virgosgroove's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Although Hesina was a little annoying to me, I'm giving this book 5 stars, anyway. The plot was incredibly immersive and fun to read. The world building wasn't too much, but gave you enough to feel like you're in the palace with all the characters. I audibly gasped at certain points.
Hesina, while irrational and far too immature for the role she played here, was still a lovable lead. How this ended, I firmly believe we're getting a second book, and I can only assume in the sequel we'll get the character development for her I assumed we would get in this book.
With that said, the ending! The twists! I almost wish this wasn't a YA novel, I think we would've gotten a bit more had it been marked towards adults. Nonetheless, 5 stars. Would read again.
Hesina, while irrational and far too immature for the role she played here, was still a lovable lead. How this ended, I firmly believe we're getting a second book, and I can only assume in the sequel we'll get the character development for her I assumed we would get in this book.
With that said, the ending! The twists! I almost wish this wasn't a YA novel, I think we would've gotten a bit more had it been marked towards adults. Nonetheless, 5 stars. Would read again.
northernfleabag's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Beautiful cover by Feifei Ruan and an engrossing story, looking forward to the next instalment.
Beautiful cover by Feifei Ruan and an engrossing story, looking forward to the next instalment.
andromeda's review against another edition
5.0
What's the truth? Scholars seeks it. Poets write it. Good kings pay gold to hear it. But in trying times, truth is the first thing we betray.
ELEVENS.... I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING BUT... THE ENDING! KILLED! ME!
thatlizhunter's review against another edition
4.0
There's no words for this level of emotional angst
seitenreise's review against another edition
4.0
Was für ein ungewöhnliches und mutiges Ende! Es gefällt mir sehr gut, wie sich die Fäden verbinden, auch wenn ich den Epilog fast ein wenig zu gezwungen finde. Da war sehr viel reingepackt, was vorher schon gepasst hätte. Bisschen erklärbärig.
Ein wunderbares Setting, das nur sehr wenig Magie enthält - eigentlich so gut wie gar keine, zumindest wird sie kaum genutzt. Aber wenn, dann ist sie beeindruckend, weil sie Potential zeigt ... das es in der Vergangenheit dieser Welt einst gab.
Ein wunderbares Setting, das nur sehr wenig Magie enthält - eigentlich so gut wie gar keine, zumindest wird sie kaum genutzt. Aber wenn, dann ist sie beeindruckend, weil sie Potential zeigt ... das es in der Vergangenheit dieser Welt einst gab.
ofliterarynature's review against another edition
DNF @ 25%. I’m open to trying this one again later, but wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t really felt drawn to any of the characters except maybe the convict, but he’s barely been present so far. Might have liked it more if we’d gotten his POV as well.
cheesecakenham's review against another edition
4.0
W-o-w! I was completely swept away by this debut. I'm so in love with the story and its characters that I almost threw my book out of the window when it ended because I need answers!! Miss He, pls do write a sequel, I need to know what happens next ;_;
alex346's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 overall, rounding up because 3 stars feels like a crime.
This was a very strange reading experience. Until around 50-75% of the way through, I maintained that whilst the individual components of this story were well-crafted, I felt a lack of connection to the characters and the book as a whole. Whilst still enjoyable, it wasn’t anything special.
Enter Joan He, Queen of Plot Twists.
That ending threw me for a complete loop. I did not see certain reveals happening at all, but I am truly grateful for the epilogue for providing some insight. I entirely understand why Joan He does not feel she could write the companion novels as intended, but the ending of this made me crave them.
This still does not touch The One’s We’re Meant to Find, which I consider a step up from this book and is a personal favourite, but I’m very hopeful for Strike the Zither and I will be tuning in.
This was a very strange reading experience. Until around 50-75% of the way through, I maintained that whilst the individual components of this story were well-crafted, I felt a lack of connection to the characters and the book as a whole. Whilst still enjoyable, it wasn’t anything special.
Enter Joan He, Queen of Plot Twists.
That ending threw me for a complete loop. I did not see certain reveals happening at all, but I am truly grateful for the epilogue for providing some insight. I entirely understand why Joan He does not feel she could write the companion novels as intended, but the ending of this made me crave them.
This still does not touch The One’s We’re Meant to Find, which I consider a step up from this book and is a personal favourite, but I’m very hopeful for Strike the Zither and I will be tuning in.
littlebookjockey's review against another edition
5.0
There were so many twists, and I saw none of them coming. I am gobsmacked at how good this book is. And it's a debut! I got the ebook copy from the library, but I'm buying the hardback. It's that good. I think that, at its core, this is a story about acceptance - of who we are, what we can't change. "I can't change how people see me," Hesina said. "Just as you can't change your past. But I can choose to accept it" (321).