I agree with most of the thing you are saying, but the landslide wasn’t fate and I’ve seen multiple people point out this. Zhu went to examine the terrain before the fight, and seeing how saturated with water it was (they mention rain multiple times before), how the sculptures were already leaning, they went and ask for the gong. Yeah, they did pray for their to plan work, but they also pray and did the whole gong and cheering everyone up to create the vibrations that ultimately cause the landslide.
That's a totally fair point! I will say that it was a pretty risky plan then at minimum hahaha. There were other ones that I think bugged me more, like the wolf attack, but I couldn't say because of spoilers. I feel like it was just an accumulation that rubbed me wrong
@@Kristenisfullybookd absolutely risky!! That wolf thing was actually one of the worst for me, along with the monastery one. Plus O’s entire POV felt like that for me
I am currently looking at reviews and live discussions exactly BECAUSE I want to understand what people liked about this book. My main feeling was boredom. I was already starting at a disadvantage since historical settings are not from me but my love for nonbinary sapphic characters is just too strong. Very much agree with your points at the end!
I totally get trying to understand what other people liked. When I see people liking this book in wrap ups I still don't understand the points that they make.
This one really didn't work for me either! I felt like the writing was objectively good but I was just so disconnected from everything happening I couldn't get into it.
I didn’t even think the heavenly mandate light was literal until she *used it as a flashlight in the second book 😂. I really admire how ambitious Zhu/Ouyang are, and the second book seems to do a lot more in terms of fleshing out characters. Thx for the review
I specifically came looking for a review that didn't like the book. So many rave reviews, it's on so many lists, and honestly, I was underwhelmed. I slogged through only because I'd bought it, the promise of queer themes, and the rave reviews. Got to the end and literally wondered what everyone else was seeing that I missed. Glad I'm not the only one!
Hmm, I wonder if this will be one of those series that has a meh first book and then grows into something more expansive and developed. Do you think you'll continue on? I like thematic books but usually need to connect with the characters too, so I'm not sure yet which way this will go for me. ALSO, sorry for veering off topic but I have to tell you that I'm 550 pages into The Mask of Mirrors and am definitely going to finish it tonight. I'm LOVING it!!
It's only going to be a duology I think, and I probably won't pick up the next one. And side note - YAY! I've gotten another into the rook and rose! 😁 I'm so happy you're loving it!
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I agree with most of the thing you are saying, but the landslide wasn’t fate and I’ve seen multiple people point out this.
Zhu went to examine the terrain before the fight, and seeing how saturated with water it was (they mention rain multiple times before), how the sculptures were already leaning, they went and ask for the gong.
Yeah, they did pray for their to plan work, but they also pray and did the whole gong and cheering everyone up to create the vibrations that ultimately cause the landslide.
That's a totally fair point! I will say that it was a pretty risky plan then at minimum hahaha. There were other ones that I think bugged me more, like the wolf attack, but I couldn't say because of spoilers. I feel like it was just an accumulation that rubbed me wrong
@@Kristenisfullybookd absolutely risky!!
That wolf thing was actually one of the worst for me, along with the monastery one. Plus O’s entire POV felt like that for me
I am currently looking at reviews and live discussions exactly BECAUSE I want to understand what people liked about this book. My main feeling was boredom. I was already starting at a disadvantage since historical settings are not from me but my love for nonbinary sapphic characters is just too strong. Very much agree with your points at the end!
I totally get trying to understand what other people liked. When I see people liking this book in wrap ups I still don't understand the points that they make.
This one really didn't work for me either! I felt like the writing was objectively good but I was just so disconnected from everything happening I couldn't get into it.
Yes! I actually put the book down several time IN THE MIDDLE OF SCENES like a mad woman
I didn’t even think the heavenly mandate light was literal until she *used it as a flashlight in the second book 😂. I really admire how ambitious Zhu/Ouyang are, and the second book seems to do a lot more in terms of fleshing out characters. Thx for the review
I specifically came looking for a review that didn't like the book. So many rave reviews, it's on so many lists, and honestly, I was underwhelmed. I slogged through only because I'd bought it, the promise of queer themes, and the rave reviews. Got to the end and literally wondered what everyone else was seeing that I missed. Glad I'm not the only one!
I felt the same! The whole time I was so confused about what everyone had been saying and what I was reading
Where did you get that lovely chair...in the US?
Hmm, I wonder if this will be one of those series that has a meh first book and then grows into something more expansive and developed. Do you think you'll continue on? I like thematic books but usually need to connect with the characters too, so I'm not sure yet which way this will go for me. ALSO, sorry for veering off topic but I have to tell you that I'm 550 pages into The Mask of Mirrors and am definitely going to finish it tonight. I'm LOVING it!!
It's only going to be a duology I think, and I probably won't pick up the next one. And side note - YAY! I've gotten another into the rook and rose! 😁 I'm so happy you're loving it!
You are so pretty ❤️