I love love love Xiran Jay Zhao as an author. They manage to capture characters and stories with creativity and nuance. It is not that you've never heI love love love Xiran Jay Zhao as an author. They manage to capture characters and stories with creativity and nuance. It is not that you've never heard this before, Zhao wears their inspirations on their sleeves but there are details infused that makes it creative and makes me happy.
They are a Canadian the same age as me which might bring a certain level of shared experience that makes these characters feel and interact more like my experience than the general character. But just like Iron Widow I was happy reading every word.
I love that Zhao is kinda creating this history retelling genre. There is aspects of scifi and fantasy but in both their books so far they are touching on history and how it is told is very interactive with the history and interpretation. I love the idea that people gain powers through the cultural understanding of them and they debate historical view. It is fantastic. I am also calling that Wu Zetian has to appear in every book Xiran Jay Zhao writes.
I also just love the question marks on unknown historical dates and Chinese poetry. All of it is so wonderful for history lovers. And the discussion of Chinese diversity and that Muslim Chinese and East Asians exist. I had to double check my bias when Zack's mom went to get her hijab. It's something I knew about and was aware of the discrimination/genicide of Muslim Chinese people in China and yet I have never seen it represented in fiction and wasn't expecting it....more
Grace Lim once again brings a beautiful and evocative Chinese inspired story full of realism and fantasy. You have a young girl who embarks on a questGrace Lim once again brings a beautiful and evocative Chinese inspired story full of realism and fantasy. You have a young girl who embarks on a quest to help her family from poverty and starvation she has kindness and a love of stories without it coming off as cliched.
The man on the moon was an interesting figure as well as all the talking fish. I love the idea again that what makes her special is just that she is willing to listen to those around.
I liked the dragon and the use of names and stories. Otherwise my thoughts our similar to The Sea Turned Silver which is written well combining lyricalism and simplicity. The realism of medieval China along with the commonplace of real mythological figures and spirits and combined together with a love of stories.
Highly recommend this middle grade story that has a strong kind lead with a beautiful world and writing....more
"All stories are lies, until someone believes them." I think this book is completely underrated. I loved that it explored the idea of fairy tales, exp"All stories are lies, until someone believes them." I think this book is completely underrated. I loved that it explored the idea of fairy tales, expectations of beauty and identity without those being cliched. It was beautifully written and the mythology and lore of the world was so in depth and diverse in scope. I adored the humour and the writing style as well. It was all around so beautiful and the villain was creepy and realistic in this sense. I also loved the way stories were interweaven into the narrative and the friendship between princess and peasant. And how the actual cumbersome reality of looking like a real princess but advantages in being slowed down.
"Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good"Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
I have always said that this and Half Blood Prince are my two favourites and rereading it just confirms it. I really love these books and love this world and the older I get the more nuance I csn see.
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I know Harry Potter is renown and marvellous but even reading it for the first time there is a a sense of nostalgia and wonder. It is incredible and fantastic, I especially enjoy the deepening of characters as the they get older and the politics grow. I loved the worldbuilding and more characters introduced.
I really enjoyed the exploration of love and memory, the things we remember and the things we forget. I loved having an elderly couple as the focus ofI really enjoyed the exploration of love and memory, the things we remember and the things we forget. I loved having an elderly couple as the focus of the novel and the discussion of death and the themes in the novel, and the lovely way it is written.
I also love when themes are explored through fantastical elements. ...more
*Though I was thoroughly disappointed with the plot, the writing is beautiful and still read the first one because the plot, political intrigue, world*Though I was thoroughly disappointed with the plot, the writing is beautiful and still read the first one because the plot, political intrigue, worldbuilding and characters are brilliant*
After truly liking the first in the series I found myself disappointed in this sequel set twenty years later. It lacked the depth of character, emotion and worldbuilding that I adored in the first. I found Jade one dimensional and typical naive good character who never really deals with much trouble. A played Feng Lu as this paragon of perfection and goodness and robbed Xifeng of all her moral perplexities and quandaries. I guess many of these things should have been expected as the first was the retelling of the evil queen a character's descent into darkness when this was the Snow White. But Marissa Meyer showed how a character of the evil queen could be ruthless and maliciousness without being one dimensional.
And I do still think Julie C. Dao is a good author, I think many of my complaints happened that I expected a different vein of story. The wordplay and world was textured and beautiful.
However much of the magic system remained mysterious and convenient, and I am not sure if Jade has magic or anything or just an army of ghost guardians. Also the deus ex machina ending should have been expected as Snow White but still could I have dreamed for more inventive?
The romance was questionable as they had no chemistry, not that they were awkward but they barely interacted other than occasional hand squeezing. It just felt like a middle grade romance where they are hinting toward something and then no they are in love without ever even having a lone conversation.
Though I do love that the love interest was a short person, I think that was smart and inclusive.
I also loved how many characters were reused and made the story come full circle.
I think (Rune??) was really awesome and though a little typical, I liked that her and Jade grew in their relationship.
Also it was a little jarring that the book was set up as a court political novel, in part because that was the central plot of the last novel and secondly because we had the inciting incident of Jade being summoned to court. But to no avail, because pretty soon she goes a questing! With her handy trio of a plucky female character who wants to be a warrior (but is prevented by sexism, but hopes to be admitted to this secret nearly mythic society of women warriors) and a good and charming son of a nobleman and love interest. They go off to find five magical items to restore the kingdom. I just thought the first one was a refreshing novel that allowed us in an Eastern Asian court system but this sequel was a flat rendition of a hero's journey with beautiful writing.
I liked that Wei received his character moment and I think that was really key, but I think that secret was obvious and would have been more influential if him and the prince were both allowed to be themselves throughout the novel.
I was also disappointed, she didn't take the opportunity to have the mc not get the love interest and Koichi instead have a love to hate with Rune.
I thought the ending was way to simple and clean, but I do love that it ended with the girls reuniting. ...more
I thought this was an intriguing book at points I was enamoured at points I thought it was a little too allegorical. I loved that Le"Enacting a myth."
I thought this was an intriguing book at points I was enamoured at points I thought it was a little too allegorical. I loved that Lewis fully immersed himself into the novel. The worldbuilding was supremely well done. It was beautiful and intricate.
I love also seeing the building blocks of what would one day be Narnia
"What in our world we see as mythology is in other worlds and realities." (Multiverse confirmed!) "In our world older does not always mean wiser."
"Today they were a road map for a journey he never thought he would take" I actually loved this book which was a relief as I have had a few bad retell"Today they were a road map for a journey he never thought he would take" I actually loved this book which was a relief as I have had a few bad retellings. It was beautiful and humorous with well developed characters and adapted in a unique and refreshing way. I was immediately enthralled. How Irina and Lorelei used their magic and had consequences was fantastic. I loved Leo and Lorelei and their relationship. I loved Leo especially.
I thought Kol and the drakoni world and dual heart was awesome and like everything was super well developed.
Highly recommend!
Spoilers:
"The terrible wound of hindsight"
He gets kicked out of Military school. He throws a party and is drunk and finds out his parents and brother have been killed and that he is king. A role he never thought he would have to fill.
I am so heartbroken and yet happy that she killed Leo. It showed the stakes and added emotionally. I am so relieved that it was realistic enough to involve death especially of an important character.
A loved their telepathy and communication. It was so interesting and added such a great and hilarious dynamic.
Their romance was so well developed. They entered on such equal terms and had great communication.
Also that he waited for her consent to kiss her. Finally, YA writers understands!
Cinda Williams Chima is a masterful writer and coming back to the Seven Realms was like a warm embra"If wishes were horses, even beggars would ride."
Cinda Williams Chima is a masterful writer and coming back to the Seven Realms was like a warm embrace but also a reminder of how she creates beautiful worlds and characters. Often sequel series feel stale, but she brings new beauty and intrigue and expands our understanding of the Seven Realms. As well as allowing the world to grow and develop in the time between series made it realistic. It was recognizable but changed.
Taking place twenty five years after the finale of the first series. It follows a prince who is bent on revenge and a coal miner with mysterious birthmark and origin, and unruly soldier and an unhappy spymaster.
It has such a unique magic systems that I adore, they need their amulets for any power, keeps the characters from being too overpowered. Learning more about healing was also interesting, and I loved the use of power. Also exploring more of the Malthus mythos was strengthening but interesting, I never expected to see vampire priests. Those scenes are definitely bordering on horror.
I love that Chima writes such fragmented stories, at the beginning the reader is truly unsure of how all these characters are going to come together and merge plots. It was less fragmented than the earlier series but still I liked how it made it more slow burn. I found the point of view slightly peculiar in pacing, at the beginning we had several chapters of Ash and Jenna four years before the main storyline setting up the motivations of revenge, then we glance at Jenna where she is now and then meet Ash at Oden's Ford but then we do not hear about Jenna again for approximately a hundred pages as we largely get introduced to Lila and Destin with Ash;s perspectives intermingled. Than we get one more of Jenna's and abandon most of Lila and Destin's once Jenna's returned. It was truly odd. I must say Jenna is my least favourite to follow so I was disappointed that it dropped the Lila and Destin in favour of her. i hope we will see more of them in the sequel though with Lyss also coming in I am afraid we won't.
The romance was instant, though aided with the help of mysterious mind powers I was not a huge fan and was not at all invested. I did really enjoy Lila and Ash's banter, it was the highlight. Lila was one of my favourite though both of men I also enjoyed following.
I love that Chima always has so many story lines, characters and plots simultaneously moving along. Also that there is never just one opposing force that one can be solved without a clean finish, making each book conclusive but yearning for more.
SPOILERS:
"But all he felt was mingled grief and relief. Grief for those who had died too soon. And relief that perhaps this chapter was over." -519
I loved the Lila reveal, I figured it out right before it was so I think it was there but also not too obvious. I am also intrigued to see more about Destin's allegiances. The dragon though I figured out much sooner and I am not sure why intelligent little Jenna hasn't discovered it as well.
The Queen Marina twist I adored, I cannot wait to see how that goes forward. Also I don't know if we will follow the Northern Islander's more but I hope we will. I am excited to see how Jenna and Evan are connected, how their magic systems works and to meet Empress Celestine and how no one knows who she is. After all, Ash should know who the other rulers are he is a princeling, and was at Oden's Ford. Also excited to meet Lyss, and see Raisa and see if Micah has changed at all.
I read this book around five years ago and I enjoyed it well. I thought Billy and Bonnie were both compelling heroes and the villains were threateningI read this book around five years ago and I enjoyed it well. I thought Billy and Bonnie were both compelling heroes and the villains were threatening. I liked that Arthurian legend was incorporated. ...more
Full of whinsy and wonder, I really enjoyed this reread. There's many things to note fron the author's unkindness in recent years to the rampant fatphFull of whinsy and wonder, I really enjoyed this reread. There's many things to note fron the author's unkindness in recent years to the rampant fatphobia and questionable decisions of representation. But the story of a young boy finding himself in a new world, finding acceptance, friendship and magics fills me with a lot of joy.
I especially apperciated the friendship between Ron, Harry and Hermione this time. I had reread it for the first time, shortly after, finishing the series and I felt disappointed in how little the world and friendships felt fleshed out. But this time I instead apperciated how it was a great beginning to Hogwarts and to the trio.
Read: May 2024 Read: March 2020 Read: August 2017 (I originally started in 2014 and had a few false starts throughout the years)
So I finally read a Harry Potter this book was fun and had a whole lot of great quotes. I liked that Hermione was more developed and the gradual friendship. I am excited to read the next books that have a whole lot more in depth than the movies. I am also excited to share this one day with the other great middle grade.
I also liked that Rowling doesn't shy away from themes and depths even as a middle grade book. ____ Reread March 2020
I was excited to reread Harry Potter for the first time but was surprised that the first did not wow me as much. It definitely does not have the depth of the later books but is ais magical world. But is still an amazing start to this legendary series, even if the short length definitely is the weakest link. We LOVE these characters, this world, this setting and storytelling but Philosopher's Stone seems more like a prologue with almost half the book taking place before Hogwarts and less fleshed out relationships between the trio as of yet. But we all know we will love it by the end....more
Kier Scrivener
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