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rissaread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Grief and Gore
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and War
madamenovelist's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Death, Medical trauma, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, War, Gore, Grief, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
Moderate: Torture and Alcohol
kbowles24's review
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Minor: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Bullying
guessgreenleaf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Confinement, Sexism, and Grief
susanpevensie's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
however, the love triangle ruined it a bit for me. perhaps i’m a bit too old for trope like this—younger me might have enjoyed it. in fact, i think younger readers aka the target audiences might savour it even. i imagine the idea of two beautiful men salivating at your feet would be attractive for the youngins.
for me? it’s a source of anxiety and annoyance. i have zero patience for wishy washiness of xingyin in this regard. i also heard that this trend follows into the second book. so, i decided to not pick it up and move on. be well!
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Sexual harassment
theespressoedition's review against another edition
3.5
What use were adventures when there was no one to share them with?
Today, I had finally dared to gaze at the sun, allowing its radiance to blaze through me unhindered, spilling through my veins until I was aglow. Never did I imagine such luminous joy existed, and never again would I be content to remain in the shadows. and never again would I be content to remain in the shadows.
kings were not always as just as in the stories, and the mercy of gods was sometimes flawed.
Not everyone’s past was a path through sunlit fields. We each had our own corners that we preferred to leave in the shadows.
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, Gore, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment
momma_needs_to_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The writing of this was done fantastically. I felt like I could close my eyes and see exactly what she wanted us to envision. The characters were also so well written and developed throughout the story. Xingyin is such a fierce badass, not only because of the way she always fights for what she believes in and never gives up hope of helping her mother, but because she literally went from nothing to becoming a phenomenal warrior all through incredibly hard and exhausting work. Her personal character development was amazing. I was very torn over her romances. I won’t spoil anything but I will say I have a clear favourite who I want her to be with.
This is definitely a story of love. Love of a mother. Love of a daughter. First loves. New loves. From the very beginning, you know, this is a story driven by love. What Xingyin is doing for her mother and what her mother did for her.
I definitely recommend this book. If you love Chinese mythology, or any mythology, a friends-to-lovers-to-enemies trope, or a fierce female warrior and magic, this book is for you!
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual harassment
annamorgan27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, War, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
rachellaroche's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, War, Blood, Physical abuse, and Gore
sophiesmallhands's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Gore, Death, Classism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, War, and Death of parent