The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
bloodbrooxv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
I really liked this book, I would suggest it to anyone who doesn't feel comfortable enough to read the poppy war. Colonialism, as a theme, is very prominent,Ā and although it's analized in a YA-ish way, it's still very impactful. The romance was very cute, and i'm interested in how it'll develop in the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Genocide and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Body horror
Representation: chinese main charactersfandomsandfiction's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.75
this book is a drug and i am addicted.Ā
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Genocide, Racism, War, and Sexual violence
gwenythepooh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Check the trigger warnings!
This is a rich, winding story that had me enthralled. I couldnāt stop reading. Canāt wait for the next book.
This is a rich, winding story that had me enthralled. I couldnāt stop reading. Canāt wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Death of parent, Death, War, Violence, Religious bigotry, Genocide, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
dmatson21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
It was an interesting story with Chinese mythology and while I like the characters, I didnāt like how the main character had a major personality switch halfway through. I understand why it happened, it doesnāt mean it liked it.Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death of parent, Genocide, Hate crime, and War
briely's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Racism, Genocide, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Death
nyah_ellexa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
I received the ARC for this book but only got around to reading it now.
I must say, I very much enjoyed the journey. The story is very compelling and the characters are complex yet lovable.Ā
I love fantasies inspired by Asian folklore and history, so this book was right up my alley. It tells a great tale of Chinaās real experience dealing with the colonization and subsequent war crimes by the British. Many plotlines of this story were directly in context with real historical events, which I found extremely intriguing.
Lan, our protagonist, is someone I grew to really enjoy reading about. Sheās spunky and independent yet not written as this stereotypical ānot like other girlsā type of female protagonist, which is very refreshing. She has some character flaws, but I believe thatās what makes me like her more. Just because she is a woman and our main character, doesnāt mean she has to be this perfect embodiment of good.Ā
The author does a very good job at writing a compelling fantasy. My only gripe is that some of the dialogue come out very forced or too wordy. Thereās a good chunk of exposition dumps within the dialogues or dialogues that seem to run for too long, almost as if the dialogues were translated. I do not fault the author too much for this though, as Iām aware that English was not her first language. The dialogue still flows pretty well in most parts and the times that is doesnāt still arenāt so bad that it hinders my reading experience.Ā
Another small thing: I didnāt like the character of Dilaya. I found her rather unjustifiably rude to Lan and, especially since sheās the only other girl in the story of continued importance, I was a bit turned off by the fact she hated Lan so much. I found her strained relationship with Lan to be rather frustrating to read about and I wish the only two girls in the story didnāt hate each other so much. It just felt catty to me and I hope they both develop as character throughout the series and grow fond of each other.Ā
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to continuing the series!Ā
I must say, I very much enjoyed the journey. The story is very compelling and the characters are complex yet lovable.Ā
I love fantasies inspired by Asian folklore and history, so this book was right up my alley. It tells a great tale of Chinaās real experience dealing with the colonization and subsequent war crimes by the British. Many plotlines of this story were directly in context with real historical events, which I found extremely intriguing.
Lan, our protagonist, is someone I grew to really enjoy reading about. Sheās spunky and independent yet not written as this stereotypical ānot like other girlsā type of female protagonist, which is very refreshing. She has some character flaws, but I believe thatās what makes me like her more. Just because she is a woman and our main character, doesnāt mean she has to be this perfect embodiment of good.Ā
The author does a very good job at writing a compelling fantasy. My only gripe is that some of the dialogue come out very forced or too wordy. Thereās a good chunk of exposition dumps within the dialogues or dialogues that seem to run for too long, almost as if the dialogues were translated. I do not fault the author too much for this though, as Iām aware that English was not her first language. The dialogue still flows pretty well in most parts and the times that is doesnāt still arenāt so bad that it hinders my reading experience.Ā
Another small thing: I didnāt like the character of Dilaya. I found her rather unjustifiably rude to Lan and, especially since sheās the only other girl in the story of continued importance, I was a bit turned off by the fact she hated Lan so much. I found her strained relationship with Lan to be rather frustrating to read about and I wish the only two girls in the story didnāt hate each other so much. It just felt catty to me and I hope they both develop as character throughout the series and grow fond of each other.Ā
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to continuing the series!Ā
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Torture, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Sexual harassment, Violence, Genocide, and Racism
Minor: Rape
hapennybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Genocide and War
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual assault
Minor: Genocide
wolfinthestars's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Colonisation, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Genocide, Racism, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, War, and Racial slurs
Minor: Child death and Sexual assault
shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- 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
Thanks for the publisher for the early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Ā
I seriously considered DNFing this around 35% but pushed through given the very high ratings and how many early reviewers seemed to love this. Unfortunately despite ultimately finishing it I did not end up loving it the way I wanted to. I wasnāt pulled in and despite the drama and action of the story, I found it a bit of a slog to get through personally. I was also really hoping this was a stand alone which it definitely is not, but thatās my own fault for not checking. While I did enjoy the writing and the world overall, I didnāt feel entranced and invested in the characters.Ā
Edit: Iām pushing this up to a 3 because idk 2.75 feels really harsh when thereās nothing specific I remember disliking looking back it was just very meh for me so Iām gonna give it a 3Ā
Edit: Iām pushing this up to a 3 because idk 2.75 feels really harsh when thereās nothing specific I remember disliking looking back it was just very meh for me so Iām gonna give it a 3Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Death, Genocide, and Rape