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A review by marjories
Thorn of the Night Blossoms: A Legends of Tivara Story by J.C. Kang
4.0
Masterfully crafted epic fantasy with Chinese roots. This book tells a story of a feisty, impetuous heroine with more ideals than maturity, but also lots of potential. Set against a complex tapestry of a society full of deceit and depravity, she boldly dives head first into a situation far murkier than she imagined.
Jie is a character out of place. From the beginning it seems she is not well suited to the role she has been assigned. She is exotic with enhanced senses but lacks the grace and curves of her companions and at 20 is older than most of them. She is an undercover assassin posing as a courtesan, but the high price her virginity will bring is a common theme. She doesn't feel the burden or cost of having her body used. Which is especially salient as her independence and autonomy are of tantamount importance to her, making it difficult for her to rely on others, or truly understand those closest to her. In the end, her path was inevitable.
Billed as a standalone prequel to a new series, it can be read as such, but I think readers familiar with The Dragon Song Saga will appreciate it more than readers new to this world. It is a very rich, well imagined world with a complex societal structure but not much is explained in this brief taste. Some new readers may feel lost as the story coalesces around them. There is definitely enough to enjoy the story, but many questions are raised. Mostly in a way that piques interest in reading more about this world.
Jie is a character out of place. From the beginning it seems she is not well suited to the role she has been assigned. She is exotic with enhanced senses but lacks the grace and curves of her companions and at 20 is older than most of them. She is an undercover assassin posing as a courtesan, but the high price her virginity will bring is a common theme. She doesn't feel the burden or cost of having her body used. Which is especially salient as her independence and autonomy are of tantamount importance to her, making it difficult for her to rely on others, or truly understand those closest to her. In the end, her path was inevitable.
Billed as a standalone prequel to a new series, it can be read as such, but I think readers familiar with The Dragon Song Saga will appreciate it more than readers new to this world. It is a very rich, well imagined world with a complex societal structure but not much is explained in this brief taste. Some new readers may feel lost as the story coalesces around them. There is definitely enough to enjoy the story, but many questions are raised. Mostly in a way that piques interest in reading more about this world.