I was expecting this book to be more urban fantasy and much less literary fiction, so that was on me, I guess. I didn't think a novel about evil magicI was expecting this book to be more urban fantasy and much less literary fiction, so that was on me, I guess. I didn't think a novel about evil magical books would fall under lit fic lol
Anyway, this was one of those books where the action happens like 70% into the story. The set-up was really really slow and long, and even then, I didn't really develop a connection to any of the characters. Which is an issue because this is definitely a character-driven story.
This is one of those novels where you know it's supposed to be high stakes, but it didn't quite feel that way to me. I'm not sure if it was because of the writing style. I felt like I was being kept at an arm's length from the characters and the conflict.
The novel wasn't terrible or anything, so I wouldn't really deter anyone from reading it. Just don't be like me thinking it'll be all magic and fantasy, so prioritize your expectations.
I'm gonna start off this review by saying that Natalie Naudus is an awesome audiobook narrator, as always. Her ability to bring life to Asian-AmericanI'm gonna start off this review by saying that Natalie Naudus is an awesome audiobook narrator, as always. Her ability to bring life to Asian-American FMCs (and the Asian-American experience in general) was one of the reasons why I requested this arc.
The novel was very creative. The setting, San Francisco, was a whole character in itself. I loved how it came alive through the FMC's actions and interactions with the numerous characters and places. I could feel myself actually being there along with the FMC.
The FMC, Emiko, was pretty badass. This is definitely NOT one of those novels where the MC says they're a badass, but there was nothing to show for it. Emiko was a knowledgeable expert when it came to her fighting skills and the novel was well done in that aspect. She also had enough flaws to make her a well-rounded character.
I also loved the overall atmosphere of the story. There was a mixture of East Asian folklore and mythology set in an American city, so it felt like an authentic lived experience. And as an Asian-American, I really appreciated it a lot. Representation seriously matters.
I think my issues with this novel is with its pacing and number of side characters. The pacing was so off throughout the novel. It started out really slow and couldn't seem to find its footing. The action scenes were fast-paced, but the scenes in between lagged. It was strange because the FMC's quest to find the Ebony Gate screamed "URGENT," but the pacing conveyed otherwise.
Also, there were a lot of side characters to keep track of. I did like Freddie and Fiona, and the shinigami was pretty cool. For being an ex, Kamon was actually a badass and a pretty decent guy. But the others fell by the wayside because there really wasn't much to distinguish them apart.
Hopefully, these issues are fixed in the next installment. I'd love to read more from Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books, and NetGalley for this arc....more
I expected this to be the usual high fantasy epic, but the author took all the associated tropes and turned them into a unique story. It was a very saI expected this to be the usual high fantasy epic, but the author took all the associated tropes and turned them into a unique story. It was a very satisfying 5 star read for me! Halfway through, I even ended up buying the author's other series.
This is high fantasy that's accessible for someone who wants to dive into the subgenre. There's sword and sorcery, humans, elves, and dwarves. All of the familiar fantasy tropes are there.
The author also introduces new terms and new species, such as "necromiasma," a greenish cloud that lingers over the ancient elvish city of Necrad, previous home to the vanquished Lord Bone, the necromancer and Big Bad of twenty years past. There are also Vatlings, creatures grown from Lord Bone's alchemical vats that are made from bone, flesh, and magic. There are dreadworms, wyvern-like creatures made of shadow.
Anyway.
The story weaves back and forth between the present day and the MC, Alf's, recollections of the past, when the Nine great champions bonded together to defeat Lord Bone and take over his city, Necrad. The author expands on Alf's recollections in a way that you can understand his nostalgia, including the regrets and doubts that have grown over the years. Their heroic deeds have turned into myths and legends, but the real story (as Alf recollects) isn't as glamorous or straightforward.
I also really liked how most of the characters are morally grey. It was hard to define anyone's motives, especially seeing it through Alf's POV. The friend he knew twenty years ago isn't the same person now. And you can see that Alf struggles a lot with it.
Another thing that the author captured well was that everyone seemed like they fit in the world, such as their manner of speech (which depended on their race and class), the way they acted around others, etc. I've been reading too much fantasy where modern ways of speech are inserted into a world that's clearly medieval and suspension of belief just doesn't work at all in those cases.
A few things I wish were tweaked: Olva's storyline in the elvish forest should've been shorter. It seemed to drag on for an unnecessary amount of time. And I wish Torun the dwarf had more sway in the story. She just seemed to be there for the sake of having an oddball character. Hopefully she plays a bigger role in the sequel.
Anyway, I absolutely can't wait for the sequel. I just wish there was a signed copy I could buy.
Thank you to Orbit and Goodreads for this arc....more
It started out really promising. I liked the relationship between the twin sisters and their back and forth exchanges.
But when they were boDNF @ ~50%.
It started out really promising. I liked the relationship between the twin sisters and their back and forth exchanges.
But when they were both sent off to marry, everything pretty much fell apart for me. It was very dry and consisted of conversations with secondary characters that I didn't care much about. Nothing much actually happened, and I really didn't like that the sisters married into men from misogynistic societies.
In the beginning, it was really cool to see Jillian as her father's heir. She knew how to fight and lead men in battle.
And then they had to marry off and the story pulled a 180.
Also the book was really long for some reason and it felt like it dragged on. It became a chore to read tbh.
Thank you to Books Forward and Goodreads for this arc....more
So, I didn't mind the dark and gruesome stuff (racism, misogyny, body horror, parental abuse, gore, cannibalism (??), thoughts of self-harm, etc.), buSo, I didn't mind the dark and gruesome stuff (racism, misogyny, body horror, parental abuse, gore, cannibalism (??), thoughts of self-harm, etc.), but ymmv, so check out the trigger and content warnings on Goodreads.
This was an interesting ride... There wasn't really a strong plot imo. This is more of a character study with the MC, Marlinchen, and her family. I feel like the marketing for this book really dropped the ball by not emphasizing the horror aspect of this novel.
Anyway, this is a story of three witch sisters who live in a world that's progressing along, but their wizard father hates everything to do with it. Dude's stuck in the past and will blast anything and everything that doesn't vibe with his sexist and racist viewpoints. So then Marlinchen finds an escape by watching the ballet in town and falling in love with the lead dancer.
The author pretty much dumps all sorts of trauma onto Marlinchen and her love interest, Sevas. Like name a trauma, and it'll be in this book. Their relationship is built around this trauma and finding escape with each other. Pretty toxic, but then again this is weirdly "normal" in the NA romance genre. It's like Colleen Hoover but with witches and magic.
I liked the writing itself, which is why I wouldn't mind reading the author's other novel. The writing really draws you into the world and makes the characters and their predicaments come alive. So I'm here wincing with any and every mention of abuse. But a lot of times, the horror does seem to be too much, like the author's just doing it for the shock value.
I just wish there was a strong plotline and more of a hero's journey for Marlinchen and Sevas. It'd really tie it all together. The ending made sense plot structure-wise, but since the majority of the novel had no plot structure, it felt like it came out of nowhere.
Also the ending was technically gross, but by then I was used to all the gross stuff that was happening so it wasn't really shocking anymore.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and Goodreads for this ebook....more
Idk how it's possible, but this book is both interesting and boring at the same time.Idk how it's possible, but this book is both interesting and boring at the same time....more
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