Lucille Ancrath
I just didn't care much for this one.
I just didn't care much for this one.
In theory, I should love this, but it annoys me in the same way the Murderbot series does. It tries to be relatable with obstacles the main character faces, but then it also ignores the long but necessary process of struggling to overcome said obstacles.
For example, Dex (they) face an interesting challenge at the start of the book, but then there's a time jump and suddenly they're a master of this new, complicated skill. Why? What's the point of skipping this? At the end of the book, they have a mini breakdown, but it feels shallow because we never got to see them struggle, fear and evolve. We recognize the words they're saying as something we relate to, but we don't feel them with our heart because we didn't get to bond over our struggles at the start of the book. I get that the author wanted to write a cozy, feel good book, but come on...
In theory, I should love this, but it annoys me in the same way the Murderbot series does. It tries to be relatable with obstacles the main character faces, but then it also ignores the long but necessary process of struggling to overcome said obstacles.
For example, Dex (they) face an interesting challenge at the start of the book, but then there's a time jump and suddenly they're a master of this new, complicated skill. Why? What's the point of skipping this? At the end of the book, they have a mini breakdown, but it feels shallow because we never got to see them struggle, fear and evolve. We recognize the words they're saying as something we relate to, but we don't feel them with our heart because we didn't get to bond over our struggles at the start of the book. I get that the author wanted to write a cozy, feel good book, but come on...
I don't know... it has ups and downs. I like the fancy language in general, but since this is a very contemporary story I feel like staying grounded and having more focus would've helped the script. But then again, if you like more dreamy, loosely sewn together stories, you'll probably enjoy this more than I do.
I don't know... it has ups and downs. I like the fancy language in general, but since this is a very contemporary story I feel like staying grounded and having more focus would've helped the script. But then again, if you like more dreamy, loosely sewn together stories, you'll probably enjoy this more than I do.
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.
Very edgy.
This is so well researched and each plant has an interesting myth, practice or historical fact tied to it. I highly recommend it!
This is so well researched and each plant has an interesting myth, practice or historical fact tied to it. I highly recommend it!
Love the art style, but the story is under-developed.
Love the art style, but the story is under-developed.
