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catgiorgetti's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a lovely little novella to get me through a couple drives! I really liked that by the end Thanh came into her own and made choices that resonated with herself and no one else.
I do wish that some of the world building had been clearer earlier on. For a 2 hour novella, I felt like it took a little too long for me to realize what the world was.
Finally, for Thanh and the fire elemental to call each other “big sis” and “little sis” for the whole book, then to end of kissing at the end, made me a little weary. I know they aren’t actually sisters and that it could be a cultural phrase, but I didn’t love the idea of referring to each other as sisters then having a romantic ending. It just felt a little weird to me personally.
I do wish that some of the world building had been clearer earlier on. For a 2 hour novella, I felt like it took a little too long for me to realize what the world was.
Finally, for Thanh and the fire elemental to call each other “big sis” and “little sis” for the whole book, then to end of kissing at the end, made me a little weary. I know they aren’t actually sisters and that it could be a cultural phrase, but I didn’t love the idea of referring to each other as sisters then having a romantic ending. It just felt a little weird to me personally.
kittybd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
3.5
floralhellscape's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
triannamn's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
drowningparty's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful, evocative, well-written, but tantalisingly brief novella, full of magic and fascinating characters. Highly recommend, only downside is it wasn't longer. I would have liked to see more of Thanh and the lively world she lives in.
tostita's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thisboricuareader's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, this had so many good elements. Like it did. It was intriguing and the world building was there for something that is so short, and I guess that was my minor issue, is that I wanted just a tiny bit more.
sara11_reads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Interesting fantasy novella that didn't go the way I expected. Loved the Vietnam-esque setting and matriarchy type society.
shane_the_reading_rat's review against another edition
2.0
decided to finish this up before going to bed and. wow. i did not like it
the characters didn’t feel real at all, they felt like they were just there to Do Things
also while reading this i saw one review that said something like “why do the mc and Giang get together she calls Giang her li’l sis” and i was like “well ive read one instance of that happening but yknow maybe its a more general form of endearment and/or this fantasy world doesn’t have wording for queer relationships” no. she and Giang call each other big sis and lil sis so many times. once right before kissing. and queer relationships are accepted in this book. so its not even wording differences it’s just pure ick
the characters didn’t feel real at all, they felt like they were just there to Do Things
also while reading this i saw one review that said something like “why do the mc and Giang get together she calls Giang her li’l sis” and i was like “well ive read one instance of that happening but yknow maybe its a more general form of endearment and/or this fantasy world doesn’t have wording for queer relationships” no. she and Giang call each other big sis and lil sis so many times. once right before kissing. and queer relationships are accepted in this book. so its not even wording differences it’s just pure ick