Building the Skyline: The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers
Book
The Manhattan skyline is one of the great wonders of the modern world. But how and why did it form?...
![HobbyWorld Magazine English](/uploads/profile_image/ef2/aaf98788-bc95-4bee-9c86-d2bc3493fef2.jpg?m=1522341247)
HobbyWorld Magazine English
Productivity and Magazines & Newspapers
App
Monthly magazine Hobby World leading Spanish Modelling. High quality articles and photography that...
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/6ed/62fdc927-bb07-4c5f-b081-880691be96ed.jpg?m=1600877165)
BookInspector (124 KP) rated A Throne of Swans in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The plot was pretty slow, at least for half of the book. I liked the twists and plots the authors brought to this book, but I don’t think it was enough. Until the end Aderyn was quite weak and helpless, only at the end, she has done some surprising changes, that I loved. I think for this book, the chapters were too long. The plot was not very eventful, and I was quite bored sometimes, counting the pages to the next chapter.
The writing style was easy to read, and I can see where the authors are steering the plot, I have very high expectations for the second part. The setting of this book doesn’t change much, but I liked the detailed descriptions of the places, I think they looked stunning. The ending was a true gem, I really loved Aderyn’s choices and the intrigue created. So, to conclude, it was quite a long introduction to the upcoming book. I liked the characters and the world it was set in, but I am expecting more perspectives, more action and deceit, as well as shorter chapters in the upcoming part.
![The Skull Throne](/uploads/profile_image/c80/9505bf46-cc5f-4c02-a187-556fe0dfdc80.jpg?m=1522360866)
The Skull Throne
Book
In the grand tradition of George R.R. Martin and Robert Jordan, Sunday Times bestselling author...
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/88a/ec659838-b58f-443a-9e9d-82e0c9edc88a.jpg?m=1579718839)
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress #2) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
When I picked up the sequel, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, I just wanted to know how this story will end rather than "I WANT MORE." After all, villains meet one end only in fiction.
I love my characters dark and ruthless sometimes, but Forest of a Thousand Lanterns just didn't hit the mark. The first novel focuses a lot on the journey Xifeng takes to the palace and I found myself frequently drawn away from the slow pacing of the story. That certainly didn't stop me from diving headfirst into Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix though.
Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is much better than the first novel.
The sequel to Dao's debut novel is set 18 years later, told in Princess Jade's perspective. Xifeng is ruling as the evil empress of Feng Lu and Jade has been sent away to grow up in a monastery until she receives a note summoning her back to the palace.
She's not interested in going back to the palace, though, and would much rather stay at the monastery she's called home. But do we really want an evil queen when you have the power and right to overthrow her? Probably not. Like Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, Dao takes readers on a journey as Jade sets off to prove her worth as the heir and take on Xifeng.
Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is action-packed and Dao's writing really grows.
The sequel is filled with so many stories, which I think adds to the world and captures the attention of readers. Dao's writing really grows through the stories she tells, and I love seeing how the different versions all tie together in some way in Jade's journey.
Likewise, I can see how some may find the sequel a major disappointment - the quest felt a little too easy for how long Xifeng has her hold as the Empress, and we take some time at the palace before the journey sets off. But it's not as long as nearly half the book in Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. However, I still enjoyed Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix more, and I'm delighted to see what stories Dao come up with next.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/kingdom-of-the-blazing-phoenix-by-julie-c-dao/" target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
![Mail Footer for Business](/uploads/profile_image/931/90f64ccf-3b4c-4933-9ce1-eaf13cb42931.jpg?m=1522329273)
Mail Footer for Business
Business and Productivity
App
AppAdvice.com Featured App FreeAppReport.com Featured App Which one is your work email? 'Sent from...
![Etched In Bone](/uploads/profile_image/f5e/35f0e2a8-f16b-4ac2-a8a2-febb4e8d5f5e.jpg?m=1523589954)
Etched In Bone
Book
Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of...
Paranormal Urban Fantasy Prophecy Vampire Shapeshifter Werewolf
![How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord](/uploads/profile_image/2f5/c2de9b26-160f-4d5e-9ff4-cf89941eb2f5.jpg?m=1563828670)
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord
TV Show
Takuma Sakamoto is a hikikomori gamer who is mysteriously transported to the world like the world of...
![Refuge (Relentless, #2)](/uploads/profile_image/645/9441d340-ecd6-49d3-886f-0f5e50513645.jpg?m=1610542213)
Refuge (Relentless, #2)
Book
To keep the people she loves safe, Sara left everything she knew behind. She soon learns this new...
Fantasy Paranormal Romance Young Adult