theshenners's review against another edition
4.0
I have a lot of conflicting feelings about thisss @__@
itabar's review against another edition
I won't rate it because I DNF'ed it.
Basically, one bad thing after another happens to the heroine, many brought on by her own stupidity and willfulness. It got old.
I also didn't like how she bullied her brother and was insensitive to what he wanted and needed. I realize she was under a lot of pressure to succeed, but it really bugged me. She was just so mean!
I did read the ending and my reaction was "meh".
Basically, one bad thing after another happens to the heroine, many brought on by her own stupidity and willfulness. It got old.
I also didn't like how she bullied her brother and was insensitive to what he wanted and needed. I realize she was under a lot of pressure to succeed, but it really bugged me. She was just so mean!
I did read the ending and my reaction was "meh".
jenjenjeng's review against another edition
4.0
It was a little slow to get into but ended up with us enjoying it
stubbornbones's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that I read after a spurt of Fine books that makes me remember just how fantastic books can be. The world is so unique and imaginative and detailed and the characters are so strong they're frustrating. This is everything a fantasy book can and should be. I could never have approximated it before reading it and I will spend the rest of my life recommending it.
isweedan's review against another edition
3.0
Be sure to read a sample before committing to this. Yes, the /entire book/ is written like that.
Loved the concept of martial arts figure skaters, like the plot and storybeats, can barely stand the narrator's obtuseness.
Still was compelled to read it in a few hours? So 3 stars? I guess??
Loved the concept of martial arts figure skaters, like the plot and storybeats, can barely stand the narrator's obtuseness.
Still was compelled to read it in a few hours? So 3 stars? I guess??
mygeekblasphemy's review against another edition
5.0
Full disclosure: Henry is a friend, and I might be biased. Except I'm not because this book is awesome. I've never read an MG novel quite like this one before. Pearl is a fascinating, wholly original city, and I'm really impressed by how this story moves. Come for the girl power and the awesome blend of martial arts and figure skating; stay for the surprisingly nuanced politics and the set-up for what looks to be an even more fascinating Book 2.
mezzythedragon's review
3.0
I agree with a lot of the critiques here. The premise is interesting, first off. Martial arts figure-skating sounds really cool, though I think this book would be better off as a graphic novel to show off the moves clearly.
Yet, the middle did drag, and I didn’t like the ending. I understand there’s a sequel (which I probably won’t pick up), but the baddies here don’t get any comeuppances. And Doi
Yet, the middle did drag, and I didn’t like the ending. I understand there’s a sequel (which I probably won’t pick up), but the baddies here don’t get any comeuppances. And Doi
bookheroine's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first time I've read a book that I wished was a graphic novel instead. The concept of martial arts figure skating and the city of Pearl just begs to be looked at instead of just read. I liked it fine, but I felt so strongly that it needed visuals it detracted from my enjoyment.
onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition
3.0
Seems to have roots in British Boarding School fantasy, Hong Kong theater, ice skating, and just a whiff of Battle Royale. Our heroine is learning a martial art style that is done on ice skates. She is a good will ambassador of a ill willed empress. Bad parents, absent parents, cruel teachers, drunk monkeys and a utterly believable brittle heroine spin and slash their way through a city made of pearl. Fortunately, she makes a friend. Or two.
Good bus book.
Good bus book.
robotwitch's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
The final third of this book is excellent -- the revelations are great and well-handed, the ending is satisfying and sweet without being saccharine, it sets up the next book nicely, and Peasprout gets a huge amount of character development. The final third is enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
Besides that, the romance was, at first, too fast for me and a little silly (and seemed to old for what felt like a middle grade book), but I loved the way it developed and what it meant at the end of the book. I'm really interested to see where the second book takes it!
The first two thirds, though, are why this book only gets a 3.5. Peasprout is only able to get so much character development because she is an extremely unlikeable character for most of the book. Pigheaded, stubborn, braggadocious, insensitive. She's also incredibly determined, which drives most of the book and gets her into trouble, but it's not exactly an endearing quality when it's so ruthless, even when directed towards her own sibling.
The only part that made it tolerable was the fact that Lien's writing is strong, so I knew it was done on purpose. Little knowing winks to the audience, for instance, when Peasprout calls herself modest were a fantastic addition to make me relax.
I also struggled to imagine the skating moves, especially at first. There's no real guidance for how any of this looks, and given how complicated some of them are meant to be...I wanted some indication of that through description. I came up with my own headcanon, eventually, for how different moves were performed, but I was so excited by the figure skating that I wanted it on the page!
But I did really enjoy the world being built here, the mythology and history and structures. I also loved the way the reader is introduced to it all through Peasprout. And like I said, the ending is most excellent. It all comes together nicely, with clues throughout the book meaning that none of it is a surprise but it is unexpected! Good stuff.
The final third of this book is excellent -- the revelations are great and well-handed, the ending is satisfying and sweet without being saccharine, it sets up the next book nicely, and Peasprout gets a huge amount of character development. The final third is enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
Besides that, the romance was, at first, too fast for me and a little silly (and seemed to old for what felt like a middle grade book), but I loved the way it developed and what it meant at the end of the book. I'm really interested to see where the second book takes it!
The first two thirds, though, are why this book only gets a 3.5. Peasprout is only able to get so much character development because she is an extremely unlikeable character for most of the book. Pigheaded, stubborn, braggadocious, insensitive. She's also incredibly determined, which drives most of the book and gets her into trouble, but it's not exactly an endearing quality when it's so ruthless, even when directed towards her own sibling.
The only part that made it tolerable was the fact that Lien's writing is strong, so I knew it was done on purpose. Little knowing winks to the audience, for instance, when Peasprout calls herself modest were a fantastic addition to make me relax.
I also struggled to imagine the skating moves, especially at first. There's no real guidance for how any of this looks, and given how complicated some of them are meant to be...I wanted some indication of that through description. I came up with my own headcanon, eventually, for how different moves were performed, but I was so excited by the figure skating that I wanted it on the page!
But I did really enjoy the world being built here, the mythology and history and structures. I also loved the way the reader is introduced to it all through Peasprout. And like I said, the ending is most excellent. It all comes together nicely, with clues throughout the book meaning that none of it is a surprise but it is unexpected! Good stuff.