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kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
Another good installment, which both builds on what happens in book one, manages to be interesting all on its own, and also leads into the third book.
I really enjoyed meeting the characters from book one again, and slowly solving more of the mystery. For me it struck the right balance between new information and resolution to be satisfying, and yet enough left to puzzle over to make me eager to pick up the next book soon!
I especially love the novella length, quick pace and Asian inspired world! It's just an amazing breath of fresh air between all the big tomes that are so often set in the medieval western world.
If you like courtesans, spies, treachery and lots of cool action, this series is worth a look, or 10!
I really enjoyed meeting the characters from book one again, and slowly solving more of the mystery. For me it struck the right balance between new information and resolution to be satisfying, and yet enough left to puzzle over to make me eager to pick up the next book soon!
I especially love the novella length, quick pace and Asian inspired world! It's just an amazing breath of fresh air between all the big tomes that are so often set in the medieval western world.
If you like courtesans, spies, treachery and lots of cool action, this series is worth a look, or 10!
ladystarlight's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
constant2m's review
5.0
JC Kang does it again. I never thought I would enjoy a courtesan story so much, but this is fun. There's a new addition to the ensemble, Zheng Tian, who I remember liking a lot in Songs of Insurrection. Tian is brought in to the Black Lotus Clan because of his powers of observation. And while much about the world of Jie and Little Wen baffles him, he is able to figure out the rest of the story that began in the previous book. What was Lilian up to? Who was she working with? And what was the purpose of Lord Ting's assassination in the previous story?
Tian was cute. Always dreaming about Princess Kaiya, his betrothed (really?), he couldn't help being fascinated by the incredible skills of the women of the Black Lotus. But then, he was only ten in this story. And ten-year-olds see all the magic that is in the world. I also felt even worse for Jie. She was never my favorite but watching her go from trusting others to expecting betrayal around every corner was heartbreaking. There are good, trustworthy people even in your world, Jie!
While many things were wrapped up neatly by the end, I have the suspicion that the adventure is only beginning and look forward to reading whatever comes next.
I received a free audiobook from the author and reviewed it willingly. The narrator, once again, did a fantastic job with all the character voices.
Tian was cute. Always dreaming about Princess Kaiya, his betrothed (really?), he couldn't help being fascinated by the incredible skills of the women of the Black Lotus. But then, he was only ten in this story. And ten-year-olds see all the magic that is in the world. I also felt even worse for Jie. She was never my favorite but watching her go from trusting others to expecting betrayal around every corner was heartbreaking. There are good, trustworthy people even in your world, Jie!
While many things were wrapped up neatly by the end, I have the suspicion that the adventure is only beginning and look forward to reading whatever comes next.
I received a free audiobook from the author and reviewed it willingly. The narrator, once again, did a fantastic job with all the character voices.
thehamsterreads's review
5.0
This is a really interesting story, I’ve never read read one quite like it before. Tian is a 10 year old boy who was banished from the city, so he joined the Black Lotus Clan. He grew up as a spoiled rich kid, so while he is well educated in some areas, others, such as the particulars of life on the street, are foreign to him. But he’s very smart and has an almost photographic memory, so he was recruited to Black Lotus to help solve a murder.
I loved Tian! He is absolutely adorable! It was really fun to watch him trying to learn things under the tutelage of Jie, a mean half-elf. He grew up with a sense of honour and right and wrong, so it’s completely backwards to him to learn about stealing, pickpocketing, and how to fight dirty. It’s also really cute how innocent he was to the ways of the world (he thinks kissing a girl is completely scandalous), meanwhile the girls he’s training with are actually prostitutes in training. I mean he is only 10 so it’s not surprising, but it’s cute how abashed he gets even thinking about holding a girls hand. He is quite the little gentleman. Jie was a good mentor, and as the story progresses you can see how she cares for her charges, even though she has a tough exterior. The story was great! There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and it was really cool how Tian used his remarkable memory to put things together to solve the mystery. I really want to read more stories about Tian and the Black Lotus Clan, so I hope there are more forthcoming! I highly recommend this book to everyone! It’s soo good!
Update: I’ve now listened to the audiobook and it was really good! I enjoyed the story just as much as the first time I read it!
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved Tian! He is absolutely adorable! It was really fun to watch him trying to learn things under the tutelage of Jie, a mean half-elf. He grew up with a sense of honour and right and wrong, so it’s completely backwards to him to learn about stealing, pickpocketing, and how to fight dirty. It’s also really cute how innocent he was to the ways of the world (he thinks kissing a girl is completely scandalous), meanwhile the girls he’s training with are actually prostitutes in training. I mean he is only 10 so it’s not surprising, but it’s cute how abashed he gets even thinking about holding a girls hand. He is quite the little gentleman. Jie was a good mentor, and as the story progresses you can see how she cares for her charges, even though she has a tough exterior. The story was great! There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and it was really cool how Tian used his remarkable memory to put things together to solve the mystery. I really want to read more stories about Tian and the Black Lotus Clan, so I hope there are more forthcoming! I highly recommend this book to everyone! It’s soo good!
Update: I’ve now listened to the audiobook and it was really good! I enjoyed the story just as much as the first time I read it!
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
inked_up_bookshelf's review
5.0
This novella picked up right where the previous left off. Jie is reassigned within the clan since the fire and her deflowering came about. Determine to find answers she and her new initiate/trainee Tain find themselves on a hint for the truth.
With each chapter more world building and details are revealed that captures my attention and interest. I have already borrowed book 3 on Kindle Unlimited (KU). You should definitely try this series. I will not disappoint.
With each chapter more world building and details are revealed that captures my attention and interest. I have already borrowed book 3 on Kindle Unlimited (KU). You should definitely try this series. I will not disappoint.
tawallah's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
This is such an improvement from its predecessor. Pacing, characters, plot twists and the world building was superb.
This sequel picks up about a week after the events in Thorns of Night Blossom. Jie still is reeling from the shock of the clan betrayal but has a new initiate to train. Zhen Tian is the banished son of a dead lord. He is great at solving puzzles but such an innocent person. He is written as autistic, but savant. And he is a great introduction to the clan.
Glad I continue with this series.
This sequel picks up about a week after the events in Thorns of Night Blossom. Jie still is reeling from the shock of the clan betrayal but has a new initiate to train. Zhen Tian is the banished son of a dead lord. He is great at solving puzzles but such an innocent person. He is written as autistic, but savant. And he is a great introduction to the clan.
Glad I continue with this series.
secre's review
5.0
White Sheep of the Family very much builds on the events of the former book, and in doing so it adds much needed depth and detail to some of the world building aspects that were overlooked in the initial novella. The new character perspective introduced here also helps to open up the world as, unlike the majority of the girls, Tien is completely new to the Black Lotus Clan and is wonderfully naive. Through his innocence, the world comes alive around you.
The novella picks off almost exactly where the last one finished, and if I hadn’t bought the whole set as a combined edition, I may have commented that this could have been one full length novel rather than two shorter novella’s. As it stands, I could leap right into this without a further purchase, so the point is null. Whilst the action of the last novella was resolved, the mystery of the why and wherefore was still to be wrapped up, and that's where this novella leaps in.
The writing style is once more engaging and the additional character depth really made this novella shine. Twists and turns run through the narrative, leaving you never quite certain where the tale is going to take you next. In all, I really enjoyed this second installment to the series and will be moving straight on to the third, which is always a sign of an exceptionally well written piece of work.
The novella picks off almost exactly where the last one finished, and if I hadn’t bought the whole set as a combined edition, I may have commented that this could have been one full length novel rather than two shorter novella’s. As it stands, I could leap right into this without a further purchase, so the point is null. Whilst the action of the last novella was resolved, the mystery of the why and wherefore was still to be wrapped up, and that's where this novella leaps in.
The writing style is once more engaging and the additional character depth really made this novella shine. Twists and turns run through the narrative, leaving you never quite certain where the tale is going to take you next. In all, I really enjoyed this second installment to the series and will be moving straight on to the third, which is always a sign of an exceptionally well written piece of work.
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