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gigireadswithkiki's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh there is absolutely nothing I love more than a petty revenge story, and to make it sapphic on top of that? *chefs kiss*
A resounding finish to the Tensorate series, "The Ascent to Godhood" takes a cyclical glance back to the beginning, to the mother of Alekha & Mokoya and her sordid beginnings. I loved the first person narrative told with Lady Han's voice, a voice which also allowed a deeper and less monarchal/aristocratic view into the world that Neon Yang has built, while also allowing readers to experience Hekate from a perspective that is not her own.
It was fascinating to see how truly cyclical the storylines in this installment mirror its predecessors, especially with how rampant the inter-sibling backstabbing was. And at the heart of it all, a strong & power-hungry female ruler with something to prove and vengeance to exact, ruthless in her ambitions to achieve her goals.
Truly a fantastic end to this series, I am definitely saddened to depart from the world of the Tensorates, but I'll always hold a small figment of hope that Yang returns to this world at some point in their writing career.
A resounding finish to the Tensorate series, "The Ascent to Godhood" takes a cyclical glance back to the beginning, to the mother of Alekha & Mokoya and her sordid beginnings. I loved the first person narrative told with Lady Han's voice, a voice which also allowed a deeper and less monarchal/aristocratic view into the world that Neon Yang has built, while also allowing readers to experience Hekate from a perspective that is not her own.
It was fascinating to see how truly cyclical the storylines in this installment mirror its predecessors, especially with how rampant the inter-sibling backstabbing was. And at the heart of it all, a strong & power-hungry female ruler with something to prove and vengeance to exact, ruthless in her ambitions to achieve her goals.
Truly a fantastic end to this series, I am definitely saddened to depart from the world of the Tensorates, but I'll always hold a small figment of hope that Yang returns to this world at some point in their writing career.
julia20y3's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sofie_kell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kdahlo's review against another edition
5.0
I love these little books, this was no exception. The plot was simple, and perhaps it suffers a bit for being, essentially, a prequel, but I found it very compelling as a stand-alone story. Probably best enjoyed by people who already liked the other books in this series, although I think these are written so the can be read independently (or by people like me who just don't remember things well!).
mkhare's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! I clicked with the casual, conversational narration instantly, and the twists and turns of Lady Han and Hekate’s life were a captivating read that tied up the events of all four books very well indeed. 4.5 stars
libraryam's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the voice of the main character.
Read this one first by mistake and still got a lot out of it. Will go back and read the other three.
Read this one first by mistake and still got a lot out of it. Will go back and read the other three.
midnarose's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.5
This was a great continuation of the Tensorate series (which is a series of novellas in the world of the protectorate a sifi fantasy Asian inspired world).
This novella follows a minor side character mentioned and seen in the other books telling the story of how the protector (ruler of the protectorate introduced in the first novella) came into power and became the dictator she is.
It was very interesting and enjoyable , it made me want more.
like the other novella's the ending is very open. each novella is a story to show off and build the world of the Tensorate. I wish there was more. Neon Yang built such a vast world over these 4 novella's , there are so many stories that can still be explored (example i want to know what happens to Akeha and Mokoya, does Rider and their twin ever meet, and what happens to Sonami does she become a worse dictator then her mother).
I hope Neon Yang writes more in this amazing universe.
This novella follows a minor side character mentioned and seen in the other books telling the story of how the protector (ruler of the protectorate introduced in the first novella) came into power and became the dictator she is.
It was very interesting and enjoyable , it made me want more.
like the other novella's the ending is very open. each novella is a story to show off and build the world of the Tensorate. I wish there was more. Neon Yang built such a vast world over these 4 novella's , there are so many stories that can still be explored (example i want to know what happens to Akeha and Mokoya, does Rider and their twin ever meet, and what happens to Sonami does she become a worse dictator then her mother).
I hope Neon Yang writes more in this amazing universe.
rinbee's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful end to the cycle of life, death, and fate woven in the Tensorate series! Focusing on a small set of characters, connected yet separate from the main cast in the Red Threads of Fate, we learn the story of Lady Han, leader of the Machinist rebellion, and her tumultuous relationship with Akeha and Mokoya's mother, Protector Hekate. This is a short but sweet read full of lust, manipulation, scheming, and betrayal, and I love it.
jujuvansunshine's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lady_moon's review against another edition
4.75
"I cut his throat, from here to here. Blood all over. Good thing the floors were very expensive wood, very well laid, no gaps in between. Rich folks' floors are so easy to clean."
Holy moly.
Considering this is the final book of a series, to make it the backstory of the villain is bold. But, boy, did it work! The author did quite a few bold choices for the series - some worked, some didn't - and tbh I love that. I liked some more than others, that's for sure, but respest to Neon Yang!
For me personally, this is a book that can hold up to The Black Tides of Heaven's greatness. I just absolutely loved everything here. It's sapphic, it's lovers to enemies, it's anti-hero/anti-villain/morally grey characters - it's everything! And god, how everything comes together is so satisfying. I loved how the author choose to do it. Again, it's bold decision and not everyone will like it - but I certainly did!
Damn, how swiftly the last few chapters went... crazy.