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Third Moon Passing
“Men cannot live without gods, Chansol,” he said quietly, “but gods cannot live without men, either.”
Five years ago, the mountain god’s daughter and the dragon of the Han River caused a terrible accident. Now, they decide to set things straight—by calling on two human girls that are somehow at the heart of it all. As a result, the shaman’s rebellious daughter Daseul, along with the scholar’s tomboy Wolhwa, are both thrust from their lives in Haedong Village and into the realm of the gods. But with an ominous curse, hidden enemies, and the rapid approach of aggressive Western forces, will the girls—and the gods—be able to discover the secrets of their entangled past before it’s too late?
In Third Moon Passing , Rina Olsen presents a world where ancient folk tales become a reality, where gods and humans alike walk the earth, and where history can change its course with the flick of a dragon’s tail.
Five years ago, the mountain god’s daughter and the dragon of the Han River caused a terrible accident. Now, they decide to set things straight—by calling on two human girls that are somehow at the heart of it all. As a result, the shaman’s rebellious daughter Daseul, along with the scholar’s tomboy Wolhwa, are both thrust from their lives in Haedong Village and into the realm of the gods. But with an ominous curse, hidden enemies, and the rapid approach of aggressive Western forces, will the girls—and the gods—be able to discover the secrets of their entangled past before it’s too late?
In Third Moon Passing , Rina Olsen presents a world where ancient folk tales become a reality, where gods and humans alike walk the earth, and where history can change its course with the flick of a dragon’s tail.
- GenresFantasy
388 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2023
2 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Rina Olsen
2 books8 followersRina Olsen is the Korean-American author of Third Moon Passing. A 2024 YoungArts Winner in the Writing: Novel category, she has been recognized for her writing by the John Locke Institute, Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, the Sejong Cultural Society, and Guam History Day, and she was invited to serve as an instructor for Polyphony Lit’s Summer 2023 writing workshop Around the World of Poetry in 80 Days. She usually finds herself juggling writing, high school, and editing for the teen literary magazines Polyphony Lit, Blue Flame Review, and Cathartic Youth Literary Magazine. When she isn’t writing, Rina can be found playing the piano, looking up obscure history, or with her nose buried in a good book. She currently lives on Guam.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 23, 2023
I don't know the myths this novel draws from, and neither am I familiar with the historical setting chosen to place this story in, so that allowed me to read it with a fresh mindset devoid of expectations. And I must say that, for a début novel, it's remarkably good.
But because it is a début novel, it also shows the usual rough edges for beginner authors, namely the pacing, which alternates between being draggy in some parts and experiencing a burst in others, and then the characters that tend to blend into one the further into the plot you get, except for perhaps the two protagonists, who are more distinctive yet not quite that well defined.
Yet it's a lovely story, entertaining and, despite its pacing issues, not a chore to read. I'm sure the crowd that are fans of Asian-inspired Fantasy/Hist-Fic will enjoy it far more, too, as well as the younger audience. Worth a try, in general, but especially when you're not in the mood for complications and only want a nice read for the day.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
But because it is a début novel, it also shows the usual rough edges for beginner authors, namely the pacing, which alternates between being draggy in some parts and experiencing a burst in others, and then the characters that tend to blend into one the further into the plot you get, except for perhaps the two protagonists, who are more distinctive yet not quite that well defined.
Yet it's a lovely story, entertaining and, despite its pacing issues, not a chore to read. I'm sure the crowd that are fans of Asian-inspired Fantasy/Hist-Fic will enjoy it far more, too, as well as the younger audience. Worth a try, in general, but especially when you're not in the mood for complications and only want a nice read for the day.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2023
I am not familiar with the folk tales of Korea. The book, "Third Moon Passing," gave me a strong foundation for this mythology. In the West, they concentrate more on the gods and goddesses of ancient European countries and even some Native American myths, so it was fascinating to learn about Korean folk tales/mythology through Rina Oslen's book.
I must say, for a 16-year-old, Oslen is a terrific writer. I would say she is a prodigy. I couldn't believe this book was written by a teenager. I had to go and check reviews after reading the book. I followed the link to her page and read how she was only 16. Olsen has quite an extraordinary writing background for her age. I imagine it's hard for some people to read this book with words unfamiliar to them, the names particularly. I had to look up how to say the names in Korean. I had to keep repeating them. I memorized them to help with the flow. This is an issue on my part, not the writer. Just the fact I was willing to put in the effort to learn these names and how to say them is a testament to how well-written this book is.
I also loved the blending of gods with humanity. It isn't easy to pull off with this much equality between the two. I also loved the entanglement of East and West throughout the book. It's crazy when you look back to 1871 and study the Shinmiyangyo (Korean Expedition) and how the USA impacted Korea (mostly Ganghwa Island). This book shows a fanciful version of Korean Gods, creatures, and humans that interfered and intervened concerning this expedition. I cannot reiterate how splendidly Olsen combined this expedition with Korean folklore. I'm unsure if this was a retelling of myth/folk tales or a reimagining of myth/folk tales to include this expedition. Either way, Olsen did a fantastic job!
As the old saying goes, "The Devil is in the details." Oslen paints beautiful pictures with the tiniest of details in different scenes. I love these details as it sets this book apart from other books. It's crazy to think that just mentioning the kind of tea someone drinks can evoke vivid pictures or even phantom smells as if you were making tea yourself. Kudos!
I highly recommend this book for lovers of history, mythology, folk tales, or even military history.
If there was anything I would say could be improved upon, it would be a clearer distinction between characters. Now, I read other reviews and I see what they're saying, but it's nowhere near as bad as some of them made out. Yes, some feel as if they were one in the same character, but not enough for it to make a difference to the tale. After all, in real life, you meet people who feel they are just like you, or you run into people who act exactly like someone else you know. It is the one and only criticism I have of the book and since it didn't change how I feel about the book, I cannot dock Olsen for this.
I must say, for a 16-year-old, Oslen is a terrific writer. I would say she is a prodigy. I couldn't believe this book was written by a teenager. I had to go and check reviews after reading the book. I followed the link to her page and read how she was only 16. Olsen has quite an extraordinary writing background for her age. I imagine it's hard for some people to read this book with words unfamiliar to them, the names particularly. I had to look up how to say the names in Korean. I had to keep repeating them. I memorized them to help with the flow. This is an issue on my part, not the writer. Just the fact I was willing to put in the effort to learn these names and how to say them is a testament to how well-written this book is.
I also loved the blending of gods with humanity. It isn't easy to pull off with this much equality between the two. I also loved the entanglement of East and West throughout the book. It's crazy when you look back to 1871 and study the Shinmiyangyo (Korean Expedition) and how the USA impacted Korea (mostly Ganghwa Island). This book shows a fanciful version of Korean Gods, creatures, and humans that interfered and intervened concerning this expedition. I cannot reiterate how splendidly Olsen combined this expedition with Korean folklore. I'm unsure if this was a retelling of myth/folk tales or a reimagining of myth/folk tales to include this expedition. Either way, Olsen did a fantastic job!
As the old saying goes, "The Devil is in the details." Oslen paints beautiful pictures with the tiniest of details in different scenes. I love these details as it sets this book apart from other books. It's crazy to think that just mentioning the kind of tea someone drinks can evoke vivid pictures or even phantom smells as if you were making tea yourself. Kudos!
I highly recommend this book for lovers of history, mythology, folk tales, or even military history.
If there was anything I would say could be improved upon, it would be a clearer distinction between characters. Now, I read other reviews and I see what they're saying, but it's nowhere near as bad as some of them made out. Yes, some feel as if they were one in the same character, but not enough for it to make a difference to the tale. After all, in real life, you meet people who feel they are just like you, or you run into people who act exactly like someone else you know. It is the one and only criticism I have of the book and since it didn't change how I feel about the book, I cannot dock Olsen for this.
September 16, 2023
Third Moon Passing is the debut work by a teenage author and it certainly shows a lot of promise. I generally enjoyed the story, which was based heavily on Korean folklore and mythology, and it held my interest from start to finish. Two minor complaints would be that the characters' voices were not very distinctive, and with a large cast of characters this sometimes made one character blend in too much with another, but that is something I am sure the author will improve on with time and experience. Also, while the inclusion of full retellings of some folktales was perhaps necessary for readers not already familiar with them, for those of us who know the stories, it made the pacing drag as we paused to go through them, and the pacing overall could have done with some tweaking here and there. But that did not hinder my overall enjoyment of the piece, and I would certainly like to see how the author continues to develop. Recommended for fans of folklore-inspired fantasy stories. I am giving this book four stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2023
I'm amazed that this was written by a teenager. It did not feel like it at all and I had a good time reading it. I appreciate the characters' list at the beginning, that's very useful. The folklore in this book was very interesting and we got to see different tales mixed in the main story. I love korean tales, history and folklore so this book called my name. I was a bit confused at times as some gods have small parts to play so I had to refer to the list at the beginning a few times. The parallel with the Americans invading felt slightly out of place, like a different story mixing in the main plot, so that's why I took off a star. I'd recommend this if you want to read more about korean folklore and history, and characters working together for a common goal.
September 15, 2023
I have very little background in Asian myth and folklore, but I usually enjoy books that draw on it, so I picked this one up. It's crammed with Korean folk religion and its gods, in the context of a historical expedition by the US in the late 19th century to try to break Korea's isolation and open it up to trade, so I feel like I learned a lot about topics I was completely unaware of previously.
Where it didn't work so well for me was that there were too many characters that weren't sufficiently distinct from one another, and that didn't give me enough in the text to tell them apart, either in their voices or with a few words of description scattered in to remind me of their uniqueness. In particular, there were a large number of minor characters who were members of the Korean pantheon, all of whom had long names that were sometimes quite similar, and if it hadn't been for the cast list in the front of the book I would have had no idea, most of the time, who each one was (not that it mattered a lot of the time; they were often interchangeable). Worse, I had to refer to that cast list constantly throughout my reading, even towards the end of what is a fairly long book, because they hadn't been made distinct enough for me to remember who they were without checking. Even the two young human women from very different backgrounds who play a large role in the plot were hard for me to keep straight at times, because their voices were indistinguishable.
There are tricks an author can use to give characters more distinctiveness: a couple of descriptive tags that recur (Roger Zelazny's method, which is highly effective), or a bit of backstory that isn't part of their role in the plot but just makes them a more rounded character, or the vocabulary they use and how they phrase things. In the case of the gods, even reminding us which one was the god of gates and which was the god of the Big Dipper a bit more often would have helped.
I felt, too, that the plot moved slowly, and obviously not because the characters were being developed; more because there were minor incidents narrated at length, and places described in depth, where more plot or more characterization would have worked better for me. This may simply be a matter of taste or style, though.
The narrative style is a bit unusual. There's a first-person narrator, one of the gods, but sometimes it's third-person narration of scenes in which she isn't present, but apparently is aware of what is going on because it is relevant to her interests - not omniscience, because there are things she doesn't know until other people find them out, but something akin to it. Just because it's unusual doesn't mean it can't work, and for the most part this narrative approach did work for me, but others may stumble over it.
I had a pre-publication version via Netgalley for review, and there may be more editing to come; the author makes most of the common errors, but doesn't make them constantly, so it's better than most, but it could still stand one more polish. There's at least one place where the wrong name is used for a character, and another where a punch turns into a kick, but otherwise the continuity is good.
It's a first novel, and it shows, but there's potential here if the author can develop her skills, especially characterization. It's interesting enough that I'm putting it on my Best of the Year recommendation list, though in the lowest tier.
Where it didn't work so well for me was that there were too many characters that weren't sufficiently distinct from one another, and that didn't give me enough in the text to tell them apart, either in their voices or with a few words of description scattered in to remind me of their uniqueness. In particular, there were a large number of minor characters who were members of the Korean pantheon, all of whom had long names that were sometimes quite similar, and if it hadn't been for the cast list in the front of the book I would have had no idea, most of the time, who each one was (not that it mattered a lot of the time; they were often interchangeable). Worse, I had to refer to that cast list constantly throughout my reading, even towards the end of what is a fairly long book, because they hadn't been made distinct enough for me to remember who they were without checking. Even the two young human women from very different backgrounds who play a large role in the plot were hard for me to keep straight at times, because their voices were indistinguishable.
There are tricks an author can use to give characters more distinctiveness: a couple of descriptive tags that recur (Roger Zelazny's method, which is highly effective), or a bit of backstory that isn't part of their role in the plot but just makes them a more rounded character, or the vocabulary they use and how they phrase things. In the case of the gods, even reminding us which one was the god of gates and which was the god of the Big Dipper a bit more often would have helped.
I felt, too, that the plot moved slowly, and obviously not because the characters were being developed; more because there were minor incidents narrated at length, and places described in depth, where more plot or more characterization would have worked better for me. This may simply be a matter of taste or style, though.
The narrative style is a bit unusual. There's a first-person narrator, one of the gods, but sometimes it's third-person narration of scenes in which she isn't present, but apparently is aware of what is going on because it is relevant to her interests - not omniscience, because there are things she doesn't know until other people find them out, but something akin to it. Just because it's unusual doesn't mean it can't work, and for the most part this narrative approach did work for me, but others may stumble over it.
I had a pre-publication version via Netgalley for review, and there may be more editing to come; the author makes most of the common errors, but doesn't make them constantly, so it's better than most, but it could still stand one more polish. There's at least one place where the wrong name is used for a character, and another where a punch turns into a kick, but otherwise the continuity is good.
It's a first novel, and it shows, but there's potential here if the author can develop her skills, especially characterization. It's interesting enough that I'm putting it on my Best of the Year recommendation list, though in the lowest tier.
October 13, 2023
Usually I start my ARC reviews with a brief plot summary, but I don't even know where to begin. I suppose I'll start with the main portion of the story, as we see through Chansol's eyes for the majority of the time (although it's unclear if we're just seeing everything she is, but I'll get into this in a bit). Chansol is the daughter of the Hyeolgusan-shin (혈구산신), the god of the Hyeolgu Mountain. She, along with Moonsoo (문수), accidentally took someone to the underworld before his time, and now his daughter must partner up with another girl whose family has been cursed for generations in order to set things right.
I'm going to be analyzing cultural elements and language here, and while I am not Korean, I did major in Korean studies. I'm not an expert by any means, but I do know what I'm talking about.
I love Revised Romanization for Korean so much more than Mccune-Reischauer. It's just so much nicer. I liked that this book used RR. There were 2 instances where it wasn't, with the former more confusing and frustrating in my opinion:
Holangi, the tiger messenger. Tiger in Korean is 호랑이. In RR it should be Horangi. This is closer to the pronunciation. (In technical terms the r here is a flap, but that's a linguistic element that doesn't have much bearing on how it should be romanized)
Secondly, Yuhboh. 여보 is the word being used here, which is used between married couples as a sort of pet name, close to "honey" or "sweetie". It should be romanized as yeobo. I'm not sure why the author didn't romanize these two as they should have been.
I enjoyed the gods and learning about them, as most of my schooling didn't focus on folk religion, but I wish with each introduction we had gotten a hint at who they were instead of just a giant list at the beginning.
Once the plot finally picked up, at the sixty percent mark, I enjoyed the book. But it was so slow and grating to get to that point that I nearly dnf'ed it. The only thing saving it was my interest in Korean mythology/history. People, gods, and what's going on was barely explained, and not enough information was given to the reader to allow for them to put the pieces together. It felt like this book combined three different stories into one, but none of them got the full treatment it deserved. It was very overcrowded.
I'd like to discuss how Neo-Confucianism is discussed in this book. For reference, I wrote a senior honors thesis on feminism in Korea, namely how cultural elements impacted the fight for women's rights. One of my major points was on how Neo-Confucianism was a sexist construct that harmed women. I say this to point out that I do have a fairly deep level of knowledge on this subject. At one point, Daseul's grandmother proclaims that she is a devout follower of Neo-Confucianism and as such doesn't support her granddaughter's calling to become a shaman. This book takes place in the mid-ish 1800s. Neo-Confucianism was THE system by which Korea was governed at this time. (Yes, Buddhism had its hold too, but folk religion was marginalized/stigmatized at this time, especially in urban areas). So the grandmother proclaiming this doesn't really make sense? It would be expected that everyone was to follow Neo-Confucian teachings in order to promote social harmony. Another thing is that Wolhwa "followed her father's counseling in Neo-Confucianism," but she didn't have a choice. The rigid social structures imparted by Confucianism wouldn't've allowed Wolhwa much wiggle room in general, but she was also expected to conform to the "Three Obediences" where a woman followed her father before she married, her husband after she married, and her son after her husband died. (this is incredibly sexist and so problematic, but I'm including it for relevancy). Again, since there was so much going on, this gets lost in the book, and if this had taken place several hundred years earlier, more could've been said about the battle between folk religion and Neo-Confucianism, and it would've made more sense in context.
The language is overly done in some parts, and there are poorly timed info-dumps that feel awkwardly placed. The characters didn't feel fully fleshed out, and I was quite confused if we were only seeing things that Chansol could see or not. Passages that were in third person would suddenly switch to first when Chansol showed up, which made it seem like she was more of an omniscient character, but then when she spoke and interacted, she didn't come across that way.
I wanted to love this book, but it had a lot of rough patches that needed to be smoothed out. It wasn't bad by any means, I just wish it had been more cohesive.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)
I'm going to be analyzing cultural elements and language here, and while I am not Korean, I did major in Korean studies. I'm not an expert by any means, but I do know what I'm talking about.
I love Revised Romanization for Korean so much more than Mccune-Reischauer. It's just so much nicer. I liked that this book used RR. There were 2 instances where it wasn't, with the former more confusing and frustrating in my opinion:
Holangi, the tiger messenger. Tiger in Korean is 호랑이. In RR it should be Horangi. This is closer to the pronunciation. (In technical terms the r here is a flap, but that's a linguistic element that doesn't have much bearing on how it should be romanized)
Secondly, Yuhboh. 여보 is the word being used here, which is used between married couples as a sort of pet name, close to "honey" or "sweetie". It should be romanized as yeobo. I'm not sure why the author didn't romanize these two as they should have been.
I enjoyed the gods and learning about them, as most of my schooling didn't focus on folk religion, but I wish with each introduction we had gotten a hint at who they were instead of just a giant list at the beginning.
Once the plot finally picked up, at the sixty percent mark, I enjoyed the book. But it was so slow and grating to get to that point that I nearly dnf'ed it. The only thing saving it was my interest in Korean mythology/history. People, gods, and what's going on was barely explained, and not enough information was given to the reader to allow for them to put the pieces together. It felt like this book combined three different stories into one, but none of them got the full treatment it deserved. It was very overcrowded.
I'd like to discuss how Neo-Confucianism is discussed in this book. For reference, I wrote a senior honors thesis on feminism in Korea, namely how cultural elements impacted the fight for women's rights. One of my major points was on how Neo-Confucianism was a sexist construct that harmed women. I say this to point out that I do have a fairly deep level of knowledge on this subject. At one point, Daseul's grandmother proclaims that she is a devout follower of Neo-Confucianism and as such doesn't support her granddaughter's calling to become a shaman. This book takes place in the mid-ish 1800s. Neo-Confucianism was THE system by which Korea was governed at this time. (Yes, Buddhism had its hold too, but folk religion was marginalized/stigmatized at this time, especially in urban areas). So the grandmother proclaiming this doesn't really make sense? It would be expected that everyone was to follow Neo-Confucian teachings in order to promote social harmony. Another thing is that Wolhwa "followed her father's counseling in Neo-Confucianism," but she didn't have a choice. The rigid social structures imparted by Confucianism wouldn't've allowed Wolhwa much wiggle room in general, but she was also expected to conform to the "Three Obediences" where a woman followed her father before she married, her husband after she married, and her son after her husband died. (this is incredibly sexist and so problematic, but I'm including it for relevancy). Again, since there was so much going on, this gets lost in the book, and if this had taken place several hundred years earlier, more could've been said about the battle between folk religion and Neo-Confucianism, and it would've made more sense in context.
The language is overly done in some parts, and there are poorly timed info-dumps that feel awkwardly placed. The characters didn't feel fully fleshed out, and I was quite confused if we were only seeing things that Chansol could see or not. Passages that were in third person would suddenly switch to first when Chansol showed up, which made it seem like she was more of an omniscient character, but then when she spoke and interacted, she didn't come across that way.
I wanted to love this book, but it had a lot of rough patches that needed to be smoothed out. It wasn't bad by any means, I just wish it had been more cohesive.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)
July 25, 2023
Third Moon Passing is the debut novel from teenage author Rina Olsen and it is one that is definitely going to put this young writer on the literary map. Everything about the story is riveting, from the legends of the Korean culture, to the characters, to the attack by US soldiers, and it is all pulled together in such a perfect way that it will appeal to a broad range of readers.
Third Moon Passing is the story of Chansol, the daughter of a God, and Moonsoo, the dragon of the Han River. These two young people, both facing futures that become more and more confusing and uncertain, were the catalyst of a terrible accident years ago. They now have to find a way to fix things from back then and, in order to do that, they will have to work with not only the Gods, but with two "normal" girls from their village. As these two girls, Daseul and Wolhwa, are all of a sudden pulled into a world of Gods, curses, new friends, and many villains who do not want to see them succeed, their lives are changed forever as they try to figure out the secrets of their pasts in order to change their futures.
This story is set in a mythical and magical world full of powerful Gods and strange creatures who are all there to either help Daseul and Wolhwa or find a way to hinder them as they travel to the underworld to break a curse and save all of those that they love as their own world is under the threat of a real military attack. Third Moon Passing is full of lots of twists and turns as these two characters, as well as Chansol and Moonsoo, try to navigate all of the issues thrown at them as ancient stories become their own truth. Can they accomplish what they have set out to do? For that answer, you will have to pick up the book to discover for yourself what happens.
Rina Olsen, a teenager herself, has given readers a story that is filled with vivid descriptions of a beautiful world. The story is written so well and it combines many different outlooks as we read about what is happening from many different characters. The author shows such skill in her writing by being able to seamlessly pull all of this together into a descriptive story that flows so easily. It is very impressive.
The characters in Third Moon Passing, every single one of them, are very well-developed. From Moonsoo’s attitude to Chansol’s fear and confusion over becoming a leader after her father becomes ill, to Daseul and Wolhwa attempting to get along, the author shows us not only her characters attempts to do what needs to be done but also all of the emotions that they are feeling as they face what needs to be faced. In addition, this is a story that gives the reader very strong female leads who step up and take on a lot of responsibility and, as a reader, I love these types of characters. This group is truly remarkable, especially given the fact that all of the main personalities in this story are so very young.
This book is an exceptional example of storytelling and I recommend it to everyone. There is simply no way to read Third Moon Passing and come away not a fan of the plot, the characters, or the mind-blowing teenager who wrote it. I sincerely hope to see more from this author in the future.
Quill says: Third Moon Passing is a vividly written and captivating novel and amazing in the fact that the young author who wrote it is only sixteen years old. It really makes one stop and think about how much young people can accomplish if they really want to, and that is such a lovely thing for readers to find in the literary world.
Third Moon Passing is the story of Chansol, the daughter of a God, and Moonsoo, the dragon of the Han River. These two young people, both facing futures that become more and more confusing and uncertain, were the catalyst of a terrible accident years ago. They now have to find a way to fix things from back then and, in order to do that, they will have to work with not only the Gods, but with two "normal" girls from their village. As these two girls, Daseul and Wolhwa, are all of a sudden pulled into a world of Gods, curses, new friends, and many villains who do not want to see them succeed, their lives are changed forever as they try to figure out the secrets of their pasts in order to change their futures.
This story is set in a mythical and magical world full of powerful Gods and strange creatures who are all there to either help Daseul and Wolhwa or find a way to hinder them as they travel to the underworld to break a curse and save all of those that they love as their own world is under the threat of a real military attack. Third Moon Passing is full of lots of twists and turns as these two characters, as well as Chansol and Moonsoo, try to navigate all of the issues thrown at them as ancient stories become their own truth. Can they accomplish what they have set out to do? For that answer, you will have to pick up the book to discover for yourself what happens.
Rina Olsen, a teenager herself, has given readers a story that is filled with vivid descriptions of a beautiful world. The story is written so well and it combines many different outlooks as we read about what is happening from many different characters. The author shows such skill in her writing by being able to seamlessly pull all of this together into a descriptive story that flows so easily. It is very impressive.
The characters in Third Moon Passing, every single one of them, are very well-developed. From Moonsoo’s attitude to Chansol’s fear and confusion over becoming a leader after her father becomes ill, to Daseul and Wolhwa attempting to get along, the author shows us not only her characters attempts to do what needs to be done but also all of the emotions that they are feeling as they face what needs to be faced. In addition, this is a story that gives the reader very strong female leads who step up and take on a lot of responsibility and, as a reader, I love these types of characters. This group is truly remarkable, especially given the fact that all of the main personalities in this story are so very young.
This book is an exceptional example of storytelling and I recommend it to everyone. There is simply no way to read Third Moon Passing and come away not a fan of the plot, the characters, or the mind-blowing teenager who wrote it. I sincerely hope to see more from this author in the future.
Quill says: Third Moon Passing is a vividly written and captivating novel and amazing in the fact that the young author who wrote it is only sixteen years old. It really makes one stop and think about how much young people can accomplish if they really want to, and that is such a lovely thing for readers to find in the literary world.
July 31, 2023
In Haedong Village during the 19th century, the lives of two Korean girls, Daseul and Wolhwa, are unexpectedly intertwined with the realm of gods that have long existed but are still heavily debated. With an ominous curse hanging over them, hidden adversaries, and the impending threat of Western forces, Daseul and Wolhwa must unravel the secrets of their shared past before it's too late.
Third Moon Passing, by Rina Olsen, is a mesmerizing and enchanting tale that seamlessly weaves together ancient folklore, mythology, and historical events. With its richly developed characters, evocative setting, and a captivating blend of fantasy and reality, Olsen delivers a spellbinding narrative that will transport readers into a world where gods and humans coexist.
Olsen's prose is poetic and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the village and its surroundings. Her meticulous attention to detail breathes life into folklore and mythology, immersing readers in a world where gods walk the earth and shape the course of history. The author effortlessly blends fantasy elements with historical events, creating a seamless and believable narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Additionally, the characters are multifaceted and deeply relatable. Daseul, the shaman's rebellious daughter, exudes strength and determination, while Wolhwa, the tomboyish scholar's daughter, brings a refreshing mix of intelligence and bravery. The dynamic between the two girls is beautifully portrayed as they navigate their intertwined destinies and confront the challenges thrown their way. The supporting characters are equally compelling, each adding layers of depth to the narrative. Moreover, the plot of the novel is intricately woven, blending elements of mystery, adventure, and romance. Olsen skillfully builds tension and suspense, steadily unraveling the mysteries surrounding the girls' past and the consequences of the gods' involvement in their lives. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of reflection and introspection amidst the action-packed sequences.
Third Moon Passing is a mesmerizing and enchanting read that will captivate fans of fantasy, mythology, and historical fiction. Rina Olsen’s storytelling, richly imagined world, and well-crafted characters make for a compelling narrative. The novel offers a unique and immersive reading experience. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy fantasy novels with a blend of mythology and history, like the Percy Jackson books, where the workings of gods and other creatures also helped shape events that are discussed in history books.
Third Moon Passing, by Rina Olsen, is a mesmerizing and enchanting tale that seamlessly weaves together ancient folklore, mythology, and historical events. With its richly developed characters, evocative setting, and a captivating blend of fantasy and reality, Olsen delivers a spellbinding narrative that will transport readers into a world where gods and humans coexist.
Olsen's prose is poetic and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the village and its surroundings. Her meticulous attention to detail breathes life into folklore and mythology, immersing readers in a world where gods walk the earth and shape the course of history. The author effortlessly blends fantasy elements with historical events, creating a seamless and believable narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Additionally, the characters are multifaceted and deeply relatable. Daseul, the shaman's rebellious daughter, exudes strength and determination, while Wolhwa, the tomboyish scholar's daughter, brings a refreshing mix of intelligence and bravery. The dynamic between the two girls is beautifully portrayed as they navigate their intertwined destinies and confront the challenges thrown their way. The supporting characters are equally compelling, each adding layers of depth to the narrative. Moreover, the plot of the novel is intricately woven, blending elements of mystery, adventure, and romance. Olsen skillfully builds tension and suspense, steadily unraveling the mysteries surrounding the girls' past and the consequences of the gods' involvement in their lives. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of reflection and introspection amidst the action-packed sequences.
Third Moon Passing is a mesmerizing and enchanting read that will captivate fans of fantasy, mythology, and historical fiction. Rina Olsen’s storytelling, richly imagined world, and well-crafted characters make for a compelling narrative. The novel offers a unique and immersive reading experience. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy fantasy novels with a blend of mythology and history, like the Percy Jackson books, where the workings of gods and other creatures also helped shape events that are discussed in history books.
April 19, 2024
2.5 stars. I want to like this book. When picked apart, there were several elements that endeared me to it, but as a whole, I felt like the story fell flat.
The good:
- I LOVED the weaving of mythology and history. There are many fictional examples of mythological retellings, the merging of legends with reality, and gods playing with mortals. This story takes documented historical events from the 19th century and creates a unique amalgamation with Korean folklore that is still very much alive today.
- The presentation of several dichotomies: myth vs. reality, old vs. new, isolationism vs. internationalism, fate vs. destiny.
- The creative way Olsen seamlessly integrates both first and third person narration. I initially found it somewhat jarring with how quickly it could change, but came to appreciate the importance of the narrative switches throughout.
- The strength and resilience of the characters when faced with wrathful gods, challenging trials, and invading forces. They were depicted as very real, with doubts and fears, but also an obstinance to see things through to their completion.
- The wealth of Korean cultural and folklore. I definitely wish to explore more of the stories thanks to Olsen.
Despite all the good that I found, much of the story did not resonate with me. I couldn’t really like the characters, and wasn’t really invested in anyone until late in the book. I just didn’t care what happened to anyone up to that point. I think the other thing contributing to this was the introduction of so many characters that phased in and out of the story that I would forget their significance later on.
Relationships between characters were vague. I couldn’t really grasp the dynamic between Chansol and Moonsoo, not knowing if they were best friends, antagonistic towards one another, or simply just existing in each other’s space. As for Daseul and Wolhwa, their relationship the entire book seemed forced. I didn’t really feel like there was a natural progression towards companionship, but rather a begrudging acceptance of circumstances that forced them together.
Finally, the plot seemed disconnected enough that it lacked flow. It wasn’t until about a quarter of the way in that the plot was somewhat established, only to completely change again two-thirds of the way through. I wasn’t even sure of who the protagonist was supposed to be most of the story.
Despite falling short in my estimation, I still think this story deserves a read. It had complexity, depth, and creativity, offering far more than just vapid, shallow characters and another textbook mythological retelling of the same old story.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The good:
- I LOVED the weaving of mythology and history. There are many fictional examples of mythological retellings, the merging of legends with reality, and gods playing with mortals. This story takes documented historical events from the 19th century and creates a unique amalgamation with Korean folklore that is still very much alive today.
- The presentation of several dichotomies: myth vs. reality, old vs. new, isolationism vs. internationalism, fate vs. destiny.
- The creative way Olsen seamlessly integrates both first and third person narration. I initially found it somewhat jarring with how quickly it could change, but came to appreciate the importance of the narrative switches throughout.
- The strength and resilience of the characters when faced with wrathful gods, challenging trials, and invading forces. They were depicted as very real, with doubts and fears, but also an obstinance to see things through to their completion.
- The wealth of Korean cultural and folklore. I definitely wish to explore more of the stories thanks to Olsen.
Despite all the good that I found, much of the story did not resonate with me. I couldn’t really like the characters, and wasn’t really invested in anyone until late in the book. I just didn’t care what happened to anyone up to that point. I think the other thing contributing to this was the introduction of so many characters that phased in and out of the story that I would forget their significance later on.
Relationships between characters were vague. I couldn’t really grasp the dynamic between Chansol and Moonsoo, not knowing if they were best friends, antagonistic towards one another, or simply just existing in each other’s space. As for Daseul and Wolhwa, their relationship the entire book seemed forced. I didn’t really feel like there was a natural progression towards companionship, but rather a begrudging acceptance of circumstances that forced them together.
Finally, the plot seemed disconnected enough that it lacked flow. It wasn’t until about a quarter of the way in that the plot was somewhat established, only to completely change again two-thirds of the way through. I wasn’t even sure of who the protagonist was supposed to be most of the story.
Despite falling short in my estimation, I still think this story deserves a read. It had complexity, depth, and creativity, offering far more than just vapid, shallow characters and another textbook mythological retelling of the same old story.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
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April 18, 2025I found this book to be very well-written and a lovely story! I loved the combination of real and fantasy, and rooted for the characters throughout. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a beautifully written and diverse fantasy world with riveting characters!
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