Lucille Ancrath
I wish it had a bit more world-building because I don't think most western people, including myself, have a very vivid knowledge of what 1300s China looked like. This also ties into Zhu's character. The whole philosophy of having one set faith isn't very familiar to me, so I wish it was explored from more angles.
I guess Asian readers have these same complaints when reading western books. But since this was written and published in the USA, I think improving these would have helped with clarity and immersion for the book's main audience.
I did like the characters and the slightly fanfiction-y tension between them. Also, the way men often put down women and their worth, in the passing, while talking about unrelated topics, was great.
I wish it had a bit more world-building because I don't think most western people, including myself, have a very vivid knowledge of what 1300s China looked like. This also ties into Zhu's character. The whole philosophy of having one set faith isn't very familiar to me, so I wish it was explored from more angles.
I guess Asian readers have these same complaints when reading western books. But since this was written and published in the USA, I think improving these would have helped with clarity and immersion for the book's main audience.
I did like the characters and the slightly fanfiction-y tension between them. Also, the way men often put down women and their worth, in the passing, while talking about unrelated topics, was great.