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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
gardens_and_dragons's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this was an interesting retelling of Romance of The Three Kingdoms! It definitely is something that takes a lot of liberties with the character and additions to the story, but still keeps a lot of the political intrigue and tension of the three military factions scrambling for power.
While Zephyr’s motivations are not the most clear once it was revealed she was a god in the first book, for still following Ren and defying fate, it’s clear that she still feels loyalty to her and her alone.
I know that this book will make some folks unhappy with the potential romance of Zephyr and Crow and how it’s resolved.
While Zephyr’s motivations are not the most clear once it was revealed she was a god in the first book, for still following Ren and defying fate, it’s clear that she still feels loyalty to her and her alone.
I know that this book will make some folks unhappy with the potential romance of Zephyr and Crow and how it’s resolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
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
lastblossom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Even more of a roller coaster than the first one. War, plots, and an absolutely relentless MC race towards a powerful ending.
Thoughts
In my review for the previous book, I politely asked for an illustration of Crow, and we have generously been given two. (One on the cover, and one inside yet to come.) That's the only bit of generosity you'll see here - in the best way possible. War isn't pretty, and Zephyr won't pretend otherwise. No quarter given, no mercy granted. She's relentless in her quest to win this war, and she's willing to sacrifice anyone's life, hers included. If you want a ruthless MC who will REALLY do anything to win, this book will delight you. I put a question mark on the romance in the last book, and the question mark remains here. There's certainly attraction, but both Zephyr and Crow have bigger goals in mind, and seeing them square off again was great. But don't come in here expecting the twist to be they fall in love and change things. Love doesn't conquer all - Zephyr does. And it's messy and violent and a page-turning powerhouse with a satisfying ending.
As with the previous book, the author's notes in the back are also a great read, for anyone interested in the original Three Kingdoms account.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Even more of a roller coaster than the first one. War, plots, and an absolutely relentless MC race towards a powerful ending.
Thoughts
In my review for the previous book, I politely asked for an illustration of Crow, and we have generously been given two. (One on the cover, and one inside yet to come.) That's the only bit of generosity you'll see here - in the best way possible. War isn't pretty, and Zephyr won't pretend otherwise. No quarter given, no mercy granted. She's relentless in her quest to win this war, and she's willing to sacrifice anyone's life, hers included. If you want a ruthless MC who will REALLY do anything to win, this book will delight you. I put a question mark on the romance in the last book, and the question mark remains here. There's certainly attraction, but both Zephyr and Crow have bigger goals in mind, and seeing them square off again was great. But don't come in here expecting the twist to be they fall in love and change things. Love doesn't conquer all - Zephyr does. And it's messy and violent and a page-turning powerhouse with a satisfying ending.
As with the previous book, the author's notes in the back are also a great read, for anyone interested in the original Three Kingdoms account.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Confinement, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death