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The Zheninghai Chronicles #0
Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses
Dreams of magic and romance have no place in the heart of a poor farm girl. Or so Liena thought…
Magical visions have a way of turning the world upside-down. One minute Song Liena is a simple farm girl hoping for good luck at the matchmaker, and the next she is a student at the empire’s most rigorous and dangerous magic Academy.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize she’s ten years behind, her magic is weak, and she is in way over her head. But Liena is determined to work hard if it means a chance at a better life for her family.
She just wasn’t counting on being noticed by the handsome Crown Prince—a warrior-in-training said to have fire magic powerful enough to decimate entire armies.
But princes are not for peasants, and everything is not as it seems at the Academy. Monsters lurk around every corner, and someone is dabbling in dark, illegal magic.
Someone who has set their sinister sights on her.
Magical visions have a way of turning the world upside-down. One minute Song Liena is a simple farm girl hoping for good luck at the matchmaker, and the next she is a student at the empire’s most rigorous and dangerous magic Academy.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize she’s ten years behind, her magic is weak, and she is in way over her head. But Liena is determined to work hard if it means a chance at a better life for her family.
She just wasn’t counting on being noticed by the handsome Crown Prince—a warrior-in-training said to have fire magic powerful enough to decimate entire armies.
But princes are not for peasants, and everything is not as it seems at the Academy. Monsters lurk around every corner, and someone is dabbling in dark, illegal magic.
Someone who has set their sinister sights on her.
232 pages, ebook
215 people are currently reading
1330 people want to read
About the author
Anastasis Blythe
15 books526 followersAnastasis Blythe makes her home in central Texas with her husband. When she’s not writing, she gardens, accompanies local bands and choirs on piano, rescues feral cats, and tries to keep up with the laundry. She loves exploring the world through reading, walks in nature, and thoughtful conversations. You can find her on Instagram at @anastasisblythe and on her website at AnastasisBlythe.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
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February 27, 2022(ETA update)
the good:
*we have a fast-paced, immersive school world once we get past the slap-happy grandma at the start and get to the meat of the book. i really enjoy fantasy school worlds in general, and i thought the school itself was immersively written. there were enough dangers, troubles, and new things to look at to keep the book moving really well, and the MC, Liena, is a slightly softer heroine, which is nice to see every now and then. i love my gutsy and punchy mcs, but i do so love to take time out with softer female characters when i can find them!
*the friend who keeps getting angry at and belittling Liena when he's angry/upset is called out for his verbal abuse and the way he treats Liena, which is great. i almost never see that in fiction, and i'm really sad about it.
*loved that Liena was out trying to be kind and make friends despite the extremely abusive paradigm in which she was living, and the fact that she tried to help those friends in concrete ways
the bad:
*i'm saddened by the fact that the 100% abusive dynamic of the schooling isn't called out by anyone except a character who is obviously being corrupted--except once by the Prince, and he's swiftly told better by our mc. this is a personal quibble, and i know lots of people in my circle who would agree with the sentiment that allowances and help shouldn't be given to people who aren't up to par, and that everyone just needs to be judged by the same rod rather than getting people to do stuff they're good at instead of the same as everyone else. again, more of a personal quibble and could be looked past.
*was also made uncomfortable by the fact that the mc is "ashamed" in front of her love interest after being sexually assaulted--as if she'd done something wrong. that said, people react differently to sexual assault, so it's not an automatic no-go; it just made me uncomfortable. trigger warning for that since i know it's a trigger for me.
*the biggest problem i had with the book (which actually made me contact the author a couple weeks ago) was what I felt to be a rather disturbing series of descriptions of a character with physical scarring, and Liena's reaction to those disfigurations. ((since my original review, i've learned that another new version of this book came out that added further edits to the second edit i saw, and which addressed quite a few of my remaining areas of concern; i've deleted specifics of those to add this update to the review.))
the good:
*we have a fast-paced, immersive school world once we get past the slap-happy grandma at the start and get to the meat of the book. i really enjoy fantasy school worlds in general, and i thought the school itself was immersively written. there were enough dangers, troubles, and new things to look at to keep the book moving really well, and the MC, Liena, is a slightly softer heroine, which is nice to see every now and then. i love my gutsy and punchy mcs, but i do so love to take time out with softer female characters when i can find them!
*the friend who keeps getting angry at and belittling Liena when he's angry/upset is called out for his verbal abuse and the way he treats Liena, which is great. i almost never see that in fiction, and i'm really sad about it.
*loved that Liena was out trying to be kind and make friends despite the extremely abusive paradigm in which she was living, and the fact that she tried to help those friends in concrete ways
the bad:
*i'm saddened by the fact that the 100% abusive dynamic of the schooling isn't called out by anyone except a character who is obviously being corrupted--except once by the Prince, and he's swiftly told better by our mc. this is a personal quibble, and i know lots of people in my circle who would agree with the sentiment that allowances and help shouldn't be given to people who aren't up to par, and that everyone just needs to be judged by the same rod rather than getting people to do stuff they're good at instead of the same as everyone else. again, more of a personal quibble and could be looked past.
*was also made uncomfortable by the fact that the mc is "ashamed" in front of her love interest after being sexually assaulted--as if she'd done something wrong. that said, people react differently to sexual assault, so it's not an automatic no-go; it just made me uncomfortable. trigger warning for that since i know it's a trigger for me.
*the biggest problem i had with the book (which actually made me contact the author a couple weeks ago) was what I felt to be a rather disturbing series of descriptions of a character with physical scarring, and Liena's reaction to those disfigurations. ((since my original review, i've learned that another new version of this book came out that added further edits to the second edit i saw, and which addressed quite a few of my remaining areas of concern; i've deleted specifics of those to add this update to the review.))
December 18, 2021
Hmmm, where to start?
Liena doesn’t plan on where her life unexpectedly takes her. This, in and of itself, made her relatable from the get-go. But what sealed the deal on this heartwarming story was that, though she’s ‘different’ from her family, she doesn’t turn out to be extraordinary. In fact, her greatest triumph comes as she embraces the ordinary parts of herself, winning a victory that will strike hope in the hearts of all the very ordinary people reading her story.
Ah yes, and romance! Rarely is fantasy romance, especially in this setting, handled so well. The author smoothly balances romantic tension with personal growth, friendship, and vividly (flawlessly) depicted combat scenes to create a story that’s like the perfect cup of hot chocolate: sweet, rich, warming, with enough interest to make me want to go back.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the next installments in this series.
Liena doesn’t plan on where her life unexpectedly takes her. This, in and of itself, made her relatable from the get-go. But what sealed the deal on this heartwarming story was that, though she’s ‘different’ from her family, she doesn’t turn out to be extraordinary. In fact, her greatest triumph comes as she embraces the ordinary parts of herself, winning a victory that will strike hope in the hearts of all the very ordinary people reading her story.
Ah yes, and romance! Rarely is fantasy romance, especially in this setting, handled so well. The author smoothly balances romantic tension with personal growth, friendship, and vividly (flawlessly) depicted combat scenes to create a story that’s like the perfect cup of hot chocolate: sweet, rich, warming, with enough interest to make me want to go back.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the next installments in this series.
December 17, 2021
(Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book contains brief scenes of non-consensual kissing and contact. This is also an abridged version of my blog review.)
Cute, swoony romance? Check. Kind, handsome prince? Check check! Serious underdog female MC with a ton of heart? Big ol’ check! All of these, plus an extremely engaging storytelling style (with plenty of action), are what made Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses a truly entertaining, well-written book I enjoyed reading every time I picked it up.
Protagonist Song Liena begins Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses as the “half-barbarian” daughter of a poor millet-farming family in the north of Zheninghai. The Songs’ fate is tied to that of each harvest, and Liena never stops worrying about her family, long after a vision derails her trip to the matchmaker. The law requires Liena attend the national Academy for magic users, which means she has a chance to better her parents’ and grandmother’s lives.
Unfortunately for Liena, 16 is incredibly late for magic to develop, and she is more than a decade behind at the Academy. When literally and figuratively warm Nianzu (and his dimples) takes an interest in her (along with mean girl Shu), Liena’s days get way more complicated, and not just because of her Magic Theory class. Nianzu is the equivalent of an ultra popular high school senior–and he’s also the Crown Prince of Zheninghai.
Blythe’s writing is smooth and descriptive. I particularly enjoyed her atmospheric similes and metaphors, like “knife-cold air” and “her mind was like a mushy bowl of rice.” She also excels at combat descriptions, never getting bogged down in minutiae that would ruin the sense of speed. Yet the scenes in which Nianzu helps her with her training are highly convincing. I felt sure the author had martial arts and self-defense experience. My one complaint is that Liena often reads as younger than 16 (prior to the end). This is somewhat understandable; her experience with boys is nonexistent.
This was a 5-star read for me, and I’ll be sure to dive into whatever comes next in the world of Zheninghai.
Cute, swoony romance? Check. Kind, handsome prince? Check check! Serious underdog female MC with a ton of heart? Big ol’ check! All of these, plus an extremely engaging storytelling style (with plenty of action), are what made Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses a truly entertaining, well-written book I enjoyed reading every time I picked it up.
Protagonist Song Liena begins Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses as the “half-barbarian” daughter of a poor millet-farming family in the north of Zheninghai. The Songs’ fate is tied to that of each harvest, and Liena never stops worrying about her family, long after a vision derails her trip to the matchmaker. The law requires Liena attend the national Academy for magic users, which means she has a chance to better her parents’ and grandmother’s lives.
Unfortunately for Liena, 16 is incredibly late for magic to develop, and she is more than a decade behind at the Academy. When literally and figuratively warm Nianzu (and his dimples) takes an interest in her (along with mean girl Shu), Liena’s days get way more complicated, and not just because of her Magic Theory class. Nianzu is the equivalent of an ultra popular high school senior–and he’s also the Crown Prince of Zheninghai.
Blythe’s writing is smooth and descriptive. I particularly enjoyed her atmospheric similes and metaphors, like “knife-cold air” and “her mind was like a mushy bowl of rice.” She also excels at combat descriptions, never getting bogged down in minutiae that would ruin the sense of speed. Yet the scenes in which Nianzu helps her with her training are highly convincing. I felt sure the author had martial arts and self-defense experience. My one complaint is that Liena often reads as younger than 16 (prior to the end). This is somewhat understandable; her experience with boys is nonexistent.
This was a 5-star read for me, and I’ll be sure to dive into whatever comes next in the world of Zheninghai.
May 5, 2024
Absolutely loved everything about this book
December 10, 2021
Wow! I don't know where to begin for this review, but this book was way more than I was expecting.
At the very beginning, I thought - this has major Mulan vibes, but once Liena left home, the similarities pretty much end there. So, if you like Mulan - you'll like this book. If you're looking for a retelling- it's definitely its own story, and you'll still like it!
I love Liena's character arc. I appreciate that the romantic aspect doesn't overpower Liena's personal story, but was still so well done that I was rooting for the love interest from the very beginning (even though I saw it coming a mile away, I didn't care because... because... *swoons*)
I love that Liena was intuitive, but she didn't always trust her intuition enough to act on it. She is a believable character with weaknesses and so much inner strength.
This is such an action-packed, well paced story. Toward the end my heart was literally pounding as I read. Anastasis did a wonderful job keeping me on the edge of my seat, both with the romance build-up, and the fighting scenes. Though it didn't end on a cliffhanger, there is still enough left unfinished that I am already looking forward to reading more on these characters.
Congratulations to the author on an amazing novel!
Be sure to check her out at AnastasisBlythe.com , on IG @anastasis.writes or on Goodreads! ♥
At the very beginning, I thought - this has major Mulan vibes, but once Liena left home, the similarities pretty much end there. So, if you like Mulan - you'll like this book. If you're looking for a retelling- it's definitely its own story, and you'll still like it!
I love Liena's character arc. I appreciate that the romantic aspect doesn't overpower Liena's personal story, but was still so well done that I was rooting for the love interest from the very beginning (even though I saw it coming a mile away, I didn't care because... because... *swoons*)
I love that Liena was intuitive, but she didn't always trust her intuition enough to act on it. She is a believable character with weaknesses and so much inner strength.
This is such an action-packed, well paced story. Toward the end my heart was literally pounding as I read. Anastasis did a wonderful job keeping me on the edge of my seat, both with the romance build-up, and the fighting scenes. Though it didn't end on a cliffhanger, there is still enough left unfinished that I am already looking forward to reading more on these characters.
Congratulations to the author on an amazing novel!
Be sure to check her out at AnastasisBlythe.com , on IG @anastasis.writes or on Goodreads! ♥
December 20, 2021
Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses was quite a good read. Anastasis did a fantastic job with the worldbuilding. I felt like I was there with the characters and experiencing what they did as well. The school reminded me quite a bit of Hogwarts due to the magic and emphasis on schoolwork, but the school was also quite different, giving it a unique feel.
The only thing I was a little disappointed by was the romance. I don't know, but I did not like nor dislike the main couple.
Overall, I would highly recommend that you visit Anastasis's website and get a free copy of this novel. I can't wait to see what she publishes next.
4 Stars
Content: fights, forced kissing, kissing, emotional manipulation
*I received an arc copy of this novel from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
The only thing I was a little disappointed by was the romance. I don't know, but I did not like nor dislike the main couple.
Overall, I would highly recommend that you visit Anastasis's website and get a free copy of this novel. I can't wait to see what she publishes next.
4 Stars
Content: fights, forced kissing, kissing, emotional manipulation
*I received an arc copy of this novel from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
April 12, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
This book was so adorable & has major Mulan vibes, which I’m all here for! 😍
I don’t think I’ve read an Asian fantasy before & was initially a little intimidated because of intricate world-building & culture. But I needn’t have feared! There was enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. The magic academy angle was fun with clear distinctions between good & evil.
Nianzu & Liena were just… ahhh. 😍 I’m not usually a fan of forbidden romance, but here, there was so much cuteness that it worked for me.
And the heart-racing action moments… what a ride!
This book was so adorable & has major Mulan vibes, which I’m all here for! 😍
I don’t think I’ve read an Asian fantasy before & was initially a little intimidated because of intricate world-building & culture. But I needn’t have feared! There was enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. The magic academy angle was fun with clear distinctions between good & evil.
Nianzu & Liena were just… ahhh. 😍 I’m not usually a fan of forbidden romance, but here, there was so much cuteness that it worked for me.
And the heart-racing action moments… what a ride!
January 23, 2022
I absolutely enjoyed this book.
It’s a clean read so not just adults can appreciate it but also a younger audience p.
I was first reeled in by the book cover.
It’s about a girl who has a magic ability which leads her to attend a school for children with magic.
From beginning to end never a dull moment.
if you like Harry Potter style you will like this.
I highly recommend
It’s a clean read so not just adults can appreciate it but also a younger audience p.
I was first reeled in by the book cover.
It’s about a girl who has a magic ability which leads her to attend a school for children with magic.
From beginning to end never a dull moment.
if you like Harry Potter style you will like this.
I highly recommend
Read
August 19, 2024My biggest complaint with this book is that I didn't feel super invested until the last 100 pages. It took some time for me to care about the characters and want them to succeed. That said, the ending was amazing, and I am really excited to read more in this series. I hope we get some more world building in the future. Right now, it feels really light.
December 17, 2021
This is a beautiful story of someone realising her own strength and value. Strongly recommend it!
December 24, 2021
Amazing story. I couldn't put it down once I started it.
January 3, 2022
[I received a free copy]
This was came highly recommended to me by a friend. I enjoyed it, but have to admit that it turned out to be an example of the fact that readers' tastes do vary.
This is a clean, YA, romantic fantasy coming-of-age story that reminded me a little of a combination of Harry Potter (children training to fight and use their magic), the Hunger Games and Mulan.
Favourites:
- Romantic interest: friendly, active, honest, caring and capable, this character was what i most looked forward too seeing and the romantic tension was well done.
- Monsters & scare: I really enjoyed the horror-esque tension that we see at some point during the MC's time at the magic school. I did NOT expect it!
- Deeper themes: I appreciated that the author tried to weave some deeper themes into this like dealing with insecurity, class differences, responsibility towards family and those in need. Although I felt that some of it was a little too blatant and often repeated, I appreciated seeing it nonetheless.
What I missed:
- Cool Worldbuilding: amongst other things, due to the cover, I was really looking forward to some cool asian-inspired worldbuilding but I felt quite disappointed in that department. This is a relatively fast-paced story with little description and, being a fantasy reader, I really missed that 'woooow' feeling I love so much when an author describes the awesome world around our characters
- Character connection: I struggled a little with our 'Lotus'. She was sweet and kind, and I could understand her initial insecurity, but I felt like too many of her difficulties were either thrust upon her without her power or came about because of her obviously not so smart decisions. I would have liked to see her grown a little stronger in that department, and make better choices.
Sexual content: none
Coarse language: none
Violence and gore: mild gore, moderate violence
Conclusion
This wasn't a new favourite and I had a little bit of a slump several times, despite the fact that it's such a quick and not a very thick read, but I did overall enjoy it.
This was came highly recommended to me by a friend. I enjoyed it, but have to admit that it turned out to be an example of the fact that readers' tastes do vary.
This is a clean, YA, romantic fantasy coming-of-age story that reminded me a little of a combination of Harry Potter (children training to fight and use their magic), the Hunger Games and Mulan.
Favourites:
- Romantic interest: friendly, active, honest, caring and capable, this character was what i most looked forward too seeing and the romantic tension was well done.
- Monsters & scare: I really enjoyed the horror-esque tension that we see at some point during the MC's time at the magic school. I did NOT expect it!
- Deeper themes: I appreciated that the author tried to weave some deeper themes into this like dealing with insecurity, class differences, responsibility towards family and those in need. Although I felt that some of it was a little too blatant and often repeated, I appreciated seeing it nonetheless.
What I missed:
- Cool Worldbuilding: amongst other things, due to the cover, I was really looking forward to some cool asian-inspired worldbuilding but I felt quite disappointed in that department. This is a relatively fast-paced story with little description and, being a fantasy reader, I really missed that 'woooow' feeling I love so much when an author describes the awesome world around our characters
- Character connection: I struggled a little with our 'Lotus'. She was sweet and kind, and I could understand her initial insecurity, but I felt like too many of her difficulties were either thrust upon her without her power or came about because of her obviously not so smart decisions. I would have liked to see her grown a little stronger in that department, and make better choices.
Sexual content: none
Coarse language: none
Violence and gore: mild gore, moderate violence
Conclusion
This wasn't a new favourite and I had a little bit of a slump several times, despite the fact that it's such a quick and not a very thick read, but I did overall enjoy it.
June 16, 2022
Liena is quite content to tend to the family's millet farm along with her parents and forceful grandmother.
One day, she goes into a trance and, to the family's jubilation, she is revealed as a seer. At that time in this Asian Empire, anyone with magic and/or magical aptitudes is automatically sent to the Empire's Magical Academy to be tested, trained, and subsequently assigned a post in the service of the Empire.
There is no other choice and making the Academy is considered an honor.
As all prestigious institutions, this one also houses it's fair share of bullies and their brainless followers who are born into riches and look down on the poor even if their talents could bring something meaningful to the institution.
The author masterfully created and wrote this story that takes the reader, virtually on an adventure where one can almost feel being present during the entire journey.
This very well conceived plot, is filed with action, adventure, magic, combat, hurdles to surmount,
Jealousy, treachery, Love, rivalry, and danger that succeeds In making the reader forget that the beginning of the book looks a lot Ike Mulan, with the cookie grandmother, the injured father and the butcher's son named ie one of the characters in Mulan.
A reader, caught I this comparison could e tempted to put down the book. It is my opinion that this would bean error as the book turns into a 5 Stars Rated page-turner.
One day, she goes into a trance and, to the family's jubilation, she is revealed as a seer. At that time in this Asian Empire, anyone with magic and/or magical aptitudes is automatically sent to the Empire's Magical Academy to be tested, trained, and subsequently assigned a post in the service of the Empire.
There is no other choice and making the Academy is considered an honor.
As all prestigious institutions, this one also houses it's fair share of bullies and their brainless followers who are born into riches and look down on the poor even if their talents could bring something meaningful to the institution.
The author masterfully created and wrote this story that takes the reader, virtually on an adventure where one can almost feel being present during the entire journey.
This very well conceived plot, is filed with action, adventure, magic, combat, hurdles to surmount,
Jealousy, treachery, Love, rivalry, and danger that succeeds In making the reader forget that the beginning of the book looks a lot Ike Mulan, with the cookie grandmother, the injured father and the butcher's son named ie one of the characters in Mulan.
A reader, caught I this comparison could e tempted to put down the book. It is my opinion that this would bean error as the book turns into a 5 Stars Rated page-turner.
October 1, 2022
In the paraphrased words of Mr. Knightley. If I loved this book less, I could talk about it more. But as it stands, I love this book to a level where my thoughts are all jumbled and hard to get together. Just know that I love everything about it and you should read it.
This is the first book I've read this year that wasn't an ARC (because apparently I need deadlines of some sort to be able to finish anything), so I think that fact speaks for itself. This book series is quickly becoming one of my favorite series and Blythe is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
One thing I'll say is that apparently this book is set a generation BEFORE the event of Guardians. I had not previously been aware of this fact and had actually thought that it was set only a few years before (I thought the prince was the brother of the kidnapped princess, not her dad) so I was confused when characters who had been portrayed as much older were just students in this series. But other that's just a minor mix-up in the grand scheme of how much I enjoy this story. I wish I had read it before Guardians due to how much backstory and lore it shows, but ah, oh well. I've read it now,
Also, Zedong had better get a redemption arc or I'm not gonna be a happy camper...
This is the first book I've read this year that wasn't an ARC (because apparently I need deadlines of some sort to be able to finish anything), so I think that fact speaks for itself. This book series is quickly becoming one of my favorite series and Blythe is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
One thing I'll say is that apparently this book is set a generation BEFORE the event of Guardians. I had not previously been aware of this fact and had actually thought that it was set only a few years before (I thought the prince was the brother of the kidnapped princess, not her dad) so I was confused when characters who had been portrayed as much older were just students in this series. But other that's just a minor mix-up in the grand scheme of how much I enjoy this story. I wish I had read it before Guardians due to how much backstory and lore it shows, but ah, oh well. I've read it now,
Also, Zedong had better get a redemption arc or I'm not gonna be a happy camper...
October 8, 2023
This was so much fun! I enjoyed the like Academy magic school vibe and the ~romance~. I am gutted finishing it tho bc I got attached to the characters and it’s the prequel and they’re not the main characters of the main series, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy the main series too, so let’s gooooooooo!!!!!!
Also, the “swearing” is so comical to me like i cannot help but cringe and laugh at ‘dragons’ being a swear word, lmao?!
Also, the “swearing” is so comical to me like i cannot help but cringe and laugh at ‘dragons’ being a swear word, lmao?!
April 22, 2024
April 2024:
When I first read this book it was a free novel from the author’s website. I fell in love and now have two physical copies on my shelf. A regular paperback and a special edition hardcover. This re-read I got to listen to the free audiobook version on YouTube. It was fantastic! I still love this story and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing it to life!
Jan 2022:
I loved this!
I’m a sucker for a story with a specialized/magical school and romance between opposing social classes.
I was intrigued by the magic and the world. I was on the edge of my seat at numerous points and the romance definitely had me swooning. 😍
Also how is this book free!? It’s so good! Such a steal to be able to read this for free.
I guess I’ll be pre-ordering the other books, ‘cause there is no way I’m not reading on to find out more of what’s happening to these characters! 😉
When I first read this book it was a free novel from the author’s website. I fell in love and now have two physical copies on my shelf. A regular paperback and a special edition hardcover. This re-read I got to listen to the free audiobook version on YouTube. It was fantastic! I still love this story and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing it to life!
Jan 2022:
I loved this!
I’m a sucker for a story with a specialized/magical school and romance between opposing social classes.
I was intrigued by the magic and the world. I was on the edge of my seat at numerous points and the romance definitely had me swooning. 😍
Also how is this book free!? It’s so good! Such a steal to be able to read this for free.
I guess I’ll be pre-ordering the other books, ‘cause there is no way I’m not reading on to find out more of what’s happening to these characters! 😉
December 12, 2021
A sweet and amazing story
-Big thanks to the author for sending me an eARC-
As a farmer's daughter, all Liena was hoping for was a good match. But when she gets a vision, everything changes. Without even having the time to realize what it means, she is sent to the academy for magical wielders. Being older than most when arriving, she is years behind and struggles to fit in, but she isn't about to give up. When the powerful and handsome Crown Prince notices her, things will get even more complicated for her.
I absolutely loved this book! First of all, Anastasis' writing is smart and addictive. It keeps us hooked and into the story from the very first words and I loved it. Liena is very interesting. She's smart and brave, and I loved how she grew during the story, going from a shy and lost girl to a strong and more assured young woman. I could relate to Liena in several ways and I really liked that too. She's a very realistic character. The academia vibes were really cool too, and the author did a great job of introducing us to this world without getting us lost in all that was happening. The balance between the romance and the main plot was also quite perfect and I had butterflies in my stomach for several reasons. As for the story in itself, it was really fast-paced and well built. I liked how the different plot point came into focus and how everything worked together toward the conclusion. The magic system is also quite fascinating and I can't wait to read more stories set in this world. As for the romance... I was swooning. It was cute and made perfect sense and I absolutely loved it. The Prince is a real delight! All in all, it's a really good book and I'm really glad to have read it!
I definitely recommend if you like YA fantasy with academia vibes!
"Pain is all in the mind. Learn to control your mind and you will be undefeatable."
-Big thanks to the author for sending me an eARC-
As a farmer's daughter, all Liena was hoping for was a good match. But when she gets a vision, everything changes. Without even having the time to realize what it means, she is sent to the academy for magical wielders. Being older than most when arriving, she is years behind and struggles to fit in, but she isn't about to give up. When the powerful and handsome Crown Prince notices her, things will get even more complicated for her.
I absolutely loved this book! First of all, Anastasis' writing is smart and addictive. It keeps us hooked and into the story from the very first words and I loved it. Liena is very interesting. She's smart and brave, and I loved how she grew during the story, going from a shy and lost girl to a strong and more assured young woman. I could relate to Liena in several ways and I really liked that too. She's a very realistic character. The academia vibes were really cool too, and the author did a great job of introducing us to this world without getting us lost in all that was happening. The balance between the romance and the main plot was also quite perfect and I had butterflies in my stomach for several reasons. As for the story in itself, it was really fast-paced and well built. I liked how the different plot point came into focus and how everything worked together toward the conclusion. The magic system is also quite fascinating and I can't wait to read more stories set in this world. As for the romance... I was swooning. It was cute and made perfect sense and I absolutely loved it. The Prince is a real delight! All in all, it's a really good book and I'm really glad to have read it!
I definitely recommend if you like YA fantasy with academia vibes!
"Pain is all in the mind. Learn to control your mind and you will be undefeatable."
January 5, 2024
My rating:4 stars
I decided to start this series because a few people I follow and trust on bookstagram raved about this series. I'm so glad I did!
This was a good start to what I think will be an engaging series!
I really liked the main character Liena. Her determination was inspiring. It's nice to see a heroine in a fantasy that isn't strong because she has some amazing power, but because she is working hard towards her goals.
I know she is not going to be the protagonist in the rest of the series, but I do hope she will at least make a cameo appearance!
I also enjoyed the mystery aspects of this book. I'm excited to see how they will continue to play out in the other books.
One thing I had a little bit mixed feelings about was the romance between Liena and Nianzu. It escalated really quick. One minute they admitted their feelings for each other and the next minute they were talking about marriage (keep in mind they are 16/17).
Pacing aside, they did have some cute and swoon worthy moments. I particularly enjoyed their training scenes on the beach.
I'm so happy that I trusted the bookstagrammers who recommended this series. I've already started the second (or I guess first book, since this one is a prequel) and can't wait to see what happens next in the world of Zheninghai!
I decided to start this series because a few people I follow and trust on bookstagram raved about this series. I'm so glad I did!
This was a good start to what I think will be an engaging series!
I really liked the main character Liena. Her determination was inspiring. It's nice to see a heroine in a fantasy that isn't strong because she has some amazing power, but because she is working hard towards her goals.
I know she is not going to be the protagonist in the rest of the series, but I do hope she will at least make a cameo appearance!
I also enjoyed the mystery aspects of this book. I'm excited to see how they will continue to play out in the other books.
One thing I had a little bit mixed feelings about was the romance between Liena and Nianzu. It escalated really quick. One minute they admitted their feelings for each other and the next minute they were talking about marriage (keep in mind they are 16/17).
Pacing aside, they did have some cute and swoon worthy moments. I particularly enjoyed their training scenes on the beach.
I'm so happy that I trusted the bookstagrammers who recommended this series. I've already started the second (or I guess first book, since this one is a prequel) and can't wait to see what happens next in the world of Zheninghai!
January 15, 2022
Thank you Book of Matches Media for the chance to read and review this book!
Honestly, I didn’t expect to like this book a lot and then I started reading it. While I totally expected this to go down a Mulan route (and there was potential at the start), it didn’t, but it was also really good.
Liena is super sweet and very easy to root for. She struggles throughout the book because her birth does put her at a significant disadvantage. She and her family hoped that magic would be enough to bring them out of poverty and eat meat for every meal, but at school she realises that won’t happen.
“Sweet girl,” said the master gently, “you are one of the most likely candidates for monster fighting. You do not have battle magic and you are a low magic-wielder. You will likely be given a post in a village, and you will be little more than a deputy, fighting crime and monsters alike. When you have visions, you will be required by law to submit them for review. Is it the most practical matching of magic and skill to an appointment? No. But that’s the way things are.”
But it gets good and I want a part two to see how she does things and how she gets better and better! And I want to see how things go between her and the people around her.
Honestly, I didn’t expect to like this book a lot and then I started reading it. While I totally expected this to go down a Mulan route (and there was potential at the start), it didn’t, but it was also really good.
Liena is super sweet and very easy to root for. She struggles throughout the book because her birth does put her at a significant disadvantage. She and her family hoped that magic would be enough to bring them out of poverty and eat meat for every meal, but at school she realises that won’t happen.
“Sweet girl,” said the master gently, “you are one of the most likely candidates for monster fighting. You do not have battle magic and you are a low magic-wielder. You will likely be given a post in a village, and you will be little more than a deputy, fighting crime and monsters alike. When you have visions, you will be required by law to submit them for review. Is it the most practical matching of magic and skill to an appointment? No. But that’s the way things are.”
But it gets good and I want a part two to see how she does things and how she gets better and better! And I want to see how things go between her and the people around her.
October 15, 2022
This month i read so many different genres and books, and with this intention in mind i saw this book in my TBR and knew that i needed read it. YA is not my usually first choice of a book, but i loved so much the cover and blurb that i knew that i will like.
*A romance with a Mulan’s vibe
*A heroine strong and determined
*An academy of powerful students
*Magic and adventure
This is definitely my kind of book. Here we are presented to Liena: a sixteen years old’s farmer girl that discover that she was a seer. With this knowledge, she goes to the Academy (a place where magic people are trained to increase your habilities) and finds herself fighting to belongs in there. Even knows that she was the most ‘weak’ and unprepared in this place, Liena are determinated to be better and defy all the people who doubted her. In parallel we have a cute love story between she and the prince. This book is a fresh story of all the genres that i was read, and is so easy to be capture by the storyline that i’m not saw the time passing. Definitely all the Mulan’s fans need to read this book.
*A romance with a Mulan’s vibe
*A heroine strong and determined
*An academy of powerful students
*Magic and adventure
This is definitely my kind of book. Here we are presented to Liena: a sixteen years old’s farmer girl that discover that she was a seer. With this knowledge, she goes to the Academy (a place where magic people are trained to increase your habilities) and finds herself fighting to belongs in there. Even knows that she was the most ‘weak’ and unprepared in this place, Liena are determinated to be better and defy all the people who doubted her. In parallel we have a cute love story between she and the prince. This book is a fresh story of all the genres that i was read, and is so easy to be capture by the storyline that i’m not saw the time passing. Definitely all the Mulan’s fans need to read this book.
September 19, 2022
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Liena, 16, is more than a decade behind her peers at the Academy and was born extraordinarily late for magic to develop and by law anyone who has magic must attend the Academy. Liena's days get significantly more challenging at the school, and not just because of her Magic Theory class, when warm Nianzu expresses an interest in her. Nianzu, the Crown Prince of Zheninghai, is equal to a senior in high school who is extremely popular.
This story is very fast-paced and action-packed. My pulse was physically racing as I read toward the finish. Both the romance build-up and the combat scenes, which Anastasis masterfully crafted, kept me on the edge of my seat. Even though it didn't end on a cliffhanger, there was still enough unresolved that I am eager to read more about these characters in the future.
I’ll definitely be reading the next books in the chronicles.
Liena, 16, is more than a decade behind her peers at the Academy and was born extraordinarily late for magic to develop and by law anyone who has magic must attend the Academy. Liena's days get significantly more challenging at the school, and not just because of her Magic Theory class, when warm Nianzu expresses an interest in her. Nianzu, the Crown Prince of Zheninghai, is equal to a senior in high school who is extremely popular.
This story is very fast-paced and action-packed. My pulse was physically racing as I read toward the finish. Both the romance build-up and the combat scenes, which Anastasis masterfully crafted, kept me on the edge of my seat. Even though it didn't end on a cliffhanger, there was still enough unresolved that I am eager to read more about these characters in the future.
I’ll definitely be reading the next books in the chronicles.
February 11, 2023
Loved
This book was a great start to a world I am going to keep reading about. I really liked the characters especially Liena she was interesting to read about she suddenly gains magic so she enters a academy and is way behind so she has to struggle so she does all she can she nearly gives up but manages not to with help. I like that she is not instantly strong I like her romance with Nianzu he is an interesting character looking forward to reading more. The story was interesting Liena is a farm girl that suddenly gets magic and her whole life changes as a result she has struggled falls in love and learns so many things this book was really good looking forward to reading more in this book's world.
This book was a great start to a world I am going to keep reading about. I really liked the characters especially Liena she was interesting to read about she suddenly gains magic so she enters a academy and is way behind so she has to struggle so she does all she can she nearly gives up but manages not to with help. I like that she is not instantly strong I like her romance with Nianzu he is an interesting character looking forward to reading more. The story was interesting Liena is a farm girl that suddenly gets magic and her whole life changes as a result she has struggled falls in love and learns so many things this book was really good looking forward to reading more in this book's world.
January 6, 2022
It's a good book for a fan of Mulan (like me!). Liena was a very ordinary farm girl, who suddenly got a vision and declared a seer, thus she has to go to the Academy to train. She is older than most student, and she has to catch up - fast. I love that Liena is resilient and focused! The romance is a tad bit too sweet for me, but it's just me and my preference (more team slow burn than team first-sight crush). But the prince is *chef kiss* a formidable LI :)
Overall, I enjoyed it! If you are looking for Mulan-inspired, light book with sweet romance, look no further!
Overall, I enjoyed it! If you are looking for Mulan-inspired, light book with sweet romance, look no further!
January 25, 2022
This story is well written and probably targeted more to young adults. That doesn't make this story any less enjoyable. The main character is relatable and has a believable transformation from beginning to end.
The world building is good and look forward to reading the next in the series. The romance is sweet and clean! (This a big plus for me 🤣)
Recommend to romance/fantasy fans.
The world building is good and look forward to reading the next in the series. The romance is sweet and clean! (This a big plus for me 🤣)
Recommend to romance/fantasy fans.
February 16, 2023
I really enjoy this world and all the Asian influences. I’ve been finding myself drawn to Asian culture in literature lately—though I know nothing about it and have no idea if it’s realistic or not.
I will say that I’m slightly weary of the whole female protagonist whose magic has extremely rare elements (because special) and accidentally and for no obvious reason catches the eye of a alarmingly perfect male who is probably a prince. But I still find myself reading them, so I have no good excuse to be upset. Fantasy is a predictable genre, but I love it anyways.
I will say that I’m slightly weary of the whole female protagonist whose magic has extremely rare elements (because special) and accidentally and for no obvious reason catches the eye of a alarmingly perfect male who is probably a prince. But I still find myself reading them, so I have no good excuse to be upset. Fantasy is a predictable genre, but I love it anyways.
August 25, 2022
Absolutely perfect. An underrated masterpiece
September 19, 2022
Be nice if this was made into a movie with the romance and magic spirit fox and dragon be one great movie asain as well. I will look forward to reading more of this story.
August 14, 2023
i read this in under 14 hours!!!!!
December 29, 2023
Richtig nice die story, und das es alles in einem fernöstlichen Welt spielt. Romance war gut und MC relatable...
May 18, 2024
Mulan Goes to Hogwarts
Pretty accurate description from other reviews. I enjoyed Liena's journey. It wasn't straight forward or easy but felt realistic for her to struggle to fit into her new world.
Pretty accurate description from other reviews. I enjoyed Liena's journey. It wasn't straight forward or easy but felt realistic for her to struggle to fit into her new world.
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