A Great Start!

This is a fantastic book, and perhaps some of the best sci-fi/fantasy based on a real lived understanding of Chinese culture. This is the author's first book to my knowledge, and it's a fantastically original and interesting concept for her debut. My only criticism would be that the performer could do with being somewhat more versatile with male characters (though she remains fantastic) and that stylistically the book could be a little more complex, with some imagery being repeated a little too much. It is YA fiction however, and though I'm certain the author is capable of more, she writes extremely well for her audience, never speaking down to them but also preventing any pretension. I eagerly await the next work of Xiran Jay Zhao!

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Great set up to a rich storyline

Loved the world building, the author balances the extraordinary and mundane in a way which makes the world almost believable

Great fresh concepts

Great fresh concepts. Really interesting characters .

Only criticism is the last 8 off chapters were just rushed.

I hope there is a second book . As this feels a tad incomplete- but I am very invested .

Story tellers voice was great also .

Highly recommend if you like other worldly narratives, fantasy , diverse characters , culture , science fiction and good storytelling.

Absolutely incredible

This is the kind of book that can change the world, it's a middle finger to every enforced gender role, every racist trope, every butchered made up "exotic" name in a fantasy story. It's not about redemption and yet the story itself feels like it's redemption for a whole genre of literature.

this girl really can

absolutely amazing book, its girl power and intrigue, I will recommend it so much going forwards, can't wait for the sequel!

Couldn’t stop listening

Honestly this is one of the best stories that I’ve heard in so long. I bought the audible and the rendition was flawless.

The story is immersive with fantastic mythos. The world is rich and deep and characterisations wonderful. I can’t recommend this enough. I don’t want to say much and give it away but there’s action, love, adventure, epic battles. No whiny girl torn between boys as many YA heroines are instead there’s a girl who has a small existence who learns lessons or languages that help explain who and how she is. I loved it.

Good but obvious

Cool world/setting, kinda stiff protagonists (a bit forced at times) and transparent message. Enjoyed overall but it's very clear what beliefs and values the author wants you to have in order to connect with some parts of the story. Would still read again or watch if adapted as a movie, though.

Highly recommended

A great story, but I was most impressed by the evocative language. Lots of beautiful writing. looking forward to the sequel

Wow

Mate this was such a wild book that got me hooked by chapter 3 and I couldn’t let it go (I finished it in one day) and wow.
I can’t wait to see where this series will take me and all I know if that I’m going to suffer but be happy about it.
Also the narration was really good and I could feel the rage and other emotions from the main characters on the voice.

Interesting but predictable story - fantastic narration

First up, I absolutely loved the narration of this audiobook - 1st class and will look for other books she’s narrated.
As for the story, I was interested initially as it was an Asian author writing a female led fantasy set in a version of China.
It started off strong and has some really important messages within the book, but the plot falls a bit flat at times and I really struggled to support the main character ironically.
Overall worth a listen but it’s not one I would rush to recommend