That last half star was just for mentioning The Untamed in a mainstream work of fiction lol
Overall though? I hope this book makes some people think. IThat last half star was just for mentioning The Untamed in a mainstream work of fiction lol
Overall though? I hope this book makes some people think. I really enjoyed how we aren't told what is right and wrong - you need to think. Which is most definitely something some people need to do more.
I didn't particularly enjoy this book - nor do I think I was meant to - but I couldn't put it down! Read it in one sitting on the Eurostar. Being forced into the mind of someone doing something I (and most of us, I HOPE) would never do was sometimes physically painful and mentally painful all of the time. It was so interesting to read how June justified her actions to herself and see from the other perspective how the industry dealt with it all (which is to say, badly, and yet hop onto Twitter and you'll see it happening pretty much all the time).
TL;DR a little bit of June lives in all of us, but I sure hope the majority of us have more self-control, common sense, and decency than she did. But this book was great and RF Kuang continues to prove that she is a genius. To write something like this... honestly so very impressive!...more
i’ve got nothing much to say about this book honestly. i strongly dislike the romance tropes it has going for it, and the back and forth for th3.5 ⭐️
i’ve got nothing much to say about this book honestly. i strongly dislike the romance tropes it has going for it, and the back and forth for the romance really killed it for me. the world building and plot were fun, but nothing really kept me gripped.
i liked it, but i would have had no problem putting it down and not picking it back up for a while had i not read this on the plane. i will say the writing was beautiful and when the characters weren’t busy being idiots i did quite like them as well. but otherwise - predictable, motivations were either unconvincing or just a bit mid.
while i understood the need for a setup, the pace was way too slow for most of the book, and then the parts i wish were focused on more or made a bigger deal were rushed through.
not sure i will read the second one - if only because this one seemed to wrap up quite nicely, and i’m not sure i’m invested enough to keep going.
that said, it is also one of these books which would be a nice introduction to a wuxia/xianxia adjacent world, and i’d still recommend this as a good book to read, perhaps alongside another book or simply without expecting too much in terms of pace. ...more
finishing this book while on a plane from bangkok with a toddler screaming in my ears was. an experience. (the toddler was quite accurately representifinishing this book while on a plane from bangkok with a toddler screaming in my ears was. an experience. (the toddler was quite accurately representing my inner feelings)...more
INSTEAD OF A LOVE TRIANGLE I GOT A THROUPLE??????? literally best thing ever - i hate love triangles lol.
overall very nice!! the dialogue felt a bit INSTEAD OF A LOVE TRIANGLE I GOT A THROUPLE??????? literally best thing ever - i hate love triangles lol.
overall very nice!! the dialogue felt a bit unnatural at times, and i feel like certain relationships and motivations could have been more developed. it was fairly predictable as well, but not in a way that overly bothered me.
this might sound weird but for once i’m glad we got a protagonist that is not only ruthless, but recognizes that she was treated shit by her family and that she deserves better. i know irl it is often hard to separate the hate and love you have for a family that has abused you, but wu zetian’s fam got what was coming for them and it was extremely satisfying.
would recommend to anyone who vibes with morally grey characters and a story that doesn’t overly focus on romance… but the romance that is there is very fun!...more
I absolutely love this graphic novel!!! I need to reread asap, I don't know why this was marked as to read. In any case, if you're reading this, DEFINI absolutely love this graphic novel!!! I need to reread asap, I don't know why this was marked as to read. In any case, if you're reading this, DEFINITELY give this one a chance!! It won't disappoint.
Merged review:
I absolutely love this graphic novel!!! I need to reread asap, I don't know why this was marked as to read. In any case, if you're reading this, DEFINITELY give this one a chance!! It won't disappoint....more
not sure how to feel about this. i don’t think i loved it but i’m not sure that’s the emotion i’m supposed to feel about it? it was very3.5 ⭐️ maybe?
not sure how to feel about this. i don’t think i loved it but i’m not sure that’s the emotion i’m supposed to feel about it? it was very interesting, and there’s definitely a palpable tension that runs all throughout the book that is very well done. beautiful writing as well!! the images are very vivid but at the same time there is a room left for your imagination, and i don’t know how that balance works but it really did.
i didn’t give it that high of a rating because like i said above i don’t feel like i LOVED the book so it wouldn’t make sense for me to rate it any higher (since i rate books by how i instinctively feel about them) but i actually really recommend this? you’ll easily read it in 2-3 hours or less and it’s such an interesting read, both the story and the craft itself. ...more
Queer excellence this was indeed!! Characterization was surprisingly nice for such a short novella, as was the plot – i much enjoyed the political aspQueer excellence this was indeed!! Characterization was surprisingly nice for such a short novella, as was the plot – i much enjoyed the political aspect of it, as well as the discussion on colonialism & pre-colonialism (the novella is set in a Vietnamese-like kingdom). I really liked Thanh, and again we got to know her surprisingly well considering the length of this. On the other hand, I feel like most of what happened with Giang was a bit rushed and out of nowhere and I would’ve liked to know more about her; it would’ve helped make the romance more convincing and enjoyable. Eldris was a character who was very convincing at first and I think part of why it was so easy to relate to Thanh was because I fell just as easily for Eldris’ “love” as she did.
Overall, this was extremely enjoyable - the world-building was well done and the plot quite good. I would recommend it to those who enjoy some ✨gays✨ & fantasy, and those just looking for a nice short read!! ...more
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