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newlillith's review against another edition
4.0
I love everything by Sharon Shinn, so I'm a little biased, but this book was just as lovely as her others. The characters are always pretty stereotypical, as are the romance plots, but the worlds she creates and the people in them are believable. Shinn writes books that I can escape into, which I love. I always start and finish her books on the same day because I just can't put them down.
daniela807's review against another edition
1.0
Oh "instalove"... how I hate you...
Let's start with the fact it is very clear where the author decided to actually take an interest with this book. We know absolutely nothing about Daiyu before she is thrown into another universe and told she has to get rid of this evil man. Her character is never truly developed. Most of the time, when something happens, I'm sitting thinking "umm, okay." I don't know if her actions are within her normal character because Shinn never told us what that is! The only time Shinn seems to want to give any details at all appears in the form of clothing. Really? Really.
I liked the character of Kalen. He was sweet... but like a puppy. But of course, "instalove"~! So while Daiyu is supposed to be on this secret mission, these two fall in love... eh. I did like Quan's character, but since the author doesn't like to develop anything, I don't feel like I truly met anyone in this book.
And the so-called bad guy? Highly disappointed. It was as if he was an afterthought.
Overall, if you don't mind reading a book clearly designed for someone around 10-12 (but that's a stretch), go ahead with this one. I feel like I mostly read a summary of a book instead of a clear, loved, and developed novel. Boo.
Let's start with the fact it is very clear where the author decided to actually take an interest with this book. We know absolutely nothing about Daiyu before she is thrown into another universe and told she has to get rid of this evil man. Her character is never truly developed. Most of the time, when something happens, I'm sitting thinking "umm, okay." I don't know if her actions are within her normal character because Shinn never told us what that is! The only time Shinn seems to want to give any details at all appears in the form of clothing. Really? Really.
I liked the character of Kalen. He was sweet... but like a puppy. But of course, "instalove"~! So while Daiyu is supposed to be on this secret mission, these two fall in love... eh. I did like Quan's character, but since the author doesn't like to develop anything, I don't feel like I truly met anyone in this book.
And the so-called bad guy? Highly disappointed. It was as if he was an afterthought.
Overall, if you don't mind reading a book clearly designed for someone around 10-12 (but that's a stretch), go ahead with this one. I feel like I mostly read a summary of a book instead of a clear, loved, and developed novel. Boo.
dontjudgefrog's review against another edition
3.0
The premise seems great, and the author is fantastic - definitely a favorite - but the book just falls short. It's worth a read, but not a book that drew me into its world, and while I can tell there's easily a possibility for a sequel, I won't be picking it up, unless I'm very, very bored.
All in all, pretty nice, but nothing to get too excited about, unlike the rest of Sharon Shinns books, which are, well, definitely something to get excited about.
All in all, pretty nice, but nothing to get too excited about, unlike the rest of Sharon Shinns books, which are, well, definitely something to get excited about.
tueller42's review
3.0
This was a really strange book; it's like the author had an interesting concept but then wrote a meh book without really playing with the concept or characters.
tashva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.0
It's a poorly developed love story hidden in a poorly developed intrigue. The dialogue is not realistic and makes the book difficult to read.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Daiyu is the Chinese adopted daughter of caucasian parents in St. Louis. She's finishing up a summer internship and helping her father (and his latest homeless helper) fix up a house when she steps through the famous Arch and finds herself in an alternate world where the Han have colonized the Americas.
If you're looking for action, suspense, adventure, or political ramifications of a Chinese colonization of America, then this is not the book for you.
While Daiyu is being trained by world-jumpers in order to get close enough to a bad guy to clap a special bracelet on his wrist to send him back to his home world, suspense and action are at a minimum.
This is a sweet story centered on Daiyu's feelings for a cangbai (white) boy, Kalen, and an exploration of the world of Jia.
Nothing too deep, nothing too scary. Daiyu mostly learns how to dance, dress, talk, and pick up special stones from the riverbed.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Tempura Udon, for the wholesome, easy-to-swallow nature of the exotic world portrayed here, as well as the non-threatening journey of the heroine.
If you're looking for action, suspense, adventure, or political ramifications of a Chinese colonization of America, then this is not the book for you.
While Daiyu is being trained by world-jumpers in order to get close enough to a bad guy to clap a special bracelet on his wrist to send him back to his home world, suspense and action are at a minimum.
This is a sweet story centered on Daiyu's feelings for a cangbai (white) boy, Kalen, and an exploration of the world of Jia.
Nothing too deep, nothing too scary. Daiyu mostly learns how to dance, dress, talk, and pick up special stones from the riverbed.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Tempura Udon, for the wholesome, easy-to-swallow nature of the exotic world portrayed here, as well as the non-threatening journey of the heroine.
impreader's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly fun, if a bit bland in its first person character voice.
aphelia88's review against another edition
4.0
A charming, light fantasy with a gorgeous, evocative cover that perfectly captures elements of the story. Some of the major elements reminded me of Sharon Shinn's Elemental Blessings series (which starts with [b:Troubled Waters|7908762|Troubled Waters (Elemental Blessings, #1)|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1270247367l/7908762._SY75_.jpg|11180191]), especially Zoe's stay on the river in the first book. And the scene with the tower and the final showdown strongly recalled Corene's story in [b:Jeweled Fire|21528313|Jeweled Fire (Elemental Blessings, #3)|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492436106l/21528313._SY75_.jpg|40855274].
Despite that, this is a quick, entertaining book that flows smoothly and is a lovely read! It is the perfect length for the story it tells but it isn't as complex as most of Shinn's work. I usually recommend readers new to Sharon Shinn start with either her standalone [b:Summers at Castle Auburn|345660|Summers at Castle Auburn|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388592909l/345660._SY75_.jpg|335966] or the Twelve Houses series (beginning with [b:Mystic and Rider|97967|Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses, #1)|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388338711l/97967._SY75_.jpg|94425]) but this story would also serve as a nice introduction to the author, with the caveat that it reads more like a novella.
Daiyu is working at an internship before her last year of high school. She is Chinese, having been adopted by Caucasian parents. She lives in St. Louis. Attending a fair one afternoon, a strange lady implores her to buy a black jade ring in the shape of a dragon. Calm, practical and unflappable, Daiyu refuses at first. But despite herself, she feels uncharacteristically drawn to the ring and when she returns to buy it, she walks under the St. Louis Arch wearing the ring - and winds up in an entirely different world.
She is greeted by Kalen, young man with whom she feels an immediate affinity, and told that she is a rare Sojourner - able to travel between "iterations" (parallel universes) with a talisman, which in her case is the jade dragon ring. The ring also acts as a translator, allowing her to speak, read and write the local language.
Kalen lives with two guardians, Aurora and Ombri, who maintain the balance between worlds. A charismatic man has become Prince Minister but poses a danger to his citizens and the guardians have deliberately brought Daiyu over as part of an elaborate ruse to send him to a sort of interdimensional jail. If Daiyu returns to her own world she will forget the adventure and her Sojourner talent, and if she refuses to help the guardians, she will leave their world in peril.
The magic is vague and the danger is secondary to the romance that develops between Daiyu and Kalen, which happens convincingly, if a little too fast. The Aviary full of red birds where they meet in secret - shown in the beautiful cover art (the parasol is shiny while the rest of the cover is matte - a really neat touch!) - is delightful. Daiyu is a little too passive, and I think she should have asked more questions, but this is a fast-moving, fun read. The ending is very cute and hopeful
Despite that, this is a quick, entertaining book that flows smoothly and is a lovely read! It is the perfect length for the story it tells but it isn't as complex as most of Shinn's work. I usually recommend readers new to Sharon Shinn start with either her standalone [b:Summers at Castle Auburn|345660|Summers at Castle Auburn|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388592909l/345660._SY75_.jpg|335966] or the Twelve Houses series (beginning with [b:Mystic and Rider|97967|Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses, #1)|Sharon Shinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388338711l/97967._SY75_.jpg|94425]) but this story would also serve as a nice introduction to the author, with the caveat that it reads more like a novella.
Daiyu is working at an internship before her last year of high school. She is Chinese, having been adopted by Caucasian parents. She lives in St. Louis. Attending a fair one afternoon, a strange lady implores her to buy a black jade ring in the shape of a dragon. Calm, practical and unflappable, Daiyu refuses at first. But despite herself, she feels uncharacteristically drawn to the ring and when she returns to buy it, she walks under the St. Louis Arch wearing the ring - and winds up in an entirely different world.
She is greeted by Kalen, young man with whom she feels an immediate affinity, and told that she is a rare Sojourner - able to travel between "iterations" (parallel universes) with a talisman, which in her case is the jade dragon ring. The ring also acts as a translator, allowing her to speak, read and write the local language.
Kalen lives with two guardians, Aurora and Ombri, who maintain the balance between worlds. A charismatic man has become Prince Minister but poses a danger to his citizens and the guardians have deliberately brought Daiyu over as part of an elaborate ruse to send him to a sort of interdimensional jail. If Daiyu returns to her own world she will forget the adventure and her Sojourner talent, and if she refuses to help the guardians, she will leave their world in peril.
The magic is vague and the danger is secondary to the romance that develops between Daiyu and Kalen, which happens convincingly, if a little too fast. The Aviary full of red birds where they meet in secret - shown in the beautiful cover art (the parasol is shiny while the rest of the cover is matte - a really neat touch!) - is delightful. Daiyu is a little too passive, and I think she should have asked more questions, but this is a fast-moving, fun read. The ending is very cute and hopeful