Travis Olson (NokAroundGy)

I thoroughly enjoyed this initial entry for the trilogy and it has me excited to read the next two books! I admit that the plot has some pacing and tone shifts that made the story feel like it’s sectioned into 2 or 3 separate chucks, but I did enjoy each of them. Thought the final 1/3 of this book clearly makes this an adult story, the first 2/3 do feel a little closer to the young adult Harry Potter/Hunger Games-esque style stories, which is cool but makes the Golyn Nis section (which is inspired by real world history) a little startling. It’s like a more adult version of the “A Girl Worth Fighting For” but of Milan where the cheery song is interrupted by brutality of war (not that Khurdalain was cheery). I also felt that the short excerpt with the Empress should either have been placed later in the story or saved as a flashback for the sequel. I felt that it didn’t really contribute to the main narrative and also spoiled some elements. That being said, I would have enjoyed more short sections following other characters like Nezha, Kitay, or more flashbacks with Dr. Shiro. Maybe if they’d added more scenes with the Empress that could have made the scene they did use feel more appropriate or add to her character as well. As it is, I have more interest in following Feylen in the next book more than the Empress. The character of Rin is pretty interesting and I like the members of the Cike and would have loved more time with them. In fact, I think the whole Sinegard Academy story could have been its own novel, ending with the battle with the Federation general. Then the second book could have followed Rin and the Cike at Khurdalain and Golyn Nis. The world building is fun and interesting, and despite the issues I’ve mentioned, I had a hard time putting this book down. Kuang’s writing style is right up my alley and I haven’t experienced much Chinese-inspired fantasy setting.