Overall: 4.5/5 ββββπ«
Steam: π only
Feels: πππ«π
~ Story Details ~
Tear jerker: β
Paranormal/Fantasy: β
Location: Various; China, Mongolia – Kipchak Khanate and several others
Character age range: Late teens
Lead: Jinghua
Love interest(s): Khalaf
HEA: β
~QD Book Infoπ~
Kindle Unlimited: β
Audible: β
– narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
Series: β – stand alone –
~QDπ₯~
Sex/kink type: None – π only
Possible triggers: violence/gore, homicide, slavery, kidnapping, torture, self-harm
~Reviewπ~
This book was a beautifully written retelling of a famous (and tragic) opera. The author writes in a lyrical prose that transports the reader into a picturesque world so vivid I thought I might be able to reach out and touch it. The dialogue is endearingly honest; I was a pendulum swinging between feeling anguished and laughing at Jinghuaβs inner-monologue. The end is as tragic as it was in the opera, if not even more so, and despite knowing the ending, I sat there sobbing nonetheless. Brava, on an impressive debut novel! –
β¨Pro-tip: The audio book is amazing.
I alternated between reading and listening. Emily Woo Zeller narrates the hell out of this book. It was such a joy listening to her!