themoonwholistens's Reviews (698)

This is for when you are intrigued by the idea of those “ghosts” that follow you in your grief… taken quite literally while incorporating heartwarming character dynamics. Especially one that takes the usually-creepy supernatural elements and turns it into a touching story that makes you want to hug the next ghost you come across.

This was probably one of the most relatable explorations on grief i have ever read in a contemporary/magical realism setting. It’s not the lightest of reads for obvious reasons but not too heavy since it leans more towards more hopeful discussions between the characters. It’s poignant but with beautiful prose that makes the ghosts in this haunted farm far less scarier than we ought they’d be.

I loved the big family dynamic that was put into play with the themes on belonging and mental health. The main character is also a sapphic queen if anyone was wondering.

“The thing is, I’m learning that it’s good to think about what scares you, to bring it into the light, if you can. And feel how it can’t hurt you anymore. To think of it and say: I am not afraid.

It takes away it’s power, to think of it that way”

This is my first time reading a Nina LaCour book and I’m definitely going to be watching out for more books from her in the future~

— 4.0 —
⇢ content warnings// Abandonment, Death of grandparent, Depression, Drug addiction, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental abuse, Neglect, Physical abuse

“Love is the most twisted curse of them all.”

4.5

*ARC sent by the publisher -Tor/Macmillan- for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This is the queer epic fantasy we all needed.

At its heart, this book was about grief and perseverance... and how both can mean something different and is showcased differently on individual people.

“However tired I am, however hard it is: I know I can keep going, because I’m alive.”

Before reading, I didn’t know what exactly to expect with “Mulan meets The Song of Achilles” but it is just that, while being so painfully aware of it’s own setting that reminds me more of The Poppy War with its brutal nature. Accompanied by a unique perspective, charming yet complex cast, lyrical prose, and immersive writing style that hits all the right emotions.

— overall thoughts: 4.5 —
if you are sensitive to triggering content please read the end of this review for content warnings

This did still feel like it was opening to a broader world and I honestly cannot wait to see where Shelley Parker Chan goes with the rest of the books. If you are looking for an in-depth and intricate magic system, I should say that you won't really be getting that for this first installment at least. There's still a magical/fantastical element to it but it's more on the backdrop and used to propel character development.

She Who Became the Sun is a character-driven story that explores the internal politics of a ruling body and economics of war that highlights the journey these characters experience and while it does deal with heavy and dark themes— this read like a historical c-drama (in the best way possible) packed with a truck load of thought provoking moments that was brilliantly tied together while being so unflinchingly queer

At it’s core, it’s about people trying to believe in their own fate in a society that sees them different ⚔️ The way discussions on gender roles and gender identity were weaved into a plot about war was just *chefs kiss* with nuanced conversations that will keep you reading

The dual POV was incredibly intriguing since you get to see the conflict progress from both sides progress. One of my favorite aspects was the fact that our two main characters weren't each other’s love interest. Shelley Parker Chan could have so easily made it a star-crossed lovers scenario and I’m so happy they didn’t. It benefitted the war narrative and made for way more interesting romances anyway.

some other details you can find:
-morally grey characters... villain origin story style
-14th century china
-yearning generals
-forbidden romance
-platonic relationships
-complicated relationships
-family drama
-ghosts

↣ If you're looking for a fast-paced, emotional, and dark fantasy that revolves around war (just the way I like it) that is built on solid themes, high stakes, and will keep you turning the page while entrancing you the whole way through... here you go ☀️ I have too many words and I don't know if I got across how much I loved this book but I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story plays out

There were so many things for me to love about this book and I’ll probably reread a physical copy in the future because it has been one of my most anticipated reads ever. But I just could not get into the characters and the world even though they are all elements that I love.

— overall: 2.5, DNF @57% —
⇢ content warnings//

Spoiler

Body horror (graphic), Death (including children), Gore, Injury, Murder, Mutilation, Necromancy, Self-harm, Suicide (depicted and referenced), Trauma, Violence

⇢ representation: Lesbian main character, Chronically/terminally ill side character

SIMILAR VIBES: Nevernight
READ FOR: mysterious, gothic and dark in theory but humorous writing style

“If you do not find yourself a galaxy, it is not so bad to find yourself a star.”

Just the fact that this had a contest sort of setting is enough to make me reach for this book in the future. The writing is very visual, the bones, the necromancy... I love all of those elements and the way it technically plays into the magic system was so interesting. There was a lot more quirkiness than I thought it would have for a story about bones and dead people. But there was just something about how everything was woven together that was not working for me.

The magic system was very well established and I love how necromancy was incorporated while making it sort of… whimsical rather than straight out dark. It was fascinating. I would definitely want to read more necromancy-based magic systems.

The plot and world-building just throws you in and it’s very mind boggling at first so I thought that it would stick to that pacing all throughout but events started to slow down and my interest was just dwindling. Though I didn’t know where the story wanted to go and it just felt like everything was happening around our main character which I’m not exactly a fan of.

I don’t know if it’s because of the audiobook but I already had it at a significantly slower pace than usual and I had the ebook but I just could not follow all of the characters names. Harrow and Gideon were the only blatantly clear to me. I loved that we finally got some non overly sexualized women in fantasy but then again... I couldn't keep track of all of them gahhhh. It was so frustrating.

It was enjoyable reading about them but in my head they're just "that one character who died but it was funny" and "that one who was shirtless at that lake". I thought some of them were quite unnecessary and I didn't know how they fit into the plot. Granted I did DNF this so who knows.

With all that, it was definitely entertaining and the humor definitely sold me. This gave me nevernight vibes and even though I loved the premise and the world, it just wasn’t keeping my interest. I could have read this just for more of Gideon and Harrow because I think they were the saving grace

It’s definitely something unique and in most cases I probably would have liked this as a lover of gothic, dark, and sci fi stories… but my interest just wasn't there.

I have no other words to describe my feelings aside from frustrating because in theory, this is exactly my kind of story and I would have loved it if I was perhaps in a different mood. I was afraid I was going to get into a reading slump if I forced myself through this.

“She was trained in the sword of heavy infantry,”

plot: ★★★★☆
writing style: ★★★☆☆
world building: ★★★☆☆
characters: ★★★★☆
themes: ★★☆☆☆
pacing: ★☆☆☆☆
page turner: ★☆☆☆☆

-------------------
PRE READ:
I was not aware that Gideon... was a she

I don’t know what I thought this was about before but I just found out that this is about assassins and necromancy... in SPACE

If you haven't read this series at all, here's my three liner pitch:

↣ dark and thought provoking but wholesome epic high fantasy that centers around themes of power, ruling, leadership, and nuanced conversations on the disparities between men and women in a society. Filled to the brim with characters that are entertaining, never let the intrigue die and you constantly want to cheer for. A plot that runs forward without looking back but holds your hand when it comes to world-building so that you don't get lost in the vastness of it. ↢

“Words are where most change begins.”

I don't want to hype this up even more than everyone is but it truly is turning into one of my favorite series of all time.

I will forever love Sanderson's characterizations. There is so much thought and meaning put into every character and their role in both the plot progression and its nuance while leaving you with fulfillment at every interaction. As I said before, Brandon Sanderson builds his worlds in a way that makes you care for each character first before fully explaining the world that he has plopped you in the middle of.

I think that at the end of the day, the most successful aspect this series depicts is what it means to be, not a hero, but a leader (and basically a human being)and that we are all just acting based on our own perceived notions of what is right. Specifically, in a society or a culture that is so set in its ways but has also forgotten its roots. Sometimes I truly run out of things to say when I love a book, it’s world-building, characters and their dynamics, and the magic system too much.

“I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right.”

This really is only the second book in the series but it already proves to host a very dynamic plot that just keeps growing in scale, Sanderson style. I don’t think it’s mentioned as often in reviews but the depiction of depression, anxiety and PTSD were aspects that I did not expect to be as focused on but I realized are all very realistic parts of war that it should be something that is tackled in a healthy way.

Sanderson is a master at slow burn world-building that still manages to be so satisfying at every step (Journey before destination, my friends) while making you fall in love with characters without even realizing it. I love how all of the women are portrayed as strong characters that can hold their own. Even the little romances are treated in a fulfilling way even though they are just side stories. At this point, its not difficult to feel a connection to all of the characters. Forgive me for not saying any character names because I believe even mentioning them is a spoiler at this point HAHA

“A woman's strength should not be in her role, whatever she chooses to be, but in the power to choose that role.”

There are so many more things I could say but I also think that you should just read this book. There is something about the pacing and how the plotline was crafted that made this book already feel so rewarding when we're really just at the tip of the iceberg. The way everything was tied in with the first book... UGH. YES. Satisfying stuff.

Highly, highly, recommended if you like fantasy in any way, shape, or form. Especially if you like high fantasy that feels like you're in so deep in the world-building and characters, and brings with it development and progression that is satisfying in every chapter.

“Honor is dead. But I'll see what I can do.”

— 5.0 —
⇢ content warnings// depression, gore, suicide ideation, violence, war
⇢ representation: depression, anxiety, PTSD

it has all the tropes i love while still being unique

this was so thought-provoking but also immensely heart-warming and comforting

therapy is expensive, this book isn't

"everybody tells me I am too small and too slow to make a difference in this world but I am making a difference in my own world and I hope that is enough."

happiness is sometimes so simple and also so complicated

screaming at this wholesomeness and happy pill energy. I AM OBSESSED.

serotonin shots!!!! saying i love this is an understatement

this makes me feel so warm inside