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cj13's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
brianrenaud's review
3.0
It feels like at least one of the authors prefers writing an instruction manual rather than a novel. A sort of adequate story combined with a whole lot of 'splaining.
jameseckman's review
3.0
This book has one of the historic Ming dynasty upper class courtesans as a character, first time I've seen one used in fiction. They were highly educated, famous for their skill in poetry and the arts as well as some being trained in various aspects of warfare. Several were noted fencers and archers and familiar with the military classics. They were much freer than their respectably married counterparts, but paid for this freedom by owing large sums to their madams and generally unable to marry because of the social stigma attached their profession. You can have a female badass warrior interacting with males and its perfectly historical.
One possible downside to this book is its constant nattering about technology. I enjoy this type of information, but even I found it excessive at times. Otherwise, an unusual read about historical Ming China during its collapse, I enjoyed it.
A couple of good fantasies about Chinese dynastic ends are: Guy Gavriel Kay's [b:Under Heaven|7139892|Under Heaven (Under Heaven, #1)|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327894315l/7139892._SY75_.jpg|7373286] and [b:River of Stars|15808474|River of Stars (Under Heaven, #2)|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356089847l/15808474._SY75_.jpg|21451403].
One possible downside to this book is its constant nattering about technology. I enjoy this type of information, but even I found it excessive at times. Otherwise, an unusual read about historical Ming China during its collapse, I enjoyed it.
A couple of good fantasies about Chinese dynastic ends are: Guy Gavriel Kay's [b:Under Heaven|7139892|Under Heaven (Under Heaven, #1)|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327894315l/7139892._SY75_.jpg|7373286] and [b:River of Stars|15808474|River of Stars (Under Heaven, #2)|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356089847l/15808474._SY75_.jpg|21451403].
hteph's review
3.0
This book felt very clunky it probably reads very true to how travel books sounded about fifty years ago.
To me it read like info-dumps was mixed with anecdotes with very little editing in-between. It was interesting and oozed much less of colonial pride than the Mughal book last year. Less annoying but not a completely enjoyable read.
To me it read like info-dumps was mixed with anecdotes with very little editing in-between. It was interesting and oozed much less of colonial pride than the Mughal book last year. Less annoying but not a completely enjoyable read.
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