I was on 3.5 for the majority of this book. I really liked it because of the setting and Zhao’s style, but I found it tonally inconsistent in some places and a little hard to follow the magic system. However by the end of the book I bumped it up to 4 just because the last chapter went in such a different direction I have to respect it. Did it all work? Debatable, but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

Really cool and imaginative idea, the narrator for the audiobook did an amazing job. That said—this is a very weakly hashed out fantasy. The world-building is so messy. Huge holes in understanding how this world works. I was entertained, and I’m excited to see how it’s adapted for screen but I wish the story had been written better. I understand it’s YA but there is a strange disconnect between the juvenile and sometimes immature writing style compared to the very intense themes of sexual exploitation, colonialism, war, etc that doesn’t resolve imho.

Obsessed.

Don't ask me about the specifics of the world building. I have no clue. I was too busy shipping characters. I'd die for the throuple. Also the plot twist at the end? >_<

I am in no way similar to Zetian but I do kind of relate to her, which is very rare.

People giving this one stars because she actually goes destroying the patriachy... which is harmful? Ok she murders people, and? I don't get your point. When male characters go around murdering and abusing women it's fine. "Historically accurate"

I was more triggered by this book with the mentions of needles than the poppy war.
Needlephobia