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Vows of Gold and Laughter
In a world where color is magic and belief is power, four misfit immortals have been picked by fate. Bai is old as dirt (literally), and he's tired of learning, tired of killing, tired of living. So he retreats to his mountain, taking the key to the Underworld with him. Jin needs that key. It is the only way to save her father, the Sun Emperor and ruler of the Heavens. But Jin is merely the Goddess of Beauty, and whoever cursed the Sun Emperor is now hunting her . The only being who will help her is Xiao, the God of Pleasure and her future husband. But Xiao lives in a drunken haze. Can he really protect Jin when he can’t even care for himself? Luckily Nanami, the world’s second-best thief, knows what to do. Steal Xiao’s Infinite Jug, but don’t steal his heart—even if she really wants to. The meeting of these powerful but lonely beings will reveal secrets that could destroy the Heavens—and dreams that might save the world. Vows of Gold and Laughter is the first book in the vibrant Immortal Beings series. This breathtaking tale is for anyone who loves Asian-inspired epics, realistic characters, and uniquely magical worlds. Buy Vows of Gold and Laughter for a quartet-worth of adventure!
459 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2039 people want to read
About the author
Edith Pawlicki
8 books65 followersRegarding ratings - I only keep books on my shelves that I want to give 4 or 5 stars to - I am quite decisive about what I enjoy, so I rarely finish books that I don't and as a fellow author, it feels rude to broadcast when a book wasn't for me.
About me -With twenty-six first cousins and three older siblings, I grew up playing with all of them in the woods of Connecticut. I majored in computer science and Japanese and minored in history at the University of Rochester. After graduating, I taught English in Japan before moving to the Seattle suburbs, getting married, and earning my Masters in Teaching. The birth of my twin sons in 2016 turned me into a full-time mother, and when they turned two, I resumed my hobby of writing because the characters and worlds occupying my head were keeping me awake at night! In 2021, I felt ready to share a novel, so I published Minerva followed by the first two books of the Immortal Beings series.
Instagram: @edithpawlicki
Facebook: Edith Pawlicki
About me -With twenty-six first cousins and three older siblings, I grew up playing with all of them in the woods of Connecticut. I majored in computer science and Japanese and minored in history at the University of Rochester. After graduating, I taught English in Japan before moving to the Seattle suburbs, getting married, and earning my Masters in Teaching. The birth of my twin sons in 2016 turned me into a full-time mother, and when they turned two, I resumed my hobby of writing because the characters and worlds occupying my head were keeping me awake at night! In 2021, I felt ready to share a novel, so I published Minerva followed by the first two books of the Immortal Beings series.
Instagram: @edithpawlicki
Facebook: Edith Pawlicki
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 15, 2021
I received a gifted copy of this book to read as part of the book tour hosted by Lovebookstours in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my gosh! This book blew me away with its magic, carefully woven settings which were so vivid I felt I was there and characters who are thousands of years old but still uncovering things about themselves and their abilities!
Vows of Gold and Laughter made me laugh and rejoice at times throughout its journey, and although the chapters are very long I couldn't put it down!
I did struggle at times to keep track of some of the characters in the sense of who was who (as there's a huge range of them) but I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish!
This book is just scratching the surface and setting the scene of what is sure to be a breathtaking adventure to come!
The way the book ended and the cliffhanger it ended on had me yearning for book two and I cannot stop thinking about where this adventure will lead to next.
I adored Nanami, Jin and Boi so much and although Xiao got on my nerves at times, I did grow fond of him by the end of this book.
If you love any kind of mythology books, you need to read this! God's, goddesses, love, betrayal, Deception, power, revenge, mystery and much more is within the pages of this book and you need to read it!!!
Oh my gosh! This book blew me away with its magic, carefully woven settings which were so vivid I felt I was there and characters who are thousands of years old but still uncovering things about themselves and their abilities!
Vows of Gold and Laughter made me laugh and rejoice at times throughout its journey, and although the chapters are very long I couldn't put it down!
I did struggle at times to keep track of some of the characters in the sense of who was who (as there's a huge range of them) but I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish!
This book is just scratching the surface and setting the scene of what is sure to be a breathtaking adventure to come!
The way the book ended and the cliffhanger it ended on had me yearning for book two and I cannot stop thinking about where this adventure will lead to next.
I adored Nanami, Jin and Boi so much and although Xiao got on my nerves at times, I did grow fond of him by the end of this book.
If you love any kind of mythology books, you need to read this! God's, goddesses, love, betrayal, Deception, power, revenge, mystery and much more is within the pages of this book and you need to read it!!!
July 9, 2021
Thank you so much to By the Book VBP for having me on the bookstagram tour for Vows of Gold and Laughter! I received a lovely finished paperback in exchange for a bookish feature and honest review!
This is an adult fantasy set in a rich world that focuses on Asian mythology, a whole lot of magic, and realizing one’s self worth despite what fate seems to have to store. An indie novel that really deserves all the hype of a traditionally published piece of work. Pawlicki takes us all over the fictional world, into various palaces and homes of the immortals from the Heavens to the Underworld, on a quest to save a despicable ruler, through two love stories and complicated friendships, as well as on a journey of self-discovery than can only be achieved through learning the truth about the past.
The Worldbuilding is richly described, with colorful palaces and equally colorful immortals. Quite literally because the most powerful gods are colors. We learn the physical lay of the land, the fauna, weather, food, music, and many local and court customs that help flesh out the world. It was definitely a little overwhelming at times but there are diagrams to help remember what is where and who is who.
The Characters: The characters are very much part of the world, as Pawlicki realizes and brings to life a full pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, deities, and immortal beings. There are four main characters who each have their own major flaws to work through, and it is a joy to watch them interact and learn how to work together. The banter is pretty entertaining at times, and other times quite serious. The thief, the warrior, the beauty, and…. well I guess the alcoholic, but he’s really a giant cinnamon roll and pretty powerful in his own right.
I did get absolutely lost in the characters at times though, like without the diagram I would have been lost. This is where I docked a star – I love all four of the main characters but it was kind of hard to figure out who else was going to be important and who to pay attention to. The author absolutely did a stunning job bringing so many characters to life though.
The Magic: Is based on colors, and what colors or essences will respond to each deity. This is pretty cool because it creates a lot of Earth-based magic, building, and transformative abilities which were cool too. There is also darker and shadow magic which I imagine we will see a lot more of in book two.
Themes: I touched on themes up top, but the main one seemed to be realizing your own self value and embracing who you are. Each character had to learn what they were capable of, and even the most accomplished ones still had lots of learning to do. I also docked some points for a recurring ongoing of sexual repression vs expression, and I get it since Xiao was the god of pleasure but don’t really come to fantasy for that discussion. I believe, as well as because of the ages of the characters, that this is why the book was targeted for adult readers. There are also themes of found family, family ties, sacrifice, justice, betrayal, civil war, and everything else you would expect from bickering Gods and Goddesses that are full of personality.
Overall: I definitely recommend this one for anyone interested in mythology, fantasy, asian themes, and anyone that loves a gorgeous cover. Thanks again to By the Book VBP and the author for my copy, all opinions are my own!
This is an adult fantasy set in a rich world that focuses on Asian mythology, a whole lot of magic, and realizing one’s self worth despite what fate seems to have to store. An indie novel that really deserves all the hype of a traditionally published piece of work. Pawlicki takes us all over the fictional world, into various palaces and homes of the immortals from the Heavens to the Underworld, on a quest to save a despicable ruler, through two love stories and complicated friendships, as well as on a journey of self-discovery than can only be achieved through learning the truth about the past.
The Worldbuilding is richly described, with colorful palaces and equally colorful immortals. Quite literally because the most powerful gods are colors. We learn the physical lay of the land, the fauna, weather, food, music, and many local and court customs that help flesh out the world. It was definitely a little overwhelming at times but there are diagrams to help remember what is where and who is who.
The Characters: The characters are very much part of the world, as Pawlicki realizes and brings to life a full pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, deities, and immortal beings. There are four main characters who each have their own major flaws to work through, and it is a joy to watch them interact and learn how to work together. The banter is pretty entertaining at times, and other times quite serious. The thief, the warrior, the beauty, and…. well I guess the alcoholic, but he’s really a giant cinnamon roll and pretty powerful in his own right.
I did get absolutely lost in the characters at times though, like without the diagram I would have been lost. This is where I docked a star – I love all four of the main characters but it was kind of hard to figure out who else was going to be important and who to pay attention to. The author absolutely did a stunning job bringing so many characters to life though.
The Magic: Is based on colors, and what colors or essences will respond to each deity. This is pretty cool because it creates a lot of Earth-based magic, building, and transformative abilities which were cool too. There is also darker and shadow magic which I imagine we will see a lot more of in book two.
Themes: I touched on themes up top, but the main one seemed to be realizing your own self value and embracing who you are. Each character had to learn what they were capable of, and even the most accomplished ones still had lots of learning to do. I also docked some points for a recurring ongoing of sexual repression vs expression, and I get it since Xiao was the god of pleasure but don’t really come to fantasy for that discussion. I believe, as well as because of the ages of the characters, that this is why the book was targeted for adult readers. There are also themes of found family, family ties, sacrifice, justice, betrayal, civil war, and everything else you would expect from bickering Gods and Goddesses that are full of personality.
Overall: I definitely recommend this one for anyone interested in mythology, fantasy, asian themes, and anyone that loves a gorgeous cover. Thanks again to By the Book VBP and the author for my copy, all opinions are my own!
June 30, 2021
4.5 Rounded to 4
I was torn with how to rate this one and ended at 4.5. I initially had a hard time getting into this one. I am a reader who has a hard time with long chapters...10-15pgs isn't too bad but when it gets to 25-30 I struggle. It's a personal and visual aspect for me.
So I changed how I saw the chapters. There are breaks in them that are long enough to be chapters so I looked at them that way. As soon as I thought of it differently I started flying through it. Again, just a personal thing but it made a huge difference since I could concentrate better. Ya I know I'm weird like that 🤷♀️😂 That being said...
Back a few years ago there were Asian martial arts movies that I fell in love with. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The House of Flying Daggers were two of my favorites. The movies were so colorful, full of graceful moves and had gorgeous backdrops. This book reminded me of that and I ended up finishing in 2 1/2 days.
I absolutely LOVED this story. It's such a beautiful, descriptive world. The lives and stories of the Immortals had me wrapped up all snug as a bug in a rug while I "watched" and enjoyed the drama, betryal and court power plays. The love stories are a great addition and I am excited to see where those lead. The ending definitely has me 😳😳 seriously?? That's how you leave me hanging???🤣🤣🤣
I will mention it's a bit tough keeping up with all the characters BUT the author does a great job with outlining who they are, even including maps throughout and a glossary in the back so I never felt lost or overwhelmed.
Anyone interested in dipping their toes into Asian folklore and fantasy ... the water is VERY fine so come on in and get lost in this beautiful world and story.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and By the Book Virtual Book Promoters for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
I was torn with how to rate this one and ended at 4.5. I initially had a hard time getting into this one. I am a reader who has a hard time with long chapters...10-15pgs isn't too bad but when it gets to 25-30 I struggle. It's a personal and visual aspect for me.
So I changed how I saw the chapters. There are breaks in them that are long enough to be chapters so I looked at them that way. As soon as I thought of it differently I started flying through it. Again, just a personal thing but it made a huge difference since I could concentrate better. Ya I know I'm weird like that 🤷♀️😂 That being said...
Back a few years ago there were Asian martial arts movies that I fell in love with. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The House of Flying Daggers were two of my favorites. The movies were so colorful, full of graceful moves and had gorgeous backdrops. This book reminded me of that and I ended up finishing in 2 1/2 days.
I absolutely LOVED this story. It's such a beautiful, descriptive world. The lives and stories of the Immortals had me wrapped up all snug as a bug in a rug while I "watched" and enjoyed the drama, betryal and court power plays. The love stories are a great addition and I am excited to see where those lead. The ending definitely has me 😳😳 seriously?? That's how you leave me hanging???🤣🤣🤣
I will mention it's a bit tough keeping up with all the characters BUT the author does a great job with outlining who they are, even including maps throughout and a glossary in the back so I never felt lost or overwhelmed.
Anyone interested in dipping their toes into Asian folklore and fantasy ... the water is VERY fine so come on in and get lost in this beautiful world and story.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and By the Book Virtual Book Promoters for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
July 1, 2021
I loved this book even if it did have a bit of a slow start this book really does remind me in many ways of books from China or from Japan the style is similar yet still very unique to the author. I loved the characters so much especially Nanami, Xiao, Jin and Bai all four of them had things that made then interesting to read about. I really liked the romances of each couple they just fit so well together I am looking forward to reading more about them. I really loved the plot it starts after a while telling of a betrothal with two friends who don't really feel that way about each other things happen they go on a quest to save someone and other romances blossom I am really looking forward to reading the next book that hopefully will wrap things up and get a happy ending.
October 26, 2021
First of all, Nanami and Jin are everything to me and I would die for them.
Now my declaration of love is out of the way, I found this book to be an incredible listen (I have the audiobook version) and the narrator did an amazing job at making all of the characters come to life. The story itself flowed nicely from start to finish and kept me engaged throughout, and the world building was absolutely phenomenal. The way the beautiful palaces were described was something else, but the author also had me tasting, yes TASTING, the food that was being described in the book. That’s talent.
The author described the immortal gods, their journeys, and the way they all interacted with each other in this book was incredible. The amount of characters that the author brought to life in this book is something else, honestly I have no idea how Pawlicki managed to keep up with all of these characters and make sure they all fit together in the story. I found the magic and how it works to be quite unique in this book, the idea that it’s all based on colours and what colours will respond to each Deity in the book (including elemental and dark magic).
There’s a cliff hanger ending that I never saw coming and I’m still reeling from, I need the next book now please. Right now. I need to know what happens in the next book, especially with all the amazing Deities and their magic at play. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?!
If you love Asian mythology (or any kind of mythology really), adult fantasy or magic then you need to pick up a copy of this book. Thank you so much to Love Books Tours and the author for gifting me an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Now my declaration of love is out of the way, I found this book to be an incredible listen (I have the audiobook version) and the narrator did an amazing job at making all of the characters come to life. The story itself flowed nicely from start to finish and kept me engaged throughout, and the world building was absolutely phenomenal. The way the beautiful palaces were described was something else, but the author also had me tasting, yes TASTING, the food that was being described in the book. That’s talent.
The author described the immortal gods, their journeys, and the way they all interacted with each other in this book was incredible. The amount of characters that the author brought to life in this book is something else, honestly I have no idea how Pawlicki managed to keep up with all of these characters and make sure they all fit together in the story. I found the magic and how it works to be quite unique in this book, the idea that it’s all based on colours and what colours will respond to each Deity in the book (including elemental and dark magic).
There’s a cliff hanger ending that I never saw coming and I’m still reeling from, I need the next book now please. Right now. I need to know what happens in the next book, especially with all the amazing Deities and their magic at play. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?!
If you love Asian mythology (or any kind of mythology really), adult fantasy or magic then you need to pick up a copy of this book. Thank you so much to Love Books Tours and the author for gifting me an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2021
I really do feel privileged to have been able to read this book ! I don't read many fantasy books like this but I would definitely read more by this author, her way with words is spectacular, it draws you into the book , it makes it a joy to read and one that you look forward to reading .
With a mix of mythology , magic , fantasy you are in for a truly amazing read . The world that is built in the book is fascinating, we travel through it with the characters visiting very different parts on a quest . The depth that the author gives the characters paints them so vividly in your mind , including the special powers they have , it might be a fantasy book but the way it is written it could very well be real ! Expertly written , incredible details throughout the book.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes fantasy books , this one is beautiful
With a mix of mythology , magic , fantasy you are in for a truly amazing read . The world that is built in the book is fascinating, we travel through it with the characters visiting very different parts on a quest . The depth that the author gives the characters paints them so vividly in your mind , including the special powers they have , it might be a fantasy book but the way it is written it could very well be real ! Expertly written , incredible details throughout the book.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes fantasy books , this one is beautiful
October 27, 2021
@edithpawlicki certainly has a gift for writing characters that capture the reader (listener in this case). You become invested in wanting to know what will happen next and care deeply about the outcomes.
I love mythology and this was what drew me to this book originally. I was not expecting to fall in love with the story as much as I did. The balance was perfect. Although the cliffhanger will keep me revisiting the story until a can visit the next instalment.
Perfect for any magic, fantasy, mythology, great story loving reader or listener.
Thank you to @edithpawlicki and
@lovebookstours for giving me the opportunity to read this, well listen too #VowsofGoldLaughter
#bookstagram #ukbookstagram #booklover #audiobooks #mythology #cliffhanger #amazingreads
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I love mythology and this was what drew me to this book originally. I was not expecting to fall in love with the story as much as I did. The balance was perfect. Although the cliffhanger will keep me revisiting the story until a can visit the next instalment.
Perfect for any magic, fantasy, mythology, great story loving reader or listener.
Thank you to @edithpawlicki and
@lovebookstours for giving me the opportunity to read this, well listen too #VowsofGoldLaughter
#bookstagram #ukbookstagram #booklover #audiobooks #mythology #cliffhanger #amazingreads
#Ad #Gifted
April 30, 2021
Get ready to rock your mind! Enter the world of the immortals replete with great characters, engaging plot lines, crazy magic, and amazing settings beyond your wildest imagination. While I must admit I’m not typically a fantasy fanatic, this book drew me in deeper page after page. (Spoiler alert, sort of…) And then, like any great multipart book, movie, or television series, just when you get to the end you see the “to be continued” coming on and realize how hooked you really are. It’s hard enough to imagine living for a century, now try to wrap your brain around existing for multiple millennia. If epic fantasy is your “cup of tea” don’t miss this book and the upcoming sequel!
June 29, 2021
For me, I’ve just recently delved into the fantasy genre. I LOVED this book. So much magic in the writing and story. It gripped me and I couldn’t put it down. I’d love to see more of this story, and highly recommend this!!
October 2, 2021
This high fantasy book with a mix of mythology and romance was such an addicting read, i stayed up until 1am reading this because i was determined to finish it ! (i actually devoured it within three hours!) ⠀
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It focuses on four god’s journey to the underworld & trying to find a cure. i would absolutely LOVE for it to become a film adaptation! I feel like i’d watch the shit out of it! ⠀
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The character development was fantastic & the diversity was incredible too! Would highly recommend this action packed adventure 🤍
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It focuses on four god’s journey to the underworld & trying to find a cure. i would absolutely LOVE for it to become a film adaptation! I feel like i’d watch the shit out of it! ⠀
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The character development was fantastic & the diversity was incredible too! Would highly recommend this action packed adventure 🤍
Read
April 9, 2022I had two goals for VOWS of GOLD and LAUGHTER:
1) tell two equally developed but contrasting love stories
2) evoke a sense of wonder.
So I created four distinct POV characters:
Jin - the insecure, hardworking, and sensitive Goddess of Beauty
Bai - the best warrior, the best scholar, and all-around amazing (especially in his own mind) oldest immortal
Xiao - the irreverent but deeply kind God of Pleasure, who turns to alcohol to deal with the pain of his childhood
Nanami - the cynical, disowned daughter of the Sea Dragon and an immortal thief
And a xianxia-based fantasy world:
And I set off discovery writing. This book took me on an awesome adventure - I hope it will take you on one too! You can read an excerpt on my site.
FYI, it is the first book in a duology, and there's some cliff-hanging at the end. But the second book will be released a few months after the first, so you won't have to wait too long!
1) tell two equally developed but contrasting love stories
2) evoke a sense of wonder.
So I created four distinct POV characters:
Jin - the insecure, hardworking, and sensitive Goddess of Beauty
Bai - the best warrior, the best scholar, and all-around amazing (especially in his own mind) oldest immortal
Xiao - the irreverent but deeply kind God of Pleasure, who turns to alcohol to deal with the pain of his childhood
Nanami - the cynical, disowned daughter of the Sea Dragon and an immortal thief
And a xianxia-based fantasy world:
And I set off discovery writing. This book took me on an awesome adventure - I hope it will take you on one too! You can read an excerpt on my site.
FYI, it is the first book in a duology, and there's some cliff-hanging at the end. But the second book will be released a few months after the first, so you won't have to wait too long!
February 7, 2021
I like the book a lot. Jin’s filial piety inspired me, which is very important for Chinese as a daughter or son. I love the romantic plot of Jin and Bai, Xiao and Nanami. They had quite the adventure and fall in love with each other. For anyone interested in mythic fiction, I recommend The Vows of Gold and Laughter.I love the style of romance of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
I read an advance version at this book as a beta reader. It was fantastic! I was totally caught up in the world, magic, colors, characters and romance. A heart tugging escape into fantasy and story, with refreshing amounts of reality mixed in.
September 7, 2021
▪︎A big thank you to @lovebooktours and @edithpawlicki for my copy of this book.
~𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘~
▪︎Ohh this book is a little power house. It's fantasy, it has Asian mythology, Gods and Goddesses, romance. Ah it's a fantasy readers dream!
We follow the immortal court which is celebrating the betrothal of Jin, Goddess of Beauty, and Xiao, God of Pleasure. But as soon as the vows are made, the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse. Jin is called a useless goddess, but she is now the emperor's only hope. The curse's cure is locked in the Underworld, and even though the court dismisses him as a hopeless alcoholic, Xiao vows to help his betrothed find the lost key. To help find this key and curse these two Gods hire a thief who has their own agenda.
We have battles, Great Warriors, The Underworld, magic, sword play and just such unique, likeable characters. I absolutely loved the diversity in this story. Mythology and Asian inspired tales, samori swords and just a magical action-packed plot. We have some deep topics such as Alcoholism and withdrawal, there is also mentions of gang rape (not graphic) and infanticide. I felt these were done so well and brought the book more emphasis on the characters.
I really like Jin and Bai. I'd say these two were my favourites in this story. The journey of these characters were at times quite funny and I laughed a lot in this book (the title definitely fits!) The settings were so well described as well as the rest of the story. Ediths writing is mesmerising and she's certainly set the scene for this book and for the series to become even more powerful. I did feel a bit confused at times and the chapters are rather long, so sometimes I felt like I was reading slow (even though I wasn't), however it's easy to just read and read and read.
This is a fabulous starter of a book and I can see this being a tv series, a bit like Merlin but this time it's Gods..that would be awesome actually! If you're a lover of fantasy and mythology (especially Asian), definitely pick this book up and not only appreciate the story, but also the beautiful illustrations and cover. Also absolutely adored the glossary at the back, much needed when there's a lot of names/places to learn. Very impressed and definitely like to continue with the series.
~𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘~
▪︎Ohh this book is a little power house. It's fantasy, it has Asian mythology, Gods and Goddesses, romance. Ah it's a fantasy readers dream!
We follow the immortal court which is celebrating the betrothal of Jin, Goddess of Beauty, and Xiao, God of Pleasure. But as soon as the vows are made, the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse. Jin is called a useless goddess, but she is now the emperor's only hope. The curse's cure is locked in the Underworld, and even though the court dismisses him as a hopeless alcoholic, Xiao vows to help his betrothed find the lost key. To help find this key and curse these two Gods hire a thief who has their own agenda.
We have battles, Great Warriors, The Underworld, magic, sword play and just such unique, likeable characters. I absolutely loved the diversity in this story. Mythology and Asian inspired tales, samori swords and just a magical action-packed plot. We have some deep topics such as Alcoholism and withdrawal, there is also mentions of gang rape (not graphic) and infanticide. I felt these were done so well and brought the book more emphasis on the characters.
I really like Jin and Bai. I'd say these two were my favourites in this story. The journey of these characters were at times quite funny and I laughed a lot in this book (the title definitely fits!) The settings were so well described as well as the rest of the story. Ediths writing is mesmerising and she's certainly set the scene for this book and for the series to become even more powerful. I did feel a bit confused at times and the chapters are rather long, so sometimes I felt like I was reading slow (even though I wasn't), however it's easy to just read and read and read.
This is a fabulous starter of a book and I can see this being a tv series, a bit like Merlin but this time it's Gods..that would be awesome actually! If you're a lover of fantasy and mythology (especially Asian), definitely pick this book up and not only appreciate the story, but also the beautiful illustrations and cover. Also absolutely adored the glossary at the back, much needed when there's a lot of names/places to learn. Very impressed and definitely like to continue with the series.
July 28, 2021
I loved this book and can't wait for the sequel! Edith builds amazing works which are steeped in Japanese folklore. The writing is so powerful yet understandable because Edith actually lived in Japan and taught English. This is a fantasy book yet it’s also a romance. It is kind of like the new movie Raya meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It’s definitely an adult story though thanks to the sexual tension that will melt the story’s Land of Winter. The story has 4 main characters. Jin and Xiao and betrothed but not in love. They come together to battle an evil curse. Both characters are beautifully written so that they have human flaws yet are otherworldly. I loved the warrior, Bai. The scenes where he does battle are such an ode to martial arts and its importance in Japanese culture. Sometimes with fantasy books, I have trouble keeping up with fight scenes, but Edith’s writing is so realistic I was waving the book like a sword, battling soldiers. Nanami who is referred to as a thief is such a colorful character. Jin’s description of her as someone who only steals from people who deserve to be stolen from is perfect! How can you not love a fantasy story where there’s a Godsmarket where they sell the dreams of mortals to immortals. Places like Godsmarket are easily envisioned because of the colorful descriptions. I love all the colors depicted: cerulean, vermillion, plum…. The magical elements of the story were wonderful because they are represented by colors. It made it easier to keep up with the immortals and their magical powers. The quest is well written and luckily there were maps to help follow their trail. The other wonderful part of the book is the glossary at the end. I could easily look up a character I couldn’t quite remember from before. I loved all the characters and can’t wait to read Tale Two when it comes out.
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July 13, 2021
MY REVIEW: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS! I LOVED THIS BOOK IT WAS SO GOOD! I CANT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH! I READ IT TWICE THATS HOW GOOD IT IS! I CANT WAIT FOR MORE FROM THIS AWESOME AUTHOR!!!
Book Title: Vows of Gold and Laughter (The Immortal Beings: Book 1)
Author: Edith Pawlicki
Book Synopsis:
The meeting of four lonely immortals will change them - and the world.
High in the Heavens, an immortal court celebrates the betrothal of Jin, Goddess of Beauty, and Xiao, God of Pleasure. But as soon as the vows are made, the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse.
Raised away from the Sun Court after her mother's murder, Jin is called a useless goddess, but she is now the emperor's only hope. The curse's cure is locked in the Underworld, and even though the court dismisses him as a hopeless alcoholic, Xiao vows to help his betrothed find the lost key.
They hire a thief who is more interested in stealing the groom than recovering the key, and begin their search at the legendary grave of the Great Warrior - only it turns out he never died. Tens of millennia old, he is a master of everything but his own heart.
Their journey takes them from the icy peaks of the White Mountain and the lush banks of the Kuanbai River to the palace of the Sea Dragon and the halls of the Moon Deer, through court intrigue and bloody battles, power struggles and magical traps. The Heavens, Earth, and the Underworld will forever celebrate their triumphs - and mourn their their mistakes.
Book Title: Vows of Gold and Laughter (The Immortal Beings: Book 1)
Author: Edith Pawlicki
Book Synopsis:
The meeting of four lonely immortals will change them - and the world.
High in the Heavens, an immortal court celebrates the betrothal of Jin, Goddess of Beauty, and Xiao, God of Pleasure. But as soon as the vows are made, the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse.
Raised away from the Sun Court after her mother's murder, Jin is called a useless goddess, but she is now the emperor's only hope. The curse's cure is locked in the Underworld, and even though the court dismisses him as a hopeless alcoholic, Xiao vows to help his betrothed find the lost key.
They hire a thief who is more interested in stealing the groom than recovering the key, and begin their search at the legendary grave of the Great Warrior - only it turns out he never died. Tens of millennia old, he is a master of everything but his own heart.
Their journey takes them from the icy peaks of the White Mountain and the lush banks of the Kuanbai River to the palace of the Sea Dragon and the halls of the Moon Deer, through court intrigue and bloody battles, power struggles and magical traps. The Heavens, Earth, and the Underworld will forever celebrate their triumphs - and mourn their their mistakes.
July 13, 2021
This book is Asian Mythology and legend inspired. Edith did a wonderful job at portraying everything. The world is so descriptive and sounds so beautiful. Through out the book there are maps which make it easier to follow along with the story. I was not familiar with the gods and goddess that were in this book but it did make me want to know more about them! It did have a slow start to grab my attention but once it had it me I wanted to know more. There is a lot going on through out the book but I never felt overwhelmed or lost in the story. And then the ending leaves you hanging!
The character development was done great which made it easy to enjoy and visualize them. One of my favorite part of the book is the couples because they fit so well together. At the back of the book you find the glossary (which is sometimes my favorite part of the book). I like when books include a glossary so if there is something you don't know or aren't fully aware of you can just look there instead of putting down the book (and getting distracted) to look up what you are wanting to know.
If you have wanted to read Asian Folklore, fantasy and a splash of romance than this is the book for you.
Thank you so much to the author Edith Pawlicki and By the Book Virtual Tour for providing me with a copy to review and being a part of you book tour! I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
The character development was done great which made it easy to enjoy and visualize them. One of my favorite part of the book is the couples because they fit so well together. At the back of the book you find the glossary (which is sometimes my favorite part of the book). I like when books include a glossary so if there is something you don't know or aren't fully aware of you can just look there instead of putting down the book (and getting distracted) to look up what you are wanting to know.
If you have wanted to read Asian Folklore, fantasy and a splash of romance than this is the book for you.
Thank you so much to the author Edith Pawlicki and By the Book Virtual Tour for providing me with a copy to review and being a part of you book tour! I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
September 14, 2021
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I love fantasy and this book really did not disappoint.
This is the story full of love, anguish, loyalty, treason, and adventure. I adored this book, and I cannot wait to read the second one.
The story starts with the last act of Bai, the First Immortal, and so much more. The story then skips millennia to present the betrothal of Jin, the Goddess of Beauty and Xiao, the God of Pleasure, both considered useless gods. As soon as they take their vows, The emperor – The Sun God, collapses and enters a coma. This sets Jin and Xiao on a quest to the Underworld to find a black peony, the only item that could break the curse and save Jin’s dad. On this quest they are joined by Nanami the Thief and Bai the First. Their adventure is perilous and the 4 encounter many dangers. Not everyone wants the Emperor to survive.
I adored the writing in this book and the plot. The Characters are likeable and easy to empathise with. While they are immortal beings, with huge amounts of power, they are also flawed and insecure. I have loved reading about their encounters, their arguments, their discoveries and their growth.
This is the story full of love, anguish, loyalty, treason, and adventure. I adored this book, and I cannot wait to read the second one.
The story starts with the last act of Bai, the First Immortal, and so much more. The story then skips millennia to present the betrothal of Jin, the Goddess of Beauty and Xiao, the God of Pleasure, both considered useless gods. As soon as they take their vows, The emperor – The Sun God, collapses and enters a coma. This sets Jin and Xiao on a quest to the Underworld to find a black peony, the only item that could break the curse and save Jin’s dad. On this quest they are joined by Nanami the Thief and Bai the First. Their adventure is perilous and the 4 encounter many dangers. Not everyone wants the Emperor to survive.
I adored the writing in this book and the plot. The Characters are likeable and easy to empathise with. While they are immortal beings, with huge amounts of power, they are also flawed and insecure. I have loved reading about their encounters, their arguments, their discoveries and their growth.
July 13, 2021
*Listened to the audiobook*
High in the Heavens, an immortal court celebrates the betrothal of Jin, Goddess of Beauty, and Xiao, God of Pleasure. But as soon as the vows are made, the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse.
In terms of mythology, I'm more familiar with Greek myths, so this was a bit of a learning curve for me, but Edith did a good job of making Asian mythology accessible to readers. There was a lot of world building, so I suggest reading a physical copy of this, as, with the audio, it was a bit more difficult to envision the physical maps although the narrator did describe them. The chapters were pretty long - on the audiobook, they averaged about 30-40 minutes each. 😳 That being said, once you get a hang of the characters and their world, you are in for a treat! The story was beautifully told and that cliffhanger?! 😱 Definitely check this one out if you are into fantasy, gods, family drama, or simply in need of a magical escape.
High in the Heavens, an immortal court celebrates the betrothal of Jin, Goddess of Beauty, and Xiao, God of Pleasure. But as soon as the vows are made, the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse.
In terms of mythology, I'm more familiar with Greek myths, so this was a bit of a learning curve for me, but Edith did a good job of making Asian mythology accessible to readers. There was a lot of world building, so I suggest reading a physical copy of this, as, with the audio, it was a bit more difficult to envision the physical maps although the narrator did describe them. The chapters were pretty long - on the audiobook, they averaged about 30-40 minutes each. 😳 That being said, once you get a hang of the characters and their world, you are in for a treat! The story was beautifully told and that cliffhanger?! 😱 Definitely check this one out if you are into fantasy, gods, family drama, or simply in need of a magical escape.
June 28, 2021
Vows of Gold and Laughter by Edith Pawlicki was a modern day new mythology that was so intricate and so well written I had to google to see if it was real!
4/5 stars
A group of immortals and celebrating the impending wedding of Jin (Goddess of Beauty) and Xiao (God of Pleasure), but Xiao is being set up by someone he isn’t quite sure who, who doesn’t want him to have his infamous never emptying jug of wine. A thief is hired to do the work, and she’s a bit more interesting to Xiao than anyone would want her to be.
This book was so detailed. The writing style was fascinating, and it was so easy to read. I was so shocked at how much detail went into the world building in this book. Huge kudos to the author I was super impressed. The characters felt like they stepped right out of mythology.
The plot was fun. It was very different from anything I’ve read before. I really enjoyed this read and I highly suggest it for my mythology fans, as well as my fantasy fans.
4/5 stars
A group of immortals and celebrating the impending wedding of Jin (Goddess of Beauty) and Xiao (God of Pleasure), but Xiao is being set up by someone he isn’t quite sure who, who doesn’t want him to have his infamous never emptying jug of wine. A thief is hired to do the work, and she’s a bit more interesting to Xiao than anyone would want her to be.
This book was so detailed. The writing style was fascinating, and it was so easy to read. I was so shocked at how much detail went into the world building in this book. Huge kudos to the author I was super impressed. The characters felt like they stepped right out of mythology.
The plot was fun. It was very different from anything I’ve read before. I really enjoyed this read and I highly suggest it for my mythology fans, as well as my fantasy fans.
June 28, 2021
4.5 stars
Never have I ever read a book about Asian mythology before.
This book follows the life of four immortals/gods and tells the story of a betrothal of two gods based off their parents wishes. Jin and Xioa have always been called useless gods but now they must prove themselves and stand up for what they believe. On the night of the betrothal, Jin’s father is poisoned by a family member and only she can go on a quest to save him. Xioa, her best friend and now betrothed, goes on the mission with her to save her father the Sun God. Nanami, an immortal thief that is thousands years older than either god, joins the quest to help Jin and figure out what is going on between her and Xioa. While on the quest, they stumble upon Bai, the First Immortal, and he holds the key to the Underworld with the cure for the Sun God. Through out the story you learn about the immortal colors, power, the lies told by the Sun God, betrayal by family (so, so much betrayal), vows, and so much more.
I loved this story. I need to know what happens next!!
Never have I ever read a book about Asian mythology before.
This book follows the life of four immortals/gods and tells the story of a betrothal of two gods based off their parents wishes. Jin and Xioa have always been called useless gods but now they must prove themselves and stand up for what they believe. On the night of the betrothal, Jin’s father is poisoned by a family member and only she can go on a quest to save him. Xioa, her best friend and now betrothed, goes on the mission with her to save her father the Sun God. Nanami, an immortal thief that is thousands years older than either god, joins the quest to help Jin and figure out what is going on between her and Xioa. While on the quest, they stumble upon Bai, the First Immortal, and he holds the key to the Underworld with the cure for the Sun God. Through out the story you learn about the immortal colors, power, the lies told by the Sun God, betrayal by family (so, so much betrayal), vows, and so much more.
I loved this story. I need to know what happens next!!
July 1, 2021
Really enjoyed the concept. I did get lost with some of the names beginning similar. Also I’d say skip the narrator he did nothing for the story.
October 10, 2021
‘Vows of Gold and Laughter’ tells the story of Jin and Xaio who once they are betrothed, find a curse upon the Sun Emperor and find themselves on a journey to lift the curse. Both have a terrible reputation amongst others and it’s upto them to prove them otherwise and to find the lost key which will enable them to stop the curse.
On the search to find the grave of the Great Warrior, they soon begin on an adventure where they find themselves overcoming obstacles, meeting new people and going through amazing scenery to find a way to stop the curse forever.
It’s a steadily paced story with a bit of action and a few surprises but I don’t want to spoil too much.
I did find myself getting a bit lost when it came to the characters but once I got into it a bit more I found that I loved all of the characters within the book and although they are immortals do come
with their own faults which I felt made them relatable as well as layered. The author had done a fine job of building them up and enabling their development throughout the story. The characters despite their faults and bad start to the story actually made for a wonderful dynamic.
You get a proper sense of the world that she’s built, with cool places such as the Sea Palace, a place within the sea in a dome of air and the White Mountain.
The author was hugely influenced by real life cultures and used those to build her own culture within the story.
With a mix of romance, magic and adventure, ‘Vows of Gold and Laughter’ is a visual treat.
On the search to find the grave of the Great Warrior, they soon begin on an adventure where they find themselves overcoming obstacles, meeting new people and going through amazing scenery to find a way to stop the curse forever.
It’s a steadily paced story with a bit of action and a few surprises but I don’t want to spoil too much.
I did find myself getting a bit lost when it came to the characters but once I got into it a bit more I found that I loved all of the characters within the book and although they are immortals do come
with their own faults which I felt made them relatable as well as layered. The author had done a fine job of building them up and enabling their development throughout the story. The characters despite their faults and bad start to the story actually made for a wonderful dynamic.
You get a proper sense of the world that she’s built, with cool places such as the Sea Palace, a place within the sea in a dome of air and the White Mountain.
The author was hugely influenced by real life cultures and used those to build her own culture within the story.
With a mix of romance, magic and adventure, ‘Vows of Gold and Laughter’ is a visual treat.
July 23, 2021
Vows of Gold and Laughter offers up our world with a twist - looking through the eyes of immortal beings. Its unique magic system had not completely unfolded by the end of the first book, though fundamentals and limitations had been laid out. I can’t imagine how the author will keep the character arcs so strong in the next book, but I’m looking forward to finding out!
March 30, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
An immortal has declared himself ruler of the gods. Only a girl demigod has a chance to set things right.
A bit overwrought.
An immortal has declared himself ruler of the gods. Only a girl demigod has a chance to set things right.
A bit overwrought.
September 2, 2021
Vows of Gold and Laughter by Edith Pawlicki is an adult fantasy book about Immortal Beings (who are Gods), and politics within the Immortal Court.
Jin, the Goddess of Beauty is set to wed her best friend and betrothal Xiao, the God of Pleasure when suddenly Jin's father and the Sun Emperor collapses. As it turned out, he was poisoned by one of his children. To save her father, Jin along with Xiao embark on a journey to the underworld to find the cure. Her journey will change Jin's perception of the world and herself as she will learn her true heritage. Being a Goddess of Beauty, she has been considered powerless by all. But is she really as weak as she thinks, or is the reality concealed from her and the world.? If so, why?
It's not only her world that will change after this incident. It turns out Xiao himself isn't aware of his true powers. Through their journey to save the Sun Emperor and unravel the dirty politics within the immortal court, Jin and Xiao meet Nanami and the great warrior, the first himself, Bai.
Their journey takes them from the icy peaks of the White Mountain and the lush banks of the Kuanbai River to the palace of the Sea Dragon and the halls of the Moon Deer, through court intrigue and bloody battles, power struggles and magical traps. Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld will forever celebrate their triumphs - and mourn their mistakes.
I loved the whole concept of having different gods representing different colors with different powers. The names of many of the gods (like Aashchary, Neela, Bijalee) are actual Hindi words which in English translates to their respective god names. Although the story is not set in Indian mythology, some of the names were the same as Hindi names, so that felt really cool.
Vows of Gold and Laughter has everything you need in a book. It has magic (from teleportation to Enchantment, to building stuff from worldly elements), adventure, the politics within a court (where the Emperor is poisoned), to drama, to passion and love. I can confirm I have a crush on Bai (Oops.!).
Xiao made me laugh whenever he was jealous. He acted like a teenage girl and it was really funny to read.
The whole concept of living for more than a thousand millennia was so weird and exciting. When Jinn described how she was a baby in her 5000th year, it felt all too funny. But this made me wonder how time would work for these beings. Like 20 years ago wouldn't be a huge time difference for them and would be a fresh memory for them.
The book also very subtly discusses some heavy stuff like an addiction (alcohol or otherwise). There's a conversation between Bai and Jin where Bai commented how Jin is restricting her own power by not believing in herself. I really loved that line. It's true for everyone. You won't know your full potential until you stop doubting your worth and self-restricting yourself.
This book has set the early grounds for this beautiful, exciting series and I am too excited for the next book. The story ended on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read what happens next.
It's a mythological fantasy book with magic, adventure, politics, love, passion, drama, and revenge. I highly recommend you reading this if this is your jam.!
Checkout the review here: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/...
Jin, the Goddess of Beauty is set to wed her best friend and betrothal Xiao, the God of Pleasure when suddenly Jin's father and the Sun Emperor collapses. As it turned out, he was poisoned by one of his children. To save her father, Jin along with Xiao embark on a journey to the underworld to find the cure. Her journey will change Jin's perception of the world and herself as she will learn her true heritage. Being a Goddess of Beauty, she has been considered powerless by all. But is she really as weak as she thinks, or is the reality concealed from her and the world.? If so, why?
It's not only her world that will change after this incident. It turns out Xiao himself isn't aware of his true powers. Through their journey to save the Sun Emperor and unravel the dirty politics within the immortal court, Jin and Xiao meet Nanami and the great warrior, the first himself, Bai.
Their journey takes them from the icy peaks of the White Mountain and the lush banks of the Kuanbai River to the palace of the Sea Dragon and the halls of the Moon Deer, through court intrigue and bloody battles, power struggles and magical traps. Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld will forever celebrate their triumphs - and mourn their mistakes.
I loved the whole concept of having different gods representing different colors with different powers. The names of many of the gods (like Aashchary, Neela, Bijalee) are actual Hindi words which in English translates to their respective god names. Although the story is not set in Indian mythology, some of the names were the same as Hindi names, so that felt really cool.
Vows of Gold and Laughter has everything you need in a book. It has magic (from teleportation to Enchantment, to building stuff from worldly elements), adventure, the politics within a court (where the Emperor is poisoned), to drama, to passion and love. I can confirm I have a crush on Bai (Oops.!).
Xiao made me laugh whenever he was jealous. He acted like a teenage girl and it was really funny to read.
The whole concept of living for more than a thousand millennia was so weird and exciting. When Jinn described how she was a baby in her 5000th year, it felt all too funny. But this made me wonder how time would work for these beings. Like 20 years ago wouldn't be a huge time difference for them and would be a fresh memory for them.
The book also very subtly discusses some heavy stuff like an addiction (alcohol or otherwise). There's a conversation between Bai and Jin where Bai commented how Jin is restricting her own power by not believing in herself. I really loved that line. It's true for everyone. You won't know your full potential until you stop doubting your worth and self-restricting yourself.
This book has set the early grounds for this beautiful, exciting series and I am too excited for the next book. The story ended on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read what happens next.
It's a mythological fantasy book with magic, adventure, politics, love, passion, drama, and revenge. I highly recommend you reading this if this is your jam.!
Checkout the review here: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/...
November 5, 2021
I would like to thank lovebookstours and the author for this eARC. I was attracted by both the cover and the blurb, and I enjoyed the story immensely.
The story is set among the Immortals based on Chinese mythology. It is a court drama that is also a romantic fantasy. The Immortal Goddess of Beauty Jin is betrothed to her best friend, the God of Pleasure, Xiao. However, soon after, her father is poisoned, and these two 'useless' Gods are tasked with finding his cure. On their quest, they meet the First Immortal, Bai, and the thief, Nanami. Their love and vows are tested as they find love along their journey.
This is the first book in the Immortals series. The story moves at a nice pace and keeps the reader glued to it. I liked the world building, and the character descriptions. The characters grew with the story, and I really liked how they turned out. All the main characters, Jin, Xiao, Nanami and Bai, developed and matured as the story progressed. I especially liked how each of them faced their fears and conquered them. I resonated with the characters and grew extremely fond of them. The author got me invested in their quest.
There are enough intrigues, love interests developing along the way to keep the interest in the story alive. The writing is fluent and the story develops very nicely. There is some representation of the queer community in this story, which made it richer, especially since it is mythical.
The narrator was superb. I especially liked the way he made the characters distinguishable, both male and female.
The only reason I'm taking off a star in my review is because the ending was a cliffhanger. I wish the author had given some sort of a conclusion to this book and developed the story further in the next in the series.
I would still recommend this book to all YA fantasy lovers out there. It is not the usual run-of-the-mill story you get in this genre. There is enough uniqueness for you to take up this series.
The story is set among the Immortals based on Chinese mythology. It is a court drama that is also a romantic fantasy. The Immortal Goddess of Beauty Jin is betrothed to her best friend, the God of Pleasure, Xiao. However, soon after, her father is poisoned, and these two 'useless' Gods are tasked with finding his cure. On their quest, they meet the First Immortal, Bai, and the thief, Nanami. Their love and vows are tested as they find love along their journey.
This is the first book in the Immortals series. The story moves at a nice pace and keeps the reader glued to it. I liked the world building, and the character descriptions. The characters grew with the story, and I really liked how they turned out. All the main characters, Jin, Xiao, Nanami and Bai, developed and matured as the story progressed. I especially liked how each of them faced their fears and conquered them. I resonated with the characters and grew extremely fond of them. The author got me invested in their quest.
There are enough intrigues, love interests developing along the way to keep the interest in the story alive. The writing is fluent and the story develops very nicely. There is some representation of the queer community in this story, which made it richer, especially since it is mythical.
The narrator was superb. I especially liked the way he made the characters distinguishable, both male and female.
The only reason I'm taking off a star in my review is because the ending was a cliffhanger. I wish the author had given some sort of a conclusion to this book and developed the story further in the next in the series.
I would still recommend this book to all YA fantasy lovers out there. It is not the usual run-of-the-mill story you get in this genre. There is enough uniqueness for you to take up this series.
September 13, 2021
In the first chapter we are introduced to Bai, the great warrior and first immortal who we learn more about throughout the book and the role he has to play. Prior to the betrothal of Jin, the goddess of beauty and Xia, god of pleasure, Nanami, the thief is tasked to steal the infinite jug from Xiao by Jin’s father Aka, the Sun Emperor who does not want Xiao to attend the betrothal drunk. No sooner has the betrothal taken place that Aka is poisoned with a death curse. The only way to save Aka is to obtain the key to the underworld to obtain the black peony which is the cure. But the key is located in the White Mountain and can only be taken by someone who is skilled. So starts Jin, Xiao, Nanami and Bai’s journey to save Aka. Along the way they will find out many secrets and form a bond which can never be broken. Will they succeed in obtaining the key and discover who has poisoned Aka.
I loved how the characters were all gods and goddesses, immortal and thousands of years old. The maps, family tree and glossary included in the book were a great additional feature. I referred to the family tree and glossary several times throughout the book to see who the characters, how they were all connected to each other and how they fitted into the story. I would definitely recommend using these resources whilst reading.
I can only describe this book as a high epic fantasy novel and the start of a brilliant new series which includes rich storytelling, detailed characters and brilliant world building.
As the first book this is a great introduction to a new series.
If you love fantasy books then this is one I would highly recommend. I am very much looking forward to the next in the series.
I loved how the characters were all gods and goddesses, immortal and thousands of years old. The maps, family tree and glossary included in the book were a great additional feature. I referred to the family tree and glossary several times throughout the book to see who the characters, how they were all connected to each other and how they fitted into the story. I would definitely recommend using these resources whilst reading.
I can only describe this book as a high epic fantasy novel and the start of a brilliant new series which includes rich storytelling, detailed characters and brilliant world building.
As the first book this is a great introduction to a new series.
If you love fantasy books then this is one I would highly recommend. I am very much looking forward to the next in the series.
September 10, 2021
Vows of Gold and Laughter by Edith Pawlicki is an adult fantasy that is worthy of comparisons to the Game of Thrones series. It is original and written with the most visual descriptive prose. Filled with magic, Asian mythology, a full cast of immortal gods and very human emotions this first book of a duology is a captivating epic saga.
There are 4 main characters, Jin the Goddess of Beauty, Bai the oldest warrior, Xaio the God of Pleasure who drinks to avoid his childhood trauma and Nanami a renowned thief and daughter of the sea dragon. When the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse the adventure begins for our godly protagonists.
I was lost at times with so many characters but loved the world building, the characters, the romance, the fights and the angst...so much angst! A must read for fantasy fans.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
There are 4 main characters, Jin the Goddess of Beauty, Bai the oldest warrior, Xaio the God of Pleasure who drinks to avoid his childhood trauma and Nanami a renowned thief and daughter of the sea dragon. When the Sun Emperor collapses from a death curse the adventure begins for our godly protagonists.
I was lost at times with so many characters but loved the world building, the characters, the romance, the fights and the angst...so much angst! A must read for fantasy fans.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 3, 2022
Utter Perfection!
Don't be fooled by the cover--this is a deep masterpiece that will resonate with adults. I did not expect the romance to be as strong as it was and was pleasantly surprised. I was blown away by the phenomenal world building. And the characters! There are two interwoven stories here and each of the four characters are well thought out, unique, and truly come alive with Pawlicki's deft words.
Which -- holy moly! Let me take a moment and savor the perfection of Pawlicki's writing. This prose is so smooth and fluid. Reading this book was such a joy as a writer, to admire the talent of someone else's craft, the way she deftly works in conflict, tension, agency, arcs, personality, history, and extensive world building (did I mention the stunning world-building?) while never slowing the ride.
In fact, the ride continues right to the end, when it comes to a sudden dizzying halt, leaving me scrambling for the next book.
I am truly astonished that this novel is not receiving more acclaim, and I can only guess it is a matter of time. I count myself lucky to have discovered this up and coming author early.
Don't be fooled by the cover--this is a deep masterpiece that will resonate with adults. I did not expect the romance to be as strong as it was and was pleasantly surprised. I was blown away by the phenomenal world building. And the characters! There are two interwoven stories here and each of the four characters are well thought out, unique, and truly come alive with Pawlicki's deft words.
Which -- holy moly! Let me take a moment and savor the perfection of Pawlicki's writing. This prose is so smooth and fluid. Reading this book was such a joy as a writer, to admire the talent of someone else's craft, the way she deftly works in conflict, tension, agency, arcs, personality, history, and extensive world building (did I mention the stunning world-building?) while never slowing the ride.
In fact, the ride continues right to the end, when it comes to a sudden dizzying halt, leaving me scrambling for the next book.
I am truly astonished that this novel is not receiving more acclaim, and I can only guess it is a matter of time. I count myself lucky to have discovered this up and coming author early.
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