slowly, with early mentions of the various kingdoms supplemented later on by more detailed descriptions once Xingyin actually travels there. The descriptions are evocative but not overwhelming, tending to focus more on her thoughts about what she observes. There’s a strong focus on Xingyin’s internal life, as her relationships get more complicated but she’s still keeping her parentage a secret. She’s the daughter of the moon goddess, having grown up in secret since her mother was exiled to the moon after claiming the immortality meant for her husband, Xingyin’s father.
I like the first third and I love the second half, in between those sections the pacing gets a little weird though it’s still pretty good. Mid-book events which in some other story might be a training montage instead are collapsed into a very brief mention as several years are skipped at once. Xingyin ends up in the Celestial palace, surrounded by people who despise her for her class and who would detest her if they knew who her mother really was. After spending several years as the prince’s companion, she tries to make her own way by excelling at arms, becoming a formidable archer. Her goal is to earn a favor from the emperor in order to request her mother’s freedom.
Once place where this excels is in relationships, specifically the way that Xingyin’s relationships with Prince Liwei and Captain Wenzhi change over time. It is a love triangle, but one which at each stage feels like there are good reasons for the choices Xingyin is making. She proceeds as well as she can while figuring out who she wants, if anyone. I love the ending, it pulls things together in a fantastic way and lays the ground for what the sequel might cover while still letting this first book feel complete.
I like the first third and I love the second half, in between those sections the pacing gets a little weird though it’s still pretty good. Mid-book events which in some other story might be a training montage instead are collapsed into a very brief mention as several years are skipped at once. Xingyin ends up in the Celestial palace, surrounded by people who despise her for her class and who would detest her if they knew who her mother really was. After spending several years as the prince’s companion, she tries to make her own way by excelling at arms, becoming a formidable archer. Her goal is to earn a favor from the emperor in order to request her mother’s freedom.
Once place where this excels is in relationships, specifically the way that Xingyin’s relationships with Prince Liwei and Captain Wenzhi change over time. It is a love triangle, but one which at each stage feels like there are good reasons for the choices Xingyin is making. She proceeds as well as she can while figuring out who she wants, if anyone. I love the ending, it pulls things together in a fantastic way and lays the ground for what the sequel might cover while still letting this first book feel complete.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
rnbhargava's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.75
This book is a very fun and emotional adventure. My biggest gripe with the book is that the protagonist has the most abundant plot armor around, even in situations that should be seriously harming toward her. Minor quibble I guess for essentially a chosen one type fantasy action adventure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
There is violence throughout this story but the characters are immortals so that can undercut some of the tension a tiny bit. The author specifically has to write in that something is limiting their natural resilience but then there are healing magics to help characters recover. It leads to more emotional tension when paired with the action. I quite liked this novel and will read the follow up. That said the protagonist’s plot armor is abundant and strong. If that bothers you perhaps stay away. It’s a fun mythological adventure otherwiseiaraya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Protagonist is briefly harrassed by a group of men with the threat of sexual assult, but is able to easily protect herself.khymihr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail