laurelthebooks's Reviews (662)

This book was flush with characters and action. It was sold to me with the description, “Imagine The Godfather just with wuxia and more kick-ass women.”, and it definitely delivered.

It wasn’t fast-paced, but I did find myself invested in the characters, even ones didn’t like, fairly fast. (Lan is my favorite, sorry Shae and Wen.) The implications and loose plot threads here are promising for the next in the series as well.

After finishing I was looking at other reviews and blurbs - and I have to admit even with all the jade-powered super human fighting scenes I almost forgot this was fantasy (oops). It is gritty and intense but I’d say it has more in common with The Fast and the Furious than most of the usual books you think of as fantasy. Not a bad thing at all, but something to note if you’re picking this up expecting something more like epic fantasy.

…I’m getting the sequel soon though. I am way too invested in these characters.

 
Oh, this was a riot - definitely left me feeling oddly rebellious and half in love with theater again by the end! I've totally dubbed this the "decidedly dramatic disaster thespian lesbians" novella.

I'm also digging the apologies in this book. They're thorough and full of acknowledgment in a way that I wish I saw more of.

Cool quote:

"I have no attention to spare for forgiveness or condemnation." 

A story of families, fairytales, and how communication runs through both. This was a touching take on an immigrant family that managed to anchor one simple story of a boy trying to come out within the fairytales that the family adapts to share themselves with each other.

Very flowery language - I’d recommend if you’re a fan of the early Arthurian romances. The ending redeemed it for me, but the first half was a fairly excruciating read for me personally because of the writing style (story was on point though).

I wheezed through this book. It was a fast and delightfully hilarious spin of a story despite the serious topic of…you know, murder.

Very idealized take on the college sports experience, but cute and loved the bits of hockey culture it shows!