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GabrielaL98

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currently-reading‎ (6)

read‎ (271)
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GabrielaL98 is Currently Reading

GabrielaL98 is currently reading

The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan

by Sherry Thomas (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in June 2026

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GabrielaL98 said: " WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! Why was this book so good, and where has it been all this time?

No, seriously! I have a few books that I like to call my comfort books, and I always reread them when I'm not feeling too well. This one has definitely earned a spot o WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! Why was this book so good, and where has it been all this time?

No, seriously! I have a few books that I like to call my comfort books, and I always reread them when I'm not feeling too well. This one has definitely earned a spot on that list! I literally finished it and immediately wanted to start reading it again. Now I'm just waiting for my physical copy to arrive so I can do exactly that and tab all of my favorite parts.

Now, enough about me. Let's talk about this book!

This is a retelling of Mulan, the Chinese ballad. But I think a lot of us know this story because of Disney's animated movie *Mulan*, which I adored with all my heart. I could sing every song and recite the dialogue as if it were some kind of philosophical text. What I want to tell you is that the premise is similar to the movie: we have a young woman who goes to war disguised as a man to save her family. That's where the similarities end!

This story leans much more toward historical fiction than fantasy, so there are no mythical creatures or magical elements (which means no Mushu, I'm sorry).

The FMC is strong, intelligent, and kind. She's not perfect, and she has her own flaws and internal conflicts. While she's a skilled fighter, she struggles at the beginning of the story in a realistic way. It's one thing to train for a duel against a single opponent and something entirely different to fight multiple men who don't follow any rules.

The MMC is her perfect match. I loved him so much. The way he trusted her and was able to read and understand her had me giggling like a teenager (I'm almost 28, so that's saying something).

The romance is subtle and stays mostly in the background, but it's pure sweetness. It's not built on lust or sex (there's no smut in this book; sorry, not sorry), but rather on trust, mutual understanding, and countless small, adorable gestures.

The plot was fantastic, with the main focus being the war or, more specifically, trying to prevent it. Our characters (and there's also a beautiful portrayal of friendship here) embark on a journey to save their country, putting their lives at risk over and over again.

There is betrayal, political intrigue, complex family relationships, and some great action sequences.

And I have to say, this book is truly YA in the best possible way. It explores a wide range of emotions and personal struggles, emphasizing the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The characters' conflicts feel relatable, and the story raises some interesting questions while maintaining a relatively light tone.

5/5 star... Or should I say 6/5? Because it really was that good! ...more "

progress:

(page 11 of 348)
"Yes, I'm already re-reading it" — Jun 25, 2026 01:49PM

Jun 25, 2026 01:49PM · see review

GabrielaL98 is currently reading

Swordheart (Swordheart, #1)

by T. Kingfisher

bookshelves: currently-reading

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(10%)
— Jun 23, 2026 06:17AM

Jun 23, 2026 06:17AM

GabrielaL98 is currently reading

Reapariția lui Rachel Price

by Holly Jackson (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: reading-list_2026, currently-reading

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Jun 21, 2026 06:54AM

See all 6 books that GabrielaL98 is reading…

GabrielaL98’s Quotes

“Genya—” David tried.
“Don’t you dare,” she said roughly, tears welling up again. “You never looked at me twice before I was like this, before I was broken. Now I’m just something for you to fix.”
I was desperate for words to soothe her, but before I could find any, David bunched up his shoulders and said, “I know metal.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Genya cried.
David furrowed his brow. “I … I don’t understand half of what goes on around me. I don’t get jokes or sunsets or poetry, but I know metal.” His fingers flexed unconsciously as if he were physically grasping for words. “Beauty was your armor. Fragile stuff, all show. But what’s inside you? That’s steel. It’s brave and unbreakable. And it doesn’t need fixing.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Ruin and Rising

tags: david-kostyk, genya-safin, metal

90 likes

“Who’d deny a poor cripple his cane?”
“If the cripple is you, then any man with sense.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

tags: jesper-fahey, kaz-brekker

951 likes