Reviews

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

cconant265's review against another edition

5.0

A beautifully told tale of strength, betrayal, love, and assassination plots. This text should come with a trigger warning for sexual assault. Ngan fully immerses the reader, making us feel the emotions of the characters as we pass plot points.

haialiel's review against another edition

Slow

pumpkinreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

rainbow1005's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

steamsuccubus's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

punkystarshine's review against another edition

4.75

This was darker than I was expecting for YA, but once I adjusted to it, I really loved the worldbuilding. By the time I got halfway through the book, I knew I was going to be reading the rest of the series ASAP.

I love a fantasy story with queer girls as the heroes! And I love that even though she had never seen or considered that two women could be in a relationship, Lei got over it real quick when she realized she had feelings for another girl. There were plenty of other things to worry about! Love to see it.

Could have used one more pass by an editor, but it was just things like (seemingly unintentionally) repeated phrases or giving information we already knew as if it was the first time, things I probably only noticed because it's my day job. And maybe was purposeful because this is meant for younger audiences. Didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

karrama's review against another edition

3.0

From a writing and style standpoint, a good read. However, because of the triggering content, it's hard to say this is a book for everyone. If you've seen Raise the Red Lantern, make it a coming of age story and add genetically hybrid humanoids. The story starts fast, taking us from a remote village to the king's palace, from what starts as a Cinderella story to the edges of courtly intrigue where our ingenue is schooled in many different aspects of life at the king's call, all while falling in love with a warrior housed under the same roof. Not to spoil it: she overcomes the system, but pays a high personal price.

modrockz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

kallmekirby's review against another edition

4.0

This book was absolutely stunning. I went into it not knowing what to expect really because YA fantasy has been hit or miss for me lately. But this story and the characters were so unique and wonderful. I immediately ordered the second book and I can’t wait for the third! Also - that romance just melted my cold cold heart.

shes_book_obsessed's review against another edition

4.0

Girls Of Paper And Fire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved the world building!