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Kingdom of Three #2
Sound the Gong
From New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, comes the dazzling and sweeping conclusion to The Kingdom of Three duology, Sound the Gong, the breathtaking sequel to the critically-acclaimed Strike the Zither.
All her life, Zephyr has tried to rise above her humble origins as a no-name orphan. Now she is a god in a warrior¡¯s body, and never has she felt more powerless. Her lordess Xin Ren holds the Westlands, but her position is tenuous. In the north, the empress remains under Miasma¡¯s thumb. In the south, the alliance with Cicada is in pieces.
Fate also seems to have a different winner in mind for the three kingdoms, but Zephyr has no intentions of respecting it. She will pay any price to see Ren succeed¡ªand she will make her enemies pay, especially one dark-haired, dark-eyed Crow. What she¡¯ll do when she finds out the truth¡ªthat he worked for the South all along¡
Only the heavens know.
All her life, Zephyr has tried to rise above her humble origins as a no-name orphan. Now she is a god in a warrior¡¯s body, and never has she felt more powerless. Her lordess Xin Ren holds the Westlands, but her position is tenuous. In the north, the empress remains under Miasma¡¯s thumb. In the south, the alliance with Cicada is in pieces.
Fate also seems to have a different winner in mind for the three kingdoms, but Zephyr has no intentions of respecting it. She will pay any price to see Ren succeed¡ªand she will make her enemies pay, especially one dark-haired, dark-eyed Crow. What she¡¯ll do when she finds out the truth¡ªthat he worked for the South all along¡
Only the heavens know.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2024
87 people are currently reading
7,378 people want to read
About the author
Joan He
7?books8,148?followersJoan was born and raised in Philadelphia but still will, on occasion, lose her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that stories were her favorite kind of art. She studied psychology and Chinese history at the University of Pennsylvania and currently writes from a desk overlooking the city
waterfront. Descendant of the Crane is her young adult debut.
For updates, please sign up for her newsletter: . For business related inquiries, please contact her literary agent, John Cusick of Folio Lit.
waterfront. Descendant of the Crane is her young adult debut.
For updates, please sign up for her newsletter: . For business related inquiries, please contact her literary agent, John Cusick of Folio Lit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
January 16, 2025
while still a good sequel, i didnt enjoy this as much as the first book, unfortunately.
¡®strike the zither¡¯ focuses more on the characters, their lies and betrayals, their desires and loyalties. i found it compelling and engaging. but this concluding installment is much heavier on the military strategy/war and i was rather bored in some parts because of that.
now, obviously, ¡®the romance of the three kingdoms¡¯ (the original story this duology retells) is a military tale and, after reading JHs author notes at the end, its beyond obvious just how much research and care she put in to doing the story justice. i loved the author notes and how she pinpointed who her characters were inspired by and how the events of her dulogy mirror the events in ¡®the three kingdoms.¡¯ its a very complex tale and i think this sequel does a strong job at finishing what was started.
so all in all, even though this wasnt as entertaining as i was hoping it would be, this is still a good book and i love the series overall.
? 3 stars
¡®strike the zither¡¯ focuses more on the characters, their lies and betrayals, their desires and loyalties. i found it compelling and engaging. but this concluding installment is much heavier on the military strategy/war and i was rather bored in some parts because of that.
now, obviously, ¡®the romance of the three kingdoms¡¯ (the original story this duology retells) is a military tale and, after reading JHs author notes at the end, its beyond obvious just how much research and care she put in to doing the story justice. i loved the author notes and how she pinpointed who her characters were inspired by and how the events of her dulogy mirror the events in ¡®the three kingdoms.¡¯ its a very complex tale and i think this sequel does a strong job at finishing what was started.
so all in all, even though this wasnt as entertaining as i was hoping it would be, this is still a good book and i love the series overall.
? 3 stars
Read
May 1, 2024you haven't seen the full extent of zephyr's ruthlessness yet
. If you can, I highly recommend reading STZ right before STG. Events and conversations from book 1 will not only be referenced, but paid off, and book 2 will do little re-setting up of covered ground to avoid redundancy for the reader coming straight from book 1.
in all seriousness, this book gets dark. while the classic 3kingdoms is always very clear cut on who it considers good and bad--and while I've tried my best to preserve some of that nostalgic spirit in ren and miasma--I've never believed zephyr to be a shining hero despite being on the side of "good." in STG everyone must pay character-tarnishing prices to achieve their goals. they'll take actions that I of course do not condone, but that are true to them and their circumstances. and as gray (or dark) zephyr becomes, this isn't to say that she doesn't have a moral code. she has the strongest one of all my characters, in fact: she will do *anything* to win for ren. and I mean anything. so please take care while reading, and without much further ado:
CWs (spoilers may follow, and I may have missed some pls lmk if I have): war, torture, blood, death, ennui (verging on depression), character death, suicide (a vision/dream of one), cruel and unusual executions (not limited to multiple beheadings), fires, burn wounds, identity theft, alcohol consumption, starvation/famine, vomiting, kissing (the max sexual content in this book)
as a general note, no violence is described in immensely graphic detail, but everything is either on the page or strongly implied
and now the usual--please note that arcs are not final, forgive mistakes/typos, oh and btw even though you'll see the STZ character illustrations pasted in again, can confirm that we're getting 4 new ones in the final book and one of them just might be of crow :)
. If you can, I highly recommend reading STZ right before STG. Events and conversations from book 1 will not only be referenced, but paid off, and book 2 will do little re-setting up of covered ground to avoid redundancy for the reader coming straight from book 1.
in all seriousness, this book gets dark. while the classic 3kingdoms is always very clear cut on who it considers good and bad--and while I've tried my best to preserve some of that nostalgic spirit in ren and miasma--I've never believed zephyr to be a shining hero despite being on the side of "good." in STG everyone must pay character-tarnishing prices to achieve their goals. they'll take actions that I of course do not condone, but that are true to them and their circumstances. and as gray (or dark) zephyr becomes, this isn't to say that she doesn't have a moral code. she has the strongest one of all my characters, in fact: she will do *anything* to win for ren. and I mean anything. so please take care while reading, and without much further ado:
CWs (spoilers may follow, and I may have missed some pls lmk if I have): war, torture, blood, death, ennui (verging on depression), character death, suicide (a vision/dream of one), cruel and unusual executions (not limited to multiple beheadings), fires, burn wounds, identity theft, alcohol consumption, starvation/famine, vomiting, kissing (the max sexual content in this book)
as a general note, no violence is described in immensely graphic detail, but everything is either on the page or strongly implied
and now the usual--please note that arcs are not final, forgive mistakes/typos, oh and btw even though you'll see the STZ character illustrations pasted in again, can confirm that we're getting 4 new ones in the final book and one of them just might be of crow :)
April 22, 2024
"If he's to be my final sight in this world, I will make myself his."
enemy strategists who despise the idea of being outsmarted by the other. they could've been lovers, i tell you. LOVERS?
THIS BOOK WAS GIVING !! it gave me all the angsty moments i could ever ask for. crow clearly cares for zephyr but his loyalty to his leader supersedes that, and same to zephyr. when reading this novel, i ended up being glad joan he told us months in advance about the type of ending zephyr and crow would have, that it was a bittersweet ending, so i had my time to mourn them before i jumped in (it felt like a safety net for me). and in turn, it was so fun to read how they would hurt each other throughout the novel
"I choose him. In this life and every other I forfeited, I choose him."
having known that going in, i was so incredibly happy with the ending! it honestly ended on a hopeful to me and it was realistic. also the fact that we have a , "In Another Life," on joan he's website for the super sweet ending <3
crow was in full flirt mode this book. i most definitely wasn't highlighting all his lines on my kindle... we get so much more moments between them compared to STZ
"I told you before. I like ruinous things... So, you win. You're all I can think of."
i completely understand why joan he said this book is best read right after strike the zither bc it jumps right in (originally it was supposed to be one big book before it was split in half). really appreciate the STZ !! it was once again so fun to be in the mind of zephyr. she is so quick on her feet and a genius.
this duology holds a special place in my heart. thank you so much to joan he and the macmillan team for the arc! this review is entirely my honest opinion <3
? m i s c e l l a n e o u s
1. the way zephyr was going straight for the kills after she found out what she could do as a god in the first half lmao
crow: *exists*
zephyr: "don't fuck with me. i have the power of god and anime on my side. AHHHHHHHH"
2. lol TRUST a chinese historical novel to involve a coffin scene in some form
3. and most importantly, crow is the loml
10/06/23: I GOT AN ARC LET'S GO
(i'm terrified)
enemy strategists who despise the idea of being outsmarted by the other. they could've been lovers, i tell you. LOVERS?
THIS BOOK WAS GIVING !! it gave me all the angsty moments i could ever ask for. crow clearly cares for zephyr but his loyalty to his leader supersedes that, and same to zephyr. when reading this novel, i ended up being glad joan he told us months in advance about the type of ending zephyr and crow would have, that it was a bittersweet ending, so i had my time to mourn them before i jumped in (it felt like a safety net for me). and in turn, it was so fun to read how they would hurt each other throughout the novel
"I choose him. In this life and every other I forfeited, I choose him."
having known that going in, i was so incredibly happy with the ending! it honestly ended on a hopeful to me and it was realistic. also the fact that we have a , "In Another Life," on joan he's website for the super sweet ending <3
crow was in full flirt mode this book. i most definitely wasn't highlighting all his lines on my kindle... we get so much more moments between them compared to STZ
"I told you before. I like ruinous things... So, you win. You're all I can think of."
i completely understand why joan he said this book is best read right after strike the zither bc it jumps right in (originally it was supposed to be one big book before it was split in half). really appreciate the STZ !! it was once again so fun to be in the mind of zephyr. she is so quick on her feet and a genius.
this duology holds a special place in my heart. thank you so much to joan he and the macmillan team for the arc! this review is entirely my honest opinion <3
? m i s c e l l a n e o u s
1. the way zephyr was going straight for the kills after she found out what she could do as a god in the first half lmao
crow: *exists*
zephyr: "don't fuck with me. i have the power of god and anime on my side. AHHHHHHHH"
2. lol TRUST a chinese historical novel to involve a coffin scene in some form
3. and most importantly, crow is the loml
10/06/23: I GOT AN ARC LET'S GO
(i'm terrified)
May 18, 2024
????????????
( finished. ) ??? . . . 0 4 / 0 5 / 2 4 ! brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. chinese culture and folklore is so intricate and i applaud joan he for being able to write such a beautifully developed series and characters each with their own compelling arcs. the history of the three kingdoms is one of my favourite tales that i grew up learning about and it's very nice to see an author write a retelling that does the story justice ( 4¡ï ).
i actually enjoyed this much more than its predecessor !! ZEPHCROW stole the show like no other omg. zephcrow the people (me) love and adore uuu.
you can actually learn more about the period of the three kingdoms in this book, which strike the zither is heavily inspired by:
romance of the three kingdoms by luo guanzhong (ÂÞ¹áÖÐ)
^^ this is the translated version and it's like the chinese equivalent of shakespeare
????????????
? ? ?? ?? pre-read
©v²õ³Ù²¹°ù³Ù±ð»å©w???? 3 0 / 0 4 / 2 4 ?
HAPPY RELEASE DAY !! ready to revisit my favorite strategists <3
ZEPHCROW NO ONE GETS U LIKE I DO !!!!!!!
( finished. ) ??? . . . 0 4 / 0 5 / 2 4 ! brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. chinese culture and folklore is so intricate and i applaud joan he for being able to write such a beautifully developed series and characters each with their own compelling arcs. the history of the three kingdoms is one of my favourite tales that i grew up learning about and it's very nice to see an author write a retelling that does the story justice ( 4¡ï ).
i actually enjoyed this much more than its predecessor !! ZEPHCROW stole the show like no other omg. zephcrow the people (me) love and adore uuu.
you can actually learn more about the period of the three kingdoms in this book, which strike the zither is heavily inspired by:
romance of the three kingdoms by luo guanzhong (ÂÞ¹áÖÐ)
^^ this is the translated version and it's like the chinese equivalent of shakespeare
????????????
? ? ?? ?? pre-read
©v²õ³Ù²¹°ù³Ù±ð»å©w???? 3 0 / 0 4 / 2 4 ?
HAPPY RELEASE DAY !! ready to revisit my favorite strategists <3
ZEPHCROW NO ONE GETS U LIKE I DO !!!!!!!
June 30, 2024
¡°Every day they live is another day they can choose to change¡ªif not destiny, then how they react to it. Live on in spite of it. Fate and prophecy¡ªfulfilling either is just the beginning.¡±
we do not miss a single beat before diving right back into the story from where it left off. the tempo is just as good as i remembered but even better this time. plot points move at an almost breakneck speed leaving no room for me to catch my breath from the unceasing revelations. it¡¯s one thing happening after another constantly and i couldn¡¯t put it down. when i wasn¡¯t reading, i was counting down minutes and hours until i could get my hands on it again. the book was that addictive for me. the strategising was also taken up a notch and became more complex which only piqued my interest because i love knowing the machinations behind war plans.
THE PLOT
as with the first book, the plot of this one left me bewildered too after the 35% mark. the storyline became awkward and the twists got messy in stanza four. i had a similar issue with Descendant of The Crane, where despite it being interesting, the flow of things wasn¡¯t as smooth as i¡¯d like them to be. i¡¯m all for surprises but i don¡¯t like unexpected developments especially when they seem completely out of pocket. what kept me going were the military tactics to win the war and the insane amount of angst between zephyr and crow because y¡¯all know i love a good enemies-and-may-have-been-lovers trope. with them though, who could really tell if their animosity for each other could¡¯ve turned into something romantic but that¡¯s what i love about these books. the line between love and hate between two characters is so blurred that i can¡¯t help but be a little obsessed.
THE CHARACTERS
zephyr¡¯s identity as both a strategist and a god left me a little perplexed because i still don¡¯t get why the author chose to make her a god in the first place. it does add extra flavour to the story but i didn¡¯t find the fantasy element super cohesive with the main plot. she¡¯s also a lot more rebellious in this book which i liked. her constant inner turmoil between wanting to be herself versus who she¡¯s supposed to be in another human¡¯s body and also a god was interesting (and a little frustrating) to read. i wanted her to sit with her emotions for a bit and process what she was doing but the plot was moving too fast and there wasn¡¯t much time for her to reflect on things. on the downside however, she seemingly had no significant powers that could impact the story much. i personally think the author should¡¯ve just left zephyr as a brilliant strategist without also making her a celestial (out of the blue) because it still didn¡¯t fit well with the overall narrative even though i mostly got used to it after book 1.
crow as always, was depicted through zephyr¡¯s eyes save for one chapter and had me rethinking all of their interactions together in the previous book. he was the resident sadboi and i felt bad for him but that didn¡¯t stop me from rooting for zephyr. i don¡¯t have much to say about him in this book because i¡¯ve saved my thoughts for the novella.
i was quite disappointed with ren¡¯s character. she had so much potential to be a fearless warrior but her arc wasn¡¯t developed enough and she was too soft for violence. i get that she¡¯s just a side character but so were cloud and tourmaline and those two stood out way more than ren did. granted, zephyr¡¯s staunch loyalty to ren was driven mostly by the fact that zephyr was bored being a god and wished to make a difference in the world because otherwise, i don¡¯t see any reason for her to follow the other woman. ren was noble to a fault and went so far as to helping her own enemies during a war which is plain stupid in my opinion (no i do not care how things turned out with cicada, my point still stands). ren and xin bao were both equally useless by the end. i¡¯ve never been fond of overly kind characters to begin with and ren had me rolling my eyes more than once with her benevolence because it just wasn¡¯t realistic.
not sure if i can call the ¡°masked mother¡± as one of the villains in this story but i wanted her to pose a bigger threat to zephyr and the other characters. she wasn¡¯t dangerous or wicked enough and sort of just reappeared whenever it was convenient to the plot. for an entity that supposedly has command over all gods, i thought she¡¯d play a bigger role but it was all tell, no show. i liked miasma¡¯s character more and wish we had gotten one or two chapters from her POV because that would¡¯ve been fun but alas, we were robbed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
overall, the sequel is increasingly plot driven but without abandoning crucial attention to character development. it strikes a good balance between the two and i wish there was a third instalment in the series. there was some discussion revolving fate and destiny which was compelling but i wish those topics were delved into further. i¡¯m glad i decided to read this duology because despite the flaws, i really enjoyed it.
Want to read
March 31, 2024pre-read.
? thank you so much to macmillan publishers and the author for sending me a physical arc of this book!
? .? ? can't wait to read this in april (as soon as i finish the first book) <3
? thank you so much to macmillan publishers and the author for sending me a physical arc of this book!
? .? ? can't wait to read this in april (as soon as i finish the first book) <3
August 2, 2022
Not every book I read (even those I greatly enjoy) sticks with me quite the way a Joan He book does. Her stories sink into my bones. They wriggle into my brain. I fall in love with her complicated characters. The follow up to STRIKE THE ZITHER (which I was lucky enough to read early!) is no exception. And oh, the turns this story takes are delightful!
June 11, 2024
Un banger au niveau plume, univers, conflits politiques et strat¨¦gies : tout est vraiment giga pageturner et ?a se lit siiiii bien !
J'ai vraiment trop kiff¨¦, meme si je suis un peu rest¨¦e sur ma faim concernant certains personnages ???
J'ai vraiment trop kiff¨¦, meme si je suis un peu rest¨¦e sur ma faim concernant certains personnages ???
May 19, 2024
Honestly, I stopped caring at the 33% mark.
In the spoiler tag, I discuss why, which includes some pretty massive spoilers for the last two thirds of the book. Please do not click on the spoiler tag, unless you wish to be spoiled.
Ultimately, I felt He was hampered by the plot of Three Kingdoms. Many of the relationships and tension that builds in do not have a place in the latter portions of Three Kingdoms (since a lot of the key players die). He struggles to tell this massive epic with many moving parts from a single point of view.
In the spoiler tag, I discuss why, which includes some pretty massive spoilers for the last two thirds of the book. Please do not click on the spoiler tag, unless you wish to be spoiled.
Ultimately, I felt He was hampered by the plot of Three Kingdoms. Many of the relationships and tension that builds in do not have a place in the latter portions of Three Kingdoms (since a lot of the key players die). He struggles to tell this massive epic with many moving parts from a single point of view.
September 29, 2023
What do you even say after finishing one of the best duologies you've ever been given the chance to reading?
A true masterpiece in political intrigue, this book is a triumph not only in itself, but as a follow up to its predecessor and as a conclusion to a series. From a simple strategic level, it makes my end spin with just how SMART each and every plot point it, from the balancing the movements to war, to Zephyr's schemes, and to the results of said schemes, both good and bad. Because Zephyr wants, and she wants badly. It is this want that brings forth a drive to do whatever possible to make sure it is HER results that come out the winner, even if the way forward is coated in acts that very quickly slip past morally righteous. It's the price of war, of enacting strategy, of gods and magic and fate. And how cruel fate can be, even to some of the smartest beings.
The best way I can describe what the experience of this book is, is to say that I'm still reeling. It's a book that lingers, one where I want to turn over details in my mind and just revel in how beautifully placed each and every single one of them are.
When I said this book was a triumph, I was not kidding. Every single piece delivers on a promise. I am a fan of all Joan's work, but I am comfortable saying that this, for now, is my favorite. I know I've already said it, but it bears repeating that this is a masterpiece. This is fantasy at its very best. The punch it packs never lets up, not even at the end.
A true masterpiece in political intrigue, this book is a triumph not only in itself, but as a follow up to its predecessor and as a conclusion to a series. From a simple strategic level, it makes my end spin with just how SMART each and every plot point it, from the balancing the movements to war, to Zephyr's schemes, and to the results of said schemes, both good and bad. Because Zephyr wants, and she wants badly. It is this want that brings forth a drive to do whatever possible to make sure it is HER results that come out the winner, even if the way forward is coated in acts that very quickly slip past morally righteous. It's the price of war, of enacting strategy, of gods and magic and fate. And how cruel fate can be, even to some of the smartest beings.
The best way I can describe what the experience of this book is, is to say that I'm still reeling. It's a book that lingers, one where I want to turn over details in my mind and just revel in how beautifully placed each and every single one of them are.
When I said this book was a triumph, I was not kidding. Every single piece delivers on a promise. I am a fan of all Joan's work, but I am comfortable saying that this, for now, is my favorite. I know I've already said it, but it bears repeating that this is a masterpiece. This is fantasy at its very best. The punch it packs never lets up, not even at the end.
November 10, 2023
I want to thank the author SO much for allowing me to read this book.
Sound the Gong is a strong, fierce, heavy-hitting book. I feel to fully enjoy this series, you should read book one and immediately dive into book two. Another thing: if you are NOT a fan of political strife / war discussions, this might bore you. But if you enjoyed what you got in book one, and wanted more - you get it.
If you're a fan of Crow, and wanted more of him? You get it. Crow and the depth of focus Joan gives in this book makes you question everything you learned about him in book one. (You also get an adorable chapter through his POV, but you have to wait until the end for it.)
I applaud Joan for taking The Three Kingdoms and adapting it / using it as the basis for her duology. The original tale, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, focuses on unity and stability. There is also intrigue and strife, and it is - after all - a tragedy in the end.
While I do not spoil the end of book in this review, I think the ending is perfect. If you are familiar with Chinese dramas, the ending makes sense and I can't think of a better outcome. Zephyr and Crow, they did what they did, for country, for fate, and for themselves.
Sound the Gong is a strong, fierce, heavy-hitting book. I feel to fully enjoy this series, you should read book one and immediately dive into book two. Another thing: if you are NOT a fan of political strife / war discussions, this might bore you. But if you enjoyed what you got in book one, and wanted more - you get it.
If you're a fan of Crow, and wanted more of him? You get it. Crow and the depth of focus Joan gives in this book makes you question everything you learned about him in book one. (You also get an adorable chapter through his POV, but you have to wait until the end for it.)
I applaud Joan for taking The Three Kingdoms and adapting it / using it as the basis for her duology. The original tale, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, focuses on unity and stability. There is also intrigue and strife, and it is - after all - a tragedy in the end.
While I do not spoil the end of book in this review, I think the ending is perfect. If you are familiar with Chinese dramas, the ending makes sense and I can't think of a better outcome. Zephyr and Crow, they did what they did, for country, for fate, and for themselves.
July 4, 2024
4.25/5 stars
joan he what the fuck.
joan he what the fuck.
Want to read
November 3, 2022just gonna park myself here and wait impatiently for the sequel to strike the zither
May 22, 2024
joan he both saved me and ended me with one of the best books i've read (and will read) this year. love me a good tragedy even if it cost me my heart and soul
March 26, 2024
This is a great conclusion to duology. There are so many twists with emotional character developments. I just wish we had time to breathe all in with all chaos happening. The epilogue is amazing.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
July 9, 2019hi I really need this now
May 2, 2024
My anticipation for Sound the Gong was sky-high after the cliffhanger of book 1, but Joan not only subverted my expectations again and again but somehow managed to exceed them. A perfect balance of tension and catharsis, Sound the Gong is Joan He¡¯s best book yet and easily my favorite of hers.
Joan¡¯s strength has always been her characters and the cast of this duology is no different. Every single character is wonderfully complex and multifaceted, constantly challenging, subverting, and redefining my conception of ¡°protagonist¡± and ¡°antagonist.¡± Main character Zephyr is the most complex of them all, and even as her decisions become more and more questionable (some of them downright wrong and violent), Joan leaves ultimate judgment of her character up to the reader. Every author should take notes because *this* is how you write a morally-gray character! While it can be frustrating and downright upsetting that Zephyr isn¡¯t a more traditional ¡°good¡± protagonist (down to the very end!), I personally loved how she, like the rest of the characters in this book, can¡¯t be boxed into a single category or archetype. Zephyr is brilliant, arrogant, and truly human.
Something that particularly stood out to me in this book compared to book one was the depth of the relationships between characters. The cast is bound by a complex, every-changing web of loyalty, alliance, and animosity that kept me tense and intrigued throughout the book. STG is a true rollercoaster of a ride¨Cjust when you think you know where it¡¯s going, a character acts out (though still in character!) in a way you won¡¯t anticipate. I was completely invested in every relationship and character, from the slow-burn tension between Zephyr and her rival strategist Crow, to the strangely endearing mentor-mentee relationship between Zephyr and Sikou Hai, to the complex and historied frenemy alliance of Ren and Cicada. For such a mid-sized book, Joan packs incredible depth and nuance in her large cast of characters.
Lastly, I truly admire the care Joan took to faithfully convey the source material¡¯s messages while maintaining her own originality and themes. The author¡¯s note is just a brief insight into her thought process, yet I was so impressed by how much thought and care she used when crafting the story. Make sure to read the author¡¯s note after reading! Also, if you¡¯re like me and need fluff in lieu of therapy, do yourself and read the bonus epilogue posted on Joan¡¯s website. While I completely understand and appreciate the way STG ended, I loved the characters and world too much to let go. Although the bonus epilogue isn¡¯t canon, it¡¯s author-endorsed fluff, which is more than enough to satisfy me ?
Overall, Sound the Gong is Joan He¡¯s finest yet. Everything (pacing, characters, narrative arcs, etc.) is hard-earned yet so so satisfying, and her writing continues to impress me. This duology has quickly earned a spot on my list of favorite series of all time.
4.75/5 stars
Many thanks to the Fierce Reads team (Roaring Book Press/Macmillan) for the e-ARC!
Joan¡¯s strength has always been her characters and the cast of this duology is no different. Every single character is wonderfully complex and multifaceted, constantly challenging, subverting, and redefining my conception of ¡°protagonist¡± and ¡°antagonist.¡± Main character Zephyr is the most complex of them all, and even as her decisions become more and more questionable (some of them downright wrong and violent), Joan leaves ultimate judgment of her character up to the reader. Every author should take notes because *this* is how you write a morally-gray character! While it can be frustrating and downright upsetting that Zephyr isn¡¯t a more traditional ¡°good¡± protagonist (down to the very end!), I personally loved how she, like the rest of the characters in this book, can¡¯t be boxed into a single category or archetype. Zephyr is brilliant, arrogant, and truly human.
Something that particularly stood out to me in this book compared to book one was the depth of the relationships between characters. The cast is bound by a complex, every-changing web of loyalty, alliance, and animosity that kept me tense and intrigued throughout the book. STG is a true rollercoaster of a ride¨Cjust when you think you know where it¡¯s going, a character acts out (though still in character!) in a way you won¡¯t anticipate. I was completely invested in every relationship and character, from the slow-burn tension between Zephyr and her rival strategist Crow, to the strangely endearing mentor-mentee relationship between Zephyr and Sikou Hai, to the complex and historied frenemy alliance of Ren and Cicada. For such a mid-sized book, Joan packs incredible depth and nuance in her large cast of characters.
Lastly, I truly admire the care Joan took to faithfully convey the source material¡¯s messages while maintaining her own originality and themes. The author¡¯s note is just a brief insight into her thought process, yet I was so impressed by how much thought and care she used when crafting the story. Make sure to read the author¡¯s note after reading! Also, if you¡¯re like me and need fluff in lieu of therapy, do yourself and read the bonus epilogue posted on Joan¡¯s website. While I completely understand and appreciate the way STG ended, I loved the characters and world too much to let go. Although the bonus epilogue isn¡¯t canon, it¡¯s author-endorsed fluff, which is more than enough to satisfy me ?
Overall, Sound the Gong is Joan He¡¯s finest yet. Everything (pacing, characters, narrative arcs, etc.) is hard-earned yet so so satisfying, and her writing continues to impress me. This duology has quickly earned a spot on my list of favorite series of all time.
4.75/5 stars
Many thanks to the Fierce Reads team (Roaring Book Press/Macmillan) for the e-ARC!
November 10, 2024
4 stars
What an upgrade from the first book, oh my. I had a feeling it would be better than the first one, and it definitely didn't disappoint. This duology is definitely more plot heavy than character heavy, but I didn't mind. The romance was really mild too, and I liked how it wasn't the main point. My fav characters are Cloud and Crow, I loved them a lot here. The conclusion was quite nice too, a little bit open, but very well done. Overall, pretty decent, a quick and satisfying read.
What an upgrade from the first book, oh my. I had a feeling it would be better than the first one, and it definitely didn't disappoint. This duology is definitely more plot heavy than character heavy, but I didn't mind. The romance was really mild too, and I liked how it wasn't the main point. My fav characters are Cloud and Crow, I loved them a lot here. The conclusion was quite nice too, a little bit open, but very well done. Overall, pretty decent, a quick and satisfying read.
June 2, 2024
[2/6/2024 update]
Glad I read this again because I finally understand all the callbacks and references. Joan really was right when she said they should be read back to back.
One thing about me is that I love stories about characters doomed by the narrative. I love seeing them desperately try to to rewrite their fate and/or stop history from repeating itself. And while zephyr mostly succeeds, fate still has a way of coming to pass in the most ironic ways because while she may have moved the pawns she can't change who they are and what is fate but your very nature. The objective was achieved but the ending is still bittersweet yet fitting.
[Original review]
I didn't like book 1 that much so why the fuck did this one come out of nowhere to violently assault me, wring me like a dishrag and throw me off a cliff??? Book 1 wasn't my thing because it wasn't what I was hoped for and I didn't vibe with the fantastical elements. But somehow along the way I got over it and I was finally able to see this series for what it was and that's when it clicked. Now I love the fantastical elements because it portrays the themes of fate and the cyclical nature of war so beautifully and the ending was the perfect conclusion to this saga.
Have you ever read a book or watched a show where a character is hyped up to be a genius and master tactician only to be disappointed? Fret not because it couldn't be zephyr and crow. The scheming and backstabbing was insane. They were playing 5D chess and I sometimes had to reread paragraphs to understand. The story was wild from start to finish and I loved every thrilling second of zephyr plotting and plotting only to have things go wrong because alas people are not pawns and ÈËËã²»ÈçÌìËã (sidenote but I had no idea this saying came from romance of the three kingdoms).
That said, the book moved at such a breakneck pace that the characters barely had time to breath. As a result some side characters were not as fleshed out like sikou hai, dewdrop and nadir. I also wish we got to explore the heavenly realm more and find out more about the other gods.
Now on to the main characters zephyr and crow<333. Their character arcs were amazing, especially zephyr and I love them so much. I liked their dynamic as rivals in book 1 but wasn't really on board with the ship but now I'm in first class in the first row. They were absolutely ruthless to each other, even more than rinezha, and I loved every painful moment of it. Crow haunting zephyr as a ghost was something I never knew I needed and I love how their relationship got more and more messed up. Thank god for the bonus epilogue I don't know how I could have moved on without it.
Now excuse me while I reread stg so I can pick out even more details.
Glad I read this again because I finally understand all the callbacks and references. Joan really was right when she said they should be read back to back.
One thing about me is that I love stories about characters doomed by the narrative. I love seeing them desperately try to to rewrite their fate and/or stop history from repeating itself. And while zephyr mostly succeeds, fate still has a way of coming to pass in the most ironic ways because while she may have moved the pawns she can't change who they are and what is fate but your very nature. The objective was achieved but the ending is still bittersweet yet fitting.
[Original review]
I didn't like book 1 that much so why the fuck did this one come out of nowhere to violently assault me, wring me like a dishrag and throw me off a cliff??? Book 1 wasn't my thing because it wasn't what I was hoped for and I didn't vibe with the fantastical elements. But somehow along the way I got over it and I was finally able to see this series for what it was and that's when it clicked. Now I love the fantastical elements because it portrays the themes of fate and the cyclical nature of war so beautifully and the ending was the perfect conclusion to this saga.
Have you ever read a book or watched a show where a character is hyped up to be a genius and master tactician only to be disappointed? Fret not because it couldn't be zephyr and crow. The scheming and backstabbing was insane. They were playing 5D chess and I sometimes had to reread paragraphs to understand. The story was wild from start to finish and I loved every thrilling second of zephyr plotting and plotting only to have things go wrong because alas people are not pawns and ÈËËã²»ÈçÌìËã (sidenote but I had no idea this saying came from romance of the three kingdoms).
That said, the book moved at such a breakneck pace that the characters barely had time to breath. As a result some side characters were not as fleshed out like sikou hai, dewdrop and nadir. I also wish we got to explore the heavenly realm more and find out more about the other gods.
Now on to the main characters zephyr and crow<333. Their character arcs were amazing, especially zephyr and I love them so much. I liked their dynamic as rivals in book 1 but wasn't really on board with the ship but now I'm in first class in the first row. They were absolutely ruthless to each other, even more than rinezha, and I loved every painful moment of it. Crow haunting zephyr as a ghost was something I never knew I needed and I love how their relationship got more and more messed up. Thank god for the bonus epilogue I don't know how I could have moved on without it.
Now excuse me while I reread stg so I can pick out even more details.
May 15, 2024
-------
gnawing on my kindle bc what do you MEAN i have to wait til next april to read this
May 3, 2024
3.2-3.4?
February 10, 2025
3 / 5 ?
¡°how do you forget someone who¡¯s carved into your bones?¡±
even though i knew crow and zephyr wouldn¡¯t have a good ending, it still HURTTT me more than i care to admit. this was a solid duology. i liked this book more than the first, even though i rated the other one higher (i read it over a year ago). crow and zephyr had more time to shine, their chemistry was on fire. i love how she got into his head and stayed there even after her demise. the plot was continued on from strike the zither in a fluid manner, and everything was tied together nicely. so, yeah. definitely a duology to read if you¡¯re looking for a chinese mythology x wartime fantasy.
¡°how do you forget someone who¡¯s carved into your bones?¡±
even though i knew crow and zephyr wouldn¡¯t have a good ending, it still HURTTT me more than i care to admit. this was a solid duology. i liked this book more than the first, even though i rated the other one higher (i read it over a year ago). crow and zephyr had more time to shine, their chemistry was on fire. i love how she got into his head and stayed there even after her demise. the plot was continued on from strike the zither in a fluid manner, and everything was tied together nicely. so, yeah. definitely a duology to read if you¡¯re looking for a chinese mythology x wartime fantasy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2024
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February 7, 2025
4??
¡°How do you forget someone who's carved themselves into your bones?¡±
¡°If he's to be my final sight in this world, I will make myself his.¡±
...
Joan He pulls me in again with her beautiful and poignant storytelling that take a deep introspective dive into relationships. I enjoyed the conclusion to this duology, though at times I found myself struggling with the pacing.
I would recommend reading right after book one if you can! It was also darker at times for a YA as a heads up for anyone who may struggle with that.
¡°How do you forget someone who's carved themselves into your bones?¡±
¡°If he's to be my final sight in this world, I will make myself his.¡±
...
Joan He pulls me in again with her beautiful and poignant storytelling that take a deep introspective dive into relationships. I enjoyed the conclusion to this duology, though at times I found myself struggling with the pacing.
I would recommend reading right after book one if you can! It was also darker at times for a YA as a heads up for anyone who may struggle with that.
April 25, 2024
Sound the Gong is a clever, intricately plotted, political YA fantasy with layered, morally grey characters and a cracking pace. I was so excited to see more of Zephyr and Crow's interactions and I was NOT disappointed - once again, the tension between the two was excellent, the banter top notch. Joan He displays an admirable confidence in her writing, never shying away from being brutal and dark. A fantastic conclusion to a brilliant duology!
April 21, 2024
¡°But while we are here, we live. We love. We leave our marks. Rain and wind may eventually erase them, but it won¡¯t erase the l¨« I walked with everyone.¡±
Sound the Gong is the sequel to Strike the Zither and it should have been titled something like "Torture Crow for 300 pages" because that's entirely what happened.
So much happens at the end of Strike the Zither, it's a political fantasy unlike anything I've ever read before - it's got cunning MC's that truly will do anything for the upper hand, will break every sacred vow, will give up their soul over and over again putting themselves into utter damnation just to see their loved ones succeed.
And Sound the Gong looked at that and said "let me show you true pain" and came up with this. It's not really fair to call this a romance since our MC's actively hate / despise each other for a majority of their lives, but the begrudging respect for how good they are exists best with this line - "Why did the universe have to make you when there was already a me?"
Crow/ Zither are two sides of the same coin, ruthless, brutal and waiting to leave a mark on history, even only as a secondary player. This book makes it so easy to get caught up in the story that you don't even see the slow slip of darkness that Zephyr goes down. Her choices become less and less "good" and more and more deadly and manipulative and I loved to see it.
This book definitely ends with an open ending and as much as I loved it... ? GO READ THE BONUS EPILOGUE !!! IT'S EVERYTHING
rep// asian MC, wlw
cw// death, murder, loss of limb, poison, fire
Find me on: |
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC!
Sound the Gong is the sequel to Strike the Zither and it should have been titled something like "Torture Crow for 300 pages" because that's entirely what happened.
So much happens at the end of Strike the Zither, it's a political fantasy unlike anything I've ever read before - it's got cunning MC's that truly will do anything for the upper hand, will break every sacred vow, will give up their soul over and over again putting themselves into utter damnation just to see their loved ones succeed.
And Sound the Gong looked at that and said "let me show you true pain" and came up with this. It's not really fair to call this a romance since our MC's actively hate / despise each other for a majority of their lives, but the begrudging respect for how good they are exists best with this line - "Why did the universe have to make you when there was already a me?"
Crow/ Zither are two sides of the same coin, ruthless, brutal and waiting to leave a mark on history, even only as a secondary player. This book makes it so easy to get caught up in the story that you don't even see the slow slip of darkness that Zephyr goes down. Her choices become less and less "good" and more and more deadly and manipulative and I loved to see it.
This book definitely ends with an open ending and as much as I loved it... ? GO READ THE BONUS EPILOGUE !!! IT'S EVERYTHING
rep// asian MC, wlw
cw// death, murder, loss of limb, poison, fire
Find me on: |
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC!
April 11, 2024
Thank you to Edelweiss and Macmillan Publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
AAAAA I ate this up oh my god.
I think the way Joan He describes the structure of this duology helps lots with approaching the reading experience. Originally meant to be one book, STRIKE THE ZITHER (which I don¡¯t have a review of ?? I gotta get on that) and SOUND THE GONG effectively work as two halves of one whole.
So yeah, if you don¡¯t remember much from Book 1, I¡¯d go reread it (had to as well since it¡¯d been so long loll). Orrr if you haven¡¯t read STZ yet, then this is the perfect opportunity to binge them back to back!
And in the sense that Book 2 is like the second half of one big book, god did the payoff feel like it! Since the essentials are set up in Book 1, STG gets to have continuous reveals and twists from start to finish that feel so rewarding.
But even while working with characters & concepts we¡¯re familiar with, Joan He manages to establish new concepts within the whole god/spirit magic that are sososo fun to read. If a book were a pageturner, it would be this one! Literally was so captivated by what would happen next in the story, or how the magic would unfurl, that it stayed on my mind when I was away. (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ says I started in January but sike college exams, I pretty much read it within a week)
For those looking for more Crow¡ªyes! There is loads more Crow. Zephyr & his rivalry extends longer in a way I didn¡¯t anticipate at all and I live for their sour almost romance. I feel like it¡¯s so rare to see books that treat enemies to lovers in this manner¡ªwhere they¡¯re more would-be lovers that are forced rivals in an unfortunate turn of fate. But their dynamic felt real and raw because of it.
The cast of characters was one of my favourite parts in Book 1, and in Book 2 I loved exploring more of Ren. She¡¯s a little bit silly despite being the epitome of an honourable person. I think the characters I had wanted to know more of in Book 1 were satisfyingly explored to the extents I¡¯d hoped for in SOUND THE GONG. Miasma, Cicada, Sikou Hai, and surprisingly Plum? Who I found to be pretty interesting by the end. Would¡¯ve loved a teeny bit more Ku maybe.
If you have read this book, please do a service to yourself and read the bonus epilogue the author wrote!! It¡¯s a romcom cdrama style novella about Zephyr & Crow and it is canon in my heart <3
Overall, if you loved book one then read read read! This is the completion that STRIKE THE ZITHER needs. Also I want more people to talk to about this series so if you would kindly be of service, read it ty ty.
PRE-READ
I finished Strike The Zither and need more Crow ty ?
UPDATE:
Approved for an ARC !!!! I¡¯m so happy shdjdkw my first time getting an ARC for bestie Joan He¡¯s books, I love her writing
AAAAA I ate this up oh my god.
I think the way Joan He describes the structure of this duology helps lots with approaching the reading experience. Originally meant to be one book, STRIKE THE ZITHER (which I don¡¯t have a review of ?? I gotta get on that) and SOUND THE GONG effectively work as two halves of one whole.
So yeah, if you don¡¯t remember much from Book 1, I¡¯d go reread it (had to as well since it¡¯d been so long loll). Orrr if you haven¡¯t read STZ yet, then this is the perfect opportunity to binge them back to back!
And in the sense that Book 2 is like the second half of one big book, god did the payoff feel like it! Since the essentials are set up in Book 1, STG gets to have continuous reveals and twists from start to finish that feel so rewarding.
But even while working with characters & concepts we¡¯re familiar with, Joan He manages to establish new concepts within the whole god/spirit magic that are sososo fun to read. If a book were a pageturner, it would be this one! Literally was so captivated by what would happen next in the story, or how the magic would unfurl, that it stayed on my mind when I was away. (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ says I started in January but sike college exams, I pretty much read it within a week)
For those looking for more Crow¡ªyes! There is loads more Crow. Zephyr & his rivalry extends longer in a way I didn¡¯t anticipate at all and I live for their sour almost romance. I feel like it¡¯s so rare to see books that treat enemies to lovers in this manner¡ªwhere they¡¯re more would-be lovers that are forced rivals in an unfortunate turn of fate. But their dynamic felt real and raw because of it.
The cast of characters was one of my favourite parts in Book 1, and in Book 2 I loved exploring more of Ren. She¡¯s a little bit silly despite being the epitome of an honourable person. I think the characters I had wanted to know more of in Book 1 were satisfyingly explored to the extents I¡¯d hoped for in SOUND THE GONG. Miasma, Cicada, Sikou Hai, and surprisingly Plum? Who I found to be pretty interesting by the end. Would¡¯ve loved a teeny bit more Ku maybe.
If you have read this book, please do a service to yourself and read the bonus epilogue the author wrote!! It¡¯s a romcom cdrama style novella about Zephyr & Crow and it is canon in my heart <3
Overall, if you loved book one then read read read! This is the completion that STRIKE THE ZITHER needs. Also I want more people to talk to about this series so if you would kindly be of service, read it ty ty.
PRE-READ
I finished Strike The Zither and need more Crow ty ?
UPDATE:
Approved for an ARC !!!! I¡¯m so happy shdjdkw my first time getting an ARC for bestie Joan He¡¯s books, I love her writing
June 25, 2024
2.5 ??
main character is a sore loser first, war strategist second and as she hyper fixates on changing the fate of lowly humans and letting her lordess win the war, she burns everything down.
This book was all hyperfixation, no substance. The reasons why I loved the first one were simply not there in the second. Not a single substantial relationship, no side plots, no character development, just Zephyr possessing the next convenient body so she can further her objective. Even the storytelling was so.. and then this happened and then I did this and then that happened- almost like I¡¯m reading a flow chart or a brain dump for the books plot.
I was not a fan of the fact that the book picks up immediately from where the last one ends as if they¡¯re a mega book together, not that this is a second volume and that the reader most likely cannot remember the fine details of something they read a year and a half ago. I had to seek out a document the author has that breaks down the first book chapter by chapter- why not just jog your reader¡¯s memory in the first few chapters?
This could have taken the female rage angle or revenge or anything of the sort, but I failed to empathize with Zephyrs desire to ¡°win¡± and essentially rewrite the predestined fate, or as a matter of fact understand why her loyalties lay where they did.
main character is a sore loser first, war strategist second and as she hyper fixates on changing the fate of lowly humans and letting her lordess win the war, she burns everything down.
This book was all hyperfixation, no substance. The reasons why I loved the first one were simply not there in the second. Not a single substantial relationship, no side plots, no character development, just Zephyr possessing the next convenient body so she can further her objective. Even the storytelling was so.. and then this happened and then I did this and then that happened- almost like I¡¯m reading a flow chart or a brain dump for the books plot.
I was not a fan of the fact that the book picks up immediately from where the last one ends as if they¡¯re a mega book together, not that this is a second volume and that the reader most likely cannot remember the fine details of something they read a year and a half ago. I had to seek out a document the author has that breaks down the first book chapter by chapter- why not just jog your reader¡¯s memory in the first few chapters?
This could have taken the female rage angle or revenge or anything of the sort, but I failed to empathize with Zephyrs desire to ¡°win¡± and essentially rewrite the predestined fate, or as a matter of fact understand why her loyalties lay where they did.
Read
January 7, 2024tl;dr
Even more of a roller coaster than the first one. War, plots, and an absolutely relentless MC race towards a powerful ending.
Thoughts
In my review for the previous book, I politely asked for an illustration of Crow, and we have generously been given two. (One on the cover, and one inside yet to come.) That's the only bit of generosity you'll see here - in the best way possible. War isn't pretty, and Zephyr won't pretend otherwise. No quarter given, no mercy granted. She's relentless in her quest to win this war, and she's willing to sacrifice anyone's life, hers included. If you want a ruthless MC who will REALLY do anything to win, this book will delight you. I put a question mark on the romance in the last book, and the question mark remains here. There's certainly attraction, but both Zephyr and Crow have bigger goals in mind, and seeing them square off again was great. But don't come in here expecting the twist to be they fall in love and change things. Love doesn't conquer all - Zephyr does. And it's messy and violent and a page-turning powerhouse with a satisfying ending.
As with the previous book, the author's notes in the back are also a great read, for anyone interested in the original Three Kingdoms account.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Even more of a roller coaster than the first one. War, plots, and an absolutely relentless MC race towards a powerful ending.
Thoughts
In my review for the previous book, I politely asked for an illustration of Crow, and we have generously been given two. (One on the cover, and one inside yet to come.) That's the only bit of generosity you'll see here - in the best way possible. War isn't pretty, and Zephyr won't pretend otherwise. No quarter given, no mercy granted. She's relentless in her quest to win this war, and she's willing to sacrifice anyone's life, hers included. If you want a ruthless MC who will REALLY do anything to win, this book will delight you. I put a question mark on the romance in the last book, and the question mark remains here. There's certainly attraction, but both Zephyr and Crow have bigger goals in mind, and seeing them square off again was great. But don't come in here expecting the twist to be they fall in love and change things. Love doesn't conquer all - Zephyr does. And it's messy and violent and a page-turning powerhouse with a satisfying ending.
As with the previous book, the author's notes in the back are also a great read, for anyone interested in the original Three Kingdoms account.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
May 11, 2024
This brings Joan He's amazing Kingdom of Three duology to a thrilling conclusion. And what a conclusion it is! The sequel to "Strike the Zither" continues the saga with relentless action and heightened stakes. This feels so incredibly dense and action-packed!
One of the highlights of this book is its poetic prose, which beautifully captures the essence of the story's setting and themes. Of course, my favorite aspect was Zephyr and Crow. They are so enraptured with one another and yet they also are terrified of giving up ground to one another. They will never be vulnerable enough to realize something deeper so while I gobbled it up - it's also sad. And that meant the ending was incredible and so fitting.
While the ending may leave some readers craving for more closure, there's a satisfying resolution that ties up most loose ends and is sugar sweet and sassy on He's website. I highly recommend it after you get through this because it's a much-welcome shift. He's decision to offer this short story is amazing and I love her notes about the story.
This is a fitting finale to an exceptional duology. With its blend of military fantasy and Chinese literature, it offers a compelling story and is a damn good time.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for the copy. This review is honest and voluntary.
One of the highlights of this book is its poetic prose, which beautifully captures the essence of the story's setting and themes. Of course, my favorite aspect was Zephyr and Crow. They are so enraptured with one another and yet they also are terrified of giving up ground to one another. They will never be vulnerable enough to realize something deeper so while I gobbled it up - it's also sad. And that meant the ending was incredible and so fitting.
While the ending may leave some readers craving for more closure, there's a satisfying resolution that ties up most loose ends and is sugar sweet and sassy on He's website. I highly recommend it after you get through this because it's a much-welcome shift. He's decision to offer this short story is amazing and I love her notes about the story.
This is a fitting finale to an exceptional duology. With its blend of military fantasy and Chinese literature, it offers a compelling story and is a damn good time.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for the copy. This review is honest and voluntary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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