This was a really enjoyable YA fantasy! I really liked the way the author established an alternate Tang Dynasty, mixing historical elements and fictional magical ones. I haven’t read a lot of fantasy books with alchemy, and this one definitely held my attention! The magic system was really cool.
Characters: I liked Zilan! Sometimes I did want to shake some sense into her, but she was a compelling heroine and I was intrigued by the moments we saw of her moral grayness. The prince was a good love interest, he wasn’t the most 3D character, but I enjoyed their banter and romance. I didn’t connect with Zilan’s cousins as much as I would have wanted, partly because Zilan herself kind of kept them at arms’ length for most of the book.
Story: I’m really impressed! Overall, the pacing and the plot were both fantastic. Especially toward the end, I was constantly on my toes, eager to see what happened next, and more than once, I felt myself genuinely surprised by a reveal or plot twist. There might have been a few moments in the middle that felt a bit slow, but honestly, the end made up for it.
In conclusion, this was a great addition to the YA fantasy scene. I’d be interested to see what happens next!
Characters: I liked Zilan! Sometimes I did want to shake some sense into her, but she was a compelling heroine and I was intrigued by the moments we saw of her moral grayness. The prince was a good love interest, he wasn’t the most 3D character, but I enjoyed their banter and romance. I didn’t connect with Zilan’s cousins as much as I would have wanted, partly because Zilan herself kind of kept them at arms’ length for most of the book.
Story: I’m really impressed! Overall, the pacing and the plot were both fantastic. Especially toward the end, I was constantly on my toes, eager to see what happened next, and more than once, I felt myself genuinely surprised by a reveal or plot twist. There might have been a few moments in the middle that felt a bit slow, but honestly, the end made up for it.
In conclusion, this was a great addition to the YA fantasy scene. I’d be interested to see what happens next!