Chalon

3.5 stars. There is a lot of background that could have been expanded upon, that wasn't making some of the plot confusing. I would have liked to know more about the bloodborn and what exactly the curse was. We are told Oraya is somehow half human, but with no explanation as to how or the background behind it. I would have rather a longer book which explained more of the history. Especially why Nyaxia and her husband were so forbidden. The book had a strong start but I wasn't tied to the ending. Probably will not continue the series.

2.5-Interesting and strong start. You get to know more and more about Sam, but the time hopping is confusing and disjointed , at least for an audio reader. There was big anticipation and build up that just gradually dissipates in the middle of the book. I wish the book had centered more around the past and ichigo. I think delving into the future was a bad decision. The book couldve been several chapters shorter. Very anticlimatic ending. I also don't understand why there was so much unnecessary death. Death is natural and happens to everyone, but some of these deaths just felt forced to create plot.

It wasn't my favorite book, but i think it was well written and well researched and thats why I gave it four stars.

I didn't have any issue with anti-colonialism as some (Side eye ) readers did.

I could tell a lot of work and research went into this book. Having studied mandarin chinese, I felt able to relate to the chinese words and the history.

I don't think this book needed to be as long as it was. If we were going to get insight into Victoire, Ramy and Letty, I wish we would have gotten more. We barely scratched the surface with them. I wonder what this book could've been if it was written in Ramy's perspective, and I think it may have been better.

3.5 stars. Perhaps I was just not in the right mindset to enjoy this book, or it could be because I listened to the audiobook instead of the reading the book. I would have liked to know more about Misbah, her husband and even Noor's uncle. There were a lot of perspectives that could have been shared to make this a more well-rounded book.

2.5 stars. It really read as if it was for elementary students. The story line in the beginning was forced to make plot move in a way that really didn't make any sense. The story itself has a lot of promise and is a great idea, but its been poorly executed. The beginning should have been better set up to make the story flow smoother.