luna_rondo's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted so much more then this turned out to be.
I loved the idea behind it and I thought the writing was good. But the pace is awful and then literally there's a twist every five pages for the last 30% of the book. Also the insta-love. I love Mari and I love the Animal Wives and the points it makes, but I wish this book was a series so everything wasn't rushed.
I loved the idea behind it and I thought the writing was good. But the pace is awful and then literally there's a twist every five pages for the last 30% of the book. Also the insta-love. I love Mari and I love the Animal Wives and the points it makes, but I wish this book was a series so everything wasn't rushed.
aelynreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Why I liked this book
1. The magic of the seasons rooms is SO intriguing and original.
2. Mari is epic and complex. I really liked her.
3. The class system of humans and yōkai is well explained and given depth.
4. The ending of this book is nicely surprising. It doesn't follow the typical ending for YA fantasy books, which was refreshing.
5. The inclusion of Japanese mythology was interesting.
Why is it not 5 stars?
1. Instalove. Pretty bad instalove.
2. I mean, the romance in general was poor. I didn't feel it at all.
3. The ending is FAR too rushed. The final 2 pages summarise the outcomes of the whole story, but it really made me feel disconnected from the ending of the story.
4. Taro's character was fairly shallow. It started out great as we saw him with his mechanical creations, but then it didn't feel like he was given much depth beyond that.
Overall, this was a fun and original read. The concept of the season rooms is unique and enjoyable, and the ending presents a nice surprise. However, the romance is weak and the pace of the book is variable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves YA fantasy and prefers plot-driven (over character driven) stories.
Why I liked this book
1. The magic of the seasons rooms is SO intriguing and original.
2. Mari is epic and complex. I really liked her.
3. The class system of humans and yōkai is well explained and given depth.
4. The ending of this book is nicely surprising. It doesn't follow the typical ending for YA fantasy books, which was refreshing.
5. The inclusion of Japanese mythology was interesting.
Why is it not 5 stars?
1. Instalove. Pretty bad instalove.
2. I mean, the romance in general was poor. I didn't feel it at all.
3. The ending is FAR too rushed. The final 2 pages summarise the outcomes of the whole story, but it really made me feel disconnected from the ending of the story.
4. Taro's character was fairly shallow. It started out great as we saw him with his mechanical creations, but then it didn't feel like he was given much depth beyond that.
Overall, this was a fun and original read. The concept of the season rooms is unique and enjoyable, and the ending presents a nice surprise. However, the romance is weak and the pace of the book is variable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves YA fantasy and prefers plot-driven (over character driven) stories.
jeannamarie's review against another edition
3.0
First half of the book was so rich and detailed, but once Mari enters the rooms…the story is a whirlwind and not in a good way. The author made a note that she had a difficult time writing the emotional parts of the book and I felt that. We rushed from room to room and like the Emperor said, I just want to finish. That is exactly how it felt reading this book, like the author just wanted to finish. The second and third acts of the book are so rushed, shallow and obvious. For example Mari and Taro’s relationship could have been richer and he really did not step up and be a man when she needed him. I guess he is an isolated teenager, I’ll cut him some slack, this is Mari’s story after all.
I expected so much more having read Tokyo Ever After because I loved Emiko’s writing style, but I realize any pain she probably went through writing this book, she definitely overcame writing TEA.
Towards the end of the book, I was actually expecting a sequel because the events that conspire build up to another book, but she quickly writes that second book in a two-paragraph epilogue. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
3/5 because I did fly through reading the book and Emiko’s style is very fluid and easy and the characters are like able. Just don’t expect the same umph of satisfaction you get from her other books. I would love a sequel to this or an anime or some sort of tv series where they can fully dive into the characters and story lines MORE.
I expected so much more having read Tokyo Ever After because I loved Emiko’s writing style, but I realize any pain she probably went through writing this book, she definitely overcame writing TEA.
Towards the end of the book, I was actually expecting a sequel because the events that conspire build up to another book, but she quickly writes that second book in a two-paragraph epilogue. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
3/5 because I did fly through reading the book and Emiko’s style is very fluid and easy and the characters are like able. Just don’t expect the same umph of satisfaction you get from her other books. I would love a sequel to this or an anime or some sort of tv series where they can fully dive into the characters and story lines MORE.
juliterario's review against another edition
4.0
Cuando decimos que necesitamos fantasía diversa, estamos hablando de libros como Empress of All Seasons de Emiko Jean. Este es de esos libros que te tragas entero porque es simplemente hermoso. En este caso, la novela de Jean nos trae fantasía 100% épica, mitología japonesa, leyendas, armas y una ambientación preciosa. ¡ESTO ES LO QUE QUIERO LEER!
“Silence is the cousin of invisibility.”
Realmente amé esta lectura. No sé si le doy 4 estrellas o 3, pero de todos modos amé este libro. Fue atrapante, adictivo y de esos que están construidos de una manera tan dulce que te deja un gusto a miel en la boca. Todo sobre la pluma de Emiko Jean y de su mundo ficticio me enamoró. ¡Qué precioso! Disfruté de cada segundo de devorar sus palabras y las imagenes que ilustraba en mi mente. Pocos logran algo así, y no pude despegarme de las páginas de esta lectura en ningún momento (ja, qué raro, Juli leyendo como loca...). Una lista de cosas geniales: una protagonista épica y fuerte, humanos vs. unos monstruos llamados yōkai, una competencia para casarse con el príncipe sólo si sobrevivís a cuatro pruebas en cuartos ambientados de acuerdo a cada estación (otoño, invierno, primavera y verano), un príncipe my adorable, amistad, una lectura que atrapa y al mismo tiempo trata temas importantes, mujeres increíbles, una pluma esquisita y un mundo hermoso. Monstruos, humanos, diversidad, mujeres fuertes POR TODOS LADOS OH MY GOD ¿QUIÉN HABLÓ DE PRÍNCIPES? Yo pensaba que esto era de una chica que quería seducir a un príncipe para robarle su fortuna y, aunque este libro es eso, el personaje de Mari lo es todo al lado del gran esquema de las cosas. ¡LES RECOMIENDO MUCHÍSIMO ESTA NOVELA!
“Our bodies are not ornaments, they are instruments.”
Estado después de haber terminado esta lectura: inspirada. ¿Lo malo de Empress of all Seasons? El libro es un toque lento al principio y mi único problema fue el INSTALOVE. Sé que no a todos les molesta esto, pero yo oooooooodio el INSTALOVE. Los personajes se conocen y al principio todo iba bien, pero de repente nos encontramos con este romance de "Daría mi vida por ti, blah, blah, blah, a mi corazón le faltaba un pedazo porque faltabas tú afsydgefurhj JAJAJAJAJJAJAJAJAJAJAJ. ¡Ooooodio el instalove! Por suerte no hubo un triángulo amoroso, aunque parecía que iba a haberlo. APRECIÉ MUCHÍSIMO QUE AL MENOS ESE CLICHÉ NO ESTUVIERA.
“Do not let your fear decide your fate.”
rya_21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hans_cosy_corner's review against another edition
4.0
A really great book with an interesting premise
vivianne's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler free mini review.
Once again an enjoyable book, but nothing more.
My main complaint was that it was VERY rushed! Causing that I didn’t care about the characters, the world was kind of a blur and it was unbelievable. I think this book could have been spread out over two books, or elements could have been omitted. I also didn’t really get the chapters of the gods that where woven into this story, and I didn’t find them adding to the story. On top of this I also didn’t find this plot very original. It isn’t something I haven’t read before or wasn’t done extraordinary well. The romance was very insta love and without chemistry.
Things I did appreciate in this book where the bonds formed between characters and I especially liked the friendship between Akira and Mari. I liked the overall plot and it was enjoyable like I said, and because it was so rushed I didn’t get bored and it made me want to continue reading. Furthermore I did really enjoy the Japanese elements and the world that was there was enjoyable.
I also think that the ending was very rushed and sudden and strange? It almost felt like the story just stopped because the amount of pages was reached so she concludes the story suddenly and just says “then they lived happily ever after” even though for me there were like 10 plot holes. There is also a trope there that I am just not a fan of.
Overall I don’t think this book is worth reading if you are looking for more than just enjoyment. I feel like experienced fantasy readers won’t like it.
Once again an enjoyable book, but nothing more.
My main complaint was that it was VERY rushed! Causing that I didn’t care about the characters, the world was kind of a blur and it was unbelievable. I think this book could have been spread out over two books, or elements could have been omitted. I also didn’t really get the chapters of the gods that where woven into this story, and I didn’t find them adding to the story. On top of this I also didn’t find this plot very original. It isn’t something I haven’t read before or wasn’t done extraordinary well. The romance was very insta love and without chemistry.
Things I did appreciate in this book where the bonds formed between characters and I especially liked the friendship between Akira and Mari. I liked the overall plot and it was enjoyable like I said, and because it was so rushed I didn’t get bored and it made me want to continue reading. Furthermore I did really enjoy the Japanese elements and the world that was there was enjoyable.
I also think that the ending was very rushed and sudden and strange? It almost felt like the story just stopped because the amount of pages was reached so she concludes the story suddenly and just says “then they lived happily ever after” even though for me there were like 10 plot holes. There is also a trope there that I am just not a fan of.
Spoiler
dead is dead, please stay deadOverall I don’t think this book is worth reading if you are looking for more than just enjoyment. I feel like experienced fantasy readers won’t like it.
thefateofivalice's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. With every fiber of my being I loved it.
There are a few drawbacks -- some ties left undone. I think the ending came a little too swiftly. On another hand, I think it was finished up exactly as it needed to be.
The full final sentence of this book will live on in me for a long time. Thank you, Emiko Jean.
There are a few drawbacks -- some ties left undone. I think the ending came a little too swiftly. On another hand, I think it was finished up exactly as it needed to be.
The full final sentence of this book will live on in me for a long time. Thank you, Emiko Jean.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved reading this book, loved the world and these characters, and boy, as that ending unexpected!