juliterario's review against another edition
4.0
Cuando decimos que necesitamos fantasía diversa, estamos hablando de libros como Empress of All Seasons de Emiko Jean. Este es de esos libros que te tragas entero porque es simplemente hermoso. En este caso, la novela de Jean nos trae fantasía 100% épica, mitología japonesa, leyendas, armas y una ambientación preciosa. ¡ESTO ES LO QUE QUIERO LEER!
“Silence is the cousin of invisibility.”
Realmente amé esta lectura. No sé si le doy 4 estrellas o 3, pero de todos modos amé este libro. Fue atrapante, adictivo y de esos que están construidos de una manera tan dulce que te deja un gusto a miel en la boca. Todo sobre la pluma de Emiko Jean y de su mundo ficticio me enamoró. ¡Qué precioso! Disfruté de cada segundo de devorar sus palabras y las imagenes que ilustraba en mi mente. Pocos logran algo así, y no pude despegarme de las páginas de esta lectura en ningún momento (ja, qué raro, Juli leyendo como loca...). Una lista de cosas geniales: una protagonista épica y fuerte, humanos vs. unos monstruos llamados yōkai, una competencia para casarse con el príncipe sólo si sobrevivís a cuatro pruebas en cuartos ambientados de acuerdo a cada estación (otoño, invierno, primavera y verano), un príncipe my adorable, amistad, una lectura que atrapa y al mismo tiempo trata temas importantes, mujeres increíbles, una pluma esquisita y un mundo hermoso. Monstruos, humanos, diversidad, mujeres fuertes POR TODOS LADOS OH MY GOD ¿QUIÉN HABLÓ DE PRÍNCIPES? Yo pensaba que esto era de una chica que quería seducir a un príncipe para robarle su fortuna y, aunque este libro es eso, el personaje de Mari lo es todo al lado del gran esquema de las cosas. ¡LES RECOMIENDO MUCHÍSIMO ESTA NOVELA!
“Our bodies are not ornaments, they are instruments.”
Estado después de haber terminado esta lectura: inspirada. ¿Lo malo de Empress of all Seasons? El libro es un toque lento al principio y mi único problema fue el INSTALOVE. Sé que no a todos les molesta esto, pero yo oooooooodio el INSTALOVE. Los personajes se conocen y al principio todo iba bien, pero de repente nos encontramos con este romance de "Daría mi vida por ti, blah, blah, blah, a mi corazón le faltaba un pedazo porque faltabas tú afsydgefurhj JAJAJAJAJJAJAJAJAJAJAJ. ¡Ooooodio el instalove! Por suerte no hubo un triángulo amoroso, aunque parecía que iba a haberlo. APRECIÉ MUCHÍSIMO QUE AL MENOS ESE CLICHÉ NO ESTUVIERA.
“Do not let your fear decide your fate.”
rya_21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hans_cosy_corner's review against another edition
4.0
A really great book with an interesting premise
vivianne's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler free mini review.
Once again an enjoyable book, but nothing more.
My main complaint was that it was VERY rushed! Causing that I didn’t care about the characters, the world was kind of a blur and it was unbelievable. I think this book could have been spread out over two books, or elements could have been omitted. I also didn’t really get the chapters of the gods that where woven into this story, and I didn’t find them adding to the story. On top of this I also didn’t find this plot very original. It isn’t something I haven’t read before or wasn’t done extraordinary well. The romance was very insta love and without chemistry.
Things I did appreciate in this book where the bonds formed between characters and I especially liked the friendship between Akira and Mari. I liked the overall plot and it was enjoyable like I said, and because it was so rushed I didn’t get bored and it made me want to continue reading. Furthermore I did really enjoy the Japanese elements and the world that was there was enjoyable.
I also think that the ending was very rushed and sudden and strange? It almost felt like the story just stopped because the amount of pages was reached so she concludes the story suddenly and just says “then they lived happily ever after” even though for me there were like 10 plot holes. There is also a trope there that I am just not a fan of.
Overall I don’t think this book is worth reading if you are looking for more than just enjoyment. I feel like experienced fantasy readers won’t like it.
Once again an enjoyable book, but nothing more.
My main complaint was that it was VERY rushed! Causing that I didn’t care about the characters, the world was kind of a blur and it was unbelievable. I think this book could have been spread out over two books, or elements could have been omitted. I also didn’t really get the chapters of the gods that where woven into this story, and I didn’t find them adding to the story. On top of this I also didn’t find this plot very original. It isn’t something I haven’t read before or wasn’t done extraordinary well. The romance was very insta love and without chemistry.
Things I did appreciate in this book where the bonds formed between characters and I especially liked the friendship between Akira and Mari. I liked the overall plot and it was enjoyable like I said, and because it was so rushed I didn’t get bored and it made me want to continue reading. Furthermore I did really enjoy the Japanese elements and the world that was there was enjoyable.
I also think that the ending was very rushed and sudden and strange? It almost felt like the story just stopped because the amount of pages was reached so she concludes the story suddenly and just says “then they lived happily ever after” even though for me there were like 10 plot holes. There is also a trope there that I am just not a fan of.
Spoiler
dead is dead, please stay deadOverall I don’t think this book is worth reading if you are looking for more than just enjoyment. I feel like experienced fantasy readers won’t like it.
thefateofivalice's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. With every fiber of my being I loved it.
There are a few drawbacks -- some ties left undone. I think the ending came a little too swiftly. On another hand, I think it was finished up exactly as it needed to be.
The full final sentence of this book will live on in me for a long time. Thank you, Emiko Jean.
There are a few drawbacks -- some ties left undone. I think the ending came a little too swiftly. On another hand, I think it was finished up exactly as it needed to be.
The full final sentence of this book will live on in me for a long time. Thank you, Emiko Jean.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved reading this book, loved the world and these characters, and boy, as that ending unexpected!
jbiscuit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
alyram4's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
This one was kind of a letdown if I'm gonna be honest. I enjoyed the second half more than the first. The first half was just pretty slow and I couldn't get into any of the characters. I enjoyed the storyling for the most part, because the idea for this book is great! I just don't think it was executed in a way that I would enjoy it. By the end, I still wasn't attached to any of the characters. Deaths didn't faze me, betrayals were unsurprising, and overall I was just let down by this book. I still enjoyed it enough, but the characters really brought this down for me.
This one was kind of a letdown if I'm gonna be honest. I enjoyed the second half more than the first. The first half was just pretty slow and I couldn't get into any of the characters. I enjoyed the storyling for the most part, because the idea for this book is great! I just don't think it was executed in a way that I would enjoy it. By the end, I still wasn't attached to any of the characters. Deaths didn't faze me, betrayals were unsurprising, and overall I was just let down by this book. I still enjoyed it enough, but the characters really brought this down for me.
birte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-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
2.5