The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
bittennailbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A breakneck, high stakes tale about the true cost of power.
Fast-paced, lyrical, heart pounding, Zhao delivers on one of the most anticipated YA fantasies of the year. I was lucky enough to get an early release of this beautiful hardcover and it shot up my TBR very quickly.
Thumbs up: The Qi magic system is outstanding and does not leave a reader behind when explaining how it works and it's limitations. The characters were delightfully flawed, more diverse than I was expecting, and felt fully formed. A fascinating take on colonization and the power struggles and intergenerational impacts of having history wiped because of it. The story had me completely hooked and was so full of rage and adventure, I finished it very quickly. This is my first read by Zhao but I will definitely be coming back for more.
Thumbs down: If I am being picky, the pacing could have used a little tweaking. It was a full lung-burning sprint for the first half of the book and came to a sudden halt halfway in.
Was it a nail biter? My hands are gone. This may be one of my favorite reads of this year and I cannot wait for the second installment. You'll catch me camped out launch day at the doors for sure.Â
Fast-paced, lyrical, heart pounding, Zhao delivers on one of the most anticipated YA fantasies of the year. I was lucky enough to get an early release of this beautiful hardcover and it shot up my TBR very quickly.
Thumbs up: The Qi magic system is outstanding and does not leave a reader behind when explaining how it works and it's limitations. The characters were delightfully flawed, more diverse than I was expecting, and felt fully formed. A fascinating take on colonization and the power struggles and intergenerational impacts of having history wiped because of it. The story had me completely hooked and was so full of rage and adventure, I finished it very quickly. This is my first read by Zhao but I will definitely be coming back for more.
Thumbs down: If I am being picky, the pacing could have used a little tweaking. It was a full lung-burning sprint for the first half of the book and came to a sudden halt halfway in.
Was it a nail biter? My hands are gone. This may be one of my favorite reads of this year and I cannot wait for the second installment. You'll catch me camped out launch day at the doors for sure.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Colonisation, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: War, Death of parent, Confinement, and Cultural appropriation
Threats of sexual violence
More...