Scan barcode
sarrie's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
It’s incredibly rare for me to find an Urban Fantasy that’s solid and does not fall into the trap being more on the Romance than the Fantasy side. If that’s you and you want that great Urban fantasy feeling - pick up Ebony Gate.
The story follows Emiko Soong who, after giving up a coveted and rare position in her family, moves to San Francisco and attempts to make her own way and her own life. Emiko is part of a race of humans descended from Dragons who all manifest different powers at different levels. Emiko seems to have little to no magic and as such as fulfilled the role of assassin and earned the nickname “The Butcher of Beijing”. Because of that we see her move through a society that doesn’t quite accept her on the whole but begrudgingly respects her. The magic is fascinating and fun, and the teases about Emiko and her ‘abilities’ through the book have me very ready for another installment.
The characters themselves are fun, and even San Francisco as a city takes on a character role as the city is manifesting itself as a sentient force that requires a guiding hand, something it has seemed to pick Emiko for. She struggles against that throughout the book (we all know how it’s going to end) but I always love a sentient magic city idea.
On the whole I really enjoyed this. The beginning dragged a bit, and it was also fairly overwhelming with the new setting and ideas so it may take some getting used to. I loved the lack of romance, but the beginning also managed to somehow feel like it was setting something up that I’m not crazy about for future books, a plot line that really didn’t feel needed. There was some repetition to the writing, but on the whole this is definitely a book and series I’ll be looking forward to.
A solid new urban fantasy - for fans of the genre I’d definitely recommend this one. 4 out 5 paper lanterns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Xenophobia and Abandonment