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phoenix2's review against another edition
2.0
So, I was expecting way more from this book. That said, the first part was exactly what I wanted. The story was well written, the setting just perfect and I liked the characters. Bao and Lan were a nice couple, though Lan tended to be a bit of a spoiled princess here and there. But, overall, she was enjoyable. The story was predictable too, but intriguing to read their journey. The Grey City mythology seemed promising as well.
However, things went downhill halfway through. When Lan and Bao met Commander Wei, Song of Crimson Flower turned into book three of the Rise of the Empress duology. I had read the first book of it, but I opted out from reading the second, as the first one didn't appeal to me that much. And so, with a few knowledge about the main plot of Xifeng, Wei and her stepdaughter, it was easier to read this one and piece things together. Unfortunately, I can't imagine a reader who has never experienced Xifeng and her story would comfortably read Song of the Crimson Flower. So, I don't recommend it if you haven't read Forest of a Thousand Lanterns at least. Also, if you had and you want to read the second book of the series, keep in mind that this book will spoil what is happening in Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, so I would suggest finishing the main duology first.
Other than that, and even though Bao and Lan's story was pretty great, the rest of it wasn't. The book tended to focus more on the old characters and their stories rather than the new ones, even if they were the main ones of this book. As I couldn't find myself caring about Wei's romance, I got bored with their arc, and the final conclusion of their story was just cheesy. The Grey City big battle was not present at all and we just saw the aftermath of it, which was disappointing. Maybe I was expecting too much from Queen Vy, as she did appear as a strong, evil character, but she was disappointing in the end as well.
In conclusion, I loved Bao and Lan and their story was entertaining. The rest of it was a let down.
However, things went downhill halfway through. When Lan and Bao met Commander Wei, Song of Crimson Flower turned into book three of the Rise of the Empress duology. I had read the first book of it, but I opted out from reading the second, as the first one didn't appeal to me that much. And so, with a few knowledge about the main plot of Xifeng, Wei and her stepdaughter, it was easier to read this one and piece things together. Unfortunately, I can't imagine a reader who has never experienced Xifeng and her story would comfortably read Song of the Crimson Flower. So, I don't recommend it if you haven't read Forest of a Thousand Lanterns at least. Also, if you had and you want to read the second book of the series, keep in mind that this book will spoil what is happening in Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, so I would suggest finishing the main duology first.
Other than that, and even though Bao and Lan's story was pretty great, the rest of it wasn't. The book tended to focus more on the old characters and their stories rather than the new ones, even if they were the main ones of this book. As I couldn't find myself caring about Wei's romance, I got bored with their arc, and the final conclusion of their story was just cheesy. The Grey City big battle was not present at all and we just saw the aftermath of it, which was disappointing. Maybe I was expecting too much from Queen Vy, as she did appear as a strong, evil character, but she was disappointing in the end as well.
In conclusion, I loved Bao and Lan and their story was entertaining. The rest of it was a let down.
nyeran's review against another edition
2.0
- “My sisters were half my age when they were wed.”
- “Well, I hear it is an arrangement that pleases all parties.”
- “It will please the parties that matter most.”
♠ Si può usare l'aggettivo tranquillo per descrivere un libro? Perché questa è l'unica sensazione che mi ha dato. È stata l'avventura meno eccitante che io abbia mai letto, il mio tragitto casa-lavoro potrebbe riservare più sorprese.
Tutto è facile, tutto è comodo e solo nelle ultime 50 pagine qualcosa si smuove. Lasciamo perdere che Bao sapeva che i soldati sarebbero arrivati e ha aspettato la mattina dopo per dirlo al comandante per poi ritrovarsi i soldati sulla porta di casa.
Però è tutto li, nelle ultime 50 pagine e tranquillità non è esattamente quello che cerco quando inizio un libro che dovrebbe parlare di una corsa contro il tempo per spezzare un incantesimo.
Ma in realtà è stata la trama ad ingannarmi. Non c'è l'avventura attraverso il continente visto che del viaggio noi non vediamo nulla se non un villaggio dove c'è una malata di Bloodpox e dei fuggiaschi. L'imperatrice la vediamo solo una volta prima di partire. Lan dovrebbe essere una stronza con un complesso di superiorità in quanto nobile che ha trattato di merda Bao quando lui ha provato a dichiarsi a lei. In teoria è così ma in realtà, no. Lei reagisce male a ciò che le dice Bao ma ha le sue motivazioni, in quella situazione ha senso. Quello che mi era stato venduto come un viaggio di due che si detestano in realtà è una passeggiata con questi due che si sono chiariti a pagina 50 e ora devono solo rendersi conto di essere innamorati.
Infine, se non avessi saputo che ci trovavamo in Asia non l'avrei capito, esclusi i nomi, che in tutta onestà alcuni sembrano provenire dal Vietnam, altri dal Giappone, non c'è niente che ti faccia capire dove sei. Non sono descritti i palazzi, i vestiti, il cibo, le persone, nulla.
- “Well, I hear it is an arrangement that pleases all parties.”
- “It will please the parties that matter most.”
♠ Si può usare l'aggettivo tranquillo per descrivere un libro? Perché questa è l'unica sensazione che mi ha dato. È stata l'avventura meno eccitante che io abbia mai letto, il mio tragitto casa-lavoro potrebbe riservare più sorprese.
Tutto è facile, tutto è comodo e solo nelle ultime 50 pagine qualcosa si smuove. Lasciamo perdere che Bao sapeva che i soldati sarebbero arrivati e ha aspettato la mattina dopo per dirlo al comandante per poi ritrovarsi i soldati sulla porta di casa.
Però è tutto li, nelle ultime 50 pagine e tranquillità non è esattamente quello che cerco quando inizio un libro che dovrebbe parlare di una corsa contro il tempo per spezzare un incantesimo.
Ma in realtà è stata la trama ad ingannarmi. Non c'è l'avventura attraverso il continente visto che del viaggio noi non vediamo nulla se non un villaggio dove c'è una malata di Bloodpox e dei fuggiaschi. L'imperatrice la vediamo solo una volta prima di partire. Lan dovrebbe essere una stronza con un complesso di superiorità in quanto nobile che ha trattato di merda Bao quando lui ha provato a dichiarsi a lei. In teoria è così ma in realtà, no. Lei reagisce male a ciò che le dice Bao ma ha le sue motivazioni, in quella situazione ha senso. Quello che mi era stato venduto come un viaggio di due che si detestano in realtà è una passeggiata con questi due che si sono chiariti a pagina 50 e ora devono solo rendersi conto di essere innamorati.
Infine, se non avessi saputo che ci trovavamo in Asia non l'avrei capito, esclusi i nomi, che in tutta onestà alcuni sembrano provenire dal Vietnam, altri dal Giappone, non c'è niente che ti faccia capire dove sei. Non sono descritti i palazzi, i vestiti, il cibo, le persone, nulla.
bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A little cheesy, and fairly predictable. Made for a quick & easy read in just a few hours.
lill_lena's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
arbor_1010's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
readsalott's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad... not bad.
Song of the Crimson Flower is a book that I definitely read out of order. Doesn't even matter to me because I still liked everything about this book. It probably made me even more excited to dive into the first two books because this novella definitely delivered. In it, Lan and Bao were adorable. I honestly couldn't help but ship them because an enemies to lovers romance is something I could get behind.
Yeah, they were crushes before.. but eh, details.
The adventure was so much fun in this book. I listened to the audiobook of it (which is weird because I own all the books in this series as audios.. so yeah still listened out of order (lol)). Each chapter made me smile with glee because it just kept bringing me deeper into their story. Plus it didn't hurt that Bao and Lan were easily likable.
Overall, really enjoyed this book and definitely can't wait to dive into the first two books of this series.
Song of the Crimson Flower is a book that I definitely read out of order. Doesn't even matter to me because I still liked everything about this book. It probably made me even more excited to dive into the first two books because this novella definitely delivered. In it, Lan and Bao were adorable. I honestly couldn't help but ship them because an enemies to lovers romance is something I could get behind.
Yeah, they were crushes before.. but eh, details.
The adventure was so much fun in this book. I listened to the audiobook of it (which is weird because I own all the books in this series as audios.. so yeah still listened out of order (lol)). Each chapter made me smile with glee because it just kept bringing me deeper into their story. Plus it didn't hurt that Bao and Lan were easily likable.
Overall, really enjoyed this book and definitely can't wait to dive into the first two books of this series.
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
Lan expects to marry Tam, her childhood sweetheart and the best match in the district. When she discovers that Bao, an orhpan apprenticed to the local physician, is in love with her, she rejects him harshly. The rejection sends him into the arms of the river witch and tangles them both in an oncoming war...
What a wonderful read. I really enjoyed revisiting the Great Forest and some of the characters from that series. Cleverly, however, Julie doesn't allow the returning characters to overwhelm the new ones. Lan and Bao are wonderful characters and having the story coming from both of their points of view means that we get great insight into both of them.
The Japanese background is perfectly explained without being overwhelming. I really hope that Bao gets to see some of his old friends again!
It was lovely to see that, even if we don't get to see them, the inhabitants of the Great Forest continue and have more adventures. I really enjoyed this return to it and I hope there's more in the future.
What a wonderful read. I really enjoyed revisiting the Great Forest and some of the characters from that series. Cleverly, however, Julie doesn't allow the returning characters to overwhelm the new ones. Lan and Bao are wonderful characters and having the story coming from both of their points of view means that we get great insight into both of them.
The Japanese background is perfectly explained without being overwhelming. I really hope that Bao gets to see some of his old friends again!
It was lovely to see that, even if we don't get to see them, the inhabitants of the Great Forest continue and have more adventures. I really enjoyed this return to it and I hope there's more in the future.
exlibris_aj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.75