ericadawson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While starting out slow and, admittedly, boring for me, the intrigue kicks into high gear and doesn't slow down until the end of the book. None of the characters are really loveable, but they're all unique in the role they play (well, except Rou. Rou is loveable). This is one of those books that can be described as being deceptive at every turn, and masterfully so at that. I'm disappointed to learn that there won't be a sequel (I want Hesina to get world for all her efforts) but I also understand you can't force a story if it wasn't meant to be.
I'd at first found the prose simple, but He has a way packing a punch in certain descriptions. I was tempted to highlight and annotate all the lines I liked. I also enjoyed the focus on family and friendship over romantic inclinations/motivations, because they all felt more real than anything a failed romance with Akira could produce. I also didn't much care for Akira, though, so that is influencing my opinion.
I enjoyed the world building, the complexity of the politics and the history, the concept of a trial playing a central role in a book (even though I didn't find the initial trial bits interesting).
Overall, a lovely read. Highly recommend.
Graphic: Blood and Violence
jiao_li's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As for the main character, Hesina, I found her the least appealing, and she pales in comparison to the other characters. Her character and strengths felt rather flat compared to the others. I didn't agree with her decisions, and I would have disliked the ending if not for the Epilogue.
One of the book's strengths is the world-building; the concept of the 'shoot' is fresh and interesting. About the audiobook narration, it was okay, although some parts sounded exaggerated, perhaps because of the dramatic writing.
In summary, I didn't enjoy the book mainly because the plot became too complicated, and the writing didn't deliver the twists effectively. However, I appreciated the world-building and the narration. Your enjoyment may vary depending on your preferences tho.
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Death
laurenipsums's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Genocide, Slavery, Racial slurs, and War
Minor: War
karalara's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death of parent, Body horror, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Grief and Slavery
Minor: Genocide
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
astoryofpages's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The only point that could be negative is the characters, and more precisely Hesina. But it's pretty subjective. I really liked this image of a strong young woman who wants above all to rule her kingdom. But I gradually disconnected from her. And, in the end, I remained quite indifferent concerning her character, her decisions and what she was living. Admittedly the ending has an effect, but I ended up missing a little empathy for her. It was the same for Akira, who isn't, for me, extremely important to the story. I had more connections with Caiyan and Lilian. Lilian is full of life, and in a way, she reminded me of Genya Safin or Nina Zenik from the Grishaverse. Caiyan is more calculating, whereas Hesina is more empathetic. I had a little more trouble figuring out Sanjing. But I think he's still a great character, just as calculating as Caiyan but in a different way.
I really loved the relationship between the characters. I think that's a significant positive point too! And if some wonder if there is romance: yes, there is, but it is still very light. Besides, I haven't really noticed it. And I'm pretty happy because I find that there is no need to have some characters in a relationship, which changes from other YA books we are used to reading!
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Slavery and War
Immolation, poisoningaidamaria_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
corvicore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Vomit, and Slavery
Moderate: War, Torture, and Trafficking
Minor: Suicide and Medical content
gladiolus17's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide
lilifane's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To be honest, I only purchased this book because of the beautiful cover. I didn't even read the whole synopsis (because I never do), so I didn't expect much. All I knew was that it's Chinese inspired fantasy. I didn't even know it was young adult. When was the last time I read YA fantasy?!
Anyway, I really really really enjoyed it.
The world building was super interesting, the plot was SO much fun. Because there is also a murder mystery and a court trial and sooo many secrets and twists. It's full of things I like. And although it is fantasy, it clearly dealt with important current topics like racism, prejudices and fear of the unknown. (There is a scene where the protagonist recognises her own priviliges and it's just SO good.)
You follow Hesina, the crown princess of Yan. At the beginning of the book her father, the king, is poisened and so she has to start her rule way too early. And not only does she have to deal with some political issues (foreign and domestic) right away, but she also wants to resolve her fathers death and find his murderer.
I really liked the setting of this, the beautiful palaces and gardens with secret passage ways. Loved how complex the politics actually were and the way Hesina handled the situation. Usually in this kind of YA story, where the protagonists have to take over responsibility earlier than expected, they tend to be really bad at it and have to learn the basics first (so annoying). But here, Hesina immediately knows what to do. You realise that she has been preparing for this moment her whole life and she knows her duties and the rules of the court very well. Of course, she makes mistakes, but as a reader you never get the impression these were some stupid (newbie) mistakes. You always understand why she acts the way she does and it makes sense. You get the pros and cons, you see the problems every decision might cause, because there is no clear right or wrong, no clear black or white. And all actions have consequences, and unexpected things might happen, so you never knew what will happen next. Even if you think you do, you really don't.
Absolutely loved the mystery and the way it was uncovered step by step. I mean, some of it was pretty obvious but I was still surprised a few times. And the way Hesina made some of the discoveries was just SO cool.
Although I really liked the characters and their relationships and interactions (the family and friends dynamics are amazing), they still felt like plot devices somethimes. The mysteries around them felt a little too forced sometimes. But I wouldn't have minded, if they werent revealed the way they were. Which is also connected to the ending of the book. The last 40 pages were a wild ride, I tell you, and then the ending was basically a slap in the face.
You know how sometimes when you read a book and think it's the perfect standalone but then the author decides to stretch the plot really thin at the end just to make it a trilogy? This felt like the opposite, like me finishing an essay in university. "Oh, I reached the minimum page count for the assignment? Okay, let's wrap this up really quickly. Ah, I haven't explained the backstory of this character. Let's just write it down on half a page to get it over with."
So yeah, the ending felt really sudden and rushed. But it was also kind of cool the way it was handled? I'm conflicted. But I love the questions that arise at the end so much. What is actually good and what is bad? What makes a hero and what makes a villain? Is it better to stick to your ideals or do ends justify the means? I like that it's up to the reader to decide at the end.
I did some research after finishing the book btw. And I found some confusing information. There are people that say, this is a standalone. Then there are some who claim this is a standalone but there are options for companion novels. But then I also found an article that mentions a planned sequel? I mean, there are still some unanswered questions, some open mysteries. And the characters and the world are way too good to give them up completely. So if there is a sequel or a companion, I will definitely read it. I just hope these don't ruin the impact this book made had on me.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Blood, Death, Grief, Torture, Violence, Genocide, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide