I am back! And reviewing.
I really don’t like wall of text and I need to get back into the habit of reading. So I’m going to review chapter by chapter until I get to the end! If you want to join me and add your thoughts - join in!
** SPOILERS! **
Cover Thoughts
Dayum. I don’t even care. I’m going to buy this. Is this an Asian chick in the cover? Double bonus.
The Blue/white/gold/Black colour is amazing. The patterns on the fabric and the bird makes it seem super elegant - the flow, drawing the eyes from the right - follow the thread, to the title is great.
Chapter 1 Thoughts
Ooh - it’s straight to the point - easy to read and interesting world. First person POV. Chinese based?
Chapter 2 Thoughts
Ah - the whole woman are beneath men theme. I’m assuming she rises up and show these men!
Oh man that dude. I can’t believe you would bait someone with food! How dare you?! The lowest of low!
Chapter 3 Thoughts
GIRL PUT POCKETS IN THEM. YOU WILL WIN. PUT ONE IN EACH SHOULDER AND ONE AT THE BACK
Chapter 4 Thoughts
Okay am I the only one who thought she was gonna spill tea on all those mofo’s shawls???? And also… wow - what a powerful way to suddenly introduce magic into this girl’s life! But yes. If it wasn’t for that magic, I would’ve totally spilt tea on EVERYONES WORK
Chapter 5 Thoughts
What - I was hoping she won with sheer skills but leaning on magic? But I like that she’s conflicted about this. Who wouldn’t be like YES I WILL WIN when given the chance?
Chapter 6 Thoughts
Ah Enchanter - I guess you’re the love interest. Yup. Handsome, tall, rich, powerful, mysterious and playful? Yup I can already see their children running around their legs.
Chapter 7 Thoughts
Loving the conflict of winning vs proving to oneself/others their skills! And Glass slippers huh…
Chapter 8 Thoughts
Oooh. Perhaps I watch too much K-dramas. I was totally expecting her and Enchanter becoming best buds and spending quality dude time together only to find out later she’s a man… trope. Also - these chapters are short! And descriptions aren’t long! (At this point I can’t put the book down)
Chapter 9 Thoughts
Damn I need to know how much is what to understand. is 300 jens 300 bucks? or like 3000? Also… I keep seeing reference how Lady Sarnai and Maia has the same build. Are… they going to do a switch-a-roo at one point?
Chapter 10 Thoughts
Ohhh so he has people just falling in love with him left/right? That makes sense. Also aw. Lady Sarnai :(
Chapter 11 Thoughts ^
You. Piece. Of. S***
Chapter 12 Thoughts
Minnie Riperton’s “Loving You” plays in the background.
Chapter 13 Thoughts
Oooh court intrigue? Lord Enchanter vs Lady Sarnai! And oooh we’re seeing some depth to the war and the conflict! (Took a break from book here!)
Chapter 14 Thoughts ^
Oh wow. Her secret is out! I didn’t expect it to come out so soon! Love it. I really hoped it wouldn’t drag. Also… so wait a minute… he was gonna do these challenges… but they disappear after a day. He really had to bank on the hope that they were destroyed huh?
Chapter 15 Thoughts ^
Yay she used her own skills and it was beautiful! Sure it couldn’t beat magic but yay. The end of chapter… Oh damn. That is rough.
Chapter 16 Thoughts
So glad he came! The lashing scene was brutal :(
Chapter 17 Thoughts
Husband: Whatcha reading?
Me: A girl now has to collect the sun, the moon and the stars and make a dress out of it.
Chapter 18 Thoughts
Ooh so he went against orders for Maia? That’s sweet. Also. Yay good on Maia showing her skills and showing up Edan. Ugh that dude… he’s gonna be trouble isn’t he?
Chapter 19 Thoughts
These magical spiders are pretty cool. I wonder if magic is used widely in the city and Maia just never got to see it cos she’s a country gal? Also - loving the intrigue on Edan.
Chapter 20 Thoughts
I think I love this book because it doesn’t drag on things. She was hiding the fact she’s a girl! Edan sees through it in first few chapters. Others find out in Act 1. Edan is a hawk? By now the readers picked up the que but Maia figures out pretty quickly. It’s refreshing.
Chapter 21 Thoughts ^
Damn. That sounds extremely painful and terrible. Love how it’s portrayed. We were also spared the nitty gritty details but at times it feels like she’s like “Oh! Third degree burns? Meh.”
Chapter 22 Thoughts
Oh! The classic pretend to be a couple and have to kiss in front of people to keep up the ruse. Cliche but I live for it. And oooh here’s the turning point of their relationship huh?
Chapter 23 Thoughts
Ooh we finally get the explanation about enchanters! Not about magic though - I wanna know how they do magic! But it interesting about animals! And that sucks about the whole servitude thing :( Also - damn that was a romantic scene!
Took a break here - So far the intrigues we have: Nobu and that brother dude. Why isn’t lady Sarnai being affected by magic. Is Edan going to be okay? Where does magic even come from.
Chapter 24 Thoughts^
Oh that terrible person is back. And cool to see Maia is helping out in the fight! The tension is real due to constant reminder Edan is getting weaker… but he seemed to take care of it pretty easily. Again I feel like this book really doesn’t get right into the nitty gritty. Which is preference me thinks.
Chapter 25 Thoughts
Oh the Moon this time huh? God this girl has to suffer a lot. Climbing for an entire day, then swimming in an ice water… Then somehow having to hold breath to do all that? I dunno. I get it you don’t want to delve too deeply into her suffering but do I just feel like… she does things like some wonder woman? And then later it’s like oh, that? Psh. That’s nothing. And ah. The good old, I am cuddling you half naked to keep you warm trick. ;)
Chapter 26 Thoughts
Flowers!!! Ahhhhh this is too sweet.
Chapter 27 Thoughts
Aw they are so lovey dovey aren’t they. Okay. And am I the only one who was like wait… “sun paled into the moon, and the stars…” like is that a metaphor or did the day past and they were still entangled… … what
Chapter 28 Thoughts
Oh hey flying carpet. I think I remember reading Aladdin was a Chinese play! So perhaps that’s where they got it from?
Chapter 29 Thoughts
Oh there’s tension with how weak Edan is… and ohhh that is so sad :(
Chapter 30 Thoughts^
The fight under the beautiful background is amazing! The fight with the demon? was a bit hard to follow for me! And I was slightly annoyed by how it says “They were so close I could see the hollowness in their eyes” and everything just to me, sounded like they were just about to touch her. But then she had time to go through her pocket, get it out, rip the material, tie it to her eyes, then open… you know what I mean?
Chapter 31 Thoughts^
Oh damn. That’s unfortunate! And I honestly don’t know if I am happy about her returning or not. Am I the only one who was like “Just set up shop at that terrible place…?”
At this point - with the ending so close, I’m surprised there’s still this big question of “HOW WILL EDAN GET OUT OF THIS NOW” But… also… am I the only one who is like “oh that dress grants some wish right? Can she ask for that? Is she gonna fight the lady for the wish?” At this stage I’m still wondering about the Princess’s nation. What happened? Also how does magic even work?
Chapter 32 Thoughts
Wait what your scissors was what, and why do you pull it out when he tells you. Also what is the Monk dude like “Hey did you know there’s a legendary scissors? Oh you have a scissors like that with you? That’s cool. I won’t comment on it what so ever.”
Chapter 33 Thoughts
Wow they’re back! I’m liking this contrast between the magic emperor and non-magic emperor.
Chapter 34 Thoughts
Oooh the dress is finally made! I’m loving the blood of the stars dress most. I guess it’s because it’s unique! And wow. She just appeared? Also… I dunno. Like… someone like her is walking around the garden. People are feeling or bowing down to her. NO ONE thought to get the emperor or lady Sarnai? And… I mean. That’s a good wish girl, but what about… something like I wish me and my lover can live free living in our tailor shop? No?
Chapter 35 Thoughts
So… she gave the dress… Goddess appears. Surely someone told lady Sarnai that the dress will grant a wish? I thought that was what she was after the first time. And I love how the readers probably all now hate the emperor.
Chapter 36 Thoughts
Ohhh so that’s what she’s going to be. That sucks… … can you like go and make… another dress? You know, is this like collecting dragon balls? And Edan. Oh dear. How is he gonna go? How weak is he? Has he lost ALL magic? If that’s the case, wouldn’t the emperor know IMMEDIATELY?
Chapter 37 Thoughts
… There’s a sequel? WHAT. Okay now I see why there was this added tension in act 3. But WHAT I DIDN”T KNOW THIS WAS A BOOK ONE OF TWO. NO.
I just peaked the sequel stuff and it looks sad AF. … I’m not happy about this. It was sweet moment to get back to her family and it was cool Keton could walk and the thing about the letter paid off. I dunno. I took a break of the book from chapter 32 and came back a week later so I forgot why she was going to wipe their memories. Was it to forget her? To forget the war? How would that even work? And if Edan’s magic has effect after he’s not an enchanter… does that mean he could’ve made heaps and heaps of stuff before he lost it?
Ugh. I’ll gather my thoughts and put a final review up. How did you enjoy the book?