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I think I rated this higher than I would have normally simply because my expectations were so low already. I started out really amped about it until I saw all the reviews rolling in: consistently 1 or 2 stars.

It surprised me. Why would something that sounds so intriguing and awesome be so lame!? But I get it now. The author relies entirely on what we may or may not know about Asian culture. Are they Chinese? Japanese? We don't know. What does the main character look like? We literally never get any description of her, her sister, or the boy she loves aside from his muscles. This to me seems like a serious offense, like the author couldn't figure out how to describe them so she just... didn't.

The world building was laughably silly, but I could overlook it. Call me a shallow reader, but I can overlook plot holes or no world building if there's enough action in the plot to keep me motivated. Or conversely, if there's enough characterization, I'm okay with there being a slower plot. This had neither. No interesting characterization, and very slow moving plot. The action came very late in the novel and took a serious turn from plausible to outright fantasy. I don't mind that too much, it's more just that there was no indication it was going to go that route at all. People being sickly after mining isn't unusual. Prejudice isn't unusual. Oppression isn't even unusual. Then WHAM there's dragon lions flying through the air, conveniently saving everyone!

BUT, like I said, I had super duper low expectations. Like, really low. It worked out in my favor in this case; because I was so certain it would be terrible I was surprised by its readability. It's a disappointment sure, but it certainly isn't the worst book I've read this year.