andcalm's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an amazing and beautifully written book.
The details of the fights, scenery, and characters are written so vividly that it's easy to sort of imagine it happening, in a way.
The character growth that we get from Xingyin and the other characters, as the story goes on is amazing.
The way that the romance is written in this book, is also a bit nice.
The details of the fights, scenery, and characters are written so vividly that it's easy to sort of imagine it happening, in a way.
The character growth that we get from Xingyin and the other characters, as the story goes on is amazing.
The way that the romance is written in this book, is also a bit nice.
rens_bookshelves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
maninderkaur's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I was going to like this book but I was so wrong. The idea was interesting, and its roots being Chinese mythology was really good and the worldbuilding was also great. However, everything past that wasn’t great. The characters had absolutely nothing to them—Xingyin felt like she had no urgency in saving her mother and she didn’t develop at all, she also had major ‘I’m not like other girls’ energy which was awful. Both Liwei and Wenzhi were quite bland and the romances on either side were quite bland too—the time jumps made it so difficult to believe in the relationships and it just felt lazy to skip the development that was needed. It made the pacing a bit weird, like the initial competition was supposedly really important but was over basically immediately. The dialogue was a bit too formal and the monologues felt a bit unnecessary at some points as they spelled out Xingyin’s every thought and feeling. My main issue was I just did not care in the slightest, which I was so disappointed about.
bug_lightyear's review against another edition
4.25
Second read (first as ebook second as audiobook). Interesting story based on Chinese mythology, strong female protagonist, multiple love interests but not cheesy romance.
kami_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
alslim's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hollalorenz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kathryne325's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
r0sie_the_read3r's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kimpositions's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I found the pacing a little wonky throughout and was surprised by easily some some things happened for the main character throughout, so sometimes it felt like the author could have almost written “…and then everything worked out, so on to the part I’m really interested in writing…”.
Other than this, though, it was genuinely enjoyable to read most of the time, and I found myself charmed by most of the main characters. I also liked how the world building left some space to imagine, even as new details about the world worked themselves in organically throughout the story.
Will give the second book a chance next!
Other than this, though, it was genuinely enjoyable to read most of the time, and I found myself charmed by most of the main characters. I also liked how the world building left some space to imagine, even as new details about the world worked themselves in organically throughout the story.
Will give the second book a chance next!