Helpful Score: 2
I can't speak for the cultural and historical accuracies, as I'm ignorant myself. I suggest reading all these reviews, as there is at least one that explains some of the mistakes that make a "big" difference (unless you don't know about them) In a book like this, where it is supposed to be set in an actual time and place, accuracy is key.
Someone complained that Xing Xing is too obedient. But in western culture we used to prove the same values. Look at our stories, look at Cinderella. She was EXTREMELY obedient and complacent: she was "good." That's the whole story. That's the first argument I have, but there are others. Like considering the time period and traditions. Also in Asia familial duty is highly prized, above all. Even today. Xing Xing isn't given a social peer group that encourages her to think for her self or to rebel. The last thing one should be worrying about is how obedient she is.
I felt as though the book was building up towards something bigger, but it never really got there. That was a bit let down. The ending with the prince...entirely too short and almost thrown away. It's not as if that part is very great in the other versions of Cinderella; it's just disappointing ending after all the details that went into the subplots of the raccoon kit, etc.
The main plot of the story was NOT centered on Xing Xing's self-discovery or self-worth or any real change. It was moving in her journey to follow a traveling medicine man, which, when finished, is another disappointing untied end as you realize, wait, it's all wrapping up. THAT was the build up to THIS? which is, of course, the climax, which isn't much of anything at all.
I read it all in a couple of hours (it's less than two hundred pages), and it read smoothly and easily; it just didn't have a real POINT to it. Nothing very strong. If you're a Napoli fan, as I was, read it, but you might be disappointed. If you're interested in the author for the first time, read The Magic Circle, Sirena, or Spinner. Those are some of the best, and good to get you started.
Someone complained that Xing Xing is too obedient. But in western culture we used to prove the same values. Look at our stories, look at Cinderella. She was EXTREMELY obedient and complacent: she was "good." That's the whole story. That's the first argument I have, but there are others. Like considering the time period and traditions. Also in Asia familial duty is highly prized, above all. Even today. Xing Xing isn't given a social peer group that encourages her to think for her self or to rebel. The last thing one should be worrying about is how obedient she is.
I felt as though the book was building up towards something bigger, but it never really got there. That was a bit let down. The ending with the prince...entirely too short and almost thrown away. It's not as if that part is very great in the other versions of Cinderella; it's just disappointing ending after all the details that went into the subplots of the raccoon kit, etc.
The main plot of the story was NOT centered on Xing Xing's self-discovery or self-worth or any real change. It was moving in her journey to follow a traveling medicine man, which, when finished, is another disappointing untied end as you realize, wait, it's all wrapping up. THAT was the build up to THIS? which is, of course, the climax, which isn't much of anything at all.
I read it all in a couple of hours (it's less than two hundred pages), and it read smoothly and easily; it just didn't have a real POINT to it. Nothing very strong. If you're a Napoli fan, as I was, read it, but you might be disappointed. If you're interested in the author for the first time, read The Magic Circle, Sirena, or Spinner. Those are some of the best, and good to get you started.
