Molly X. Chang

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is the first installment in a series that follows Ruying, a teenager with the ability to pull the qi (life force) from a person and kill them. She is one of many who have magical abilities of various kinds. Her country, Pengu, has been invaded by Romans and their scientific marvels, through a sky portal. So far, Pengu has submitted to colonialization to keep the peace. But politics, rebels, and a potentially sympathetic Roman prince may change the status quo. Can show more Ruying protect what is left of her family while being forced to commit terrible acts to keep the peace? In an Author’s note, it’s pointed out that this story is inspired by Manchurian folklore and history, particularly during WWII, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. Unfortunately, the execution was lackluster. It’s understandable that the author would need to spend sometime world building at the beginning but there were continuous, repetitious descriptions of how Ruying’s family is poor, her people are oppressed and all addicted to Opian, and how magic can’t stand up to science. This really slows down the pacing in the first 2/3s of the book. It seems like all of the action and plotting happens in the last third of the novel which made that part much more interesting. Despite the time given to explaining in the beginning, there are still a lot of questions remaining about why and how magic works, why, given its fantastic nature, it can’t stand up better to science. Despite the flaws, I did like the main character and her struggle to understand her own boundaries and morals as well as the political intrigue. And the cover is absolutely stunning. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! show less

Regarding the controversy I say that while I understand it to an extent, if y’all are willing to trudge through other similar novels with similar romantic plots *cough cough* a court of thorns and roses- you should put those thoughts aside and instead focus on other facets of this book. It’s also the first in the series, let it cook.

I love the world building.

For a debut novel it’s wonderfully written, and it’s a fast read, which I appreciate. It’s quick pace made it immensely show more more enjoyable

I’m really liking it. The magic vs science is really interesting, and themes of feminism bolster the story.

I’m excited to see what else this author has to offer, I think she’s a great talent.
Everything about this story seems like it should be bogged down by too much descriptors- but the storytelling prowess of the author makes the novel something more than the sum of its parts.

It’s one of Illumicrates better recent picks, in my opinion because it captured my fancy!

Can’t wait for the next in the series! show less

This book presents an intriguing premise with a mix of fantasy and political intrigue. The protagonist, Ruying, has a unique ability to control death, which offers a deep exploration of power and its consequences. The initial setup promises an engaging conflict between advanced technology and ancient magic, pitting two distinct cultures against each other. The story attempts to weave a complex tapestry of morality, exploring themes of duty, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between right and show more wrong. Despite its challenges, the plot provides moments of genuine emotional depth and character development, offering glimpses into the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit. show less

‘Never trust powerful men’s words.’ A prophecy, a girl destined to become the "empress of all empresses," and a quest to gain freedom and her own place in the world make Fei’s journey a compelling one. It gave me Mulan vibes at times, but with unique magical twists that kept things fresh and unpredictable. I was genuinely curious to see what Fei would do next, this is an adventurous and empowering YA read!
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review