Neon Yang

When I finished The Descent of Monsters, I assumed this book would be a continuation of that storyline and I didn’t even bother reading the blurb. But this one turned out to be something very different and unexpected.

I’ve read someone describe this book as a drunken monologue and that’s just perfect. It’s very conversational but we only get to hear one side of the dialogue, however that didn’t take away from the story at all. I quite liked this style of storytelling. And the best show more part, this is almost like a combination of lovers to enemies and villain romance trope, and it’s something I’ve never read before. This book also doesn’t have a lot of world building because it’s a very personal story and I quite liked this change of pace.

The Protector has always been on the fringes of the series as a terrifying character but we never get to know much about her, so this origin story of hers in the words of someone very close to her was very fascinating to read. At the same time, this is also Lady Han’s story and how the Machinist movement came to be - so the overall vibe of this book is like a historical account. It’s also a very interesting look at how circumstances change a person completely and how much power can corrupt anyone - to such an extent that love and relationships don’t matter anymore. Sonami is another character who has remained very mysterious throughout the series and I can’t wait to get to know her better.

To conclude, this book may not have had the story I wanted, but it was still an amazing read. The author has managed to immerse me in this sometimes cruel world through four very unique novellas, and my only hope is that we get so many more books in this series because I’m not done with these characters and want to follow them through so many more stories. show less

After dealing with a novel that started out strongly, then went down hill rapidly, it was a pleasure to read a book where the author has their act together across the board. Misery Nomaki, a street punk who wants to do some living before she loses her mind like her mother did, is only able to act on her drives once she begins a conversational relationship with a being she interprets as having the nature of an angel; it's from there that the fun begins. How much you're going to like this show more novel is going to depend on how you feel about how Yang puts distance between the reader and Misery, as our main character becomes the stuff of legend, and starts buying into the legend herself. I personally am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy, as if it's anything like Yang's "Tensorate" novellas, she's in no hurry to give up her secrets. show less

When a rogue dragon attack in her kitchen changed her fate, Yeva resigned herself to a life of secrecy and discipline. She became the best dragon hunter in her kingdom, valued by the emperor for how many creatures she'd slain. Imagine her surprise when she's sent abroad to the reclusive nation of Quanbao, where it's rumored that dragons are revered and worshiped.

And imagine her bigger surprise when her goal shifts from reports of spotted dragons to the sickley Girl-King hosting her show more visit.

Content Warnings: Mild Spice, Body Disfigurement, Child Abuse, and a big ole metaphor (I think) for struggling with your identity.

This is a new novella from an author I hadn't heard of, but now I'm very curious to check out the rest of their work. It's a very sweet queer romantasy that steps away from the popular tropes I've currently seen, and Yang has a unique narrative voice that makes the story feel more epic despite its limited setting. show less

Wu’s narration of the first three novellas in the Tensorate series will multiply the devotees of Yang’s richly-developed, Asian-influenced epic fantasy world. In the beginning, Protector Sanao pays a debt owed the Head Abbot by giving the Grand Monastery newborn twins instead of her sixth child as he’d assumed. The inseparable twins will study Slackcraft, the magic of the five natures, and live simply. Wu’s narration gradually ages and refines the light, airy voices of the children show more Mokoya and Akeha, without implying gender, until their chose has been made. When Mokoya’s dreams prove prophetic, the Protector’s desire to exploit their visions draws both twins back into Protectorate machinations. As Mokoya visions and her gender decision set Akeha on their own path of self-discovery, Wu subtly reflects growing divide by diverging the twin’s voices until each is unique while still echoing their origins. By the second novella, Akeha has found his place as an outlaw. The focus shifts to Mokoya’s self-determination to create an identity separate from being a prophet while facing overwhelming grief. As the points of view expand in the third novella, using an epistolary style, Wu provides clarity to the grander scope of the civil war fomenting against the Protectorate with Mokoya’s and Akeha’s help. While the story becomes nonlinear, Wu keeps the listener centered in time and place. Wu’s calm, measured tones make the fantastically seem commonplace, increasing the intensity only during high action sequences. Wu leaves listeners craving more of the intrigue and magic determining personal fortunes and the Protectorate’s fate.

The improved review was published in Booklist March 1, 2019 issue. show less