Scan barcode
hellodebbies's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
PERFECTION
This was an incredible read, I enjoyed it so much. The characters were great and had backstory that was revelent to the plot. The whole demon god thing was well explained and developed. I was afraid that it will be hard to understand (especially with the whole clan history) but once you're in, it's very easy to understand. The chronology chapter is very important so do not skip it otherwise you'll have a hard time to understand.
The romance was so great (zen and lan have my heart), I enjoyed the friendship created between the characters but also the father/son relationship between the grandmaster and zen and it evolved.
A lot of people said that it was slow paced but I don't think, it kept on edge to not sleep for two nights. It's not fast paced but definitely not slow paced.
This was an incredible read, I enjoyed it so much. The characters were great and had backstory that was revelent to the plot. The whole demon god thing was well explained and developed. I was afraid that it will be hard to understand (especially with the whole clan history) but once you're in, it's very easy to understand. The chronology chapter is very important so do not skip it otherwise you'll have a hard time to understand.
The romance was so great (zen and lan have my heart), I enjoyed the friendship created between the characters but also the father/son relationship between the grandmaster and zen and it evolved.
A lot of people said that it was slow paced but I don't think, it kept on edge to not sleep for two nights. It's not fast paced but definitely not slow paced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Torture
lizdalizard's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and War
crochetcatking's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The first half of the book is pretty slow. Everything and yet nothing seems to happen. Amelie does a great job setting up the world in this time. The second half of the book is amazing. The last 8 chapters or so make the whole thing worth reading. It gets so exciting right at the end that you easily forgive how fast some of the other plot came and went. Can't wait to read the 2nd book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Genocide and Torture
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, 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: Death, Racism, Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Genocide and Gore
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual assault
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.
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and War
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 couldn’t stop reading. Can’t wait for the next book.
This is a rich, winding story that had me enthralled. I couldn’t stop reading. Can’t wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and War
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 didn’t like how the main character had a major personality switch halfway through. I understand why it happened, it doesn’t mean it liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Death of parent, Colonisation, 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: Death, Genocide, Racism, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
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
3.25
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.
I love fantasies inspired by Asian folklore and history, so this book was right up my alley. It tells a great tale of China’s 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. She’s spunky and independent yet not written as this stereotypical “not like other girls” type of female protagonist, which is very refreshing. She has some character flaws, but I believe that’s what makes me like her more. Just because she is a woman and our main character, doesn’t mean she has to be this perfect embodiment of good.
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. There’s 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 I’m aware that English was not her first language. The dialogue still flows pretty well in most parts and the times that is doesn’t still aren’t so bad that it hinders my reading experience.
Another small thing: I didn’t like the character of Dilaya. I found her rather unjustifiably rude to Lan and, especially since she’s 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 didn’t 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.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to continuing the series!
I must say, I very much enjoyed the journey. The story is very compelling and the characters are complex yet lovable.
I love fantasies inspired by Asian folklore and history, so this book was right up my alley. It tells a great tale of China’s 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. She’s spunky and independent yet not written as this stereotypical “not like other girls” type of female protagonist, which is very refreshing. She has some character flaws, but I believe that’s what makes me like her more. Just because she is a woman and our main character, doesn’t mean she has to be this perfect embodiment of good.
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. There’s 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 I’m aware that English was not her first language. The dialogue still flows pretty well in most parts and the times that is doesn’t still aren’t so bad that it hinders my reading experience.
Another small thing: I didn’t like the character of Dilaya. I found her rather unjustifiably rude to Lan and, especially since she’s 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 didn’t 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.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to continuing the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
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