Scan barcode
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I was frustrated. I do get that people can continue to love someone even when that person has done horrible things. The heart wants what the heart wants, etc.
But it felt like the assassinations/war crimes commuted by Wren and her father were glossed over and Lei mostly feels bad about what she said to Wren regarding, you know, the war crimes. She puts her mercy killing of someone who asked to die in the same category as the political assassination of an innocent person and the murder of innocent civilians with a kind of well, everyone's got blood on their hands so it's all the same. But it isn't the same. At all.
And Wren may have to confess what she's done to Aoki, but that happens off screen and it's personal, there are no systematic consequences. All the other families who lost someone because of Wren and her father never learn the truth.
It's compounded by the fact that Wren's father doesn't survive so no one has to actually grapple with the fact that he also would have been a terrible, power hungry ruler who probably continued to commit atrocities while thinking he was behaving righteously. Even the fact the fact that he sent his daughter to be repeatedly raped is given a paragraph where Wren basically says she's tried really hard not to think about it over the years. I also get that having her father live probably would have required another book to deal with his disastrous reign and that would probably be stretching the story too far.
And I also get that Wren was a product of her upbringing which obviously shaped her thinking and personal ethics and morals.
But the book really does seem to have an attitude that everyone's hands are dirty and the good side won in the end so I guess sacrificing innocent people was the right call? Aside from the one fight with Lei and Wren there's no real grappling with the consequences of what Wren and her father did. Wren feels really bad about it at the end. But she's still part of the ruling council. What keeps Wren and Lei from living together isn't that one of them committed war crimes it's that Wren has a duty to rule without asking if she deserves to have that power. Weirdly, that doesn't seem to be a question that's ever asked.
Maybe there was no other way but you can say that and still think the people who committed the war crimes shouldn't hold power after because they may be tempted to reach for those same methods when it is expedient rather than (arguably) necessary.
The second book at least raises questions about even if a person does the ruthless but necessary thing whether they'll be able to live with it after the war is over and I just felt like this book doesn't seriously return to the question and it really needed to.
I'm not saying Wren needed to be executed or exiled. But it seems like there should be more personal consequences than she gets to rule and help shape the future of the new country and live happily ever after with her beloved. It's not that it costs her nothing, she does lose a key ally and the woman she loves is mad at her for a while and certainly people she cares about die but their deaths aren't really a personal consequence unless say there wouldn't have been a war in the first place but the book doesn't really go there, either.
I also get that if she came out at the end and said let me confess the truth to the country it would undoubtedly tear the new government and country apart. But there's never even a question about doing it. It doesn't occur to anyone that it might be necessary except in the case of one particular friend, which again is off screen and there's certainly no suggestion that Aoki might reveal it to anyone else.
And Lei still never questions how well she knows Wren or her own ability to judge people after the woman she loves admits to war crimes. Also her own alcoholism is entirely absent in this book so I guess withdrawal wasn't a problem in captivity.
I did like the very end which talked about new traditions.
But it felt like the assassinations/war crimes commuted by Wren and her father were glossed over and Lei mostly feels bad about what she said to Wren regarding, you know, the war crimes. She puts her mercy killing of someone who asked to die in the same category as the political assassination of an innocent person and the murder of innocent civilians with a kind of well, everyone's got blood on their hands so it's all the same. But it isn't the same. At all.
And Wren may have to confess what she's done to Aoki, but that happens off screen and it's personal, there are no systematic consequences. All the other families who lost someone because of Wren and her father never learn the truth.
It's compounded by the fact that Wren's father doesn't survive so no one has to actually grapple with the fact that he also would have been a terrible, power hungry ruler who probably continued to commit atrocities while thinking he was behaving righteously. Even the fact the fact that he sent his daughter to be repeatedly raped is given a paragraph where Wren basically says she's tried really hard not to think about it over the years. I also get that having her father live probably would have required another book to deal with his disastrous reign and that would probably be stretching the story too far.
And I also get that Wren was a product of her upbringing which obviously shaped her thinking and personal ethics and morals.
But the book really does seem to have an attitude that everyone's hands are dirty and the good side won in the end so I guess sacrificing innocent people was the right call? Aside from the one fight with Lei and Wren there's no real grappling with the consequences of what Wren and her father did. Wren feels really bad about it at the end. But she's still part of the ruling council. What keeps Wren and Lei from living together isn't that one of them committed war crimes it's that Wren has a duty to rule without asking if she deserves to have that power. Weirdly, that doesn't seem to be a question that's ever asked.
Maybe there was no other way but you can say that and still think the people who committed the war crimes shouldn't hold power after because they may be tempted to reach for those same methods when it is expedient rather than (arguably) necessary.
The second book at least raises questions about even if a person does the ruthless but necessary thing whether they'll be able to live with it after the war is over and I just felt like this book doesn't seriously return to the question and it really needed to.
I'm not saying Wren needed to be executed or exiled. But it seems like there should be more personal consequences than she gets to rule and help shape the future of the new country and live happily ever after with her beloved. It's not that it costs her nothing, she does lose a key ally and the woman she loves is mad at her for a while and certainly people she cares about die but their deaths aren't really a personal consequence unless say there wouldn't have been a war in the first place but the book doesn't really go there, either.
I also get that if she came out at the end and said let me confess the truth to the country it would undoubtedly tear the new government and country apart. But there's never even a question about doing it. It doesn't occur to anyone that it might be necessary except in the case of one particular friend, which again is off screen and there's certainly no suggestion that Aoki might reveal it to anyone else.
And Lei still never questions how well she knows Wren or her own ability to judge people after the woman she loves admits to war crimes. Also her own alcoholism is entirely absent in this book so I guess withdrawal wasn't a problem in captivity.
I did like the very end which talked about new traditions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Rape, and Pregnancy
fantasyshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
sarahna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars
I started the year off rereading the first two books of the series in order to fully enjoy the conclusion to it all and it was so worth it! Wren's pov was something I wished for since book one and it really made sense how it was implemented. I don't even know where to begin to review the series but overall it was just amazing to read a YA fantasy series that didn't just have amazing sapphic and disability rep but also had high stakes. Major characters do die and the ones that survive usually have injuries or disability they have to deal with and play a big role in the plot.
Spoilers ahead:
Nitta truly shined in the book and I loved all the parts she was in. I just wish Bo was still around with Merrin. I noticed how most queer characters ended up dying, including the morally grey ones (Shifu Cein) but lots of other characters die as well so maybe its just me noticing that. Bo was just such a great comedic relief and I loved the chemistry he had with Merrin. Nitta on the other hand embraced her disability and I loved the fact that she got a wheelchair appropriate for war. Just badass.
The reason why it was a five star read for me was that Wren and Lei's relationship yoyo-ed too much for me. Some conflicts were blown out of proportion and happened because of miscommunication or the lack of communication in general. So much could've been avoided and when they finally did get together in the end it felt a bit unbelievable but because of the high stakes it didn't feel too off.
I loved the section 3 months after the Demon king was killed. It tied all the story lines together and it was nice to see the remaining paper girls stick together. All in all, I really liked the series even if book 2 was a bit of a mess. Just lovely.
I started the year off rereading the first two books of the series in order to fully enjoy the conclusion to it all and it was so worth it! Wren's pov was something I wished for since book one and it really made sense how it was implemented. I don't even know where to begin to review the series but overall it was just amazing to read a YA fantasy series that didn't just have amazing sapphic and disability rep but also had high stakes. Major characters do die and the ones that survive usually have injuries or disability they have to deal with and play a big role in the plot.
Spoilers ahead:
Nitta truly shined in the book and I loved all the parts she was in. I just wish Bo was still around with Merrin. I noticed how most queer characters ended up dying, including the morally grey ones (Shifu Cein) but lots of other characters die as well so maybe its just me noticing that. Bo was just such a great comedic relief and I loved the chemistry he had with Merrin. Nitta on the other hand embraced her disability and I loved the fact that she got a wheelchair appropriate for war. Just badass.
The reason why it was a five star read for me was that Wren and Lei's relationship yoyo-ed too much for me. Some conflicts were blown out of proportion and happened because of miscommunication or the lack of communication in general. So much could've been avoided and when they finally did get together in the end it felt a bit unbelievable but because of the high stakes it didn't feel too off.
I loved the section 3 months after the Demon king was killed. It tied all the story lines together and it was nice to see the remaining paper girls stick together. All in all, I really liked the series even if book 2 was a bit of a mess. Just lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
zalesbian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
As the finale to this series that I loved so much, I was worried this could disappoint but I was very very wrong. It was the perfect ending.
It was not a perfect book, but it is my favorite of the trilogy.
It was not a perfect book, but it is my favorite of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, and War
I am surprised that this is categorized at Young Adult for 14 y/o and up. There were some very gruesome descriptions throughout this book. Plus the whole series is about Sexual Assault and trauma. A truly excellent book, but be prepared for some uncomfortable scenes.starccato's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
queerspoons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
eviecate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
If you plan to read this series please be aware that it contains graphic violence and sexual assault. Most sites list it as YA but i would argue that it is too graphic for YA.
This series has been a rollercoaster. When this book picked up at the conclusion of the last one I was scared. The first book was, in my opinion, the most intense and with the main character going back to the site of the majority of her trauma, I didn’t have high hopes. However I found this book to be the strongest in the trilogy. By the time I read this book I already had a strong connection to the characters and found myself on the edge of my seat for the majority of it. I did have a bit of difficulty navigating Lei’s first-person POV with Wren’s third-person but I got used to it. While the second book focused on relationships this one was mainly driven by the war. I think that made it stronger however my favorite moments were when characters were vulnerable with each other. Lei and Wren’s connection to one another is where this book really shines. The way they help each other cope with their traumas is beautiful. Ngan does a really good job of making the relationship balanced and not just sidelining Wren as only Lei’s love interest. These characters have both faced intense trauma and their different coping strategies really make them feel like distinct characters. I really liked how the series ended and i felt like everything was wrapped up nicely. This book made me feel every emotion. I didn’t cry but I came close. At the end of the day this book is about women learning to cope with extreme trauma in a society that is built to tear them down. I can have respect for a dystopian fantasy that has real world implications and this one definitely did.
I really enjoyed Lei’s relationships with the other paper girls and how similar trauma has shaped them in vastly different ways. Specifically with Aoki, I found Lei’s story arc with her incredibly captivating. I wasn’t sure if they were going to repair their relationship at the end of the book but I’m glad they did. While Aoki’s character growth happens off-screen I liked seeing Lei evolve from feeling like she needs to protect Aoki to understanding that she needs to learn how to grow and take care of herself on her own. I also enjoyed how the Burdens that Wren has carried on her shoulders for her whole life has shaped her and how she had to learn how to be vulnerable with people. I do wish that the implications of Lova’s betrayal had been explored more and revealed earlier, that was a missed opportunity. Another character I found myself attached to was Blue. She has grown so much from the first book and I wish her arc was explored more. I wasn’t as attached to Wren’s crew and I do wish they experienced more growth over the course of the series. I would have loved to see more of how Bo’s death in the last book continues to affect Merrin and Nitta and how they have been shaped by the trauma they have endured. I think it also would have made Merrin’s death hurt more if he had reconnected with Wren. In general Wren’s POV was limited because it was in third person and it felt significantly unbalanced compared to Lei’s. I think it would have been better to have both be first person in order to strengthen Wren’s character.
My biggest problem with this book and series as a whole is the marketing to a young adult audience. I picked up the first novel in 2018 when it came out looking for a YA fantasy with a lesbian relationship and while it delivered on this I was shocked by the violence and sexual assault. While there is a trigger warning it is small and easy to miss. I think this marketing is a result of the author being a woman of color and the characters being 17-18 over the course of the series.
This series has been a rollercoaster. When this book picked up at the conclusion of the last one I was scared. The first book was, in my opinion, the most intense and with the main character going back to the site of the majority of her trauma, I didn’t have high hopes. However I found this book to be the strongest in the trilogy. By the time I read this book I already had a strong connection to the characters and found myself on the edge of my seat for the majority of it. I did have a bit of difficulty navigating Lei’s first-person POV with Wren’s third-person but I got used to it. While the second book focused on relationships this one was mainly driven by the war. I think that made it stronger however my favorite moments were when characters were vulnerable with each other. Lei and Wren’s connection to one another is where this book really shines. The way they help each other cope with their traumas is beautiful. Ngan does a really good job of making the relationship balanced and not just sidelining Wren as only Lei’s love interest. These characters have both faced intense trauma and their different coping strategies really make them feel like distinct characters. I really liked how the series ended and i felt like everything was wrapped up nicely. This book made me feel every emotion. I didn’t cry but I came close. At the end of the day this book is about women learning to cope with extreme trauma in a society that is built to tear them down. I can have respect for a dystopian fantasy that has real world implications and this one definitely did.
My biggest problem with this book and series as a whole is the marketing to a young adult audience. I picked up the first novel in 2018 when it came out looking for a YA fantasy with a lesbian relationship and while it delivered on this I was shocked by the violence and sexual assault. While there is a trigger warning it is small and easy to miss. I think this marketing is a result of the author being a woman of color and the characters being 17-18 over the course of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent