Right??? Imagine if they were all the same publisher and the beautiful marketing that could have been. Glad book stores have been running with it anyways 😊
I read just the first few pages of this in the bookstore last week and was already struck by how many similes there were! That's usually a pet peeve for me, but not a deal-breaker. I'd definitely be interested in finding out if it is some kind of cultural call-back. ☀️
This was so fun buddy reading this book with you and I feel like chatting with you really added to my experience. Completely agree with your thoughts. I was trying to describe the writing style and like you struggled with explaining it
☀ It is one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I gotta say, you just lowered my expectations. In a good way, tho. Because some very important buzz words for me are left out of the synopsis, and the marketing (I saw) was vague and misleading, it seems. Now I can go into it with more 'realistic' and informed expectations. Because if I hadn't seen this review, I'm afraid I would have had a similar experience I had with First Law (which, funnily enough, you mention in the video too) where I was sold on it being something very different than it actually is. Super informative review, and it helped adjust/correct my expectations.
Thank you for this amazing comment, glad it was useful and I hope you have a fantastic time with this book now that your expectations are hopefully in the right place! I do promise that it has WAY more plot than First Law 😆
I didn't particularly care about the military aspects or story, I didn't really understand them very well. However, just from the writing style, the characters, and the discussion of gender and sexuality, this book was a pretty solid 4 stars from me
Yea military stuff is rarely that interesting to me. For sure a solid 4 (also sorry that I am HORRIBLE at responding on twitter, I am mostly better on instagram and discord but twitter is where my brain reads and instantly forgets to respond 😅)
Great review! I was disappointed with the book, I had the same issue as you: I couldn't connect with the characters and so whilst the plot and atmosphere were super interesting, I didn't really care about what happened to the characters. I also thought parts of the plot were solved too easily. But I agree with all your points :)
Thanks for watching! I think I liked how plot points were solved cause it reminded me of hero legend stories but I can see that being annoying and adding to your disappointment. I am still really excited to see what will happen in the sequel!
Yea it felt like what I expected after hearing about the Poppy War, not sure if that makes sense. I think the writing style of the Poppy War prevented me from feeling the atmosphere as well as I did in this one.
It is Zhu, when I was looking up how to pronounce that I saw that its pronounced close to Choo (but honestly I am not super confident with any Chinese pronunciations ever lol) But yes she was fantastic and such a highlight to the book and its her arc that makes me super excited for the sequel!
Definitely feel you that military fantasy can go either way. I can be really into it, or the author can … idk, try too hard? Fixate on the wrong things? And I’ll be bored. It’s hard to know which way it’ll go, but I found your review to be really helpful and thoughtful! Also, I agree with others that your more personalized, specific comps at the end (with caveats and contrasts) are much more helpful than the generic taglines devised by the marketing department. 🌞
I will say that I didn't think the military parts over stayed their welcome but I also didn't find it the most interesting parts. So probably slightly above average for military fantasy for my tastes. And glad these are helpful! I am always nervous about doing book comparisons cause everyone has different reasons why they love a book and I don't want them to feel misled if they don't get the thing they love after a comparison 😅
I was expecting dark, so this review definitely makes me more interested in reading it. For something to be grimdark I think that the protagonists have to sort of accept the crappier aspects of the world. Like, hrm, I'd consider something like "The Darkness That Comes Before" Grimdark but not "Malazan Book of the Fallen"
Trope-iCal readathon has this as one of the team fantasy books. I’m intrigued since it’s a debut book and May be potentially overhyped but I trust your opinion though I didn’t like Song of Achilles. Will let you know how I got on with it. 🌞
☀️ Definitely interested in reading this one - I love all the ones you mentioned at the end to use as a measuring tool for gauging interest so I think I would really have a great time with this.
Just finished this and honestly a little disappointed with the overall experience. I feel like you and I have a very similar taste when it comes to what we're looking for with character connection, and I totally get what you said about the disconnect from the characters here. There was a distance that is hard to describe 🌞
I almost felt like after discussion with other people that the main character is almost disconnected with themselves with kind of explains to me why I was able to feel emotion from one POV but not the other, but even seeing why that would be intentional it didn't make me love it in the moment.
I think its good that its not too in the weeds, some military fantasy can be super hard to follow. I did sometimes struggle cause my version didn't have the map that is in the book (arcs don't always come with maps)
☀️ I have no idea why I thought you weren't liking it in your Friday Reads video (I went back and watched it, and I have no idea where I would have gotten that idea from, so I'm just losing it. Haha!). The question is, would I like it? 😂
haha yea I mean I didn't LOVE it but I did have a great time lol and maybe?? I don't have the "Evie won't like this writing" vibes from it but I also have no clue 😅
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I wound up reading the preview pages and the writing style seems denser than I expected, which could go either way-since the density of writing working for me depends upon each story-but the level of nuance that you talked about is intriguing!
@@SheWasOnlyEvie I forget, do you like classic greek tales? Cause it reminds me a lot of watching a legend be born sort of thing and those type of war stories.
Very good review. I am more likely to read it based on it. You also said Chess :) ...and it is only around 400 pages. I always appreciate Fantasy writers who can limit themselves to the 500 pages mark (or slightly surpass it).
I think both covers are great but its nice for us to have a win haha and I have heard sapphic trifecta but yours is amazing too 😆 and no you must make your own review so I can hear your thoughts!
It is a complete arc but it is for sure setting things up for future books but I wouldn't say its a cliff hanger but not sure if it really works as a standalone either.
@@sozonropaitis3418 Yea like it for sure ends a character arc in a satisfying place but I would hesitate to say it didn't leave you wanting more in terms of plot direction.
I have been interested but hesitant on this one (I can't handle a lot of sexual abuse and wasn't sure how much it would figure in the story) so this was very helpful in figuring out where to put this on my TBR. ☀️
Low magic is typically used to refer to a fantasy where magical elements are a very low part of the world. I consider A Song of Ice and Fire pretty low magic. Something that's high magic would be like Brandon Sanderson by my definition. Different people have different cut off points though.
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance interesting. GOT aka ASoIF is a fantasy in the sense that it's got dragons, zombie-like creatures, wildfyre, etc. But it has very little actual magic or magical powers? In fact, I think the only magic powers are the immunity to fire by Danaerys, and then the Lady's ability to bring back someone from the dead (and her other magical powers). So does "She Who Became the Sun" have other fantasy elements besides the Mandate of Heaven?
I was wondering about the TSOA tagline and I'm glad you cleared that up because I def think of TSOA as a lyrical romance and if it has neither the writing style nor the romance WHY THE TAGLINE? //sighs They could've said Mulan meets The Iliad and it probably would've made more sense from what you're describing but NOOO. THE ILIAD USES LOTS OF SIMILIES TOO SO WHY TF WAS TSOA USED INSTEAD?! I do not understand. DESTINY? FATE? GEE I WONDER WHAT CLASSIC ALSO DEALS A LITTLE WITH THOSE THEMES. IT COULDN'T BE THE ILIAD. I did not mean to go on this rant but alas. The gender thing has me intrigued but I'm real mad at the marketing team right now lmao. ☀☀
I really appreciated this rant haha but yea it for sure has classic hero/legend vibes. You can tell me after you read it how close to the Iliad it is. The gender discussions really are top notch though and its not the books fault the marketing team wanted more money 😆
This was so helpful, Angela! My copy is on the way and I’m so excited to read it. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it ☺️☀️
I am going to be very excited to hear your thoughts once you get to it!
So excited to round out my sapphic trifecta and pick this one up! ☀️
Right??? Imagine if they were all the same publisher and the beautiful marketing that could have been. Glad book stores have been running with it anyways 😊
I read just the first few pages of this in the bookstore last week and was already struck by how many similes there were! That's usually a pet peeve for me, but not a deal-breaker. I'd definitely be interested in finding out if it is some kind of cultural call-back. ☀️
Ok glad its not just me haha I think I noticed mainly cause a lot of the comparison just didn't click in my head
This was so fun buddy reading this book with you and I feel like chatting with you really added to my experience.
Completely agree with your thoughts. I was trying to describe the writing style and like you struggled with explaining it
Like is it lyrical? Sort of? Its very descriptive and accessible and memorable and forgettable. I don't know how to describe it haha
Definitely need to put this on my wishlist. I do like military fantasy with tactics and politics and I don't mind low magic.
Yea then I think this could potentially be an awesome fit for you!
Chose this for book club so I'm really excited for it! 🌞 i didn't realize it would start in such a grim setting but i guess it does make sense!
I wasn't expecting it either but man is the first chapter grim
☀️ I really love how nuanced your reviewing style is! I think I'm definitely going to consider checking this one out.
Thank you so much for the kind words, I really love making reviews and felt very daunted with this one!
☀ It is one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I gotta say, you just lowered my expectations. In a good way, tho. Because some very important buzz words for me are left out of the synopsis, and the marketing (I saw) was vague and misleading, it seems. Now I can go into it with more 'realistic' and informed expectations. Because if I hadn't seen this review, I'm afraid I would have had a similar experience I had with First Law (which, funnily enough, you mention in the video too) where I was sold on it being something very different than it actually is.
Super informative review, and it helped adjust/correct my expectations.
Thank you for this amazing comment, glad it was useful and I hope you have a fantastic time with this book now that your expectations are hopefully in the right place! I do promise that it has WAY more plot than First Law 😆
this being dark kind of makes me more excited for it. i was hoping for something poppy war-esque but better.
I think based off both of our tastes you will be happy with this one. For me it was what I expected based on the reviews of Poppy War.
Just got my copy yesterday and I can’t wait to read it!
Hope you have a fantastic time!
I didn't particularly care about the military aspects or story, I didn't really understand them very well. However, just from the writing style, the characters, and the discussion of gender and sexuality, this book was a pretty solid 4 stars from me
Yea military stuff is rarely that interesting to me. For sure a solid 4 (also sorry that I am HORRIBLE at responding on twitter, I am mostly better on instagram and discord but twitter is where my brain reads and instantly forgets to respond 😅)
my only issue with the writing was when "for all the xyz" was repetitive sentence said . Otherwise loved it ! I just finished!
☀️Thank you for this review I was very on the fence about giving this one a go and you helped me decide!
Glad I could help! Happy to hear this was helpful 😊
Great review! I was disappointed with the book, I had the same issue as you: I couldn't connect with the characters and so whilst the plot and atmosphere were super interesting, I didn't really care about what happened to the characters. I also thought parts of the plot were solved too easily. But I agree with all your points :)
Thanks for watching! I think I liked how plot points were solved cause it reminded me of hero legend stories but I can see that being annoying and adding to your disappointment. I am still really excited to see what will happen in the sequel!
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance me too actually, I'm still compelled to continue the series to see what happened!
Interesting hearing your comparison with The Poppy War. I'm definitely interested to pick this up. 🌞
Yea it felt like what I expected after hearing about the Poppy War, not sure if that makes sense. I think the writing style of the Poppy War prevented me from feeling the atmosphere as well as I did in this one.
great review angela
It is Zhu, when I was looking up how to pronounce that I saw that its pronounced close to Choo (but honestly I am not super confident with any Chinese pronunciations ever lol) But yes she was fantastic and such a highlight to the book and its her arc that makes me super excited for the sequel!
Definitely feel you that military fantasy can go either way. I can be really into it, or the author can … idk, try too hard? Fixate on the wrong things? And I’ll be bored. It’s hard to know which way it’ll go, but I found your review to be really helpful and thoughtful!
Also, I agree with others that your more personalized, specific comps at the end (with caveats and contrasts) are much more helpful than the generic taglines devised by the marketing department. 🌞
I will say that I didn't think the military parts over stayed their welcome but I also didn't find it the most interesting parts. So probably slightly above average for military fantasy for my tastes.
And glad these are helpful! I am always nervous about doing book comparisons cause everyone has different reasons why they love a book and I don't want them to feel misled if they don't get the thing they love after a comparison 😅
I was expecting dark, so this review definitely makes me more interested in reading it. For something to be grimdark I think that the protagonists have to sort of accept the crappier aspects of the world. Like, hrm, I'd consider something like "The Darkness That Comes Before" Grimdark but not "Malazan Book of the Fallen"
Then I guess by that definition this is grimdark. I think, idk I am bad at subgenres 😅
Trope-iCal readathon has this as one of the team fantasy books. I’m intrigued since it’s a debut book and May be potentially overhyped but I trust your opinion though I didn’t like Song of Achilles. Will let you know how I got on with it. 🌞
Yea its not my favorite debut of the year but still super solid, especially if you like historical military fantasy
☀️ Definitely interested in reading this one - I love all the ones you mentioned at the end to use as a measuring tool for gauging interest so I think I would really have a great time with this.
So excited for this! Waiting to hear back from my local bookstore on when their shipment comes in
I am very excited to hear your thoughts on this one when you do get to it!
Just finished this and honestly a little disappointed with the overall experience. I feel like you and I have a very similar taste when it comes to what we're looking for with character connection, and I totally get what you said about the disconnect from the characters here. There was a distance that is hard to describe 🌞
I almost felt like after discussion with other people that the main character is almost disconnected with themselves with kind of explains to me why I was able to feel emotion from one POV but not the other, but even seeing why that would be intentional it didn't make me love it in the moment.
☀ I plan to pick this book up either this week or next. I've never really read military fantasy, so I have no idea if I will enjoy this book.
I think its good that its not too in the weeds, some military fantasy can be super hard to follow. I did sometimes struggle cause my version didn't have the map that is in the book (arcs don't always come with maps)
I need this book to get to me now! lol I know it is in one of my book boxes and I am so impatient right now lol
It will happen soon!!
Omg I’m so excited to read it! I really loved your book review ☺️☺️💖
☀️ I have no idea why I thought you weren't liking it in your Friday Reads video (I went back and watched it, and I have no idea where I would have gotten that idea from, so I'm just losing it. Haha!). The question is, would I like it? 😂
haha yea I mean I didn't LOVE it but I did have a great time lol and maybe?? I don't have the "Evie won't like this writing" vibes from it but I also have no clue 😅
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I wound up reading the preview pages and the writing style seems denser than I expected, which could go either way-since the density of writing working for me depends upon each story-but the level of nuance that you talked about is intriguing!
@@SheWasOnlyEvie I forget, do you like classic greek tales? Cause it reminds me a lot of watching a legend be born sort of thing and those type of war stories.
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I mostly just like the Persephone myth, but I don’t actively dislike them either.
Very good review. I am more likely to read it based on it. You also said Chess :)
...and it is only around 400 pages. I always appreciate Fantasy writers who can limit themselves to the 500 pages mark (or slightly surpass it).
Hahah hopefully I didn't misuse Chess in my description 😆 and yea I really appreciated its length.
Reading this book now and really enjoying it. Excellent review 😀
☀️
One of the few times I like the US cover more than the UK :p I saw someone call the three books the 'golden gaytime' of the summer.
Also I need to film my review for this and now I'm just going to want to say 'go see angela's thoughts now'
I think both covers are great but its nice for us to have a win haha and I have heard sapphic trifecta but yours is amazing too 😆 and no you must make your own review so I can hear your thoughts!
Hey Angela! I see it is part of a series. Does it work as a standalone? ☀️
It is a complete arc but it is for sure setting things up for future books but I wouldn't say its a cliff hanger but not sure if it really works as a standalone either.
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I see. Was hoping it was kind of a Mistborn deal. Thanks for the info!
@@sozonropaitis3418 Yea like it for sure ends a character arc in a satisfying place but I would hesitate to say it didn't leave you wanting more in terms of plot direction.
forgot the emoji ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ :P
I started this today and part 1 was OK, but part 2 is really boring me to be honest
Has it gotten better or have you decided to dnf it?
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance soft DNF, I'm hoping to continue but I just couldn't read it all in one go
I have been interested but hesitant on this one (I can't handle a lot of sexual abuse and wasn't sure how much it would figure in the story) so this was very helpful in figuring out where to put this on my TBR. ☀️
Yea the sexual abuse is threatened but I don't remember it ever being graphically on page. Glad I could help!
Stop reading wonderful books and making me want to read them! 😂☀️
These are my favorite kinds of comments 😆 sorry, not sorry
🌞
What does it mean "low magic"? I appreciate this very nuanced review! 🤎
Low magic is typically used to refer to a fantasy where magical elements are a very low part of the world. I consider A Song of Ice and Fire pretty low magic. Something that's high magic would be like Brandon Sanderson by my definition. Different people have different cut off points though.
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance interesting. GOT aka ASoIF is a fantasy in the sense that it's got dragons, zombie-like creatures, wildfyre, etc. But it has very little actual magic or magical powers? In fact, I think the only magic powers are the immunity to fire by Danaerys, and then the Lady's ability to bring back someone from the dead (and her other magical powers). So does "She Who Became the Sun" have other fantasy elements besides the Mandate of Heaven?
☀️ thanks for reviewing. I had been waiting for more feedback on this one.
Happy to help!
Thanks for great review! Your doing great job on channel!! 📖🎬📽
Thanks for watching!!
Can't wait to get my copy of the book 😊🤗😇🌟
Hope you have a fantastic time!
@@LiteratureScienceAlliance I will let you know when I read the book 🙂🤗
I was wondering about the TSOA tagline and I'm glad you cleared that up because I def think of TSOA as a lyrical romance and if it has neither the writing style nor the romance WHY THE TAGLINE? //sighs
They could've said Mulan meets The Iliad and it probably would've made more sense from what you're describing but NOOO.
THE ILIAD USES LOTS OF SIMILIES TOO SO WHY TF WAS TSOA USED INSTEAD?! I do not understand.
DESTINY? FATE? GEE I WONDER WHAT CLASSIC ALSO DEALS A LITTLE WITH THOSE THEMES. IT COULDN'T BE THE ILIAD.
I did not mean to go on this rant but alas. The gender thing has me intrigued but I'm real mad at the marketing team right now lmao. ☀☀
I really appreciated this rant haha but yea it for sure has classic hero/legend vibes. You can tell me after you read it how close to the Iliad it is. The gender discussions really are top notch though and its not the books fault the marketing team wanted more money 😆
☀☀☀