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nesa_'s review against another edition
DNFed at 29%. Mariko reads so immature and I don't care for the point of view of Kenshin.
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
1.0
The Wrath and the Dawn is one of my favorite books so I came to this book with very high expectations. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. It was just not a good book. The setting could have been amazing, but it was underutilized. The characters were all very bland and I didn't feel the romance at all. It's possible that the sequel might focus on the court more and so be more worthwhile, but I'm not running out to read it.
cassidyserhienko's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, so we know that I am in love with Renee Ahdieh’s other book The Wrath and the Dawn and it’s sequel The Rose and the Dagger, so when I found the gem in the bookstore I immediately snatched it up because I knew it would be bomb af. Basically the whole time I was reading this book my only thoughts were: WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING, and when are they gonna freaking make out. Now, I know Mirako is disguised as a boy for most of this novel so I can sympathize that Okami is ten shades of confused, and therefore no romance really happens for most of the story. Speaking of being confused, I am. She definitely got me with TWATD but this story solidifies the fact that Ahdieh is the queen of confusing magic. But it’s like a good confused if that makes sense. I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t feel uncomfortable about that, probably because Mariko sees all these crazy things happening and is like “okay, cool, it’s all G”.
Speaking of Mariko - what a freaking baller. She’s so smart my head hurts and every time she bests one of the boys I just want to jump up and shout. Her verbal sparring with Okami had be grinning from ear to ear. I know I talked about how I was just waiting for the romance, which I was, but I can also appreciate the fact that this book didn’t really need it. I mean really, Mariko infiltrated the freaking Black Clan, she’s got bigger problems then this guy she hates but also kind of wants to kiss. I love Ahdieh’s heroines because they’re a little vicious and a lot smart. To paraphrase Khalid, they’re plagues of girls. Personally, I’d like to line up all of the royals and give them a swift kick to the teeth but I’m sure Mariko and Co. will figure something out that’s a little more lucrative what with that big, bulbous brain of hers.
So pretty much the whole last third of the book I’m sitting here going, “What?”, “Wait, excuse me?!” “OH NO HE DIDN’T” and “WAIT WHAT?!”. So much started happening that I just got a little depressed because I’m gonna have to wait at least a whole damn year before I can get my impatient hands on the next book and THAT IS JUST NOT OKAY. And with that, I’m off to wallow in self-pity until I get the next book.
For more reviews check out www.theperusingsociety.weebly.com or follow us on Instagram @theperusingsociety
Speaking of Mariko - what a freaking baller. She’s so smart my head hurts and every time she bests one of the boys I just want to jump up and shout. Her verbal sparring with Okami had be grinning from ear to ear. I know I talked about how I was just waiting for the romance, which I was, but I can also appreciate the fact that this book didn’t really need it. I mean really, Mariko infiltrated the freaking Black Clan, she’s got bigger problems then this guy she hates but also kind of wants to kiss. I love Ahdieh’s heroines because they’re a little vicious and a lot smart. To paraphrase Khalid, they’re plagues of girls. Personally, I’d like to line up all of the royals and give them a swift kick to the teeth but I’m sure Mariko and Co. will figure something out that’s a little more lucrative what with that big, bulbous brain of hers.
So pretty much the whole last third of the book I’m sitting here going, “What?”, “Wait, excuse me?!” “OH NO HE DIDN’T” and “WAIT WHAT?!”. So much started happening that I just got a little depressed because I’m gonna have to wait at least a whole damn year before I can get my impatient hands on the next book and THAT IS JUST NOT OKAY. And with that, I’m off to wallow in self-pity until I get the next book.
For more reviews check out www.theperusingsociety.weebly.com or follow us on Instagram @theperusingsociety
ashction's review against another edition
4.0
So... when's the next book? 😅😱👀
This was a book I had no expectations for; the plot sounded trite but still interesting, so I gave it chance. And it certainly didn't disappoint - I binged this in just two days(!), much to my surprise!
I love, love Ōkami and Mariko, both as individual characters and as a pair (🔥♥🔥)! In a way, this story/the Black Clan felt very Lost Boys-esque, with the morality of Robin Hood but the badassery of Mulan. I also adored how well Ahdieh handles exposition - some authors feel they need a lot and write it exhaustingly, but the exposition here felt almost as rich as the climax and culminations of this first novel - major respect for that craft mastery!
I only dock a star because there's magic in this world that was really glossed over for multiple characters, and while this will likely be developed later (and hopefully explained, i.e. how this happened and its source), I definitely got annoyed by the magic surrounding Ōkami and Kanako (and even Ranmaru) just occurring with no logical reasons or acknowledgement as to why. Otherwise, I can't wait for book two!!!
This was a book I had no expectations for; the plot sounded trite but still interesting, so I gave it chance. And it certainly didn't disappoint - I binged this in just two days(!), much to my surprise!
I love, love Ōkami and Mariko, both as individual characters and as a pair (🔥♥🔥)! In a way, this story/the Black Clan felt very Lost Boys-esque, with the morality of Robin Hood but the badassery of Mulan. I also adored how well Ahdieh handles exposition - some authors feel they need a lot and write it exhaustingly, but the exposition here felt almost as rich as the climax and culminations of this first novel - major respect for that craft mastery!
I only dock a star because there's magic in this world that was really glossed over for multiple characters, and while this will likely be developed later (and hopefully explained, i.e. how this happened and its source), I definitely got annoyed by the magic surrounding Ōkami and Kanako (and even Ranmaru) just occurring with no logical reasons or acknowledgement as to why. Otherwise, I can't wait for book two!!!
kofolapumpkin's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing.. I LOVED the "The Wrath and The Dawn" series, especially the first book. But this book was not what I expected. The premise of the novel sounded great to me. A strong female lead in a story set in JAPAN. By Renee Ahdieh. Yes.
Unfortunately this book was so predictable that it wasn't even much fun to read. The love story in this book was especially predictable. "I don't like him, I HATE him... but his shoulders are muscular.. and his eyes are amazing..". Come on, we heard all this before. I'm getting Twilight flashbacks here. He smells like warm stones and wood? PLEASE. "I hate him, he tried to kill me. But he smells like warm stones". Frankly, it is ridiculous.
Which leads me to another aspect that really irritated me. Throughout the whole book Mariko's entire thought process is based on assumptions. Assumptions about her brother, assumptions about the Black Clan, assumptions about her father, assumptions about her love interest. EVERYTHING is based on Mariko assuming that someone did something or feels something or has some agenda. It's even more irritating because this novel is indeed so predictable. Because honestly, that just makes her seem thick. No common sense.
Next issue. Forced inclusivity. So, is Okami bisexual? First of all, that Mulan-ish cutting off of the hair.. Again, disappointing. I understand that this is not something only Mulan would've done or did (or whatever) but when there already exists such a famous, legendary scene (even if it is in a Disney movie) involving an Asian character.. Why imitate it? Okami is the captain and Mariko is Mulan - pretending to be a boy and the two of them slowly falling for each other. I was surprised that at the end of this book she wasn't handed the "glimmering white pearly sword" by the emperor.
Which leads me to my final point that I would like to touch on. Basically, literature, like everything else, has become more about money than about the practice of writing and reading. We see this not only in Renee's novel but actually everywhere in the community today. Books are not books anymore, they are part of a series that has to consist of as many novels as possible, stretching a good plot to the length of 3-5 (or even more) books. I don't have that amazing, accomplished feeling of having completed reading a book anymore. Because there is no resolve to the plot. There's always just MORE.
It is a pity because I miss the feeling of having read something and not feeling like I should pick up the sequel immediately. And actually not having that feeling of achievement makes me want to pick up the sequel even less.
Unfortunately this book was so predictable that it wasn't even much fun to read. The love story in this book was especially predictable. "I don't like him, I HATE him... but his shoulders are muscular.. and his eyes are amazing..". Come on, we heard all this before. I'm getting Twilight flashbacks here. He smells like warm stones and wood? PLEASE. "I hate him, he tried to kill me. But he smells like warm stones". Frankly, it is ridiculous.
Which leads me to another aspect that really irritated me. Throughout the whole book Mariko's entire thought process is based on assumptions. Assumptions about her brother, assumptions about the Black Clan, assumptions about her father, assumptions about her love interest. EVERYTHING is based on Mariko assuming that someone did something or feels something or has some agenda. It's even more irritating because this novel is indeed so predictable. Because honestly, that just makes her seem thick. No common sense.
Next issue. Forced inclusivity. So, is Okami bisexual? First of all, that Mulan-ish cutting off of the hair.. Again, disappointing. I understand that this is not something only Mulan would've done or did (or whatever) but when there already exists such a famous, legendary scene (even if it is in a Disney movie) involving an Asian character.. Why imitate it? Okami is the captain and Mariko is Mulan - pretending to be a boy and the two of them slowly falling for each other. I was surprised that at the end of this book she wasn't handed the "glimmering white pearly sword" by the emperor.
Which leads me to my final point that I would like to touch on. Basically, literature, like everything else, has become more about money than about the practice of writing and reading. We see this not only in Renee's novel but actually everywhere in the community today. Books are not books anymore, they are part of a series that has to consist of as many novels as possible, stretching a good plot to the length of 3-5 (or even more) books. I don't have that amazing, accomplished feeling of having completed reading a book anymore. Because there is no resolve to the plot. There's always just MORE.
It is a pity because I miss the feeling of having read something and not feeling like I should pick up the sequel immediately. And actually not having that feeling of achievement makes me want to pick up the sequel even less.
amy_j18's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dany_westfall's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
Al principio no sabía que pasaba y me confundí mucho con los nombres, pero es adictivo, un nuevo audiolibro para mí.
Muy interesante la mitología japonesa y toda la historia, la protagonista es de mis favoritas.
Al principio no sabía que pasaba y me confundí mucho con los nombres, pero es adictivo, un nuevo audiolibro para mí.
Muy interesante la mitología japonesa y toda la historia, la protagonista es de mis favoritas.
kimmi_a's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
4.0
michelleschroeder's review against another edition
Just lost my interest unfortunately.