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isabelle8794's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Animal death
_simplylornie's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this East Asian reimagining of the Evil Queen.
It was so dark and I loved it. The FMC could at times do unthinkable things, but I kept reminding myself that this was her “origin” story and all of this had to happen for a reason.
This was really good!
It was so dark and I loved it. The FMC could at times do unthinkable things, but I kept reminding myself that this was her “origin” story and all of this had to happen for a reason.
This was really good!
tbechtel29's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I have to say, I am sort of frightened because Xifeng reminds me of Lekhana, only a little. Lekhana, knives are never the answer.
I have to say, I am sort of frightened because Xifeng reminds me of Lekhana, only a little. Lekhana, knives are never the answer.
verbosevespertine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
crowpunk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
limeadeskates's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing is well done, but I hated the main character... And the plot. Also the pace was a bit too slow for me.
ca_mila's review against another edition
5.0
My favourite thing about this book was that Xifeng was not a nice girl. That seems harsh, and perhaps it is, but it’s also true. I don’t mean this in a nitpicking way. Xifeng is selfish, ambitious, and determined to the point of being willing to walk over anyone else to get what she wants. She has set her sights on being Empress, and she will do anything, and does more than the unimaginable, to get it. There were scenes that were difficult to read, and events in the book that change your opinion of Xifeng for good, but it all adds to the complexity of the tale, and of Xifeng herself. Julie C Dao writes Xifeng in a way that you still hold out some hope for her, and you’re so reluctant to let go of it, and that made reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns a really interesting experience for me personally.
alettarrr's review against another edition
4.0
If this were a standalone I would have been verg disappointed with the ending, but since it is not, it is a promise of more to come for Xifeng has not truly gotten what she deserves.