Natasha Ngan

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Decently entertaining, though mostly predictable and at times not that driving in action. I'll probably pick up the second one, but not in a huge hurry. Oddly enough, the notes and acknowledgements at the back are what changed my mind on that.

Recommended: for a spare-time casual read
For a decently entertaining story, for a read that you can read between other more enticing books (you won't mind putting this one down for a bit)

Thoughts:
I had high hopes for the world here, with the caste system on a range of human to demon, but I felt like it didn't come into much detail besides the general plot point of the unfair system. I love the dedicated lore and explanation behind interesting world features like this, but I wanted more here. The plot itself was solidly meh for me, as it felt like not much actually happened. When things did happen, I was invested in seeing how they would play out, but it was also largely predictable so the motivation through suspense was missing.

I loved the analogies of the writing, the descriptions, the most. Every now and then, there was a gem of a line that I stopped to re-read and savor a few times. I can't always pin why they hit me so strongly, but some I just completely loved.

Two examples:
"After dinner, Lill picks a vivid orange cheongsam for me to wear to the performance, gold embroidery shimmering across the fabric. She adds a slash of vermilion paint on my lips. Then she slicks my hair back into an intricate braid, twining it with flame-colored ribbons. “Now you match the leaves,” she grins, moving back to admire her work."

"In front of me, Chenna’s thick hair falls down in its usual braid, though tonight it has been threaded with tiny silver flowers that make it look as if she’d been dancing between the galaxies, catching stars."

I'll probably pick up the second book, eventually. When I finished, I originally wasn't planning to, but after reading the notes and acknowledgements at the back, I had changed my mind. The passion that went into the story and world was enough to tip the scale for me, so authors: don't underestimate the power of what you write in those sections! At least one person reads them!… (mehr)

*I got this book for review and gave it 4.5 stars*

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel alot. I thought it was the prefect mix between the selection series, ash princes and such a rich world like soundless. I really enjoyed the lead characters througout this novel and like the lead in ash princess and she was such a different type of hero. I thought the world building that was inspired by Malaysia soctiey was the highlight of this novel. I wish the ending was a tad more fleshed out and that i felt immediately connected to the characters but I really loved the feelings of hope and inspiration that was the foundation of this novel. I will def be checking out book 2 when it comes out this year!… (mehr)

*I got this book for review and gave it 4.5 stars*

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel alot. I thought it was the prefect mix between the selection series, ash princes and such a rich world like soundless. I really enjoyed the lead characters througout this novel and like the lead in ash princess and she was such a different type of hero. I thought the world building that was inspired by Malaysia soctiey was the highlight of this novel. I wish the ending was a tad more fleshed out and that i felt immediately connected to the characters but I really loved the feelings of hope and inspiration that was the foundation of this novel. I will def be checking out book 2 when it comes out this year!… (mehr)