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mothling's review against another edition
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Torture
Moderate: Chronic illness
themoodreader's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
scrubsandbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“How do you forget someone who’s carved themselves into your bones?”
I cried at that end. I didn’t think Joan He’s words could blow me away any further than it had before but they have, and this was a poignant and bittersweet conclusion to the Three Kingdoms duology. Somewhere in the middle, I wasn’t sure what path the plot was taking but it all came together in the end. This story was by no means mainly a love story, but the love story aspect of this was just an extra bonus that didn’t take away anything from the core message of the book. Zephyr herself isn’t meant to be the heroic player, she’s meant to mess up and do some unhinged shit. There are no ultimately good guys or bad guys but everyone is thoroughly complex and flawed. It was all so beautifully done, and has solidified Joan He as one of my favorite insta-read authors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and War
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Suicide and Torture
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Best read directly after its predecessor, Sound the Gong continues the story of Zephyr and the Three Kingdoms. Again filled with incredibly brave, badass warrior women, this book sees Zephyr navigate strategy by inhabiting the bodies of others. The characters in this story will do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals in a (sometimes literally) cutthroat environment, and yet, the chess pieces they manipulate in order to do so are not only pawns but also friends, allies, rulers. Zephyr’s powers are put to the test as she tries to change fate to get what she wants, but history is cyclical and destiny powerful. Will her choices have been worth it?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Suicide, Torture, and Vomit
misanthropic_bibliophile's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
*I got this as an arc from NetGalley. Thanks, NetGalley*
This book is best read back to back with Strike the Zither. It’s a direct continuation from book one—Zephyr must use her skills as a strategist to help her lordess Xin Ren win the war, but there are so many adversaries and betrayals and obstacles in the way.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat just like book one. I absolutely love Zephyr’s voice and sarcasm and humor as we read. It’s a great contrast to the dark and often gruesome war scenes of the book. There were some lines crossed that turned my stomach and I’m still not sure how I feel about them. Zephyr remains one of the coolest and smartest and wittiest main characters I’ve ever read, one of my absolute favorites.
Jaw-dropping twists, beautiful dialogue, epic action scenes—this is one of the most solid sequels I’ve read. I’m very satisfied with the way the story ended. This duology is unlike any YA fantasy I’ve ever read and deserves way more hype.
This book is best read back to back with Strike the Zither. It’s a direct continuation from book one—Zephyr must use her skills as a strategist to help her lordess Xin Ren win the war, but there are so many adversaries and betrayals and obstacles in the way.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat just like book one. I absolutely love Zephyr’s voice and sarcasm and humor as we read. It’s a great contrast to the dark and often gruesome war scenes of the book. There were some lines crossed that turned my stomach and I’m still not sure how I feel about them. Zephyr remains one of the coolest and smartest and wittiest main characters I’ve ever read, one of my absolute favorites.
Jaw-dropping twists, beautiful dialogue, epic action scenes—this is one of the most solid sequels I’ve read. I’m very satisfied with the way the story ended. This duology is unlike any YA fantasy I’ve ever read and deserves way more hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Grief