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amuta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The story in itself is very interesting and even though it is not something breaking new, it wasn't repetitive and very original.
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment
livvya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
danajoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Blood
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Sexual harassment
k_aro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is not to say by any means that this was a bad book, but I think I've grown out of this genre more generally (what genre? Good question. My mind always calls it YA Fic, but then that's a massive genre - so, just think something between Hunger Games, Six of Crows, and Marie Lu's whole oeuvre. I think you get an idea). On the other hand, I also enjoy that there's more Chinese representation in fields I didn't see myself represented in, though on the third, mutant hand, my brain treacherously (and cynically) wonders whether this is just regurgitation of tokenization etc etc. Not to belabor the point.
I enjoyed the way that Lin really does infuse a lot of Chinese culture (but again, third mutant hand, etc etc. I had similar problems with Six Crimson Cranes, which I didn't mention because, like, it's a kid's book lol who cares). I love seeing familiar foods being represented, even without having them named - whoever mentioned that this book has lush food descriptions was totally right. I love the concept of tea as a magic, even if it didn't really turn out the way I entirely expected?
As for my misgivings... well, the culture thing has been mentioned. But I am also kind of ambiguous on how Chinese medicine/tea is being framed as magical, which is obviously the central conceit but does also reflect modern attitudes on Chinese medicine. I mean I don't think it'll heal a broken leg or anything, but it has legitimately helped where "Western" has failed.
I'm also not entirely sure I like the characters. I appreciate that Ning is so headstrong, but, I don't know, I think she exhibits a lot of problems I have with YA Fic headstrong female characters. Something like she's an archetype? It's just, I don't know, been done before. I honestly prefer Lian, even though I don't necessarily agree with some of Lian's actions and words - she just felt more, unconstrained by conventions of characters in YA Fic.
I also don't know about where the book lands on the monarchy/emperorship (what is the correct term???). I think it's kind of hard about this genre of Chinese drama where, like, on the one hand the monarchy is OBVIOUSLY corrupt to a certain degree because that's how trying to tame an ever-swelling bureaucracy is like. But then like, it's okay? I don't know, I guess I just don't love monarchy generally. I guess the empress is only 19 though. It's difficult.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
lixard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The romance was also a bit generic, with some magical reason that in theory supports the insta-love but is kinda flimsy reasoning. But I'm usually not a fan of that anyways, so. What I would've loved to see more of is
I'm definitely going to read the sequel to see how it ends and hoping that Lin will address some of the lingering questions. Especially how the tea magic will contribute to the political plotline.
Minor: Sexual harassment
booksthatburn'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? It's complicated
3.25
A lot of the worldbuilding revolves around every bit of her surroundings looks. The descriptions are usually brief enough to not slow things down too much, but this is a book that makes sure you get a sense of how most rooms (or at least the people in them) appear. There's also a lot of sensory information related to the tea. The magic system is consistent enough to make sense but loose enough to allow for a bunch of cool stuff which fits the kind of thing we know can be done even if it wasn't mentioned before it initially appears.
The audiobook narrator is great, her style fit the story and it was pretty easy to tell everyone apart (even minor characters).
One thing which was a bit frustrating is that Ning kept obsessing (and trying not to obsess) about this guy who at first appears unconnected to the palace but turns out to be much more than he appears. He works well as a plot device but I don't feel like I know anything about him and I don't get why she's interested in him (other than him being mysterious). Plots where people are lying stress me out, and having Ning not seem to know why she was so interested in him made it a bit harder for me to believe their romantic tension as well.
I'm confused by some of the strategies in the competition and the treatment of animals. It's so morally grey (even within the book, as evidenced by the judges' reactions) that it made me wonder if this is actually a villain arc rather than a hero arc. It establishes how far Ning will go to try to get this position and save her sister, but I can't tell whether that's meant to be good or bad.
As the first book in a duology, this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Most major things from early in the book get a resolution, but right at the end several things happen which set up a direction for the sequel, but leave this book frustratingly unresolved on some key points. It works in the book, but whether it works for any reader will depend on your tolerance (or desire) for unresolved endings. This is the first half of a specific longer story, and it shows. I'm interested enough to finish that story and find out.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Vomit
kartoffel_00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Wow okay where do I begin.
This book has a lot going for it but also has some very obvious flaws. Especially in the beginning. The pros are the beautiful lore and the fascinating magic system. If this duology ever has a book based solely on exploring the lore and the magic I could get lost in it for days. It was that beautifully written and arranged.
Yet its glaring flaws are in the character interactions. Some things are clearly happening because the author is pushing it to be so. It completely took me out of the story and I very much disliked that part. I also hated the instant attraction elements at play here.
It could be just my suspension of disbelief not being that low but I couldn't believe the interactions were natural and the protagonist's desperation behind her actions seemed weak many a times. I couldn't be convinced.
The plot really staggers until the very last moment though understandably since this doesn't feel like a plot focused book.
My final rating: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Minor: Torture, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Except SH and violence all the rest of the content warnings are mentioned in passing and not descriptive. SHkarcitis'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gore, Sexism, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Classism
Minor: Police brutality, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
bookish_afrolatina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Alsooooo I love a good glossary! This book has an elaborate one in the back so donāt miss it.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture and Sexual harassment