I agree with literally all of this. I wanted to like this book SO MUCH, but I think I'm also at a point in my life where YA fantasy doesn't cut it anymore--I'm looking for completely different things. Specifically, I like character development and watching how characters interact, connect, bond, and clash with each other, which as you said, there isn't a lot of, if any in the latter two parts. Sarnai was the character with the most potential that I felt was quashed. I don't know if I'll pick up more of the series, but if Sarnai is featured more heavily and developed well, I would actually consider returning just for her. Her character background is pretty interesting, I would like to explore more of her relationships with her family. I interpreted her as the antithesis of Maia. They both had a similar family makeup, as both were raised by their fathers with exclusively brothers, but Maia's family loves and supports her no matter what and never turns their backs on her, unlike Sarnai's. So if I do pick up the next book(s) I hope to see that expanded on. I thought Maia's character was pretty interesting, but she does prove herself incompetent quite a bit; literally, she wouldn't have been able to do anything without Edan, which I guess is how Lim keeps him by her side, but I dislike the comparison then to Mulan, who was a war hero and VERY capable on her own. I think had Lim stretched out the first part, she would have had more time to also develop the relationship between Maia and Edan, which I felt was rushed (I also really didn't like Edan, but can't put my finger on why.) I think there were moments where Maia told instead of showed as well. I get the book is in first person, but the way she very quickly turns from disliking to liking Edan isn't subtle at all, and also seems to happen for no reason. Girl, he's been helping you since the beginning, why the sudden switch? At the end of the book, when she has her moment of self-reflection, she talks about how she has "changed" but her telling us that explicitly rather than maybe showing it through her actions and the way she interacts with other characters bothered me! I did like the worldbuilding and the mythology, but there could have been more of that, and less of the romance. It is a YA novel, though, so idk what I was expecting. :/ This is a book I would've loved as a teenager, but unfortunately does nothing for me now. Sorry haha, I kinda popped off but I was pretty disappointed at what I thought the book would be like (and the amazing reviews on Goodreads) and what I actually got.
Yes!!! We are on the exact same page haha I was so mad about Sarnai because of the potential there! You make a really good point about her only being competent because of Edan which is so NOT MULAN!
I just finished the book and I'm so confused right now. Same as you, I didn't enjoy the second and third part of the book. Wasn't a big fan of the romance, it just feels so forced and unrealistic. I can't help but wonder how did they manage to keep kissing on a horse or camel and not fall. But what I found unbelievable is that Maia free Edan from the emperor. I mean it does sound romantic but I thought Edan is important to the emperor because he helps to maintain the emperor's health. Am I not right, or did I misread it? So when Maia free Edan, the emperor will be at great risk. And I thought the whole point of this marriage is to unite both of the countries. If the emperor dies, won't the Shansen take advantage of it? How is this maintaining the peace of the country? And after reading this book, I personally don't really think is a "Mulan" retelling. Is true that Mulan disguises as a boy and took part in the war. But she saves the whole country. I don't think Maia did anything to save the country (except for pleasing Lady Sarnia). It's kind of false advertising. Just because Maia disguises as a boy that doesn't mean this is a Mulan retelling. Sorry for the ramble, I just need to get it out from my chest. Haha.
Jessie Mae I normally like books that are light on the romance aspect or in which the romance is not like the main part of the story. Would you say is that the case with this book?. I am also tired a little bit about all the repetitive tropes in YA fantasy, I may read the first couple of chapters and then decide!. Thank you for the review!
Pato the reader yeah unfortunately it’s a little heavy on the romance for a good portion of the book, which was my least favorite part of the book. There’s definitely better YA fantasy id recommend before this one! Have you read Scythe yet? One of my absolute favorites!
Jessie Mae yes!!! I can’t wait for the toll to come out!! You are right, that is a very good example of YA fantasy that is pretty good. This month I am planning to read sleeping giants but I do not know if that is considered YA. it is sci-fi. I have also heard great things about Illuminae but I have not read it :P so I will not give up on YA, there are still good books out there, this may not be for me either :(.
Pato the reader I’ve heard great things about sleeping giants! Definitely want to read that one! I personally loved Illuminae!!! The format takes a while to get used to, but once you do, it’s addicting! I’d definitely recommend giving it a try!
I agree with literally all of this.
I wanted to like this book SO MUCH, but I think I'm also at a point in my life where YA fantasy doesn't cut it anymore--I'm looking for completely different things. Specifically, I like character development and watching how characters interact, connect, bond, and clash with each other, which as you said, there isn't a lot of, if any in the latter two parts.
Sarnai was the character with the most potential that I felt was quashed. I don't know if I'll pick up more of the series, but if Sarnai is featured more heavily and developed well, I would actually consider returning just for her. Her character background is pretty interesting, I would like to explore more of her relationships with her family. I interpreted her as the antithesis of Maia. They both had a similar family makeup, as both were raised by their fathers with exclusively brothers, but Maia's family loves and supports her no matter what and never turns their backs on her, unlike Sarnai's. So if I do pick up the next book(s) I hope to see that expanded on.
I thought Maia's character was pretty interesting, but she does prove herself incompetent quite a bit; literally, she wouldn't have been able to do anything without Edan, which I guess is how Lim keeps him by her side, but I dislike the comparison then to Mulan, who was a war hero and VERY capable on her own. I think had Lim stretched out the first part, she would have had more time to also develop the relationship between Maia and Edan, which I felt was rushed (I also really didn't like Edan, but can't put my finger on why.)
I think there were moments where Maia told instead of showed as well. I get the book is in first person, but the way she very quickly turns from disliking to liking Edan isn't subtle at all, and also seems to happen for no reason. Girl, he's been helping you since the beginning, why the sudden switch? At the end of the book, when she has her moment of self-reflection, she talks about how she has "changed" but her telling us that explicitly rather than maybe showing it through her actions and the way she interacts with other characters bothered me!
I did like the worldbuilding and the mythology, but there could have been more of that, and less of the romance. It is a YA novel, though, so idk what I was expecting. :/
This is a book I would've loved as a teenager, but unfortunately does nothing for me now.
Sorry haha, I kinda popped off but I was pretty disappointed at what I thought the book would be like (and the amazing reviews on Goodreads) and what I actually got.
Yes!!! We are on the exact same page haha I was so mad about Sarnai because of the potential there! You make a really good point about her only being competent because of Edan which is so NOT MULAN!
I just finished the book and I'm so confused right now. Same as you, I didn't enjoy the second and third part of the book. Wasn't a big fan of the romance, it just feels so forced and unrealistic. I can't help but wonder how did they manage to keep kissing on a horse or camel and not fall.
But what I found unbelievable is that Maia free Edan from the emperor. I mean it does sound romantic but I thought Edan is important to the emperor because he helps to maintain the emperor's health. Am I not right, or did I misread it? So when Maia free Edan, the emperor will be at great risk. And I thought the whole point of this marriage is to unite both of the countries. If the emperor dies, won't the Shansen take advantage of it? How is this maintaining the peace of the country?
And after reading this book, I personally don't really think is a "Mulan" retelling. Is true that Mulan disguises as a boy and took part in the war. But she saves the whole country. I don't think Maia did anything to save the country (except for pleasing Lady Sarnia). It's kind of false advertising. Just because Maia disguises as a boy that doesn't mean this is a Mulan retelling.
Sorry for the ramble, I just need to get it out from my chest. Haha.
I agree so much with all of this! The more I think about it, the more I think I was generous with my 3 star rating haha.
What a shame,I had high hopes for this book.
Pato the reader same 😓 I’d still say give it a go if it still sounds interesting because it wasn’t bad by any means, just not for me
Jessie Mae I normally like books that are light on the romance aspect or in which the romance is not like the main part of the story. Would you say is that the case with this book?. I am also tired a little bit about all the repetitive tropes in YA fantasy, I may read the first couple of chapters and then decide!. Thank you for the review!
Pato the reader yeah unfortunately it’s a little heavy on the romance for a good portion of the book, which was my least favorite part of the book. There’s definitely better YA fantasy id recommend before this one! Have you read Scythe yet? One of my absolute favorites!
Jessie Mae yes!!! I can’t wait for the toll to come out!! You are right, that is a very good example of YA fantasy that is pretty good. This month I am planning to read sleeping giants but I do not know if that is considered YA. it is sci-fi. I have also heard great things about Illuminae but I have not read it :P so I will not give up on YA, there are still good books out there, this may not be for me either :(.
Pato the reader I’ve heard great things about sleeping giants! Definitely want to read that one! I personally loved Illuminae!!! The format takes a while to get used to, but once you do, it’s addicting! I’d definitely recommend giving it a try!