After putting this on pause for three weeks, I realized that the idea of finishing The Radiant King was starting to feel too much like a choDNF at 32%
After putting this on pause for three weeks, I realized that the idea of finishing The Radiant King was starting to feel too much like a chore. I am vaguely curious about the plot and the story's direction but I just wasn't enjoying the reading experience enough to feel motivated to continue.
I may try again if I see glowing reviews from my friends. But for now, it's not for me. ...more
I see how this could be people’s least favorite series but I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. I liked all of the characters and I’m verI see how this could be people’s least favorite series but I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. I liked all of the characters and I’m very interested in their character arcs. The Rain Wilds were the most interesting part of the Liveship trilogy setting for me so I really enjoyed getting to explore it in more detail. I remain kind of indifferent towards the dragons but I did start to enjoy Sintara’s perspective.
Not a lot happens in this book but the audiobook really helped me move through the slower parts. It also feels like Dragon Keeper was the first half of a much longer book (something I’ve seen many people say about this series) ...more
Blood Jade is an engaging and action-packed follow-up to Ebony Gate. This sequel adds fascinating depth to both the characters and the world of the PhBlood Jade is an engaging and action-packed follow-up to Ebony Gate. This sequel adds fascinating depth to both the characters and the world of the Phoenix Hoard trilogy. I loved learning more about Emiko's past and exploring her complicated relationship with her family. The conflicting feelings Emiko had to navigate while returning to her family's home in Japan added really interesting emotional depth to her character. I found these relationships really compelling and realistic.
Blood Jade also expands on the magic and history of this urban fantasy world. The magical competition and murder mystery plots introduce new forms of magic and engaging combat scenes to the story. The twists and turns the story takes at the end hint at fascinating future developments for the magic system.
In my opinion, the series' weakness so far has been its pacing. Though in many ways the pacing improved in this installment, it has been my main critique of both Ebony Gate and Blood Jade. It felt like the plot of Blood Jade struggled to settle on a main direction to focus on leading to an opening that feels scattered. This ties into the fact that the book does not balance its subplots and main plot well. If elements related to certain plot points are not actively on page, it feels like they do not progress at all. If Emiko is not thinking about them then they do not exist. It is very odd how some things are completely dropped and then returned to many, many pages later without any sense of time having passed or things have developed without Emiko. This lack of continuity around the romance and sentinel subplots in particular makes the story feel a bit clunky at times.
Though I wouldn't say this is a series that I have loved, I am invested enough in Emiko's character arc that I will likely read the final installment when it comes out. The audiobooks, in particular, have been a great way to consume this series.
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