Danielle

“The histories were dry, the fiction as if someone had pulled a still-beating heart from its cage of ribs and left it pulsing crimson on the page. Somehow the stories that never happened, ones that merely sprang from the dreaming of some long-dead author, were more true than the histories that might be found on the opposite shelf.”
I admit I've moved away from reading epic fantasy, my once favourite genre, over the last few years. Too many worlds similar to the ones I read before, rarely giving my imagination the excitement it craves and characters I don't connect with. I missed being swept up in a completely new world, discovering it along with the characters and being fascinated by its alienness and wonder, completely new. I was rarely finding that anymore...until this book! What a wonderful, wild ride I went on reading this! I'll admit I'm already biased because I love stories that celebrate storytelling and libraries and the written word, and this one does that so beautifully. Aside from that, I was swept away on a completely unique and fascinating journey with characters I loved and cared for right from the start - Livira may be a new favourite. The library is a character itself that is extraordinary, dangerous, strange and otherworldly. The world is full of mystery, danger, magic and technology that is never quite as it seems and the deeper you go the more bizarre it becomes. You are carried along on an ever winding story that you think you've figured out, only to have the rug pulled out from under you in unexpected ways. I wanted to ignore life to read this book, a true sign it had captured me. I think the less you know about it before going in, the better, so I'm being purposely vague. All I can say is that it rekindled my love for what fantasy can do when an experienced author lets their imagination run wild and crafts something exceptional, something that will stick with you long after you finish. Only it isn't finished! It's going to be a LONG wait for the next volume...
It may only be the first book, but it's already shot to one of my absolute favourites and I can't wait to see where it goes next!

In the midst of a reading slump, this book kept popping up in various places reminding me that I wanted to read it and with all the positive things being said about it, I thought it would be a good one for a time when no books are engaging me. And it was lovely. Just so light and cozy and comforting and also subtly uplifting to anyone who has ever wanted to start again later in life and make a change toward something more wholesome. There is nothing super profound, but the story still manages to give you that sense of feel good motivation to set out and claim that piece of peace in your life. I also enjoyed how all the elements we're familiar with in a modern coffee shop were spiced up with fantasy overlay. The characters were not greatly fleshed out, but were enjoyable anyway and I found myself warming up to them anyway. A warm hug of a read I highly recommend!

I think this is the best book I've read this year! From the lyrical writing, to the dark fairytale aspects, to the haunting atmospheric tones, to the mystery I thought I'd figured out until it twists unexpectedly at the end. The whole package was an exquisite reading experience! I both wanted to rush through it and savour it at the same time. It feels unsettling through most of it. What is real, what is imagination, what actually happened, and what are the true motivations of the characters? You want to know, yet you suspect it won't be happily ever after, or even very pretty. A fantastic autumn read with dark undertones and a creepiness that gives you an uneasy feeling that deepens the further in you go. I'm not into full on horror, but I love dark and sometimes even disturbing stories that read like original unfiltered fairytales and this book certainly takes its cues from those tales. It weaves a dark spell that you can't look away from even though you know the reveal will be haunting and Roshani Chokshi doesn't disappoint, delivering an ending worthy of the build up. Highly, highly recommended!

This book both enchanted me and destroyed me! But I loved every minute, every second of reading it! I think it might be my favourite book this year and high on my all time favourites. I loved everything about it! Can we begin with enchanted typewriters? I mean that's all that needed to be said to pull me in, but then there is also the epic fantasy backdrop, but set within an era similar to the early 1900's, which is a wonderful breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. The use of letters and words between characters that captured my heart. Iris and Roman. Enough said. It's been so long since I felt so deeply for two characters and their story. The romance, that was slow to build, but so satisfying and delightful and charming, but never at the cost of the characters own personal journey. And among that all it also managed to tell a heartbreaking story of war and loss, but also spark determination and inspiration. I cheered, laughed, cried, had a plethora of emotions run through me. It felt magical and whimsical, but also gritty and real. Overall it just grabbed me by the heart and never let go...I sobbed when it was over and I won't be the same until I can read the next one. I wish I had better words to say how much I loved this book and why it hit such a chord with me. All I can say is I've waited for a fantasy book to sweep me away emotionally and mentally like this for awhile now and I feel such an overwhelming satisfaction to have finally found one that was able to do that after a long line of misses. I will carry this one with me for a long time!

Ah, what a delightful and magical book this was! Academia, mixed with faerie lore - the mischievous, earthy magical and often frightening kind - and topped with a nice sprinkling of humour. It took a bit at the beginning to settle, but once the initial uncertainty faded I was well and truly enchanted by Emily's curmudgeonly, introverted scholarly character and her journal entries describing her encounters with the fae which had a nice balance of storytelling and poetic prose, never getting bogged down by either. The fae realm is described both beautifully and terrifyingly, never over romanticizing it, but also conveying its allure. Just an overall enjoyable book with characters I enjoyed, a fascinating, magical world to get lost in and an story I can't wait to continue diving into in future volumes!

Where do I even start with this? Once again I feel like Sanderson writes books just for me personally and this felt even more so than others. I kept thinking, ‘this reminds me of manga/anime I really love, or like Final Fantasy', and lo and behold, those were exactly the inspiration behind this story. But Sanderson never copies other art, he uses it as a stepping stone and then creates something completely his own. I loved the ties to the bigger Cosmere, but that it can be read without that and still enjoyed, much like Tess of the Emerald Sea. The humour, the world-building, the magic, the mystery and most especially the overarching theme of the importance of art and storytelling were all elements I loved and very much in Sanderson's playground. I feel the romance is on the lighter side, but that's okay because it never dives into the eye rolling gooeyness that can feel unrealistic or forced. This was a refreshing slow burn and I really enjoyed seeing them grow in love through trials and empathy and understanding. The little snippets about art and how we view it and what constitutes art had me highlighting quotes SO often. I love that Sanderson included thoughts on the subject amongst all the other things this book does so well. I also loved seeing empathy and forgiveness at the forefront of the themes, things our world could use a little more of these days and a good reminder that just because someone made a mistake or poor decision, doesn't mean they are a horrible person and maybe deserve a chance to do better. Overall I loved this, another wonderful story from Sanderson, well worth reading!

I've put off reading this book for quite a while because of so many people disliking it who are usually wholehearted Sanderson fans. I really should know better and go with my instincts that I'd probably like it, even if I didn't love it. I think a lot has to do with expectations. If you're thinking this is on the level of his Cosmere stuff, then I can understand the disappointment. That's not what this is. It is rather a fun, silly fantasy/sci-fi romp that doesn't take itself too seriously and is meant just to be a light-hearted pulpy read. As I tend to like that type of book once in a while, I quite enjoyed this one. Is it a favourite of Sanderson's, I'd say no. Did it blow me away, again no. However, I just really enjoyed it. It was funny, still a unique world to get lost in, and a fun mix of fantasy and science fiction. I think the enjoyment of this one will depend on your expectations of it and whether this is a genre to enjoy, but I don't think it's as terrible as some reviews made it seem.

I am so sad to write this review, but I had such high hopes for this book and I just didn't enjoy it at all. I loved The Daughter of the Moon Goddess and was excited to not only delve back into the world, but also have a nice conclusion. I felt really let down. Xingyin was an amazing character in the first book, independent, likable and strong, but in this book it was like she forgot all the things that made her great and became a soppy love-sick teenager who couldn't put aside the ridiculous love triangle to actually DO anything. She was so headstrong in the first one, but here she lets others make the decisions for her. I mean this book is literally hopping from one thing to another, with no rhyme or reason or meaning, just so that Xingyin could debate herself over the romantic interests. One of which, I can't even believe was a love interest at all in this book, I was definitely not a fan of that twist. The magic, adventure and light romance of the first book is completely gone in favour of a cringey love triangle. I had to push myself to finish it in the end and I was positive that if one or other of the guys eyes ‘shuddered' when Xingyin spoke one more time I was going to remove that word from my dictionary. No disrespect to Sue Lynn Tan, but I just couldn't get on board with this one and the choices she made to take the story were just not my taste at all.

I adore Debbie Tung's comics. We share so many things like introversion, book love and also, unfortunately, a struggle with anxiety and depression. Her other two books sit lovingly on my shelf where I pull them out now and again when I need something for comfort. Her newest book is a compilation of her comics on her own battle with anxiety and depression, but I found SO many things relatable, as I'm sure others will too. It warms my heart and makes the struggle easier to know that someone out there has had the exact feelings and thoughts as I have. There are parts of this book that felt they were plucked from my own experience. I put it down several times to have a cry, because it was expressing what I sometimes can't express, even though I've experienced it. It hit so close to home. Among the experiences, she also places small encouragements and reassurance that it can and will get better. I love this book, as I've loved all the books Debbie Tung has put out into the world. Sharing something so personal must have been difficult for her, but I'm glad she did it for me and all who have struggled with these two difficult mental health issues. There is no mystical answer on how to get better, but rather a shared experience we can work through together.

This book is written in quite a simple way, and yet I found myself marking quotes a lot while reading it, so while simple in its telling, it manages to evoke quite a profound emotion and say a lot of very eloquent and consequential things that surprisingly touched me deeply.
The core of the book surrounds a phone booth in Japan, which actually does exist, although this book is fictional. It isn't a working phone but has become a sort of therapeutic and spiritual pilgrimage spot for those who have lost loved ones, most especially those who lost people during the March 2011 tsunami. It symbolically stands as a way to speak with those who have passed away. So, it's really not about a phone booth at all, but rather about the process of grief and how one small, unusual thing can become a crux for that process.
Our two main protagonists have both lost loved ones, Yui in particular lost her mother and daughter in the tsunami and we follow her mostly as she hears about and travels to the “Wind Phone” and the subsequent months and years that follow that pilgrimage with many more journey's both outward and inward as she meets others on their own personal journey of grief and how the phone and those people allow her the space and insight to find a way to deal with her own.
While the story's focus is on death, Messina handles it with grace and imbues it with hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn't give false platitudes or toxic positivity to convey its message though, but rather a very balanced outlook on embracing both the good and bad of life, the joy and sorrow, the triumphs, and the pitfalls, and how one does not necessarily have to overshadow the other, but rather how they are part of each other and how it can still lead to a good place.
The structure of the book may be difficult for some to get through. It doesn't grab you right away and the story isn't bursting with lyrical writing or fast-paced action, but is rather a slow exploration of the human experience of loss – both its heart-wrenching tragedy and its everyday mundaneness, those small everyday griefs very few speak about. I personally really enjoyed this approach and found it more profound for how it is told. I think it will stick with me for a long time.
I'll end with this quote, which while simple (fitting for the way this story is told), conveys a deep part of the story's premise:
“She had been wrong. It isn't just the best things that come to an end, but also the worst.”

I read this as a kid myself and kept the book all these years, but never reread it or continued the series. But since my Goddaughter has taken to a love of fantasy I thought I'd pass it on to her and she loved it! Now she wants to talk about it with me and I decided to read it again so we can share and talk about it. Now I remember why I loved it as a kid and am surprised how well it holds up all these years later. Even as an adult I found myself enchanted by it and how well written it is for grade school aged story. Adventures, fantastical creatures, and a magical world to explore check off all the things I still love about fantasy. Surprisingly it also has quite the lore attached to it and I'm looking forward to reading the others now too and sharing it all with the next generation of fantasy lovers!

I was absolutely fascinated by the premise of this book, the era it takes place in and the history and people who brought The Oxford English Dictionary into being. I love words and authors who use them so exquisitely in their stories, the more lyrical the better. So a book which takes a closer look into language as it was being collected for the dictionary and how it is defined and used and whether that shifts depending on being a woman or a man, rich or poor, high class or low class was right up my alley. The book excels in bringing this piece of history to life and questioning the gaps that it left in its wake. I felt like Williams was able to capture the atmosphere of the Scriptorium and printing presses so well that I was sure I could smell the ink and paper. As for the story, it starts out strong and I was delighted by Esme as a child growing up and learning and being intrigued and curious about words and it clips along, even without much action, at the start. But as the story progresses, you'll need more patience to get through it. It slows to a crawl, looses a bit of the charm young Esme had as a child (though I get that's somewhat the point), but the biggest hurdle of all is that it loses its emotional connection. For a book about how words can capture people and convey so much or so little, I felt it could be quite dry sometimes and seriously lacking in lyrical writing. I didn't feel a lot at some pretty major points in the story, including some devastating parts that should have had me bawling- it doesn't take much to make me cry and I just....didn't. Esme feels very distant and I lost my connection to her as the story progressed and it felt more like I was being told events, rather than living, breathing and feeling them. Some things happened so quickly that if you missed a page you'd completely miss a major piece. So while I highly, highly enjoyed what this book is about, what it tries to represent for those who didn't have a voice in the building of the dictionary and for bringing to light a rarely touched on subject, it didn't quite reach the heights of a ‘best' or ‘favourite' book, but I do still think it is worthy story and I'm glad I read it. The bookish girl in me was still able to find a treasure trove of delight in many aspects of it and a new appreciation for both the dictionary and for words.

I went straight from book 1 into book 2 and I pretty much feel the same as I did about book one. 3.5 stars if I could. It didn't improve on the things I disliked, but continued to do well the things that I did like. I'm still not a huge fan of Ren. It's hard to believe her absolute dedication to her brother after the events of the first book and again, though I get she is supposed to be a grey character, there was just not much about her I liked. Her one redeeming quality seems to be her love for her brother, but after previous events seems shallow at best. She accepts that she's flawed and not a good person, but does absolutely nothing to change that or to improve. I guess I expected more of a redemptive arc and didn't feel that actually happened. However, I still love the world-building and dark lyrical writing. The world continues to be unique, fascinating, horror-like and mythical in all the right ways. I was more pulled in by the world of Japanese myths and folklore much more than the characters, as I was in the first book. I struggle with how to rate these books because on one level I really enjoyed the world and magic and unique nature of the story, but I had a hard time connecting to the characters which is usually my biggest reason to love a book. I don't think they are in anyway bad and I think they are worth a read, but maybe just won't be an all time favourite.

Okay, I will start off by saying that this book was not what I was expecting it to be. I thought it was a fairytale re-telling, that it would have lyrical writing and be darkly whimsical. Now while there are elements of these sprinkled in places, I wouldn't say that is what Thistlefoot is overall. So at first it was disappointing because of my own expectations, BUT, and I put a big BUT in there, that doesn't mean it wasn't a great book. Once I got past what I thought it was, I found I actually really liked it. Now to get this out of the way, I would say the bulk of the book is about a 4 star. I had quibbles about the lack of characterization and explanations for a lot of things, the meandering the story does at certain points and a to be honest, Isaac's unlikableness (although I think that was the point of him). I did like that the story felt fresh and new, not a rehash of other fantasy out there. I liked how the story viewed America as having it's own mythical history. I like the magical and supernatural elements. I liked Thistlefoot - yes it's a character! I like how it incorporated the complicated immigrant experience. All these added up to a pretty good story, however, it really shot up to a 5 star at the very end. As all the pieces come together and the point is finally made, I really loved what it had to say. No spoilers here, except to say that at the end I was wiping tears and my storytelling, book loving heart was beaming. It makes a special point about the importance of stories which I also feel very strongly about.
So all that is to say that I think that Thistlefoot has some issues, but in the end it makes up for it in a satisfying way that hit me more emotionally than I expected, so I gave it the higher rating. Overall I think it is a fantasy book tackling a subject rarely covered in the genre and deserves an open minded read where you're likely to find more than just a fantastical journey, but a beating heart at the center with something to say.

I really, really enjoyed this! Although I couldn't relate to the cultural pieces in this slice of life graphic novel, I certainly understood and related to the career side. Which ended up being a two-fold bonus of a read. On one hand I have more empathy and insight into the Asian-American experience having read this and on the other I felt a certain kinship to their struggles and triumphs and uncertainty pertaining to their careers and life trajectory in general. Told with a lot of humour, down-to-earth, relatable themes and without glamorizing that period of time between Young Adulthood and Adulthood in an unrealistic way (as so many Hollywood films do), and it ends up so much more meaningful in the telling. While I may not have had the characters same experience, there was so much about it that echoed my own, that I more than once felt my heart squeeze in recognition of a thought or feeling they had. I appreciated the gritty, realistic side of the story without loosing its charm and humour which made it an enjoyable (not depressing) read. And such a positive view of female friendship too! Not to mention the love of books and the written word that permeates the whole thing, which I gravitate towards as well. The art is quirky, but well done and perfectly fits the story. I highly recommend this graphic novel! Honestly one of the best I've read in a long time. I laughed out loud, shed a tear and had a hard time putting it down once I started.

I picked this one up based on a recommendation and also thought it would be a good book for the autumn/Halloween season, expecting it to give a certain creep factor or at least some spooky vibes. I don't think that is what this book is though. In and of itself, that is not a bad thing. My expectations on that front were disappointing, but that's not the book's fault. I feel this book falls more into macabre superheroes than horror or gothic - which is what I was looking for. It never really creeped me out, even in the atmospheric way, however, it was engaging enough for me to plow through it quite quickly and enjoy the base of the story. The pace certainly kept me turning pages. It really could have used a bit of polishing. The overuse of ‘sighing' at the beginning - she sighed, he sighed, sighed, sighed, sighed grated after awhile and there were a few other places where I felt the writing could have used some refining. It pulled me out of the story a few times, to be honest. Having said that, I do think it is pretty unique. I don't think I've read anything like it and there is some good world-building, even if it's not super fleshed out. I didn't click really well with the characters, especially the main character Ness. While I get that she's a grey character, there were times I almost disliked her more than liked her. I understand her need for growth, and that does happen, but in the end she continues her rather disconcerting selfishness that comes across as more childish and almost egomaniacal. Maybe this is a personal thing on my part, but it did detract from my overall enjoyment of the book because I didn't really care about her. Is it a horrible book? No definitely not, but was it fantastic? No, it wasn't that either. I enjoyed it as a time passer, but I don't think it will stick with me beyond that.

I didn't pick this book up expecting some miracle fix for depression or even some great insight, but more a curiosity about another's experience and how they dealt with it. That's probably a good thing, since I don't really think it is very good at supplying any good advice actually. I've never been in therapy myself, so I can't compare, but I thought the therapist was a bit useless in this all. For simply being a sounding board for the author, sure they were ok, but actually helping her to sort through things...meh, not so much. Now what I did like about the book was more hearing another's unfiltered thoughts about their depression, insecurities and struggles. Seeing Baek Sehee examine herself more closely and see what habits or traits or past experiences contribute to her persistent depressive disorder felt cathartic to me. Although we don't share everything, there were a lot of things she described that resonated with me and had me saying: ‘yes exactly!' Sometimes just knowing another soul struggles with these same things is a comfort. I found myself also thinking about my own self in light of the subjects she brings up and examining my own reason for feeling a certain way, and I don't think that's a bad thing. How can we improve if we never look internally and sometimes dissect what's there? Is this a great book? No I wouldn't say it really is all that helpful or even insightful, however, if you're in a space where you can hear another's story and use that to look at yourself and pull things out on your own that may be helpful or even just comforting, then it's a decent, light read.

I absolutely loved these three “short” stories set in the Skyward series world, told from the perspectives of FM, Jorgen, and Alanik. Seeing the story unfold from their viewpoints was a real treat, and these tales significantly propel the overall narrative. They provide essential background on events happening outside of Spensa's main storyline, making them feel almost necessary to the plot. I highly recommend including them in your read of the Skyward series.
In fact, I found these stories more impactful than the third book, Cytonic, and I certainly enjoyed them more. I read the first two before Cytonic and the last one, Evershore, afterward, and this order felt seamless in terms of the main series' timeline. It didn't spoil anything and made sense in relation to Spensa's journey.
These stories deepened my love for the characters, especially FM and Jorgen, and the Taynix, propelling them even higher in my esteem. Each story stands out on its own, emotionally engaging and immensely enjoyable. I highly, highly recommend adding these to your Skyward series read—they are well worth it.

Spoiler Is the conclusion definitive? Well no, I think it's just a bit too much information with no physical or witness corroboration to say absolutely that their conclusion is correct, BUT having said that, is it a very well researched and well thought out theory - I'd say yes. Taking 5 years to look into it with such depth, commitment and resources is definitely not something to sneeze at, but I'd still recommend reading this with an open mind that their ultimate conclusion is still mostly a theory.
As for the read itself, I highly enjoyed it! It balances well the information dump with careful consideration to the human side of the story. Motivations were not often black and white, the complexity of the situation was not easy to navigate at the time nor after, and it is well laid out to follow without getting bogged down with information. I definitely found myself eager to keep reading and fascinated by all the things I did not know about the Anne Frank story.
I think it's a great read, as long as you keep in mind that it doesn't really ‘solve' the case, as much as it adds a very well thought out and researched theory to the many other ones out there.

I wanted a light book as a palate cleanser between the dense fantasy reads I’ve been reading lately and this definitely fit that bill. I’d call it a cozy mystery. I didn’t find it a page turner or fast paced and I think while I liked the characters and the premise, there was a lot of need to suspend disbelief in regards to the sleuthing the characters do. While initially their amateur detective style works, it gets over used as the story progresses and that rehash lost my interest after awhile. I also thought that the unnecessary separating of ways was an odd inclusion towards the end. If your looking for something with low stakes, a cozy feel and easy read this might be okay, and I did enjoy some of it, but found it a bit too lacklustre in the detective/mystery side and too ‘easy’ to be truly engaging.

I really loved this book for so many reasons that I feel maybe are more personal than that it was excellent in and of itself, but seeing others rave about it as well makes me think it's more universal than I thought. My fascination with anything ocean related, the theme of loneliness, legacy, family, and human connection, Tova as an older and more mature character, and tiny bits of wisdom and insight were all things that touched me on a personal level. Marcellus was a brilliant character. I love stories that show humanity through an uncommon lens (think Death from The Book Thief - an absolute favorite of mine), and having us view the story in parts from a Giant Pacific Octopus was an ingenious bit of storytelling (and humorous at times). This book felt like a hug, but not a super gooey or sappy one OR a really dark gloomy one either, which I appreciated. It had a nice balance to it that never strayed too far in either direction. Is it mind-blowing...maybe not, but it is well told, has great characters and a feel-good story, and is just a bit different enough to make it enjoyable.

Dawnshard is a short story or novella based in the Stormlight Archive world and reading it felt like coming back home - I just love this world! The Stormlight Archive series is one of my all-time favourite series of books and this little side quest between books 3 & 4 brings all the things I love, albeit in mini-form, and manages to fill out some side characters from the main series along the way. First, out the gate, I'll say this isn't a standalone story. While it will give you a taste of Sanderson's world, it won't make a whole lot of sense on its own if you haven't read the main series. While I would recommend other Sanderson novellas that could be read on their own merit, this isn't one of them. But if you're already immersed in the series, this is a MUST read! Lopen and Rysn join forces on a seafaring voyage for reasons both personal and on behalf of others looking for answers regarding a mysterious island where myth has it an ancient civilization existed. Let the adventure, humor, and fantastical happenings ensue! Not only do we get a fun story, but also a lot of insight into Lopen, Rysn, and other side characters, which I think will enrich them overall going forward in the series. Besides Sanderson's world-building and the characters that have wormed their way into my heart, the thing I love the most about his writing is the positive outlook he imbues in his characters and throughout the stories he tells and I find it so encouraging and inspiring. Even in this short foray, I found my heart swelling at certain points and found gems to take with me after I finished reading. While I don't think the story completely blew me away, it was a comfort read return to the world I love, and an expansion of many of the pieces we're still learning about it. There are a few surprising reveals that could have HUGE implications to come and this book makes me excited to see where it all leads!

Whew! What an emotional roller coaster! And SO MUCH happened. I think I'll need a while to process it all. Once again though, Brandon Sanderson proves why he is my favourite author. The world-building and magic system continues to amaze, but it is his characters and the messages he infuses into his books that keep me coming back and have made me so attached to his books, but most specifically this series. Kaladin continues to be my favourite character and his revelation at the end of this volume had me ugly crying for a good LONG time. It's both a heartbreaking moment and also has so much heart to it. I connect with Kaladin SO much and find my own solace in his revelations that make me relate it to my own experiences and life and I think that's truly what makes Sanderson's writing, although it is essentially fantasy, a cut above so many others I have read. In a recent talk Sanderson admitted he wanted his writing to bring people hope and give them a positive outlook and I love that about his books. It's not fluffy or unrealistic or easy, but it is laced with encouragement to try, to be better to keep going despite mistakes and short-comings and pain and sins to realize you have the choice to change, to at least TRY to be better, to ‘take the next step'. And it fills me with encouragement to do the same every time I read these books. I won't go into details about all that happens in this volume here, if you've made it this far in the series, just know that this is another absolutely worthy addition to it and well worth the invested time to read it. It's intricate, imaginative, emotional and continues to be one of the best series out there in the fantasy genre.

I once again wish you could do 1/2 stars on Goodreads, for while I enjoyed the second book in the Book of Tea Duology, I don't think I liked it quite as much as the first, but also think it was better than just a 3. Judy Lin continues to weave a wonderfully fantastical story of magic and adventure and ties everything up quite nicely in the end. In fact I think the last 1/4 of the book was the best as it amped up the action and stakes felt more urgent than previously. Her writing is sparse, but still manages to weave a world I enjoy reading and delving into. I think I felt the relationships lacking more in this one though. There were a lot of segments strung together and no time for us to care about anyone really deeply before being propelled to the next task or event. I think in that way I wasn't as invested as I was with book 1. But still overall a worthy read and happy to see more Asian fantasy getting out there.

I really enjoyed this book. Tackling a lot of complicated issues I thought it could be preachy, but John Cho gives the story and his characters such heart, that although there is a lot of food for thought and some lessons along the way, it was anything but preachy. It is important, however, to have stories like this. Especially for young adults. It is an engaging story, but also truthful in its portrayal of those tumultuous teenage years of raw emotion and the complicated dynamics of family and realizing your parents are human too. That's the center if the story, but then it's surrounded by the much bigger event of the LA riots of the early 90's and the parallel to today is uncanny and certainly makes you question if/how things will ever change. There is no magic answer here, instead John Cho ends with a positive and hopeful note on a more personal level that I believe is a great message in and of itself. I think it would be a great book for discussion with a young adult, but it also made me ponder a lot on it too. I really liked the characters and I think that was what really pulled me into the story, as well as the family dynamics. Overall a really excellent book, well worth the read.